ncpilot1996

Okay so I have a job lined up pulling banners and I have my CFI,CFII & MEI with 500 TT. Would I be better working with the banner company flying the wheels off the plane or at the flight school maybe making 25-35 hours a month?

I've done the math behind it and with banner towing I'd make a substantial amout more and have more hours vs CFi. Do companies really look at the quality or quantity hours?

JohnBurke

Get out there and fly.

bedrock

Do both! The precision and possibly tailwheel time will make you a better pilot, then go and instruct for a while where you get to experience the beginnings of CRM and start learning from a different perspective.

c250ft

I guarantee if you have the hours, you'll get an interview at any regional. Nobody will care what you have flown.

SrfNFly227

Where are you hoping to end up? 121 or 91/135?

ncpilot1996

Not really sure yet where I'd want to end up at. Kind of an open door at the moment. I'd like to fly corporate but they don't have the retiring benefits of an airline. you get where I am going on this?

JohnBurke

No.

You've got no time or experience presently. You'll have multiple job. If you go corporate, you'll wind up out of work at some point, and looking for other work. If you go airlines, you'll switch or get furloughed at some point. Between mergers, bankruptcies, furloughs, etc, you'll experience change whether you choose to or not.

Don't get caught up in the idea that flight instructing will get you to the airlines, where some other kind of flying will send you somewhere else. Right now you're at the bottom of the experience rung. You need to get experience; get a much as you can.

Banner flying tends to be fairly seasonal. Get it done while you can, do other kinds of flying when you can. Do several if you can. Get paid. Do again.

If you're looking at a regional, remember that it's an entry level job, too; it's entry pay, takes minimal experience to get in, and will be a stopping point as you gain experience and go somewhere else (in most cases). Don't get too wrapped up in trying to decide which job, at this stage in your career, is the perfect fit for getting you down the line. Any job will be a good start; do both, if you like.

hittman31

Im currently pulling banners in San Diego and its a great job. It teaches you to be precise with airspeeds and altitudes. Also pickups are a blast!! If the operation you are looking at flies tailwheel i say do it, that is very valuable experience! With most operations you could definitely fit banners and flight instructing into your schedule at the same time. Just keep an eye out since there are a banner operations out there that skimp on maintenance and safety. I lucked out in that regard but its a fun job and good experience just listen to your conscience when you show up. If it feels sketchy it probably is.

Vital Signs

Is there an opportunity to teach multi?

Can you work both jobs?

ncpilot1996

Just a few not many though, I broughtup banner towing because I live 20 minutes driving time from myrtle beach and they promise 700-900 hours per year... that would put me at ATP hour requirements but I'd have to wait to turn 23 (4 years from now) but with those hours I could fly 135 or some corporate jobs at least