Survey and stuff
Aerial survey, like most areas of aviation has its own 'layers'. The 'work from homebase' single engine FNG can gain hours hauling a photographer around but most air survey that pays anything is 'out in the boonies'.
In the pre-GPS days the crew chief was invariably an experienced survey nav who could cover even vast desert areas by eyeball (and other skills) with the help of a decent IR capable driver - flying long, straight, altitude-precise lines. Now with GPS-based survey systems the 'systems op' in the back can be more of a computer nerd, although someone on board with survey experience to make the go/no go w/x decisions is useful.
Getting on board a survey aircraft, single or twin to get hours in is still possible but not too well paid. It will also mean having to spend hangar-time getting what will probably be a geriatric aircraft into shape for the next project. A first season working 'from home' will be a must before being let loose on the world.
Most serious survey projects are now done with medium twins and usually turbo prop. A decent pilot can be the crew chief taking care of the general operations whilst taking mission-related instructions from the systems manager. Today's digital survey cameras are usually worth twice as much as the aircraft and the 500 hr on type minimum insurance requirements will play a part.
Most survey pilots are either FNGs or greyhairs tailing off their heavy-iron careers. There are some career survey pilots but it is far from being a family friendly occupation. And some of the best survey jockeys, I'm happy to say, are of the female persuasion!
So, there are jobs out there but they are not always well paid. They can be interesting, fun and, having just having hung up my headset after 50+ years of survey, certainly worth having a try at.