Monty
Let's not get away from the misty-eyed dream.
I'd like to hear from the mates driving light rotary/float planes in NZ.
Is the pay so crap? And how much? Why are you accepting that?
Then why?
Big difference between an hours builder and a soon-to-retire bloke from the airlines.
I've spent a month in NZ and have to say it is the most magical place (despite holiday goggles) I've ever visited, having actually lived in Africa (Ethiopia) and South America (Colombia), and obviously known most of Europe.
The reasons the money is so crap are simple.
1. Its a small market
2. Its so cheap to learn to fly in NZ....there are 10 guys/girls wanting your job
3. People use these jobs as a stepping stone.
Why do you think there are sooo many of us Kiwi's and Ozzies in Europe?
I've done the GA thing (1300hrs of it) in C172's/182's/206's/210's as well as Cheiftains and a Bandit..IMHO the bad outweighed the good.
Flying my employers 767 is my job, when I fly for fun..I go and mess around in a mates Supercub.