volunteering

[Daniel Simpson]

hi, this is my first post, so I hope I have put it in the correct section.

A quick background of me, I am 17, have wanted to fly since I was 13 when I got a trial flight, and since last August have been working towards my PPL, which I now have 15 hours towards. I am studying at college, and have decided for at least the moment to keep flying as a hobby.

However between college and University (summer 2009) I am wanting to go and try to make some kind of difference through volunteering. I am also hoping for this to involve flying in some way and am not concerned where in the world I have to go to do this. I am hoping to have achieved my PPL by then.

I'm not sure how realistic it is to actually be a flying in this volunteering with so few hours. but would love to do something involved with aviation.

If any one has any ideas of where to go or contacts I could use I would greatfully appreciate this. I think it can be said I have hit a brick wall with this now, as the volunteering websites dont have any opertunities that I am after, and the organisations college have put me in touch with cant help either.

thank you for reading the above.

[Mercenary Pilot]

The problem is that even though it is volunteer work, it's still technically commercial flying so you would need the appropriate licences and qualifications. Also, much of the volunteer work (at least all the stuff i can think of) involves flying in difficult environments and is not the sort of thing an inexperienced pilot would find comfortable.

An example of requirements from one charitable organisation I know of:

EXPERIENCED PILOTS An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) based Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with appropriate aviation medical certificate is the minimum-licensing requirement for all pilot positions. Experienced pilots will carry out flying duties under the leadership of the Chief Pilot. These pilots are required to have a minimum of 1000 hours total flight time (which includes 500+ hours PIC) with appropriate experience or ratings as necessary. This could include experience on multi-engine or turbo-prop aircraft in order to operate our Cessna Caravans. An instrument rating is usually required to fly these more complex aircraft. Pilots are usually required to spend some nights away from base each month to complete planned flights.

1 position based in Dhaka, Bangladesh to fly an amphibian C208 aircraft, with some supervised training/flying of a Bangladeshi co-pilot.
1 position based in N’djamena, Chad.
2 positions based in Nairobi, Kenya.
5 positions based in Papua New Guinea.
1 position based in Juba, Sudan.

MINIMUM ENTRY PILOT An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) based Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with appropriate aviation medical certificate is the minimum-licensing requirement for all pilot positions. A minimum of 500 hours total flight time is required (which includes 300 hours PIC) for operations limited to the use of the Cessna single-engine piston aircraft in visual flight weather conditions. Pilots are usually required to spend some nights away from base each month to complete planned flights. An instrument rating is highly recommended.

1 position based in Tanzania.


Sorry if this isn't the answer you were looking for but I think it's the reality. Maybe somebody will have some different advice.


Regards
MP
:ok:

[Daniel Simpson]

thanks for replying Mercenary Pilot

I think it is becoming clear now that, flying during my volunteering next year may be too ambitious, however I would still be interested in working within aviation in any way during this time.

Any advice from anyone on this would also be greatfully appreciated

[kieranTsoarer]

Daniel.............to my knowledge the whole idea of a compacted volunteering stint wont occur. As was said your licence/experience is insuffucient. However, the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) should be your first point of contact.

The ACO has the world's largest fleet of gliders and motor gliders, with schools known as Volunteer Gliding schools (VGS's). Staff are not paid for their flying, however do not have to pay to fly and receive a very high level of instruction as a wing of the RAF. Im a member of one in the South, and on an average weekend ill fly 12 launches lasting 5 minutes a go. In civvy street a winch launch costs about £8, and the glider hire is 25p/min (approx.). Already thats £111 worth of free flying a week, and thats probably the minimum ill do. Also, thats 12 landings and take-offs worth of practice, all maintaining my flying skills

[21391401]

Mercenary hi - can I please ask to which charity do you refer?

thx

[preduk]

You might not be able to fly with many airlines/air forces but you can visit them, most wouldn't have a problem with that.

Try getting in touch with your local RAF base, many would be happy enough for you to come and visit their premises.

(I done this recently) Pay a visit to the Police ASU, I went and looked at the aircraft and found out more about how they operate in the local airspace, how they navigate through streets from the air that sort of stuff, the pilots were mostly Royal Navy and were very helpful.

If you have any flying clubs speak to them and ask about helping out.

I understand these aren't great, but if you bring them up in an interview that you took the time to attend these organisations then it may be helpful.

I recently applied to join the Special Constables (part time police who don't get paid) just to help my CV and also help the community.

[Wings Of Fury]

Hi Daniel,

Try Angel flight in Australia, I don't know anything about them but I believe they are a charity,
Hope this helps, try there website.
www.angelflight.org.au/html/home.cfm

I got this of there web-site:

Angel Flight Australia is a charity that co-ordinates non emergency flights for financially and medically needy people. All flights are free and may involve patients or compassionate carers travelling to or from medical facilities anywhere in Australia.

Angel Flight pilots do not carry aeromedical staff or medical equipment so do not act as an alternative to the Flying Doctor (RFDS) or Air Ambulance in that capacity.

If you would like to join Angel Flight as a volunteer pilot/aircraft owner or would simply like to be on our mailing list for news and updates, click here: private pilots and aircraft owners.

Health professionals, this wonderful charity is there to help you help your patients. Click here: Health Professionals to register and receive full information and a mission request pack.

Angel Flight also seeks others who would like to volunteer as a ground support person.

[Daniel Simpson]

Thanks everyone, I will get onto the relevenant people and organistaions. Visiting some air forces and airlines is a good idea, I think i'll take that one up.

keep the ideas coming though.

and thanks again for replying

[Treeshaver]

To be honest mate I really do think you are not going to find anything,

Wot you could do is get ur multi rating, and then call up some of the guys that mercenary pilot has listed and offer yourself as a "pilots assistant." I.e. sitting to the right of the guy who's flying the thing, holding his maps, doing his vors etc. Single pilot flying is hard work at the best of times and most people would be glad for some help, esp to help unload all the crap from the plane when you land! You never know, you might even get to do a bit of supervised flying. You might be able to get something, especially if you're volunteering.

Another thing, if ur a Christian, (or if you can pretend to be one!) there is a charity that does missionary work in west africa, who take on "Christian pilots" to fly aid packages around. Dont know the name off hand however they've been mentioned here on PPRUNE, a clever search should pull them out.

Good luck!

[Daniel Simpson]

Thanks again, i'll have a search for the "christian pilots" scheme

[portsharbourflyer]

MAF, Missionary Aviation Fund is the Christian organisation and the advert in Mercenary Pilots post is from MAF.

One volunteer job you can get with a PPL is towing gliders; normally gliding experience with a PPL and a tailwheel conversion can be sufficient. However you will normally need to have long term involvement with a local gliding club in order to get a tug pilots position.

You can also become a "volunteer" Jump Pilot with just a PPL; however the BPA (British Parachute Association) requires a minimum of 100 hours P1 on top your PPL in order to become a jump pilot. I believe you also need a check out with a BPA examiner.