Flying for no one?

[downwash]

Hi all I have a question is it possible to be a pilot as a career but not work for a particular airline/company, for example 'free lance’ so that you have more control over your working hours/days ect.

If so, how do get into it? Does anyone have any experience advice on going about pursing this type of work from scratch? I don't have a PPL, but really want to consider this line of work as well and working for an airline/company on scheduled service.

Thank you for your time reading this I hope you can help me.

Take great care and I hope as we all do that 2002 will be a safe and more prosperous year for everyone.

Downwash

[twistedenginestarter]

You can be a contractor and thus work for different air operators over time but it is not so easy to kind of work part time partly because what hours you do is such a critical factor. The CAA aren't too keen on you floating about as they can't keep a close eye on you.

Anyway you need tons of experience which is, for any route into flying, the Catch 22.

[DownIn3Green]

DW,

Tons of experience is right. I have been contracting "freelance" since 1989, and although there are many benefits (tax-free salary, exciting and different locations, ability to take time off when you want, etc.,) but these must be weighed against factors such as no representation, long (I mean really long) hours, and unwanted time off when you can't find a contract.

Above all, if you contract, you are expected to show up and jump right into the seat and know what you are doing...experience is the key, without it, forget it...Good luck.

PS-If I had it to do over again, I'd probably want to stay with a scheduled airline...

[downwash]

Evening all,

I guess loads of experience is the big factor here. I was wondering pilots who already have job lets say flying B747-400 for an airline. Therefore obviously type rated to fly that particular type of a/c.

If they do a little moonlighting does that mean they can only fly the B747-400 as ‘Freelance’ pilots? If so do people actually contract out such big jets? Or can they be type rated to fly tow or more totally different types of a/c like the B747 and a Lear jet, for private and/or commercial use. I’ve always thought the 'free lance' work meant flying only business / Lear jets around, is there a limit to the number of a/c you can be type rated on?. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

I know airline pilots can be type rated on more than one type of a/c like the B757 & B767 if the airline has both, the pilot can be utilised more. But is this only because they have cockpit commonality?

Thanks for putting up with me again,
Take great care
DW
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">