Float Rating

[WJA737]

Hey Guys,

When applying for a job some companies love the idea if you have a Float Rating. I currently don't have one, and wold love to do one. My question is, when looking for work what do companies want? "7 Hr float endorsement"? Any input would be great. Any good schools to do a rating at??


Thanks,


WJA 737

[tbaylx]

Depends what job you are applying for. Some companies like float time..that is alot different than a float rating. If you are looking for a bush job then obviously the float rating is a necessity. In any case 7 hour float rating isn't going to impress anyone, like anything else a couple hundred hours in a 180 will get you noticed alot more than a 7 hour rating.

If you aren't going to be looking for a bush job i wouldn't bother with it. at least not for employment purposes. If you want to do it for fun, well that's a different story.

[kevinsky18]

Below is the same response I posted on another forum earlier today:

One of the companies I fly for hired a fellow for a direct flying job this spring with 50 hours floats. I'm guessing he's logged about 200+ hours this summer and has a firm position for next year.

I know another pilot who got a direct hire flying position, again with 50 hours floats but then the recession forced the parking of the aircraft so she remained on the doc for most of the summer. She got a bit of flying in towards the end of the season and will most likely get a call back in the spring.

I personally haven’t heard of any 7 hour rating guys getting even a dock job this summer. I think it’s a combination of fewer over all jobs and the 50-300 hour guys are taking the dock jobs that the 7 hour guys would have normally gotten.

I’m predicting next season will be much the same; if you don't have at least 50 hours of float time you wont be getting even a doc job let alone a float flying gig.

my 2c

[WJA737]

Thanks to all for your input..



WJA737

[albertaboy]

Hey WJA737 I just finished school out in SpringBank. I got my 7 hour float rating as just one more tool in the bag for landing that first job, but after listening to the nay sayers never expected anything from it. I ended up getting a dock job in Ontario and worked hard all summer. After many beers with the boys throughout the summer I managed to be in the right place at the right time with the right attitude and landed a job with a different company flying a 180 on floats and skis in the winter! I am now maxing out on hours every month too. Basically for me the 50 hour would have been a total waste of money. The majority of the other float pilots I know only did the 7 hour aswell. Applying in person seems to be the key from what I've seen. Good Luck!