Survey Flying, whats it like?
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Survey Flying, whats it like?
Just wondering from any survey pilots, what the work is like, fun or boring? working for companies like Fugro and UTS do you work overseas as well as in Aus and of course what are the pay and conditions like. As I understand you guys can work in some rather remote places. Cheers
Lots and lots of flying hours, and equally lots of hours sitting around due to weather/serviceability etc with nowhere to go because you are likely to be situated in the middle of nowhere. For months at a time.
The flying is demanding due to the accuracy required, and the dangers of low level, and fatigue can be a factor. Yes, it can also be boring, but that's the trap...
The pay is pretty good, and once again, if you are in Bumfukc then there's not much to spend it on. Some companies cover your costs such as meals and telephone calls etc - just keep the receipts etc.
You will get your hands dirty, assisting with equipment and the like, refuelling the aircraft out of pre-positioned drums dropped at remote locations etc.
Be prepared to start off as an 'operator' larning about tweaking the equipment in the back. It pays to learn that job well, so that you can better appreciate the guy's problems when you are the pilot.
And be a good guy to get along with - you'll be spending heaps of time with your gang....
The flying is demanding due to the accuracy required, and the dangers of low level, and fatigue can be a factor. Yes, it can also be boring, but that's the trap...
The pay is pretty good, and once again, if you are in Bumfukc then there's not much to spend it on. Some companies cover your costs such as meals and telephone calls etc - just keep the receipts etc.
You will get your hands dirty, assisting with equipment and the like, refuelling the aircraft out of pre-positioned drums dropped at remote locations etc.
Be prepared to start off as an 'operator' larning about tweaking the equipment in the back. It pays to learn that job well, so that you can better appreciate the guy's problems when you are the pilot.
And be a good guy to get along with - you'll be spending heaps of time with your gang....
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I am not a CPL but have worked for pretty much all of the survey companies in AUS as a crew chief/tech. It's a good gig for someone looking to build some hrs and see australia and the rest of the world. UTS in oz are using the FU24 and it's good for survey but not much else. The work is at 20m so gets a bit demanding and does take a while to get the accuracy to not drop lines and cost money.
Who you work for depends on what you're after. If you want the ultra low level work the UTS is your ticket. Don't know if you still need an Ag ticket to work there but did when I was there. They pay well and there is a bit of international work about these days. They also have other aircraft apart from the FU24 so there's movement on different types. The accomadation is sometimes a bit basic and as another poster has pointed out you do get dirty sometimes with helping us techs fix things.
If you are looking for turbine time then Fugro are the go. They have the CASA 212, Skyvan, caravan for gravity as well as the Cresco for the 25m stuff. Pay and conditions are similar to UTS and with the EM aircraft like the CASA you generally work out of nicer places. They still use the Shrikes for the Mag stuff so you'll probably start there. They also have the phot stuff which has nice gentlemens hours and decent hotels. They are a multinational so the international work is more likely
There is also GPX with the 210's and one hell of a character as chief pilot. Just starting out last 3 years and from the accounts I've heard not too bad a mob to work for.
Whichever one you go for understand you'll be spending a lot of time with maybe 2 or 3 people in islolated places so you'll need to be able to get along with people.
Good luck
Who you work for depends on what you're after. If you want the ultra low level work the UTS is your ticket. Don't know if you still need an Ag ticket to work there but did when I was there. They pay well and there is a bit of international work about these days. They also have other aircraft apart from the FU24 so there's movement on different types. The accomadation is sometimes a bit basic and as another poster has pointed out you do get dirty sometimes with helping us techs fix things.
If you are looking for turbine time then Fugro are the go. They have the CASA 212, Skyvan, caravan for gravity as well as the Cresco for the 25m stuff. Pay and conditions are similar to UTS and with the EM aircraft like the CASA you generally work out of nicer places. They still use the Shrikes for the Mag stuff so you'll probably start there. They also have the phot stuff which has nice gentlemens hours and decent hotels. They are a multinational so the international work is more likely
There is also GPX with the 210's and one hell of a character as chief pilot. Just starting out last 3 years and from the accounts I've heard not too bad a mob to work for.
Whichever one you go for understand you'll be spending a lot of time with maybe 2 or 3 people in islolated places so you'll need to be able to get along with people.
Good luck
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Training wheels, sorry it's 20 metres or 66ft depending on your preference. The Bendix King KRA 405 rad alt is a cool little unit. Basically you're flying lines at a predetermined spacing and height and they have contract tolerances. When you go out of tolerance ie drift too low or right or left, it will need to be reflown or part of it reflown. This costs the contractor, so not that nice for profits.
I am unsure of hour requirements now but with Fugro it used be at least 1500, but things might have changed with the undersupply of crew. I hope not though. With UTS it was ag rating and about 1500hrs but not all ag.
One thing you should keep in mind is the flying is not for everyone and it's one of those things that you've either got or not. Not easy to concentrate for 5 hrs following the crosstrack display. There was the odd person through who found the flying beyond themselves and it would cost us money so not too many chances.
Good luck and enjoy Balgo, Warburton, Thangool, Mareeba, Tennant Creek, Laverton and all those other wonderful places no one ever really needs to go.
I am unsure of hour requirements now but with Fugro it used be at least 1500, but things might have changed with the undersupply of crew. I hope not though. With UTS it was ag rating and about 1500hrs but not all ag.
One thing you should keep in mind is the flying is not for everyone and it's one of those things that you've either got or not. Not easy to concentrate for 5 hrs following the crosstrack display. There was the odd person through who found the flying beyond themselves and it would cost us money so not too many chances.
Good luck and enjoy Balgo, Warburton, Thangool, Mareeba, Tennant Creek, Laverton and all those other wonderful places no one ever really needs to go.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: where eva the plane is broken down
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Coming to you from bumf*%k....a small town with no hot water and english speakers...
The x-track and height spec's vary from job to job,but normally not outside 20m horizontally and 10m vertically over 1km.Anything outside that is called a "bust" and may have to be reflown....and we hate to see the same (sometimes featureless) ground again.The lines can be anywhere from 3-4km to 300kms long,over water or desert to mountains....The processers like to see the x-track as close to "the line" as possible,stay inside 10m and they will be very happy
Time for dinner.That means reading a menu written in words you can't read,sort of like a lucky dip dinner!,just don't eat the chicken!!
PI
The x-track and height spec's vary from job to job,but normally not outside 20m horizontally and 10m vertically over 1km.Anything outside that is called a "bust" and may have to be reflown....and we hate to see the same (sometimes featureless) ground again.The lines can be anywhere from 3-4km to 300kms long,over water or desert to mountains....The processers like to see the x-track as close to "the line" as possible,stay inside 10m and they will be very happy
Time for dinner.That means reading a menu written in words you can't read,sort of like a lucky dip dinner!,just don't eat the chicken!!
PI
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The tolerances depend on the altitude or level that you are flying at. The lower to the the ground you are then obviously the more accurate you must be and vice versa. Up at 20'000 you've got a bit more room to play with. As to the experience level...got my survey gig with about 800 - 900 hrs I think, would have to check the book to be absolutely sure though.
So far as the flying is concerned, as already stated it can be 'boring' or repetitive but it depends on how you look at it really. You get to see a huge amount of this country, for all intents and purposes you are your own boss and you get VERY good at dealing with ATC and flight planning. While you are away most things to a certain extent should be covered and the pay goes in the bank. When I was doing survey the pay was OK but not great. I would imagine that in this climate things may have changed.
If you want some more specific info feel free to PM.
Twin.
So far as the flying is concerned, as already stated it can be 'boring' or repetitive but it depends on how you look at it really. You get to see a huge amount of this country, for all intents and purposes you are your own boss and you get VERY good at dealing with ATC and flight planning. While you are away most things to a certain extent should be covered and the pay goes in the bank. When I was doing survey the pay was OK but not great. I would imagine that in this climate things may have changed.
If you want some more specific info feel free to PM.
Twin.
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Magnum PI are you in Mongolia? Scooter dropped by my work today and said the Canary was over there. Just another question if you're with Fugro, does poo breath still work there, you know, from Kevron days?
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Bad news....all the eating places are closed!,now tucking onto spicy noodles and warm korean beer....aah the life of a survey crew!
WOG,yes im on the canary....and everyone i work with here has dog breath
May even get some flying done when the locals sign all the paperwork!.
LHRT,Mr Davies is on the job(shagged a ugly one the other night pauly tells me).Their new van looks flash one ay.That cockpit looks familiar dude,how did you get that flash mask....thats right,had to cover the whole face....
PI
WOG,yes im on the canary....and everyone i work with here has dog breath
May even get some flying done when the locals sign all the paperwork!.
LHRT,Mr Davies is on the job(shagged a ugly one the other night pauly tells me).Their new van looks flash one ay.That cockpit looks familiar dude,how did you get that flash mask....thats right,had to cover the whole face....
PI
Cheers to all the crew in Mongolia. Have seen LHRT's view a few times. I did enjoy the time with Fugro and when I have finished on the dark continent I may come back again. AHHH Casablanca and the Marco Polo bring back some fine memories of UB.
Cheers G
Cheers G