Jump Pilot
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jump Pilot pay
It should be as per the award, but sadly very few jump pilots are paid like that. You can't really blame the owner/operator as jump flying is normally seen as a way of building hours quickly and moving on.
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is no award when it's a private operation. i.e. when it's out of a small Cessna, (not a Van) If you are with a decent operator that runs the smaller aircraft you will more than likely get paid 'per load.' No fly, no pay. It's a great first job!
CAN be a great first job, CAN. Definitely don't let yourself get used for nothing and make sure you don't treat it as some burden of a hoop you just need to jump through (Pun intended). Enjoy it, challenge yourself to always be doing better and learn whatever you can along the way.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: yes
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best flying ever but no fly no pay. Best years of my life. Barely paid for anything. Wouldn't take it back for any reason.
Flying at it's pureist and some magical moments if you love flying.
But no career, having said that I was pleased to facilitate several great pilots further their career.
You'll end up a great stick and rudder pilot.
Flying at it's pureist and some magical moments if you love flying.
But no career, having said that I was pleased to facilitate several great pilots further their career.
You'll end up a great stick and rudder pilot.
A convenient interpretation taken by employers seeking not to pay the award.
Prior to a series of capital raisings and average acquisitions which subsequently decimated the share price, the biggest skydive mob in this country had a market capitalisation larger than Rex. And yet almost all of its pilots were ‘independent contractors,’ paid far less than the award, with many struggling to make ends meet.
Share price is now a third of its peak, just warms my heart.
Prior to a series of capital raisings and average acquisitions which subsequently decimated the share price, the biggest skydive mob in this country had a market capitalisation larger than Rex. And yet almost all of its pilots were ‘independent contractors,’ paid far less than the award, with many struggling to make ends meet.
Share price is now a third of its peak, just warms my heart.
Well if jump pilots are getting paid these days that’s great. Go back 15 years or so and just about every fcukwit DZ operator was adamant they were doing you favour by giving you free hours.
Evilducky,
I worked for this company you speak of. I think the award at the tine was about $690 a week gross. As a contractor I made $900 a week gross. Every week flying or not but I averaged 20 hours a week over 8 months. I think I was still better off as a contractor.
Not as bad as yoy say.
I worked for this company you speak of. I think the award at the tine was about $690 a week gross. As a contractor I made $900 a week gross. Every week flying or not but I averaged 20 hours a week over 8 months. I think I was still better off as a contractor.
Not as bad as yoy say.
As a contractor I made $900 a week gross
Contractors was a recent thing. Just another way for them to avoid paying super and insurances. I'm assuming you ended up paying all of this yourself under your own Pty Ltd while "contracting" to them.
I contract myself to avoid paying either super or insurance, both of which are fraught with risk IMHO
Isn’t there case law to the effect of if you earn x% of your wage through a company, then you’re deemed to be a full time employee and not a contractor?
Evilducky,
I worked for this company you speak of. I think the award at the tine was about $690 a week gross. As a contractor I made $900 a week gross. Every week flying or not but I averaged 20 hours a week over 8 months. I think I was still better off as a contractor.
Not as bad as yoy say.
I worked for this company you speak of. I think the award at the tine was about $690 a week gross. As a contractor I made $900 a week gross. Every week flying or not but I averaged 20 hours a week over 8 months. I think I was still better off as a contractor.
Not as bad as yoy say.
Contractor $900 (they should deduct Supa from that) = $814.50 (ish).
Award will get you other entitlements, such as meal and OT.
So you would have been better off on the Award.
I doubt as an employee, they would have you sitting around while a contractor flew - so still your 20 hours.
so your obscure opinion on not paying superannuation justifies supporting employers that are actively seeking to erode pay and conditions any way they can. Ok.
I am the director of a Pty Ltd company I own and my tax is done by a chartered accountant.
Evilducky,
I worked for this company you speak of. I think the award at the tine was about $690 a week gross. As a contractor I made $900 a week gross. Every week flying or not but I averaged 20 hours a week over 8 months. I think I was still better off as a contractor.
Not as bad as yoy say.
I worked for this company you speak of. I think the award at the tine was about $690 a week gross. As a contractor I made $900 a week gross. Every week flying or not but I averaged 20 hours a week over 8 months. I think I was still better off as a contractor.
Not as bad as yoy say.
Single Engine 3360kg and above - $54,326 annually
Requirement to hold a CIR - $6,316 additional
So the full time award salary would be $60,639 annually or $1,166 per week gross. Go to casual and it's 1/800th of the annual salary plus 25% loading, $94.75 per flight hour. At 20 hours a week that makes $1,895/week, not considering minimum hours pay or other allowances.
Is $1,895/week too much to be paying a skydive pilot? Probably.
Were you better off as a contractor? No.
Last edited by evilducky; 21st Jan 2020 at 11:58.
Being a director and using chartered accountants - well a good accountant! as they say - but they are not going to take the fall if the tax man calls. You signed that document the chartered accountant gave you.
That said Pty is far better than using an ABN (unless low income) and always use a chartered accountant, even if just for the extension times they get for submitting.
If you are "contracting" as a Pilot, you are in a grey area and possibly very dark grey (Pty Ltd is just an extra layer of obscure for people supplying labour only)
the "contractor". They did not provide assets, just labour.
Pardon me? Your reading a lot into a little that you know nothing about I am the director of a Pty Ltd company I own and my tax is done by a chartered accountant.
I am the director of a Pty Ltd company I own and my tax is done by a chartered accountant.
Were you better off as a contractor? Still no.
Ducky,
I disagree. I obviously had to pay tax on my earnings but unlike many I still put the appropriate amount in my super. I will give you an example at 2018 tax rates.
Award $690 per week
Super $59.60
Other taxes $65 (includes Medicare)
So take home $565.40
Contractor $900 per week
Super $78.08
Other tax $120.00 (includes Medicare)
Take home $701.92
Better off as a contractor I say. Thats an extra $6480 a year. Easily makes up for lack of paid holidays or sickies.
I believe the ATO now have strict guidelines on who qualifies as a contractor. I dont think I could do it now unless I worked for multiple drop zones during the year (very possible).
I disagree. I obviously had to pay tax on my earnings but unlike many I still put the appropriate amount in my super. I will give you an example at 2018 tax rates.
Award $690 per week
Super $59.60
Other taxes $65 (includes Medicare)
So take home $565.40
Contractor $900 per week
Super $78.08
Other tax $120.00 (includes Medicare)
Take home $701.92
Better off as a contractor I say. Thats an extra $6480 a year. Easily makes up for lack of paid holidays or sickies.
I believe the ATO now have strict guidelines on who qualifies as a contractor. I dont think I could do it now unless I worked for multiple drop zones during the year (very possible).
Last edited by Climb150; 21st Jan 2020 at 02:04.