Starting on floats!
 

Hi,

I'm 28 and just completed my CPL here in Australia and only have just over 200 hours. Like many I am looking for a start somewhere to build some hours and experience. In the mean time I am working bar jobs and whatever it takes to pay for an IR.

My real passion is to fly float planes either here in Australia or in Canada, the States or where ever it takes me. As there are not as many opportunities here in Australia, can anyone suggest a good place where I might:

Complete a float endorsement and then be best positioned to hopefully gain some work?

And what sort of chance do I stand as an aussie gaining employment in Canada or the States?


Thanks for any suggestions!

My advice would be to get a float rating, and then start bugging the operators in the Maldives. Trans Maldivian Airways and Maldivian Air Taxi. Between the 2 there are over 25 otters on floats. I loved it there and you will find Aussies, Yanks, Canadians and fella's from Europe as well. Good times and lots of flying. Things get busy in the fall. Good luck.

:cool: :D :cool: :D

Sssshhhhhhhhhit tell the world why don't ya

Hey thank you very much for the info, you finally restored my faith in humanity. All I hear is other pilots keeping quiet about any possible jobopenings because someone else might just go for it... Every jobless pilot in the world is in a whole lot of trouble to find even the chance of getting an interview. Isn`t it about time we start helping eachother out? I for one would tell everybody i know immediately if any company i know is hiring because all those people also have a hefty loan to pay off.
And the previous post reflects just what kind of backstabbing mentality we should all do our best to end. I wouldn`t like to have a captain (or first officer) who keeps info all to himself for his own advance: that kind of acting could get you killed during flight (and no that`s no joke).
So once again thank you Canadiankid, may you have lots of happy landings. :) (and hope to see you in the skies one time)

Breakvisual,
If you want to fly floats, contact Alligator Airways in Kununurra WA. Craig Muir is the owner and a very keen float pilot. The usual path is to do a season on the land planes and if you show a keeness, then you get onto the floats.
Once you have time on floats you are never out of work in Oz. Other operators can be found in Cairns and the Whitsundays as well as Tasmania. I'd contact them before spending any money as most will train you the way THEY want you do handle their aeroplanes. Consider getting a boat licence as well. Some states require it in Oz.
Good luck.

Floats!
 

Hey thanks to everyone bar Sean of course (I asked for help not hinderance). I shall put this information to good use, but before I move on I just had a question and comment or two for redsnail and the Canadiankid.

I am actually in Cairns at the moment and have approached both operators here and in the Whitsunday and there doesn't appear to be much on the go for someone in my position just yet. They are offering to provide an endorsement and not much else. So ideally I would like to do the float endorsement with an operator who might provide a little work, but I will definately try Tassie and Alligator Airways Redsnail. By the way do you recommend getting an IR straight up or should I hold off? Do they do IR's at Alligator Airways?

Canadiankid, should I get an endorsement here in Australia and if so how do I go with an Australian licence in the Maldives? Also, don't you think you generally have to be there to get the work? And finally, any tips on working in Canada, if other options are not a goer where do you think the best opportunities for work lie in Canada?

Dolfke keep up the good work! I'm all for helping each other out.

Cheers fella's and safe skies!

;)

Breakvisual,

It is difficult to find a float job anywhere in the world with a bare bones endorsement, not to mention low TT. Get the endorsement as cheap as you can and then start looking for work. Here in Canada you usually need 50 hours on floats before anyone will touch you (insurance). The loop hole is you can fly freight and empty legs without the 50 hours. Many float drivers in Canada started this way. The hiring season for floats in Canada is right now, and most slots have probably been filled. You would also need a VISA to work here which can be tricky, but it can be done.

The Maldives will let anyone with a licence fly in their country. You have to do a simple conversion and a ride. The test took me 15 minutes and then a 30 minute checkout with a training captain on the otter. I only wish the JAA was that simple!!! Anyways, start bugging the operators in Male and do some asking around in Aus. There are quite a few boys from down under that have flown there and the industry is small.

Good luck

Canadiankid,

Have a quick question, what type of hours did you have when you applied for the float job in the Maldives? Also on what licences.

I have 1000tt and 100multi (CAN & US) licences, no float rating though & no turbine.

What would be the type of hours they are looking for now and are they still hiring?!

Thanks minus273

Alligator Airways don't do IR's. They are a charter company. You definitely don't need one for your first year up there. I believe there are a mob in Port Macquarie that do float ratings too.

Minus273

First off you would need a float rating. The company I flew for down there does not own the aircraft. It leases them from a company here in Canada who I work for. That is how I went. They will however, hire guys directly in the Maldives. Most guys start with 200 hours. FAA or ICAO licence is fine.

Good luck

so you just write them and they`ll say hello come on over and start flying...
if life was only that simple:p
Do you have to go over there to get an interview, do you need someone to reference you or how exactly does it go. (indeed i don`t have a lot of experience in this jobhunting thing yet :rolleyes: )
By the way thank you very much Canadiankid for all the help you`re giving.
Where do you work now?

Canadian Kid, I get the impression that you work for Borek.
Are they recruiting float pilots at the moment or (f/o for that matter)...I have over 700tt with over 100 multi and 200+ float time in the BC mountains.
Canadian and JAR CPLME/IR.
Looking to work anywhere..am already bugging TMA and MAT.

cheers

Pilotbear,

You know the Maldives thing well. Your suspicions about who I fly for are correct.

The company is always looking for pilots. With 55 A/C worldwide there is always movement. The best way to get on in the Maldives is to get hired in Canada by Borek. The other way is to go work in the Maldives as a dive instructor or something and get to know the company. I know of a few fellers who got hired this way. Course, if you have a DHC-6 endorsement things get much easier. Good luck.

:D :D :D :D

Hey BV no need for the agro the comment was tongue in cheek

Hey CANADIANKID, Looking forward for a position on the Maldives as F/o on twotter, do you suggest going overthere around their next hiring period or will I get 'invinted' for an interview. I 've already send them my CV and stuff...