Tuna Spotting, tuna boat ops (incl Guam)
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Tuna spotting question...
Hi, I'm new to this forum as this is my first post. My question is if I have dual citizenship (usa/mexico), speak spanish fluently, and have my FAA commercial rotorcraft, will I be able to get a job faster on tuna boats? Are there any jobs on tuna boats anymore? I'm trying not to go the CFI route but will if I need be. Your replies are truly appreciated.
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Hi gilabender
I'd recommend going the "CFI route" and get a thousand or two hours before going out on the boats. Tuna boats are attractive to new pilots (I presume from your post that you are looking for your first job?) as there are no official minimum requirements and your not carrying paying passengers around (oh, plus the fact that you fly shed loads of hours and get paid loads...sometimes
). But the reality is that it is tough flying and you would be VERY glad of a thousand or two hours experience once you're out there. Being fluent Spanish would definitely improve your chances of getting a job and I understand there are some large companies in Mexico. Not too much fish out there at the moment I hear but I would think because of that the market prices are high and boats are out there looking, therefore using a lot of pilots.
Sorry if I sound negative but my personal experience out there made feel obliged to give you an honest opinion.
Good luck!
betty_boop
From what I hear Panama is still a great place to start, and I think a large Venezuelan company just moved their operation there. Best thing to do is to take a vacation down there and while you're having a great time (you WILL have a great time) you could pop into the local operators to see whats what, they are usually straight forward. Unlikely anyone will hire you over the phone no matter what your experience, although it can happen. R44 is becoming the most common Helicopter although there are still R22's and H500's out there. Not sure about the visa requirements but you will need a license for the country which operates the heli. Have to be honest though and say that you should get yourself a load more hours before making the effort.
TunaSandwich
I'd recommend going the "CFI route" and get a thousand or two hours before going out on the boats. Tuna boats are attractive to new pilots (I presume from your post that you are looking for your first job?) as there are no official minimum requirements and your not carrying paying passengers around (oh, plus the fact that you fly shed loads of hours and get paid loads...sometimes
). But the reality is that it is tough flying and you would be VERY glad of a thousand or two hours experience once you're out there. Being fluent Spanish would definitely improve your chances of getting a job and I understand there are some large companies in Mexico. Not too much fish out there at the moment I hear but I would think because of that the market prices are high and boats are out there looking, therefore using a lot of pilots. Sorry if I sound negative but my personal experience out there made feel obliged to give you an honest opinion.
Good luck!
betty_boop
From what I hear Panama is still a great place to start, and I think a large Venezuelan company just moved their operation there. Best thing to do is to take a vacation down there and while you're having a great time (you WILL have a great time) you could pop into the local operators to see whats what, they are usually straight forward. Unlikely anyone will hire you over the phone no matter what your experience, although it can happen. R44 is becoming the most common Helicopter although there are still R22's and H500's out there. Not sure about the visa requirements but you will need a license for the country which operates the heli. Have to be honest though and say that you should get yourself a load more hours before making the effort.
TunaSandwich
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thanks for the info..
Hi TunaSandwich.
Thanks alot for your information. It was very helpful. I'm still getting my CFI. I should be done in about 1 1/2 months. I do see your point and maybe I will take the CFI route. Thanks
Thanks alot for your information. It was very helpful. I'm still getting my CFI. I should be done in about 1 1/2 months. I do see your point and maybe I will take the CFI route. Thanks
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gilabender
Good luck with the (I presume FAA) CFI course, I did the same. Best thing you could do if you are interested in Tuna Ops in the future would be to look for your first Instructing job in Mexico, preferably close to a Tuna zone so that you can start to build contacts from the word go. In that business its very much "who you know"
Suerte
TunaSandwich
Good luck with the (I presume FAA) CFI course, I did the same. Best thing you could do if you are interested in Tuna Ops in the future would be to look for your first Instructing job in Mexico, preferably close to a Tuna zone so that you can start to build contacts from the word go. In that business its very much "who you know"
Suerte
TunaSandwich
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I need Work
Hello , I am Spanish and I am desperate because there is no work for me, I have lisence CPL JAA capacity for the R22 and R44, I just need an opportunity to begin , please I need help
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hi, i'm also working on my FAA CFI, fluent in spanish i would be very interesed
by working in mexico...
do you have any advices in that way, what schools to contacts, any ideas?
Happy new year all of you
by working in mexico...
do you have any advices in that way, what schools to contacts, any ideas?
Happy new year all of you
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Panama
Hello again,
I would like to know if anyone can help me, I have decided to go to panama to try to find some tuna boat that wants to contract me, I have money saved, if someone has had some experience and can advise generally some things that I have to do... Many thanks in advance, I have JAA license with R44 and R22
I would like to know if anyone can help me, I have decided to go to panama to try to find some tuna boat that wants to contract me, I have money saved, if someone has had some experience and can advise generally some things that I have to do... Many thanks in advance, I have JAA license with R44 and R22
Hovering AND talking
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Deja vu?
Tuna spotting? Is this where the helicopter lands on a little pad on the back of a boat? Takes some skill, I would have thought! And where the pilot is often the engineer as well? And chief cook and bottle washer?
Just asking!
Cheers
Whirls
Just asking!
Cheers
Whirls
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Work in South america
Let me make the question again, I would like to know if anyone can advise me if this is going well for South America (Panama) without work; and if this is being able to find one in the tuna boats, if anyone has had this experience or similar and can help.me ...please is important for me because probably I will go next week, I have one contact but I don't Know if I need Panama lisence, I have the JAA R44 and R22, thanks in advance
Tuna Boats
Its been a few years but their used to be an operator at a small airfield called Pateia?? He is an american and maintained a load of different helicopters for the boats.
Before venturing down there I would start a phone search and talk to a few people first. Try to find an American boat, the living conditions, food and helicopter all will be to an acceptable standard (well better than the alternative). Stay away from Guam and the Korean fleet unless you really wish to be treated like dog dodo. Search here for "Tuna Boat" and I think it will bring up a number of threads. Try Gann Industries in San Diego, they have (or did) 4 or 5 boats and a large number of crew and skippers live in that area. Get a copy of HAI Helicopter Annual and look up Panama for operators, call and if they don't handle the helicopters they may know who does.
Lastly if you are of a sensitive nature you may not be ready for the verbal abuse that will be screamed at you during a set, or even worse you become unservicable at sea and cant fix it, then you will be the pirrana of the ship. As to the flying slightly on the cowboy side and a lot of low tight manuvours not for the fainthearted. Landings and takeoffs can be a "challenge" and have more than their fair share of accidents. Old advice but walk around twice to check the chains are off the skids before you T/O, when landing cross the bow left to right, make a right turn let the ship pass you and match the speed on final. Fixate on the landing spot as you touchdown, dont use the horizon as the leveler, remember you are rising and falling with the ship and get the collective down asap. If you dont have a mechanic with you then train one of the crewmen to chain you down and refuel you.
I'm sure I have missed something but the old farts brain can't retain old info or water for that matter.
Best of luck to you anyway, if you'r single and can put up with your own company for months at a time and dont mind a little discomfort sometimes then it can be an adventure.
Before venturing down there I would start a phone search and talk to a few people first. Try to find an American boat, the living conditions, food and helicopter all will be to an acceptable standard (well better than the alternative). Stay away from Guam and the Korean fleet unless you really wish to be treated like dog dodo. Search here for "Tuna Boat" and I think it will bring up a number of threads. Try Gann Industries in San Diego, they have (or did) 4 or 5 boats and a large number of crew and skippers live in that area. Get a copy of HAI Helicopter Annual and look up Panama for operators, call and if they don't handle the helicopters they may know who does.
Lastly if you are of a sensitive nature you may not be ready for the verbal abuse that will be screamed at you during a set, or even worse you become unservicable at sea and cant fix it, then you will be the pirrana of the ship. As to the flying slightly on the cowboy side and a lot of low tight manuvours not for the fainthearted. Landings and takeoffs can be a "challenge" and have more than their fair share of accidents. Old advice but walk around twice to check the chains are off the skids before you T/O, when landing cross the bow left to right, make a right turn let the ship pass you and match the speed on final. Fixate on the landing spot as you touchdown, dont use the horizon as the leveler, remember you are rising and falling with the ship and get the collective down asap. If you dont have a mechanic with you then train one of the crewmen to chain you down and refuel you.
I'm sure I have missed something but the old farts brain can't retain old info or water for that matter.
Best of luck to you anyway, if you'r single and can put up with your own company for months at a time and dont mind a little discomfort sometimes then it can be an adventure.
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Hi Marcelino
Look back on this thread, its been talked about a lot and there is excellent current information. You will need a License for the country in which the Helicopter is registered and if you don't have at least 1000 hours I would recommend not going as the flying is very tough.
Look back on this thread, its been talked about a lot and there is excellent current information. You will need a License for the country in which the Helicopter is registered and if you don't have at least 1000 hours I would recommend not going as the flying is very tough.
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Tuna spotting? Is this where the helicopter lands on a little pad on the back of a boat? Takes some skill, I would have thought! And where the pilot is often the engineer as well? And chief cook and bottle washer?
Just asking!
_____________________________________________________
deck is up front on top of the wheelhouse. right behind the deck is the mast and antenna farm. t/o & ldg on moving boat.. lots of flying-- usually a square pattern ahead of ship up to abt 60nm.
during my stint back in the late 80s pay was arnd 7k/mo or more if you unload more than once. now it's down to arnd 3.6k/mo. most boats then were american and yugoslavian-- now they're mostly korean and taiwanese. back then nav is time&dist although you have xpnder & you get vectored back if it is working.
Just asking!
_____________________________________________________
deck is up front on top of the wheelhouse. right behind the deck is the mast and antenna farm. t/o & ldg on moving boat.. lots of flying-- usually a square pattern ahead of ship up to abt 60nm.
during my stint back in the late 80s pay was arnd 7k/mo or more if you unload more than once. now it's down to arnd 3.6k/mo. most boats then were american and yugoslavian-- now they're mostly korean and taiwanese. back then nav is time&dist although you have xpnder & you get vectored back if it is working.
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Tuna Spotting, Marlin more fun
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