AirCraft Pilots-I Need Advice.

[ben2go]

I am looking to finish my private rating,IFR,and start my commercial non passenger ratings.I meet a fellow from Wisconsin that flies for All American Aerials.They do aerial photography.They are seeking pilots in my area to keep up dated pics.They are 300+ new housing developments being built on old peach and apple fields.This is with in a 10 mile raidis of my house.They say they may be willing to help me finish my flight training if I work for them.OK that's no problem.How is it going to be profitable for them to spend $25-30,000 to help me finish my training,and pay me a salary.I have not flown any aerobatic manuvers.I watch from the ground as this guy flew a Cessna 182 on it's side,with no hands, and taken pics.He was flying at 1500 feet agl,and flying slow.Slow enough to use half flaps.I like danger but not to fond of death.Should I do it?I'd like to fly for profit.I'm so torn over this.

[spc]

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yamahonkawazuki]

id say go for it. that guy in the 182, although doing something some would say is foolhardy, i surte knew what his plance could do, and knew the risks involved

[GeeP]

How is it going to be profitable for them to spend $25-30,000 to help me finish my training,and pay me a salary.

That's because they won't be paying you.  Until you have your commercial rating you cannot fly for hire per FAR 61.113.  Technically, even trading flight training for hours flown under a PPL is illegal.  If they're truly interested in helping you, ask them what kind of plan they have.  Maybe they've done this before.

Be aware that there will eventually be thousands of returning army, navy, and air force pilots looking for jobs just like you.  That's on top of the thousands of laid off airline pilots with logbooks thicker than an NYC phone book.  There are only so many flying jobs to go around.

This doesn't apply to you alone, but to anyone looking to start from the bottom and work their way up in aviation.  The same is true in the mechanical side of the business.  When American closed down TWA in STL they laid off 10,000 mechanics.  Now, less than 10% of those likely held a certificate since the airline shops are repair stations, but they're still competing for the same jobs!  If I wanted an A&P who was 7' tall with blond hair, blue eyes, and a purple wart on his left butt cheek I could probably find him within 48 hours.

If you keep that in mind and look at this an an opportunity to get your licenses, that's one thing.  If you plan to make a career out of flying, things will be more difficult.  I'm not advising against it, but rather suggesting caution.  If you can make the deal work, earn a reasonable paycheck for a period, and get your licenses then go for it.  Then you'll be ready to decide if you want to hit the next rung:  Flight instructor.  You'll be much better off than the poor SOB's that go in hock up to their eyeballs to get to the commercial rung of the ladder and run out of food money.  (It happens, a lot)

BTW:  As I recall, most high-wing Cessna aircraft POH's do not advise steep turns with more than one notch of flaps.

Let us know how things work out!   

[ben2go]

I know all the legal stuff.I had to learn it.I was originally getting flight training to go into aerial tours.Of course you have to hold a private certificate before going into commercial training.I'll get my IFR rating either way.I recently became unemployed and this was the first thing to come up.I wanna do it,but I don't wanna lock myself into something for years.