My new job

W

Wagondriver

Line Up and Wait
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Mar 7, 2020
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375Taylor
I’m retiring as a framer of 38 years. Started framing when I was 14. I still enjoy it, but it’s time to move on.
My NEW job is flying for a family, part 91. Starting out shuttling people and supplies in the Bahamas in a Grand Caravan. I go to flight safety for Caravan initial February 2. I’ve already flown their PC12 NGX, but will get trained officially in that next. My first type will most likely be in a DC3, as soon as I get some time off I’ll get my multi rating. I have to go do a commercial float checkride somewhere along the line too.
I’m told I can take the Waco whenever I want, to go get upset/spin training and basic aerobatics.
Flying their jets within a year or so?

I’ve not been an employee since 1992. I’ve never worked anywhere but outside. I haven’t had health insurance in 18 years. I haven’t lived in a town for 33 years. I’m moving to South Dakota as soon as I finish my last two houses.

I’m excited, buying a new truck, buying a new house, moving, starting a whole new life!
 
Is “the family” paying for your flight safety training? Also, congrats!
 
Wow, congrats. I hope it is all you hope for and more! Great ADVenture and glad you have the freedom to do it. Most people never have the freedom to do what you are doing. Really cool!
 
Wagondriver said:
I’m retiring as a framer of 38 years. Started framing when I was 14. I still enjoy it, but it’s time to move on.
My NEW job is flying for a family, part 91. Starting out shuttling people and supplies in the Bahamas in a Grand Caravan. I go to flight safety for Caravan initial February 2. I’ve already flown their PC12 NGX, but will get trained officially in that next. My first type will most likely be in a DC3, as soon as I get some time off I’ll get my multi rating. I have to go do a commercial float checkride somewhere along the line too.
I’m told I can take the Waco whenever I want, to go get upset/spin training and basic aerobatics.
Flying their jets within a year or so?

I’ve not been an employee since 1992. I’ve never worked anywhere but outside. I haven’t had health insurance in 18 years. I haven’t lived in a town for 33 years. I’m moving to South Dakota as soon as I finish my last two houses.

I’m excited, buying a new truck, buying a new house, moving, starting a whole new life!
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Congrats and good luck with your new job!!
 
Wagondriver said:
Yes.
I took care of their ranch for 13 years. My initial flight training 6 years ago was a year end bonus. I’ve known them for 20 years. They know me, I know them.
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I need cooler friends.
 
Now that’s a pilot job I could enjoy. /envy
 
Thanks to everyone for the posts.

it was never something I even thought possible. But, here it is. The DC3 is truly my speed. Excited about the Beaver too.
 
Very cool! Congrats on putting in the effort and work ethic to make a connection like this! (Probably not a bad time to start sliding out of the framing biz within the next couple years anyway) I did framing one summer in high school with the uncle-in-law that my dad and uncles and cousins had all worked for as they grew up. I think I was the last one to cycle through his 'internship'. Learned a lot that summer. To this day, I'll fix or build something at home and people around here will ask "How do you know how to do stuff like that!?" I say "I worked with Dookie."

P.S. You got any of them pheasants on that there ranch in SD? Asking for a friend... ok.. nevermind.. Asking for myself. :D
 
Well that certainly doesn’t suck. Congrats!
 
Very nice!
 
Amazing opportunity for a farmer! I have flown in both the DC 3 and C47 versions of that plane. Real solid machines.

Will you be flying from the farm to the islands in a single day? Even with perfect weather, a tough run at DC 3 speeds.

I have also assisted in rebuilding one, and well know why there are 2 oil catchers under each engine.

I am one of the many who worked on a family farm when young, and although I have many fond memories, it is a very tough life. We had a shop with forge and anvil, band saw, circular saw, and drill press, all powered by a one cylinder engine.

Self sufficiency is hard work.
 
Congrats!

I hope it is everything it is promising to be. Even 1/2 of what it's promising would be pretty sweet!
 
Congrats on the transition. Sounds like an amazing opportunity. Best of luck. BTW your friends are definitely cooler than mine :(
 
Wait, framer or farmer? Both are tough outside jobs with lots of ups and downs. Good luck on the new gig, I'm sure you'll have plenty of opportunities to get your hands dirty.
 
Congrats enjoy the experience
 
Wagondriver said:
Starting out shuttling people and supplies in the Bahamas in a Grand Caravan.
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Mid-life career changer here. Other than some CFIing, C-208 was my first pro pilot job. Logged about 2000 hours in them before moving to faster equipment. The view from the front seats is outstanding as you are well in front of the wing and the wind screen is huge. When I would do glacier tours out of Juneau, I'd always let the guy with the big camera hanging from his neck sit up front in the right seat as we were a single pilot operation.

The Caravan is just a 10-11 seat 182 and not much faster. Have fun!!!20170628_132632.jpg
 
Htaylor said:
Mid-life career changer here. Other than some CFIing, C-208 was my first pro pilot job. Logged about 2000 hours in them before moving to faster equipment. The view from the front seats is outstanding as you are well in front of the wing and the wind screen is huge. When I would do glacier tours out of Juneau, I'd always let the guy with the big camera hanging from his neck sit up front in the right seat as we were a single pilot operation.

The Caravan is just a 10-11 seat 182 and not much faster. Have fun!!!View attachment 111782
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Thread hijack. I've been to Juneau twice. Once when I took my folks, and once on my honeymoon. Did the glacier helicopter tour to the Mendenhall glacier there each time. Second time the weather socked us in for a little while. As I was the big guy on the tour, I got to sit up front. I was also the guy with the big camera.

On the honeymoon trip, they added a bonus - rappelling down an ice cliff. I would have done it again if I could have. Good memories!
 
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