Whats a better time builder: CFI or Towing Banners

[wabower]

Well, there's point #1 for the debate. Other than the equipment, and the beater cars in the parking lot, what do you see in common? Do many of your part 91 friends want to fly charters?

I know a few, and if you include the closely related field of part 91 company flight department pilots, I know quite a few more. Most do NOT aspire to airline flying.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

They did?

I saw a local banner guy pulling a WB Network ad over a Pitt football game back in November...

Uh, yeah, pretty much - We were talking about the Midwest. There used to be three circling over every Badger game, now there are none.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

We have one who does pickups at 1C5.

I'm guessing that might be the same one - I've seen 'em do pickups at C81, and drops at KRAC. IIRC, red & white Super Cubs with cowls removed.

 

[gprellwitz]

I'm guessing that might be the same one - I've seen 'em do pickups at C81, and drops at KRAC. IIRC, red & white Super Cubs with cowls removed.

Maybe not. The guy I'm thinking of is, I think, based out of Indiana, or maybe Lansing. He flies a 180HP C-152, IIRC. Definitely not a Super Cub.

 

[SCCutler]

Not all charter or corporate jobs are equal and I actually do some of each since I fly a managed airplane which is also on the charter certificate. Personally I like the different people, different places aspect of charter. Sometimes the flights are strange and unexpected and it's not for people who like to plan out everything well in advance and can't be flexible. I'm not looking for another job and the only one I've considered, or have been considered for, in the past few years was something very similar only a different airframe and different location. The only thing I would like to try in the future is international trips (besides Canada and Mexico) but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Couple of months ago, I flew to Houston for a meeting. At the FBO at KHOU, mine was the only plane with a spinny-thing on it (not even any King Airs, only hot-rod turbofans). The largest was a G-V on the Roumanian registry, operated by (IIRC) NetJets. Crew were a French Captain, a British FO and cabin attendant from somewhere Mediterranean but living in UK. Pilots and I chatted a while (really nice folks, not a hint of snob in 'em).

I expressed envy at their globetrotting (they were about to launch for Paris, via TEB); they expressed envy at my being able to drive out to the airport any time I wanted, and fly pretty much anywhere I wanted, in a plane as nice as mine.

Grass is always greener...

Well, I'm somewhat older than 45...

YGBSM!

... but I could say that's true for me and I only started in the charter business when I was 42. I did have quite a few hours from my other flying life, however.

Remind us - what was that anyway?

 

[SCCutler]

Uh, yeah, pretty much - We were talking about the Midwest. There used to be three circling over every Badger game, now there are none.

There are typically three or four banners buzzing around The Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, in Austin, before each Texas game. I do not know from where they stage.

 

[Everskyward]

Remind us - what was that anyway?

Aerial survey/mapping. That probably explains why I don't have this huge desire to buy a little plane and fly it all around Colorado. BTDT for 15 years.