Pilot Engineers

[donnybrook]

Just wondering what the current industry view is on pilot engineers? It was a popular combo a number of years ago, but has the opinion shifted as the industry has become more closely regulated? Also, can someone know enough and be current enough to excel at both?

 

[frenchwrench]

Having the second person to do the ICC's makes it harder,Most guys I know, haven't been using their licences,mainly because of non occuring recurrent training we are supposed to get. You still have to beg or threaten to quit in order to get a type course.

 

[MagSeal]

I've seen good engineers become good pilots, and promising apprentices do the same. I have yet to see a pilot go the other way though.
Unfortunately it's hard to do both if you are flying alot of hours, and thus, one or both trades will suffer. Pay is always a contributing factor that makes guys not want to do both, and since driving has more of a regular shift and more sociable hours, it's not hard to see why the piloting gets preference.
I personally see no reason why a guy can't strive to do well in both fields, I know it sure helps narrow down a pesky and confusing snag when the description is bang on the money from the start.

 

[donnybrook]

Magseal, FrenchWrench,

When you say pay is a contributing factor what exactly do you mean? Pilot pay is substantially more? Or that pilot/engineer pay does not make the extra engineering licence worth it? What kind of numbers are we looking at for pilot/engineers vs pilots?

So in general, has the desire for P/Es diminished? I had heard that small companies love them, more bang for the buck...

 

[MagSeal]

the pay is generally not enough to compensate someone for doing both. At Canadian, the pilot engineer was generally paid his pilot salary to fly, plus engineers flight pay if he did his maintenance, which at times, didn't amount to much. Luckily the flight pay has increased over the years, but the responsibilities still far outweigh what you increase in pay.

 

[frenchwrench]

One reason to have both was you could do the ICS courses and had the engineer there to help you.and when not flying,you logged the hours toward the licence.If you fail your medical you are jobless .But an engineers licence is something to fall back on. and with the M1/2 setup, you can jump to fixed wing easier and back again.my daily is around double of the contract guys I work with. I get $25 an hour vs the pilots 25-60 depending on specialty. plus I get $400 for a 100 hr.

 

[donnybrook]

Frenchwrench,

Is that on lights or mediums?

 

[MagSeal]

is that it? is that all? My condelences to you, I hope you can make it thru the winter on that pocket change. 😀

 

[407 Driver]

....in 1980, I was getting $25/hour extra for doing all the wrenching on my 206B...!!!! ?????

 

[cyclic monkey]

Hey 407D, that sounds like quite a good deal..........why did you ever leave a company like that ???????
(Answer in 65,000 bitter, ranting words or less, if possible).

 

[407 Driver]

....under 65,000 ranting, bitter words on how my happy little BC company was bought up and killed by the Codfather?, sorry, those rules are far too restrictive....can't comply 😀

 

[cyclic monkey]

407D, What are doing in the hangar at this time of day ????????
Shouldn't you and that big bucket be out there saving the forests, some trestles, or pick-up trucks from burning ??????

 

[407 Driver]

Ma Nature saved everything in this neck of the woods, it's raining here. The BC Mystery of Forests is laying off aircraft big time now, on account of all fires in the area are fogged-in mudpits. Even Parks Canada (that bottomless money pit) is going to lay off our L3 tomorrow, shame, after their IA crew just ordered snow shovels to continue the fight in KNP....

 

[frenchwrench]

I am only on lights, I was offered $20 an hour straight pay,no guarantee of flight pay,which was $10-15 hr,You must move to location, by a company in Ontario last spring, I asked with that scale, it was no wonder your guys are at with Canadian western now.He seemed upset others knew of their problems. A friend is a union labourer and gets almost $26-27 an hour. and grosses more than I ever did in a year.
Flying in the early 90's yeilded $75.a day,and 20 an hour.wrenching only was $150 and $10. an hr.
When anyone comments,you guys must make big bucks, I tell them to drive by the hangers at the airport,and have a look at the cars you see....See anyone driving land rovers ...

 

[donnybrook]

It's good to hear unabashed opinions. I have the 2-year AME diploma plus about 4 yrs apprenticing but with the TC system of 8 (9?) tests at $50.00 a pop (+$100 for permission to write), and little or no money on the other side, I think I'm leaning towards toughing it out solely as a pilot!

Any employer types have something to say about the attractiveness (for hiring purposes, you randy bugger) of pilot/engineers?