pilot#476398 Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 If there are any of you who have worked tours in the Canyon for the likes of Papillon, Maverick, HeliUSA, etc... What type of hours did you work, i.e. sunrise to sunset, 9-5,...? 2
helipilotm Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 On the south rim there is a curfew over the national park. In the late spring through summer into early fall its 8 am to 6 pm. The winter curfew is 9 am to 5 pm. So 7am 6ish pm for the summer winter was 8am to 4 or so. That was for Maverick, Papillion was similar except they flew right till the beginning of curfew. I'm not 100% if its still the same it's been 5 years since I've flown there. Not sure about Vegas but I'm sure 10+ hour shifts are the norm. There is no curfew over there so they will have different start times so they fly as much as possible without running into duty day problems. Hope it makes sense 2
Azhigher Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Papillon: Sunset to sunrise. Maverick: Maybe 1-2 pm to 10-11pm in the summer (I was on the night shift), winter maybe Noon to 5pm. 1
heligirl03 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Papillon: Sunset to Sunrise.Hm? JN you're backwards, you must be on nightshift With Vegas operators you could expect to be scheduled anytime from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sunset. Your actual schedule is anything in between as long as you get your 10hrs rest. Maverick probably has the lightest schedule, Pap and Sundance the heaviest. A full 14hr day is not uncommon. Does Heli still fly? Thought they were pretty much done last Fall. There are also Serenity, Five-Star and Sunshine in town now, but everyone runs as long as daylight permits in the canyon and then Strip tours in the evening. It is most definitely not a 9-5 or anything like it. The South Rim is a little different due to the noise restriction curfew as outlined above. But then you're still 4hrs from home even if you live in PHX or LAS. It's all a trade off. 1
Flying Pig Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Do any of the tour companies hire part timers? That would be a nice set up for someone who lived and worked in that area and already had a job flying to get some action on the side. Flying action I mean. Id think it could actually lead to being a long term employee if a pilot is already set up in the area. Family, kids in school, career already in place say in EMS or LE or other local company.
pilot#476398 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Posted January 16, 2014 Hm? JN you're backwards, you must be on nightshift With Vegas operators you could expect to be scheduled anytime from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sunset. Your actual schedule is anything in between as long as you get your 10hrs rest. Maverick probably has the lightest schedule, Pap and Sundance the heaviest. A full 14hr day is not uncommon. Does Heli still fly? Thought they were pretty much done last Fall. There are also Serenity, Five-Star and Sunshine in town now, but everyone runs as long as daylight permits in the canyon and then Strip tours in the evening. It is most definitely not a 9-5 or anything like it. The South Rim is a little different due to the noise restriction curfew as outlined above. But then you're still 4hrs from home even if you live in PHX or LAS. It's all a trade off. Is there no place to live in the South Rim?
brettjeepski Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I work for Papillon and this winter we are currently working starting at 545 show up to work time and done at dark. Varies with tours scheduled. Spring and fall 12-14hr days. Last Summer was three flights in morning or afternoon and then done. Hope that helps
heligirl03 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Is there no place to live in the South Rim?My point being that the duty days may be shorter but you're not home to enjoy the off time anyway. And no, no part timers except for occasionally a few senior pilots who leave but return a few days a month for awhile and even that is a relatively rare occurrence.
Flying Pig Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I know a guy who flew every Sat and Sun for about 2 years. He had never flown tours prior to working part time. But he would never cough up how he made it happen. So he must have been friends with the right person
avbug Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Is there no place to live in the South Rim? Williams or Flagstaff, but it's a bit of a drive. I flew the Canyon for two years. I met my first wife there.
pilot#476398 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Posted January 16, 2014 My point being that the duty days may be shorter but you're not home to enjoy the off time anyway. I was just wondering if the South Rim had any places to live, or is it just a lone heliport in the open desert?
heligirl03 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I was just wondering if the South Rim had any places to live, or is it just a lone heliport in the open desert?It's a rather large terminal and heliport buried in the trees at the north end of GCN. Tusayan village and GCNP entrance are just down the road. A couple of folks park trailers at a campground for the season but most rent company-owned housing across the street. It's typically a seasonal job so mobility becomes a priority.
Flying Pig Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 What are those tour pilot making? as in $$
helipilotm Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) I was just wondering if the South Rim had any places to live, or is it just a lone heliport in the open desert?Maverick provides housing for pilots, Papillion has housing for a fee. And just to clarify its not open desert on the south rim. It's ponderosa pine forest. The airport is at 6700' MSL Edited January 17, 2014 by helipilotm
Rotorookie Posted January 18, 2014 Posted January 18, 2014 Helicoptersalaries.com will give you info on pay.
HeliNomad Posted January 18, 2014 Posted January 18, 2014 A little off topic but any of you tour guys flying the T2 yet? Are you in love with it and make you never want to go back to the B4???
chucksweet Posted January 18, 2014 Posted January 18, 2014 I don't do tours, but I own a B4 and a T2. The T2 has some great improvements..doors, air conditioning, more power, and anti vibration stuff...but it is still a helicopter. I like the T2, but I have no problem going back and forth between both of them. I still like my B4, also.
HeliNomad Posted January 18, 2014 Posted January 18, 2014 I don't do tours, but I own a B4 and a T2. The T2 has some great improvements..doors, air conditioning, more power, and anti vibration stuff...but it is still a helicopter. I like the T2, but I have no problem going back and forth between both of them. I still like my B4, also.Oh that's right! Congrats on receiving the T2 Chuck! What a machine it is! BTW, your company sure made some happy campers for Christmas this year! ; )
Azhigher Posted January 18, 2014 Posted January 18, 2014 Haha, was projecting my current situation into my post there. =) Hm? JN you're backwards, you must be on nightshift
chucksweet Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Oh that's right! Congrats on receiving the T2 Chuck! What a machine it is! BTW, your company sure made some happy campers for Christmas this year! ; )Thanks...I am flying my T2 to Anaheim next month. It is going to be on display in the Eurocopter/Airbus booth at HAI. It should be a blast flying all the way across the country and the mountains.
HeliNomad Posted January 19, 2014 Posted January 19, 2014 Thanks...I am flying my T2 to Anaheim next month. It is going to be on display in the Eurocopter/Airbus booth at HAI. It should be a blast flying all the way across the country and the mountains. That's awesome Chuck. That should be an awesome cross country! I'm flying my B4 down also. Mine will be on display at the Fullerton airport at the FBO...haha. I'll email you if you want grab one.
Whistler Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 how realistic is it to think that you can live in another state and jump seat commute on a 7/7 schedule working for one of these companies?
heligirl03 Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 The only 7/7 (or jumpseat) available anymore is at Papillon South Rim. Almost all of those pilots commute out of state.
Whistler Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 The only 7/7 (or jumpseat) available anymore is at Papillon South Rim. Almost all of those pilots commute out of state.cool. thanks for the updated info
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