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4 Answers

How much experience needed to become a jump pilot?

Asked by: 5481 views General Aviation

I just wanted to know how many hours of flight time a DZ would look for when they hire pilots. A flight instructor I used to fly with worked at a DZ but I never asked him how much experience he had when he first started. Would I be able to apply for a job flying at a drop zone right after getting my commercial? Or would they just laugh at me?

Thanks for the input. I don't know if this was the correct place to ask, but ill find out. 

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4 Answers



  1. Mike on Jun 24, 2014

    I would say it’s very unlikely to get a job flying jumpers right after getting your commercial. For a 182 my drop zone’s insurance required 500 total time. I believe they wanted 25 hours in a 182 and a certain number of jump runs as well. I had around 700 hours when I started. As far as getting a jump pilot job, it REALLY helps to know somebody. They want to know that you are someone they can get along with, keep them safe, and not break their plane.

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  2. Steven Porter on Jun 25, 2014

    Most require 500 total time for insurance reasons. I was able to get a job at a DZ 5 days after my CPL check ride at 300 hours just by emailing them. This was because the flew only piston cessna’s, and they had an insurance company approved standard operating procedure and training program (3 flights) that waived the minimum hour requirement among other benefits. So the moral is, call them and ask. Especially at the start of the jumping season (depending on where you are at).

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  3. zdanz25 on Jun 26, 2014

    Thanks for the input guys, also, are you both flight instructors as well as jump pilots?

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  4. Mike on Jun 26, 2014

    Yes I am.
    I agree with Steven in that most 182 operators that I have talked to require 500 hours for insurance. He proves it’s not an end all, be all number, though. Getting your CFI will make you a better pilot (including jump pilot). I highly recommend it.

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