How can I make money, a living with a single engine airplane?

Question

How can I make money, a living with a single engine airplane?

Answer 1

Aerial photography.

Answer 2

Flight Instruction, sightseeing tours, lease it to a skydiving operation (you can still do the flying), aerial mapping, forest fire patrol, traffic watch, animal survey (herd patrol), etc.

Answer 3

Plus, if you have a commercial license, you can also do...

1) wilderness or "bush" flying (very expensive insurance, esp. in Alaska)

2) banner or glider towing

3) "traffic watch" for a radio station

4) pipeline or powerline patrol

5) spotting for a commercial fishing boat

6) passenger charter or freight hauling (requires Part 135 certification)

As already said...it's hard to make a really good living at it, but you can get by comfortably if you're smart about running a business and you work really hard.

What you can do also depends on the type of single engine airplane you own, which can range from a two-seat Piper J-3 Cub or Cessna 150 up to a turbine powered Pilatus PC-7 or DHC3 DeHavilland Otter, and hundreds of other aircraft in between.

Answer 4

Chappie has some good answers...  You could also add in aerial photography.

One note, though... Most of these jobs will require an Commercial Pilot's Certificate (CPL) along with a higher rate of insurance and more maintenance on the aircraft.  You could probably earn a living on just one airplane, but don't expect it to be a very good living.

Answer 5

Start a club and rent the plane to members.  You won't get rich, but you can control the # of members and time available for your use.