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Let’s take your questions one at a time.
When people buy planes from dealers, who flies them to their new homes? I don't think the new owners always want to come pick them up.
Answer: Most pilots go and pick up their aircraft or the company will have ferry pilot on staff in most cases. No money here.
What about all the miles of wire and pipelines that run through remote areas? I heard planes fly over these on a regular basis for maintenance.
Answer: Yep companies use aircraft all the time and have their own and pilots, hard to break into.
What about planes that service people in remote areas? Alaskan bush pilots might be famous, but what about other places on the continent or around the world?
Answer: This is where the money is during the summer season. Of course everyone in Alaska has an aircraft like we have trucks. During the off season not much money and companies usually catch up on maintenance during this period. So they want their pilots to have A&P’s as well.
What about people who tow sailplanes, or take up skydivers?
Answer: Can’t make a full time living here. It is a part time job.
What about aerial sightseeing?
Answer: This requires a part 135 certificate most are single pilot no manual type of operation. Can only make money in certain part of the world, expect low pay and lots of down time in most cases.
Aerial photography?
Answer: Same as above.
Surveying?
Answer: Usually the pilot owns the aircraft and start up is very expensive.
I would suggest you go and talk with people working in these areas to get a good feel for it. I wouldn’t want to sugar coat anything, but making money in aviation is very hard.
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