I have been flying for a living for a little over 12 years. I have 7,000 hours, mostly in 'bush flying'-type operations such as seaplanes and aerial firefighting, but also with some experience high performance pressurized aircraft. I enjoy my current job thoroughly, but have had corporate flying (jet aircraft specifically) in the back of my mind for years, with my enthusiasm renewed by recent aviation experiences.
Although I consider myself an experienced pilot, I understand that the type of experience I have would likely require something less than a 'lateral' move, and a possible pay cut as an FO on a small jet in order to gain experience in this type of flying.
I am in search of advice from corporate pilots on the ups and downs of the life, and where someone with my background might start regarding aircraft size and type when sending out resumes. Any input is appreciated.
P.S. We have all experienced the unfortunate attitude of some pilots about moving from one branch of aviation to another. I know many so-called bush pilots who believe that some jet pilot would be over his head in a Twin Otter, or the Jet pilot who thinks that some bush pilot could never get is head around their Citation. We all acquired our current skills, and we can learn new ones. I appreciate anyone who thinks otherwise not replying to this post.
StandingBy
Entering Corporate Aviation
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StandingBy
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whatsitdoingnow
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Re: Entering Corporate Aviation
Some pros
Lots of free time with my family (depending on your owner/ company).
Lots of variation in your flight destinations.
Get to stay at the destinations for longer than min rest (sometimes several days or weeks which is great if you're in the Caribbean, not so good if you're in a shit hole, granted).
On Salary (in my current company so don't really care how much I fly).
Some con's
Live and die by the phone- on call 14 out of 17 days (however I personally only fly 5-6 times a month and have rarely had to come in with little notice)
Pay will generally top out lower than airline (however pure corporate companies (as opposed to aircraft charter/ management companies) tend to be a little bit better paid.
Compared to Airlines, the pensions are abysmal. Some will price match a small amount of your wage.
Your owner could be a complete A@@ Hole- you never know until you've flown with them for a while - sometimes they throw their teddy out the cot for the simplest of problems.
It's not for everyone, granted, however if you thrive on thinking on your feet, having to adapt to last minute changes and being more involved, then it's a great place to be. I personally have a side business (my wife would have surly killed me if I was just hanging around the house doing nothing all day) which makes up for the discrepancy in the pay and some.
I'm sure others can add to the lists or even debate what I have written, but I have heard it many times that corporate flying is one of aviations best kept secrets (well maybe not anymore).
Hope this helps
Lots of free time with my family (depending on your owner/ company).
Lots of variation in your flight destinations.
Get to stay at the destinations for longer than min rest (sometimes several days or weeks which is great if you're in the Caribbean, not so good if you're in a shit hole, granted).
On Salary (in my current company so don't really care how much I fly).
Some con's
Live and die by the phone- on call 14 out of 17 days (however I personally only fly 5-6 times a month and have rarely had to come in with little notice)
Pay will generally top out lower than airline (however pure corporate companies (as opposed to aircraft charter/ management companies) tend to be a little bit better paid.
Compared to Airlines, the pensions are abysmal. Some will price match a small amount of your wage.
Your owner could be a complete A@@ Hole- you never know until you've flown with them for a while - sometimes they throw their teddy out the cot for the simplest of problems.
It's not for everyone, granted, however if you thrive on thinking on your feet, having to adapt to last minute changes and being more involved, then it's a great place to be. I personally have a side business (my wife would have surly killed me if I was just hanging around the house doing nothing all day) which makes up for the discrepancy in the pay and some.
I'm sure others can add to the lists or even debate what I have written, but I have heard it many times that corporate flying is one of aviations best kept secrets (well maybe not anymore).
Hope this helps
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StandingBy
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- Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:58 pm
Re: Entering Corporate Aviation
Thanks for the insight, much appreciated.
From what I've heard from you and the few people I know who are involved in corporate aviation, it seems that, probably like any field of aviation, there are good jobs and bad. I percieve the average corporate flight department to be relatively small, running good equipment and maintaining a high training standard, and providing a good variety of work. If these perceptions are correct, coporate seems like a very attractive option. I am not ready to leave my current job yet to explore this option, but will be before too long. Thanks again for the info.
StandingBy
From what I've heard from you and the few people I know who are involved in corporate aviation, it seems that, probably like any field of aviation, there are good jobs and bad. I percieve the average corporate flight department to be relatively small, running good equipment and maintaining a high training standard, and providing a good variety of work. If these perceptions are correct, coporate seems like a very attractive option. I am not ready to leave my current job yet to explore this option, but will be before too long. Thanks again for the info.
StandingBy
Re: Entering Corporate Aviation
I left the airline world 7 years ago to go corporate. I was previously flying Dash-8's for 8 years and a year on a 737NG. Most private flight departments look for guys that can go captain right away, because all the pilots are captains. If you have a lot of twin turbine, IFR experience this will help a lot. I'd suggest you try and get on with a charter/fractional outfit and get some jet time before looking for a true corporate jet job. Our department has a King Air 200, and the boss still wants guys with jet PIC time, even though they are going to sit on the King Air for a few years before moving up to the jets.
There are going to be a lot of retirements in the next few years, most of the other corporate flight departments I know of are staffed by guys in their mid 50's and 60's who are gonna be pulling the plug soon.
As far as bush flying versus other flying........flying up north is hard work, crappy weather, crappy airports, no airports, non-precision approaches, etc, etc. If you can fly in the bush up north, you can fly anywhere, it's just a matter of learning some new procedures. The small corporate jets like Citations are easy to fly, easier than a King Air. Basically its a turboprop with a fans on the back. The larger Gulfstreams and Falcons with swept wings and more advanced avionics are a different story.
Feel free to PM me if you want some more info or have any questions.
There are going to be a lot of retirements in the next few years, most of the other corporate flight departments I know of are staffed by guys in their mid 50's and 60's who are gonna be pulling the plug soon.
As far as bush flying versus other flying........flying up north is hard work, crappy weather, crappy airports, no airports, non-precision approaches, etc, etc. If you can fly in the bush up north, you can fly anywhere, it's just a matter of learning some new procedures. The small corporate jets like Citations are easy to fly, easier than a King Air. Basically its a turboprop with a fans on the back. The larger Gulfstreams and Falcons with swept wings and more advanced avionics are a different story.
Feel free to PM me if you want some more info or have any questions.
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Masters Off
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Re: Entering Corporate Aviation
Nova,
I just had a couple questions.
I'm looking at moving to a King Air within the next year. I'd like to move up afterwards, but don't enjoy the idea of the airlines. As what's outlined above, the adhoc, unscheduled, tight-nit work sounds very interesting.
Is there specific time/types/companies to be looking for?
And everything is based on reputation, who you know. Sure that works in theory, but how do I get to start knowing thes people? Certain companies, cities, places I should know about?
Just looking for overall friendly advice, if you don't mind.
I just had a couple questions.
I'm looking at moving to a King Air within the next year. I'd like to move up afterwards, but don't enjoy the idea of the airlines. As what's outlined above, the adhoc, unscheduled, tight-nit work sounds very interesting.
Is there specific time/types/companies to be looking for?
And everything is based on reputation, who you know. Sure that works in theory, but how do I get to start knowing thes people? Certain companies, cities, places I should know about?
Just looking for overall friendly advice, if you don't mind.
Last edited by Masters Off on Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Entering Corporate Aviation
Masters Off,
I can't speak for other companies, but for us, we look for guys with a lot of PIC time, jet and or large turboprop. But jet time is a must. Time on type is a benefit of course but not necessary. For us, having a connection to the maritimes is essential, keeps guys here, because they want to be here. The big thing in corporate aviation is a laid back attitude, and not getting flustered or pissed off when the schedule changes, or the trip changes 10 times over.
The big FBO's are the best place to bump into or get to know the different guys at different flight departments. Most of the good private flight departments usually hire guys in their late 30's or 40's with a lot of time. I had almost 10000hrs and was 36 when I was hired, and that remains the trend here.
If you want to avoid the airline world go try a place like Sunwest or Air Partners in Calgary or one of the other fractional or managed aircraft operators.
Cheers
I can't speak for other companies, but for us, we look for guys with a lot of PIC time, jet and or large turboprop. But jet time is a must. Time on type is a benefit of course but not necessary. For us, having a connection to the maritimes is essential, keeps guys here, because they want to be here. The big thing in corporate aviation is a laid back attitude, and not getting flustered or pissed off when the schedule changes, or the trip changes 10 times over.
The big FBO's are the best place to bump into or get to know the different guys at different flight departments. Most of the good private flight departments usually hire guys in their late 30's or 40's with a lot of time. I had almost 10000hrs and was 36 when I was hired, and that remains the trend here.
If you want to avoid the airline world go try a place like Sunwest or Air Partners in Calgary or one of the other fractional or managed aircraft operators.
Cheers
Re: Entering Corporate Aviation
For a good overview of the corporate flying life, read:
http://www.canaero.ca/subpages/Article% ... page1.html
http://www.canaero.ca/subpages/Article% ... page1.html
