CORPORATE AVIATION
INFORMATIVE INFORMATION FOR ASPIRING PILOTS
WHAT IS corporate aviation? If you are flying it, you know...if you’re new to aviation or trying to find your place, corporate aviation could be a good place for you. Corporate Aviation fits the transportation needs of corporations or businesses who desire to have their own personal air transportation, and not rely on the airlines to provide their air transportation needs. Why? Corporate aviation allows company executives or personnel to travel when they need to, and not be reliant on the airline scheduling system. So, corporate aviation means efficiency. It’s expensive efficiency, yet when time equates money, corporate aviation allows access to thousands of airports unserved by the airline system. It puts company personnel very close to the target zone of their customers, or business enterprise.
CORPORATE AVIATION has been around a long time. Ever since surplus aircraft were made available after World War II, companies have been utilizing small aircraft to enhance their company’s personal air travel needs. Corporate headquarters, large and small are located across the country with many company facilities spread throughout North America, and/or across the globe. Companies structure their corporate flight departments in a manner that supports the business access needs. Some corporations may operate a small, single-engine piston aircraft, up to a multi-level fleet of jet aircraft, to include helicopters, and even a mix of aircraft types.
Let me share my own experience as it relates to how I was able to get started in corporate aviation.
DO I have experience in corporate aviation?
Absolutely. It’s been many years now since I’ve flown corporate aviation, but it was a great experience, and I worked for some good folks, shuttling them to near and far-flung locations, within North and Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East.
HOW DID I get started in corporate aviation?
Early on, I flew as a flight instructor, and ground instructor at PDK airport in Atlanta, Georgia. In those roles, I was able to make contacts with a lot of folks in that aviation community, and across town at Fulton County airport. I purposely met many corporate operators during ‘get-acquainted’ visits to their hangars or offices, in an attempt to establish a network...and let these folks get to know me. Most corporate jobs are not advertised, and openings are filled through personal contacts, recommendations, and the good old-fashioned networking. Generally, there isn’t a lot of turnover in the pilot ranks of corporations, particularly at good, strong companies, with a record of looking out for their employees. However, some pilots do leave for the airlines, if the airlines are hiring, or have medical issues, or retire, so if you are in the right place at the right time, and are qualified, you may get a call for a job.
It’s never easy. There is timing, luck, and being qualified. If they know you, it’s somewhat easier. One thing that’s sometimes forgotten, is do you fit in the corporate image? Why? Corporations generally like to keep their aviation operations as a low profile part of the company. Sometimes, the perception of corporate jets on the property indicates excess and waste, for those unfamiliar with the outstanding benefits that corporate aviation provides. Keeping the operation low profile, and maintaining a pilot force who is professional, competent, and business minded helps get the job done. Some corporations require pilots to work inside the company on days not flying, so it’s more important that you are able to give the company some bang for their buck. Corporations that have strong dedicated flight departments generally don’t require pilots to perform other work duties unrelated to aviation. In my own case, the corporations I worked for only required me to remain focused on the flight aspect of the job.
HOW DO I find out who the corporations are in my area?
It’s going to take some ‘shoe-leather’ on your part. Go visit the airport in your area and find out for starters. Get on the internet and research the companies based in your town, and ask questions of the FBO managers about who is based at your airport, and do they know anyone there? It’s a small world, and making some pointed inquiries will help you make the contacts necessary to get the door open. Create a file on your job search. Take notes on who you spoke to and when. Then, follow-up as time goes to to see if anything has changed, and are they looking for a pilot. Make face to face visits. No one will remember you from a phone call. It’s tough to get out there and make the face to face contacts, but that is the way to get your face recognized, because they will see you around the airport.
MANY CORPORATIONS utilize the services of FBO air-taxi operations in a pinch, and hire ‘time-share’ operators or ‘fractional ownership’ operators. One such operator is NETJETS, which operates a nationwide fleet of corporate jets, providing air transportation services to corporations and wealthy individuals, in the USA and Europe.
DO I have to be qualified in the airplane type the company flies?
It helps certainly, although, in many cases, the company will give you the proper training to get you going, unless they need to fill an emergency gap in their pilot staff. Many companies use the services of FLIGHT SAFETY INTL to train their crews, including new hires.
WHAT WILL the schedule be as a corporate pilot?
It depends on the company. Some want you on call seven days a week. Others will develop a monthly schedule and you’ll know in advance what you will be doing, however always subject to change - as this is the ultimate benefit of corporate aviation - the flexibility and efficiency it provides for the company. You must be willing to accept the variability of the schedule, and understand the company’s desire to have access to the air operation at all times.
HOW IS the pay and benefits?
It can be quite good, again depending on the company. You can expect competitive salaries, good medical/dental benefits, life insurance, and possibly retirement or 401K accounts. Be sure to research this before you apply to any particular corporate flight department.
WHY DID you leave corporate flying?
For me, the airline window opened, and that avenue provided the opportunity to fly large, heavy jets, and travel worldwide, plus, added pay and benefits. Since I went the route of overnight freight, it’s been more stable and financially rewarding than the pax carriers.
FINALLY, I offer you the best of luck in your quest to become a corporate pilot. It can be an outstanding career, with a good company, and provide a rich and rewarding career aviation experience. Contact me if you have questions, and I’ll be glad to offer any assistance.
Email: ByronCobb@jettutor.com
Copyright Byron Cobb
