Best Route into Corporate Aviation

C

ChrisH

Well-Known Member
What routes do most guys follow, to get into charter/corporate flying? I am now leaning heavily towards getting into that kind of flying, instead of the airlines. Obviously, the regionals are the route if your goal is the majors, but what about corporate aviation? Is 135 flying, for someone like FLX, for awhile, a good route, or would getting on with someone like AirNet, and moving into the Lear be a better option?

-Thanks
 
Shaw Group is hiring for the Westwind in Baton Rouge right now... Why not drop off a resume. Who knows? Right place...right time.
 
There's no real set route to getting a corporate job.

Mostly it's networking and getting to know other corporate pilots. A lot of corporate jobs are never posted, or if they are, it's just to make HR happy.

While I haven't made it to a true corporate job, I went from Flight Instructing to flying Part 135 charters to my current Part 91K job. Some people are lucky enough go right into a corporate job. I know a guy who went from flight instructing to flying a CE-650 to getting typed in the G-IV at age 23. He's never flown a day of Part 135 or 121 in his life.

Every corporate pilot has a different story about how they got to where they are.
 
The best way into corporate? I have been asked that question a number of times over my career. I always say "keep your nose clean, stand out at your current job by working hard, not complaining, and being the guy/gal that everyone wants to fly with." A good corporate operator starts interviewing you the day you meet someone employed with the company. You don't know it and they don't know it but it is happening. When it's time for them to add a pilot, all it takes is for one pilot, dispatcher, maintenance tech, at the operation to say that you are not the right material and just like that, your future job is in serious doubt. Most corporate departments hire people they have had positive contact with over time. If it is a large company, you can rest assured that the hiring process will be an in depth look at you as a person as much as they will require you to be able to fly an airplane. Most large corporate flight operations will also expect you to know a good deal about the company they support. These departments recognize that a good addition to the flight operation is worth the time and effort it takes to hire one. Keep your nose to the grind stone as they say, and good luck if you decide to pursue a job in the corporate world.
 
Getting into a corporate job really boils down to knowing the right people, though everyone has a different story as to how they got to where thy are at. As others have said, excel in your current job, pass business cards and shake hands with anyone and everyone you meet. Above all else- good luck!
 
ricecakecm said:
There's no real set route to getting a corporate job.

Mostly it's networking and getting to know other corporate pilots. A lot of corporate jobs are never posted, or if they are, it's just to make HR happy.

While I haven't made it to a true corporate job, I went from Flight Instructing to flying Part 135 charters to my current Part 91K job. Some people are lucky enough go right into a corporate job. I know a guy who went from flight instructing to flying a CE-650 to getting typed in the G-IV at age 23. He's never flown a day of Part 135 or 121 in his life.

Every corporate pilot has a different story about how they got to where they are.
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What company are you working for in KC? (I see the KC skyline in your Avatar behind the C90)
 
This is so true!

I currently work at Office Depot and will begin doing my flight training soon. I saw a man with a gulfstream hat on and asked him if he was a pilot.

Come to find out that he was co-chief pilot for GM. He gave me his business card and told me to call him when I got my hours up.

He said he just hired two pilots with about 3000 hours each, no degree on one. He said he'd rather hire someone with a good attitude and fun to talk to, than some hot shot. The time that they spend together is huge, so it has to be someone that they can all get along and have fun with.

Mostly
 
Im gonna just kinda reiterate what has already been said: Its all about who you know. I just got hired by a charter company in southern california to fly the CE-550...Im currently just a flight instructor.

I just happened to in the flight school office when a guy came in and wanted to use our FTD for instrument currency. None of the other instructors wanted to help the guy out, so i said what the heck and spent an hour or so in the sim with him. Turns out he was the assitant chief pilot for a charter company and he wanted to get a couple hours in the sim before going to simuflight for his G-II type rating. About an hour after we were done with the sim, he calls me up and asks if im looking for a job and that I should come in and meet the owners of the company he works for... if I would have shunned the guy off like the other instructors, I would have never had this oppertunity.

You just never know how or when your gonna meet the right people, but thats really what it comes down to in this biz.
 
Boy, that's what you call right place / right time! Good for you and congratulations!
 
Right place, right time, and hard work. My current Chief Pilot told me he made up his mind to hire me after a few min of talking. I also had a letter of recomendation from one of the guys I worked at Cape Air with, who also was in the right place at the right time and worked hard. The other thing is no bull ####, PERIOD. I have flown almost 35+ hours with our Chief Pilot in the last 4 months, I know, that he knew, he would have to fly with me(read it again its confusing). Most people want someone who they can get along with in the cockpit.
 
SIUav8er said:
About an hour after we were done with the sim, he calls me up and asks if im looking for a job and that I should come in and meet the owners of the company he works for... if I would have shunned the guy off like the other instructors, I would have never had this oppertunity.

You just never know how or when your gonna meet the right people, but thats really what it comes down to in this biz.
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Good job! It just goes to show that instructors should take those less desirable tasks, such as sim or ground instruction, when time permits. It serves as a great networking opportunity.
 
If you are able to do it, look into the "supporting crew-member" program at CAE Simuflite. Everyone I've spoken to has said it's a gold mine for networking, plus the training you receive makes you all the more employable.

I start class there on Monday with a couple of other guys I instruct with.
 
SIUav8er said:
Im gonna just kinda reiterate what has already been said: Its all about who you know. I just got hired by a charter company in southern california to fly the CE-550...Im currently just a flight instructor.

I just happened to in the flight school office when a guy came in and wanted to use our FTD for instrument currency. None of the other instructors wanted to help the guy out, so i said what the heck and spent an hour or so in the sim with him. Turns out he was the assitant chief pilot for a charter company and he wanted to get a couple hours in the sim before going to simuflight for his G-II type rating. About an hour after we were done with the sim, he calls me up and asks if im looking for a job and that I should come in and meet the owners of the company he works for... if I would have shunned the guy off like the other instructors, I would have never had this oppertunity.

You just never know how or when your gonna meet the right people, but thats really what it comes down to in this biz.
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Congrats man!

Dont let Jim K find out or he will charge the guy Haha.

-Rob
 
Keebler said:
If you are able to do it, look into the "supporting crew-member" program at CAE Simuflite. Everyone I've spoken to has said it's a gold mine for networking, plus the training you receive makes you all the more employable.
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:yeahthat:
 
I am also looking to get into the corporate field of aviation, i.e. net jets/exec. jet etc. But as of right now I'm at the point where I need to make a decision to either enter into a regional like republic or do something of the cargo/charter route.

At the end of this job I'll be sitting 700/25, 4 yr degree. I really doubt any company would hire me for a jet position, but maybe a turbine/piston job?

I really am struggling with this as well and I just truly want a route that fits perfectly for a low time pilot like myself to get into corporate aviation.

Let me know what you all think.
 
Another option that i would suggest is checking out www.climbto350.com

Ive never joined the website, but its definately a place to find corporate jobs...especially for people that already have type ratings/experience. I know several people that use the site to find contract work.
 
rdsoxpilot said:
I am also looking to get into the corporate field of aviation, i.e. net jets/exec. jet etc. But as of right now I'm at the point where I need to make a decision to either enter into a regional like republic or do something of the cargo/charter route.
Click to expand...

It's not clearly defined here but, as far as Jetcareers.com is concerned, remember that there are three distinct types of "corporate" flying.
  1. Part 91: These generally are the flight departments for corporations or individuals. They can vary from really lousy jobs (on call 24/7, no days off, lousy training, poor CRM, you name it!) to absolutely incredible jobs (phenomenal schedules, terrific pay and benefits, home most nights, world-class training and standardization, terrific equipment). It just depends on the company, but the Fortune 500 is always a good place to look.
  2. Part 91K: Fractionals. NetJets, CitationShares, FlexJet, etc. These operate more like small airlines that just happen to fly executive jets. With few exceptions they have schedules, good training, good standardization, and -- with the exception of NetJets -- generally lower pay than salary surveys indicate is normal for equipment type. If the NetJets contract spreads, fractionals may be the place to be. It's worth noting that Fractional pilots fly significantly more than most part 91 operators. (Once you get your dream job, flying LESS is desirable. ;)
  3. Part 135: These would be the bottom of the corporate-jet ladder. These poor shleps generally are the ones on pagers, spending lots of time away from home, with little or no hard days off, sometimes suspect training and standardization. I realize this is a stereotype and I apologize to those of you here who might fly 135 for reputable companies. But I think we all realize that the reputation exists for a reason. The good companies are hard to come by.
So when you say "corporate" in order to get good advice from folks on this board (and others) it's best to clarify your intentions.

Good luck!
 
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