Flight Training - January 2012 - 46

CAREER PILOT»

BUSINESS JET INDUSTRY 20-YEAR DELIVERIES OUTLOOK
1991-2000 3,600 units 2001-2010 6,400 units 2011-2020 10,000 units 2021-2030 14,000 units

1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0 1991

2000

2010

2020

2030

SOURCE: BOMBARDIER

The report concluded: “Importantly, users found ways to deploy this unique asset, driving increased revenues, profitability, and efficiency by a wide margin over nonusers. Most surprisingly, we found that business aircraft users had a dominant presence, on average of 92 percent, among the most innovative, most admired, best brands, and best places to work, as well as dominating the list of

companies strongest in corporate governance and responsibility.” Because of the diversity of business aviation, not to mention global economic instability and its impact on business, it is impossible to take a snapshot of this sector of aviation and claim that so many pilots are employed and that so many pilots will be required in the future. Obviously, pilots are needed to crew those thousands of aircraft.

Unlike the airlines, where growth and manpower requirements can be somewhat predicted, the crystal ball vision for business aviation is murky. But, based upon the projections for new aircraft acquisition, it appears that, much like the airlines, modest growth is forecast. Thus, the data suggests that more pilots will be needed to fly the equipment. So, how does an aspiring professional pilot get that plum job driving a Falcon 2000 full of corporate execs? The progression is much like the airlines: first small; then larger; then big. Experience, ratings, a college degree, and a few thousand hours in the logbook are essentials for the jobs at the top. At the lowest rung of the career ladder, expect to fly anything from a single-engine piston right up through small cabin-class twins such as the Piper Navajo or Chieftain. Salaries are all over the board and may run from $20,000 and up. In the smallest of enterprises, the company pilot could hold multiple roles such as a sales man-

CAREER ADVISOR

Are there jobs out there?
» By Wayne Phillips

BUSINESS AVIATION
solid company would offer more variety and much more personal satisfaction than the airlines. Can you share some thoughts about breaking into the business? »A. Corporate flying can vary dramatically. You could have a developer who can pony up the cash for a Beechcraft Baron or Cessna Citation and recruit a small staff of pilots. One of the pilots may be crowned the chief pilot, and that person not only flies but manages the airplane, training, and scheduling. The crew may fly the owner’s daughter to college or transport the boss to a business meeting. These pilots are more like personal chauffeurs.
»Q. I think that flying a business jet for a

Then there is the large corporation that uses a Gulfstream G-IV as a business tool to transport executives around the globe. No personal junkets; all flights are business-related. These operations generally have a flight department under the direction of an aviation manager. A trend now is for corporations to hire an outside jet management company to oversee the operation, including maintenance and pilot recruitment and training. These airplanes are placed on an air taxi/ charter (FAR Part 135) certificate. The management company, which also holds a Part 135 certificate, can sell and schedule flights to the public, generating revenue

for both the owner and the management company. The owner—whether a corporation or an individual—may recommend that its pilots be used for the air taxi service. Those pilots then become contractors to the management company/135 operator while flying air taxi flights. The largest enterprises pay well and will generally schedule pilots with guaranteed duty times and days off. Smaller corporate operators have been known to abuse their pilots by calling on the spur of the moment to fly the boss and some pals to a football game—plus carry and load the bags. And, when business turns sour, the company airplane is often the first to go. Life as a corporate pilot can be heaven or a bit of hell, depending on who pulls the strings. Do your homework.
Send your Career Pilot questions to careers@aopa. org and we’ll answer them here.

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Flight Training - January 2012

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