I know a lot of stuff, but how to pick the best Chief Corporate Pilots isn't one of them. I know enough to get me in trouble. With all of the talent I see posted on these boards, I hope you can help me out.
Part of my problem is the types of aircraft we will be using. It seems to me, that the person we pick, should have at least a working knowledge of the aircraft that he will be in charge of.
Our starting aircraft package will include:
2 - FALCON 900EX
4 - KING AIR 200
2 - KMAX
1 - BELL 206 L-4
1 - SIKORSKY - S-92
4 - C-130
6 - 747-400F
The Falcons and heavy's will be used both domestically and internationally for disaster response and most likely, in very adverse conditions.
The good news is, that we are accepting resume's from qualified professional pilots, for all positions fron Chief Corporate Pilot on down.
I'll take a crack at it, I'm sure there will be a flood to follow....
Before I begin, I must say that you have an interesting hanger full of airplanes for a "corporate" flight department. I know we are all interested in the operational details if you can share. With the aircraft you'll be operating it's going to be difficult to find someone with extensive operational experience in rotor wing, heavy international, and bizjet ops. However, there are some excellent aviators with equally impressive managerial skills out there.
Because this individual may not fly in the operation everyday, I'd put leadership credential over flying experience, although both are important. My short list of things to look for would be:
Organizational leadership with real industry experience
Integrity beyond reproach
Productive industry contacts
Loyalty to pilots and owners
High intellect that allows him to understand complex problems (and solve them)
An excellent aviator
I'm sure I'll think other qualifications after I send this.
Good luck on the search, how does one contact you?
I agree, what an aircraft Smörgåsbord for a corporate flight department. Must be located in the Mid-East, Seattle, WA, or Silicon Valley with the -400s
Thank you for your help. Your suggestions are very much needed and appreciated. I would assume that military experience and working with flight crews under high stress situations would also be important factors to consider. I do know that the successful candidate will have to have excellent communication skills, balancing his position with an absolute respect for those that he leads.
At VBS, no one is better than another, period. As CEO, I’m certainly not better than the person that works at a computer or runs a multimillion dollar machine. Those that think themselves “better” than someone else, are never tolerated. We all have a job to do and as such, respect is the first order of every day. I also never tolerate people that think it’s important to create undo stress. There’s enough stress in the basics of what we all do each day, without someone adding to it, as a unnecessary statement of some profound authority and dominion over another.
I must admit that I am troubled at the long standing disputes between flight crews and management. I’m not sure if the problems are the fault of the flight crews, management, unions or all the above. We are non union and hope to stay that way. I just feel that we can provide a better employment relationship, with better benefits, with less problems by inviting organization in that muddy the water up. So the question is, from a professional pilot’s perspective, how do we assure that the friction that happens in other aviation related companies, not happen with us?
As to the matter of hands on expertise with all of our aircraft, we are setting up a policy that will encourage the vital cross training and certification of all of our pilots for all of our aviation platforms. Is this wise?
As to the matter of hands on expertise with all of our aircraft, we are setting up a policy that will encourage the vital cross training and certification of all of our pilots for all of our aviation platforms. Is this wise?
While there are undoubtedly a bunch of folks out there who have an impressive array of type ratings, to be operationally qualified and current on more than two or maybe three turbine aircraft would be very challenging. Given the diverse list of aircraft that you have I'd be very surprised if you could find anyone willing to do it. It does sound like fun though...
Good evening, I agree 110% with everything HSLD stated above! I also agree that we could all answer your question a little bit better, as to what to look for in a Chief Pilot, if we had more specifics on your company's mission only if OPSEC permits. My current suggestion for the fleet you are starting with (and being a military guy myself) would be to look for someone with both a quality military and civilian background in order to get the best of both aviation worlds and experiences. It sounds like the disaster relief mission you mention will probally be working closely with both the US and foreign governments and militaries. A person with a US military background should already have a Department of Defense (DOD) Security Clearance (Secret to Top Secret level) that clearance might be required for certain information in regards to these types of missions and they may have done similar missions with the US military already. I would definately look for a very experienced dual rated pilot that knows the "Pro's" and "Con's" of both the fixed wing and rotary wing worlds, since they both vary greatly. The U.S. Army has a high percentage of dual rated guys like myself because we all go through rotary wing school first in the Army and later apply for slots to fly fixed wing later on in out careers. The Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard have dual rated guys as well. I would also look for a guy with lots of international time on all continents and multiple countries to include the far and away not frequently visited areas of the world. From what your posts sounds like, you will be flying all around the world into often austere areas. You will definately have to look for the right personalities to deal with those harsh and dangerous conditions and very high pressure environments too. It is definately alot more then just flying a plane from Point A to Point B and land at the big major international airport then take the crew van to check in at a 5-star hotel. Living in a tent and going to the bathroom in a dirt hole is also a quality of humbleness you will need to have in certain environments around the world. Well enough rambling...
So in my opinion to sum it all up, a well rounded, dual rated, military & civilian trained and experienced pilot with excellent leadership/management skills, hours upon hours of flight time, combat/hostile/international area operations, great connections in the aviation/military/governement arenas, superior knowledge, a great personality, honest, loyal, motivated, dedicated, disciplined, duty minded, respectful, selfless, integrity, personal courage, and teamwork all come to mind as good traits to possess in a Chief Pilot for your company. Good luck with finding him or her...I know he/she is out there! Please let us know how you make out & any other information on your company too!
Respectfully,
Matt
P.S. I sent you an e-mail with my cover letter & resume for a future pilot position with your company, thanks!!!
As to the matter of hands on expertise with all of our aircraft, we are setting up a policy that will encourage the vital cross training and certification of all of our pilots for all of our aviation platforms. Is this wise?
It's not a common practice primarily due to manpower and training costs. If you agree with the premise that safely comes from proficiency, it will be difficult for pilots to maintain proficiency across such a wide array of aircraft.
I'm not saying that it's impossible, it's just going to take a healthy training budget that requires more cycles on the aircraft or time in the sim (or both). If pilots are qualified on 7 concurrent airframes, that's quite a few trips to flight safety (or wherever you do the training) each year. You'll find staffing requirements will be much high to keep everyone trained AND fly the missions.
Pilots enjoy a decent quality of life off the job too. You want to be careful not to create an environment where recurrent training and operational flying kills the quality of life.
A person with a US military background should already have a Department of Defense (DOD) Security Clearance (Secret to Top Secret level) that clearance might be required for certain information in regards to these types of missions and they may have done similar missions with the US military already.
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