Originally Posted by
Scooter74
Thanks, I should have been more clear in my previous post.
Lower end meaning lower end of the average numbers for that size jet, the duties required, and average estimated hours which will be flown.
I am thinking that the 5 partners are going to be reduced to 3, and the estimate for hours of useage is now 500/yr.
I am thinking, assuming that the management duties will be split between both pilots; that 65K each for the first year. He will be paying almost 18K "extra" the first year to insure us (due to our low time). I plan to include 6 scheduled days off per month and 1 week vacation (7days) first year.
What are typical "sick days" in the corporate flying? I was thinking 1.25 per month and allowing to accrue for a total of 2 years (30days) payable upon termination or non-renewal
do most companies allow for the same with vacation time?
500hrs a year is a TON.
We do 250-300 with 3 pilots and its just about right. We also do about 50 RONs a year. You need to add those up - thats where burnout occurs. Will one owner come back on a Friday night trip and the other is waiting in the hangar to go away for the weekend? guess who is going?
We work vacation out amongst ourselves and the owner does not care so long as there is coverage. I have never had a corporate job where there was less 2-3 weeks vacation to start.
You really need to account for sickness, training, medical days, etc etc. WHo is going to cover the plane while you take vacation or go to recurrent? at the low low low salary of 65K you will use contract guys at the rate of another pilot very soon!
If you will take anything out of all these posts its the need for 3+ pilots. Having been on both sides (2 vs 3+) I can tell you that it makes the job night and day, short vs long term, revolving door vs stable etc....
We started up a single owner department just 1 year ago and this was the backbone of it - STAFFING..and it has made this a fantastic job. Whenever that plane goes away with the other two pilots, you are free. You can catch up on personal stuff, check on the office, think about the future trips at an easy pace etc...everyone is on top of their game, nobody is pi$$ed off looking for other jobs, etc. We also made it clear that if flying grew past 350hrs that another pilot (4) would have to be budgeted. We ironed this out all AHEAD of time.
Setting yourself up for 500hrs, managing the entire operation, and making 65K worrying about insurance and training costs etc is borderline psychotic.
Get all your $hit straight coming into the game or you will likely never get it - think staffing and salary (READ: QOL).....and honestly, you are way off as of right now.
Again, Good Luck with it all! - starting things yourself can be a great opportunity to make a quality department.