Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Career Builder > Career Questions
Contract pilot - what's the best type >

Contract pilot - what's the best type

Notices
Career Questions Career advice, interview prep and gouges, job fairs, etc.

Contract pilot - what's the best type

Old 08-23-2020, 03:49 PM
  #1  
Line Holder
Thread Starter
 
Huskypilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Aug 2018
Posts: 82
Default Contract pilot - what's the best type

Howdy ladies/gents,
I'm looking at a break from Pt 121 and considering purchasing a corporate type to do some contract work. I don't want to do single pilot work (i.e. CJ or Phenom), and I'd prefer aircraft with auto throttles and other safety/tech gizmos. Would appreciate any thoughts on aircraft types that might be most useful, especially on the west coast. Also, any that are easily switched up with differences training. TIA.
Huskypilot is offline  
Old 08-23-2020, 03:58 PM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 293
Default

If you’re looking to break into the contract flying world my suggestion would be to do some reading on PPW. Unless you’re well connected getting a mid and or large cabin contract position will want some time in type. Limiting yourself to aircraft with auto throttles or other “tech gizmos” will just have you paying a lot of money for a type rating without getting any work.
diamnd15 is offline  
Old 08-23-2020, 04:30 PM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
galaxy flyer's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2010
Position: Baja Vermont
Posts: 5,168
Default

If you have a spare $120,000, a Global 7500 rating pays well ($3,500-$4,000 per day) and few contractors with or without “time in type” but most do have G6000 time. The Global and Gulfstream types have work, but have fair number of contractors in today’s world.
galaxy flyer is offline  
Old 08-24-2020, 05:21 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 307
Default

You’re prob 1 in a 1,000 considering “taking a break” from part 121 right now.

My intuition tells me most corporate operators aren’t going to want an airline guy.

I’d try to find the job first before investing in an expensive type rating.

If you want to live on the West Coast, go to a busy GA airport like Van Nuys and try to get a job at the FBO fueling planes.

With any luck they will give you a job and you’ll still have health insurance and be making approximately $15 an hour more than you would be making with no job. Every time you fuel a plane make small talk with the pilots.

As soon as one of the pilots says anything suggesting they would hire you if you were qualified then you’ll know what type rating to get.
DontLookDown is offline  
Old 08-24-2020, 09:24 AM
  #5  
On Reserve
 
Sdedeker's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: My own boss!!!
Posts: 14
Default

Without time in type, most companies will not even look at you because of the insurance companies. Insurance companies have started to run the show these days and they have pulled the reigns back considerably.
Sdedeker is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
padlocked17
Fractional
15
11-26-2018 12:36 PM
Mitch Rapp05
United
49
11-22-2013 07:13 AM
SkyHigh
GoJet
179
02-09-2009 07:14 AM
old gasser
Union Talk
28
06-08-2008 12:31 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices