Getting into corporate flying
 

Hey Guys/Girls,

I'm looking to get out of the Part 121 world and into corporate flying. Do any of you have any good advice on how to go about it. Please try to keep this thread on topic if you don't mind.

Currently I have about 7500 hours total time, 5000 turbine, 3400 PIC turbine and a couple of type ratings (just not on corporate jets) and am sitting in the pool for a major airline so it's not that I don't have the time requirements for just about any job it's more of I've been in the 121 world for 8 yrs now and have had my fill of it. I want something more involved and more challenging than what this job offers.

Thanks for any imput or advice.

You're just past the peak of the worst time in history to be looking for a corporate job...as such, there are many experienced, very highly qualified folks out of work. In this downturn, bizav folks took a much more severe beating than airline pilots did...

That said, the #1 thing you can and should do if you're thinking about changing segments is NETWORK. Networking might not directly lead to a job, but it could lead you to somebody who knows of an opening that works out for you. You can network on the internet (APC is good, *************.com is another) but nothing replaces folks you know - college friends & pilots you knew from your airline that made the jump previously are an excellent resource.

I spent 2 years at a regional before getting my current job that I've been in for 3 years. Compared to regional flying, the ONLY thing that is similar is flying an airplane point A to B - most everything else is different, and corporate departments run the gamut from a single Cirrus or Bonanza up through multi-airplane ultra-long range jets. Job duties & responsibilities are different, and some airline folks simply can't adjust. Its not just loading bags & filing flight plans - can you actually provide good service to your passengers with a smile? Do you care about light cabin cleaning or wiping bugs off after a flight/trip? If in a plane without a externally-serviceable lav will you balk at removing the honeypot?

Where do you want to live - are you flexible on that? What are your salary & lifestyle expectations? Do you have an ego about what kind of airplane you might fly? Can you be VERY flexible? Is the phrase "that's not my job" in your lexicon?

Again, given your qualifications I'm sure everybody knows you know how to fly a plane - its the intangible things that will (or won't) get you considered for a job. NETWORKING is key and others who have made a similar leap can give you first-hand advice...good luck!

Thanks Boiler. No I have no issues with any of that (I grew up on a cattle farm so emptying the honey pot would be one the least descusting things I've done ha ha), as for the rest of the things on your list there that is more of what I'm talking about. I'm bored/tired of sit down fly, swap planes and repeat. I want something more hands on. I have no big shiny jet syndrome. I've looked at jobs flying Cessna 400's to just about anything else, and location is where ever. If I could for now I'd love to stay in the DC area but that is not to say I wouldn't move for a good job. I've even been considering going to the local fbo and applying for a job there so I can start meet and greeting people.

Anybody else have anything to add to what Boiler said?

If you live in the DC area, there are a handful of charter operators (and more than a couple corporate operators) in the area.

When I worked for AWAC out of DCA and lived in Maryland, I actually was offered an interview with Martainair out of RIC for a Beechjet job at IAD that I ended up turning down. Now this was early 2007 during "boom times" but they might be worth looking into; I think there's also some charter up around FDK and quite a few corporate operators in Baltimore.

The only other thing I could add is that your flight time really isn't that important in the Corp world. You have an ATP, so we know you can fly an airplane (so you wont have anyone ask you how to figure a VDP, or ask you an approach chart question in an interview). Attitude is what will get you hired! Is this the kinda guy I can go on a five day trip with and not want to kill? Does he seem like a team player? We have had guys come to us with 20 thousand hours and 777 experience (and turned them away). We have also hired guys with wet ink on their ATPs and only 1500hrs. Be a team player, let them know you are not above helping with any details of a trip and you should be in good shape.

I second everything said above - with particular emphasis on the "network" part. Sometimes you have to spend years developing relationships within a corporate department before an opportunity arises.

Did I mention you should network?

Some of the best networking opportunities occur at the NBAA regional forums or at any one of the local business aviation forums, such as the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association, since the DC area is your targeted market.

Greater Washington Business Aviation Association, Inc.

Did this myself, with similar stats. I tell folks the only thing the jobs have in common is that they both involve flight. Miss the relative stability and schedule of the airlines. Might be headed to Moscow tonight, I just have really no idea. 20 hour days are totally normal. Just my take, but if you have seniority where you are now, you will probably take a large hit on lifetstyle/sked and pay for quite a while. Good luck!

(Boiler makes a good point)

Ashcroft, If you're thinking long-range bizjet, that is going to be tough to get.. Global, G-V and Large Falcon operators want a type rating, hours in type and int'l experience, but you never know in this industry... An acquantinance of mine left Jetblue after 6 years for a Falcon 900EX job. He wanted to see the world, he went to Moscow last week

As far as medium and/or short-range bizjets, you'd eventually land a job if you keep on trying. Patience is a virtue

Executive Jet Management (part of Netjets) has hired guys without a type.

good luck

Thanks guys. All of what has been said was pretty much what I was expecting. Guess I'll be making a few trips out to the local fbo's and start getting my name out. If anybody has any more helpful info on the subject please post up.