I was flying a CJ2 single pilot at 21 for a company, maybe not the youngest but close to it for that type of op. But since it was single pilot, if we are going by combined crew age for a jet that might take it :)

I don't know if this is directed at corporate but I do remember reading UPS had a 747 captain who was 25 I think his name was Ed Maxwell If I remember right...Think this was in the early 90's...Now thats something a 25 y/o can brag about.

There's always gonna be someone who did it easier, faster, younger, and cheaper than you.

Not to sound like a broken record, but I just want to know the path some of you guys took to get to flying a bizjet at 21/22. I know the jobs will be there when I graduate in a year, but how did you build the time? Did you guys go to college, or just fly. If you were in my boat (junior in college-PPL) how would you suggest going about it. If it were my choice, I would have had all my ratings by now, but having a heard how hard it is to get a job flying, I decided to get a non-aviation related double major. All I hear about is guys having to instruct for 4 years, then go to the regionals, then who knows what. This is why reading GIV FO's at 21 is so crazy to me.

It's NOT always the case, but it's usually what happens most of the time.

When a guy that young steps into a corporate job, let alone one which entails a large cabin bizjet like a GIV, it had more to do with who they knew and networking than it did their overall experience level. Especially in this market. You could have (insert a crapton of hours here) and go out and buy yourself a Gulfstream type, but unless you know somebody, you probably wont't find a job. Like I said, in this market. Sure, they had to have SOME experience to satisfy the boss and/or insurance company, but the "who you concept" still prevails.

It seems as if the large cabin bizjet circle is one that can be very very hard to penetrate. But once you're in, the possibilities start to open up.

Not all of us that got into the jet that young knew someone or had an in. I would think that when someone younger gets a shot at a larger corp jet it may be the result of having an in, but not always.

I consider myslef extremely fortunate. I hit everything at the right time and met the right people along the way. I got my ratings early on with a loan and was flight instructing by 18.. Flew for about 1000 hours and got the first right seat jet job at 19. Flew lears and citations for 2 years and at 21 transitioned from co captain in a learjet to flying the citation cj2 and 2+ single pilot. In the end, age really doesnt mean much.. experience and airmanship seem to define what type of pilot you are or will be.

Do not get to wrapped up in how young or old you are and trying to make certain deadlines. After accomplishing something that cool ( or at least I thought it was cool) I'm in the same spot now as everyone else that did it older. I got my degree online while flying so I missed out on the college experience. Believe me, I have plenty of days where I day dream about me and Doc going back in time and slapping my 18 year old self in the face. HAVE FUN, dont rush, it will happen.

If I were in your shoes, I would take my time getting my ratings and enjoy college. The industry is still in somewhat of a depressed place (although it is getting better). Study for your ratings hard and party hard in return.

Trust me, the jobs willl be there:P

Have fun and enjoy college....plenty of time for jobs later.

The friends and contacts you build over the years will be what gets you good jobs - not the hours in your logbook at 21 yrs old.

The pilot school robots that parade off to the regionals at 19 just determined to fly a jet no matter what are a dime/dozen and dont impress anyone.

The market is going to be what it is, you cant control that. Move along at a steady pace and it will all work out if you want to do this for a career...but more than anything.....remember, its just a job. Don't make it your life.

Nobody likes to work with/hire those folks.

I agree with some of that....?

How did you get insured as PIC on a single-pilot jet (I'm assuming a Part 91 industrial aid aircraft) without an ATP? Can't imagine an underwriter would give very high liability limits for that...

I know "everything is negotiable" when it comes to insurance...but geez I didn't figure that to be one of them.

Not skeptical of your background...just really curious!