StrackAttack

Hey guys,

Im 19 and getting my ppl. I know it is a ways down the road for me but i want to be prepared. Lately i have been leaning towards the corporate track. As far as building up hours what do you reccomend? CFI, regional, cargo? I am just trying to get an idea. Any advice would help me out,
Thanks

aero550

If you are really looking at corporate, I'd do it a little different (and I did) than what you were thinking.

I'd go CFI and work line service at an FBO with a charter department at the same time. Or CFI at an FBO with a flight school and a charter department. Get yourself known (in a GOOD way) with the chief pilot and try to get an entry level charter (Part 135) co-pilot position. Then you will most likely be building time in similar equipment and with similar passengers that would be encountered in corporate flying. Might even get a type rating or two that can be springboards to a corporate job (some corporate departments try to fill positions with people already typed - not all, but some). In addition, there may be some corporate departments based at this same FBO that will get to know you and will consider you when a position opens up.

If you go regional and/or cargo, you'll build time faster, but you'll never be in the same places at the same time to network in the corporate world, and networking is KEY.

Ewfflyer

I think there was a nail somewhere, and Aero550 hit it square in the head. There's also this funny thing about tons of corporate jobs, you need "Type Rated, Time in Type, Current time in type, etc..." Without any of these, most resume's will be overlooked. Some places are different, but in the end, insurance comapanies(both of them) rule aviation flight minimums.

StrackAttack

ok sounds good thats what i figured. Right now i am currently working at my flight school as a line serviceman which is at a pretty small airport so i dont really get to meet many corporate pilots, but i figured that would be the most important factors. So after CFI try and get hired as right seat for a charter company? Then just move up and meet new people? Thanks for the help

aero550

You're doing fine. Concentrate on getting the ratings, then start thinking about strategic moves. You may find a different path presents itself along the way that you hadn't even thought of.

StrackAttack

Alright thats good news, thanks. Obviously your a corporate pilot, so how did you get to where you are now? Did you take the path that you were describing earlier? The part i am most worried about is buidling contacts within the corporate industry. Does it just happen or is there any advice you can give on that? Thanks, I really appreciate it.

Ziggy

I get my contacts by hanging out at FBO's and talking with other pilots. I also walk around the airport and introduce myself to other pilots who are waiting for their pax. After making a couple of contacts, I find new aircraft or companies that are stationed at that airport and make a point of asking questions about them when I call my contacts. Point being that pilots that have worked at a particular airfield for a while know alot about who's who, and are more than willing to share.

aero550

I took a similar path to what I outlined earlier. I got my private while in college, but dropped out after two years because I ran out of money and motivation at the same time. I got a job working lineservice at an FBO that was also a corporate aircraft management/charter company. I got a reputation as always knowing what I was doing, being on the ball, and having a good attitude compared to some of the other guys I was working with. I was working on my ratings at the same time and after completing the commercial/multiengine, I was getting ready to get started on my CFI. I was building a little time in the interim by doing parts runs and ferrying pilots around for the company in the boss's 182 and doing my own little aerial photography business. When I had about 400 hours, the chief pilot of the charter department asked me if I thought I was ready to be a part-time Baron/Navajo co-pilot for a couple of charter customers that requested two pilots as part of their contract. Well, DUH, he didn't have to ask twice! I eventually got on as a full-time pilot and spent the next 7 years progressing up through piston captain, turboprop co-pilot, turboprop captain, jet co-pilot, and finally spent my last year there as a Citation Ultra captain. I was extremely lucky to be in the right place at the right time at the beginning.

9 years ago I answered an ad for a corporate position being offered for a Citation II captain and got the job. It was a downgrade in aircraft, but a huge upgrade in quality of life. 4 months ago, the chief pilot at this place retired and I got the upgrade to chief pilot, myself. I'm just hoping it doesn't ever go sour, because it's a real nice job.

Long, boring story I know, but the point is - I basically have that first lineservice job to thank for my whole career. To answer your question about making contacts - If you are the least bit outgoing, it just sort of happens on it's own. You do have to put yourself in the right places, though, for it to happen. The easiest way is to place yourself in a work setting, if possible, that puts you in front of the right people. That way, they witness first hand your work ethic, attitude, and competence. Also, keep them posted on your flight training progress, without being annoying. You'll be the first person they think of when something opens up that you're qualified for - it's a much easier decision for them than trying to go find somebody on the outside.

Make no mistake, though, there is no small amount of luck involved as well, and it could take awhile for the planets to align. Sometimes you need to keep your eyes open for other opportunities if things aren't progressing where you're at.

StrackAttack

no not boring at all, that really helps me out, ill shoot for that path and hopefully i will meet some people along the way, so it sounds like you never became a CFI. how old were you when you started flying co pilot in the baron/navajo? So i take it you never go a degree? All of your information will really help me, thanks

EK Birdcage

Strack, it sounds like you are already talking to a cheif pilot, so there is your in..

2 Points if I may.. 1. At 19, you may not want to eliminate the airlines, as your timing could be pretty good.. Not to sound like Kit Darby's blabbing about mass pilot shotages, but companies, especially regionals, are hiring, and some with as low as 600 hours I hear!!! 2. One thing I did in my career that seemed to give me a leg up was to fly frieght when my buddies went to the regionals.. Literally one year of turbine PIC time set me apart from all the other guys interviewing, and allowed me to "Pick" the regional I wanted to go to, and the rest in history.. Plus the flying was fun!! It can happen fast too my friend.. I got my first airline command at 23, and first jet command (717) at 25!!
Just my $.02 worth, but I am happy to chat more if it helps.. Might seem like a **** time right now, but you will actually look back on it fondly!!

777BC