What biz jet type would you recommend?

[carl p]

About to be furloughed from current 121 gig, looking at getting a biz jet type through the WIA. Looking for a common aircraft in use that having a type in would help land a job. I would like the type to cost around what the WIA will pay or slightly over. I am a 121 pax/freight guy with 9,500 hrs typed in the 72, 73, & DC-9. I have 6k jet PIC and 3k Check Airman with international experience. Not really looking to do a ton of international flying since I've got a family. Given all the info, what do you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[cjdriver]

Just talked to a guy today with a 135 op and they can't find BE400 pilots. There's a ton of Beechjet charter ops out there.

 

[BoilerUP]

CE500, LR-JET, MU30/BE40 or HS-125.

 

[727C47]

or put your app in with the fracs, Godspeed ya from this former freightdog ! but if they give you money for the type you can't go wrong with any Citation.

 

[mxpilot2]

What Boiler said. Those types comprise about 3/4 of the corporate fleet.

 

[NCherches]

Id go with a CE-500 / CE525
LR-JET (lears) will keep you busy but usually those jobs suck - Air Amubulance, etc.

 

[jetgirl]

I second a Citation or Lear type. You might get more mileage out of a LR-JET type, as this one type covers a handful of Lear models.
There seems to be a lot more Citation models and types to go along with those, so it might be hard to figure out which one is best.

 

[JSky26]

Third the CE-500 type!

 

[DrProc]

When I got typed in both the BE400 and HS125 my phone started ringing with job offers even though I wasn't looking. I am amazed how many of these airplanes are out there.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Just remember, in corporate: The bigger the airplane, the bigger the suitcase.

I agree with the poster who said LRJET type. It covers the 20s, the 30s, and I believe the 55 (someone correct me if i'm wrong on that).

Good luck!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Just remember, in corporate: The bigger the airplane, the bigger the suitcase.

I agree with the poster who said LRJET type. It covers the 20s, the 30s, and I believe the 55 (someone correct me if i'm wrong on that).

Good luck!

and usually bigger the paycheck...:laugh:

Id venture further and get rated in a GIV. Many of them are now down in the charter arena and can also lead to MUCH better full-time career jobs. As far as a big suitcase - Frac guys in Citations pack a 7 day bag 2X a month -I dont even know many Gulfstream guys who do that! Just shop the gig carefully.

Good Lear 20,30, 55 jobs MAY be hard to find. Air ambulance and on-demand Lear flying is not enjoyable for the most part (IMO)

If it wont pay for a G rating, Id look into a Hawker rating....

Good Luck!

 

[FastJP4]

Keep in mind the Citation and Lear types are a dime a dozen. Yes there are tons of those a/c out there, but there are also tons of typed pilots. If you have a family and mortgage, the pay on those aircraft may be hard to get by on. Best of luck to ya.

 

[Mountain Troll]

Why are you asking an internet board what to do? Nobody knows you or what the marketplace around you has to offer. How many of what type aircraft are nearby? In other words, do your homework. Act like a businessman and you will succeed, act like a pilot and you will fail. Find out who the potential customers are in your service area. Marketing and sales, does that term mean anything?? This is a prime example of why most people who try the contract life fail. Would you open a shop(business) without knowing anything?? Good luck.

 

[Quimby]

http://www.airport-data.com/manuf/Gulfstream_Aerospace.html

You can check this site for G's or whatever you want in your area.

Good luck.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

Ce-525, Be-300

 

[carl p]

Why are you asking an internet board what to do? Nobody knows you or what the marketplace around you has to offer. How many of what type aircraft are nearby? In other words, do your homework. Act like a businessman and you will succeed, act like a pilot and you will fail. Find out who the potential customers are in your service area. Marketing and sales, does that term mean anything?? This is a prime example of why most people who try the contract life fail. Would you open a shop(business) without knowing anything?? Good luck.

I thought getting opinions from people who have corp. experience (since I have none) is part of doing my homework. If I was opening a business, I would ask people involved in that field for opinions and advice. I will make my own decision, but I see nothing wrong with asking questions from those who have experience I don't. How do you know I am not planning to check out the operations in my area, maybe I would move or commute for the right job. If I'm going to get furloughed for the second time in 10 months, I would like something positive to come out of it. I've flown night freight, day pax, on demand charter, scheduled, domestic, and international so contract life will be no big surprise.

Everyone else, keep em coming!
Thanks.

 

[Swass]

I would agree with G200, go with the Hawker.

 

[NCherches]

Just stay away from the JetStar or Sabreliner...

 

[Mountain Troll]

Well, I guess you are partially right. You are getting some ideas. I was a contract pilot for eight years. What I saw was furloughed pilots getting free types from the state and then lowballing their daily rates to get the work and then not being able to pay for the next years training. The market for you will be completely different than your next door neighbor if they had the same work and flight experience. I saw a bunch of guys who contracted when they got let go from a corporate gig just until the next one comes along. Hey, we ALL have to eat. I understand, but, you want to succeed, do the homework which includes mapping every aircraft and charter company within two hundred miles of your hooch. Go talk to some operators and see if they have a need for someone with your experience. Make a projection of sales, maintain a budget, save for next years training events. Do make your cold calls, sales calls, customer follow up calls. Track what your clients are doing, that way, you know what is needed. Year number one is the most difficult, because you have to start a business and save enough for next year too.

The above is what most people don't do. And they fail. What are you doing to limit your liabilities? Incorporate? Insurance? What can you you do to grow? Is moving to another city with a larger market a possibility?

These are some of the things that YOU need to know about to become a professional contract pilot. Flying is only about 15% of what the job entails. The type of aircraft is the markets choice not yours. It does not matter what you want to sell, it matters what the market wants to buy.
Good luck and pm me if you want more.

 

[BeeFCaKe]

Don't buy your own BE400 type, any 135 outfit will have to type you anyway, and training contracts are rarely enforceable.