Challenger 601 & 604 pay

[BeeVee]

Hello all,
I will be retiring form the Air Force in a few years and was wondering what a CL-601 and CL-604 Corporate Pilot makes in a year $$. I realize it is company/location/seat dependent. Just need a ballpark figure for future planning. Also, I'm trying to decide if I should pursue Corporate, the Majors, or fly "flight inspection" with the FAA (after I retire). Any and all input/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
BV

 

[BoilerUP]

NBAA 2007 - Captain - Base Salary

Jet III (20-45k MTOW): Average 91,648, Median 90,000

Jet IV (45-80k MTOW): Average 111,009, Median 110,000

 

[BeeVee]

BoilerUp,
Thanks for the $$ figures. Now what about the decision...Corporate, Majors or FAA Flight Check?
Thanks .
BeeVee

 

[BoilerUP]

Don't know what to tell ya...depends entirely on where you want (or are willing) to live. Lots of jobs available out there, especially for well-educated, highly experienced, international bizjet pilots.

Hard to beat a good gubment job due to the security and pension, but I'm not sure what if any benefit you'd get above your military pension.

Sounds like a good problem to have to me - good luck!

 

[CWGrizwald]

Stay in the cockpit

Whatever you do, stay in the cockpit until you retire. My last year was non-flying and that limited me. At the time, 2.5 years ago, few majors were hiring and I got the dreaded letter from SWA, but I did end up with a government contractor job flying 737s. I just left that for what I think is the best job out there. A corporate job which pays on the low side of 150K as a BBJ and G450 Capt. You'll never see that with the gov or a contractor unless you fly over in the sandbox. I gave up weekends and holidays off, but more than made up for it in pay and a more interesting flight schedule. Once the majors started hiring, I ruled them out base on low pay the first few years, just at a point in my life where I don't want to scrape by on those meager pay scales (SWA and FedEx the exception, but they aren't hiring now). From what I learned from my classmates at Gulfstream school last month, most large company corporate pilots are very happy and well paid, but it really all depends on the company/owner. One of my class mates spent 250 nights in hotel in 2007, but he loved it. I'll be home most nights, with just enough overnights to keep it interesting. Bottom line, start networking, get to know everyone you can in the corporate world, they are a smart lot and can help you find a great part 91 job.