Corporate Aviation Question

[NTXPilot]

I asked a few questions regarding a corporate aviation career here a year ago, and recently I've been doing more in-depth research. So, a couple more questions for y'all if you don't mind...

Currently I'm working on my MBA, and I have one year left. I decided to pass on the airline career some time ago. However, I want to go into corporate aviation, and ultimately I'd like to manage a corporate flight department. From what I've looked at so far some companies have quite extensive flight operations.

Now, question time. For those involved in corporate flight departments, what is needed to reach that management position? In other words, is that a position that is attained by corporate pilots "working up the ladder" so to speak, or is it filled by individuals with more traditional business/management backgrounds? With that goal in mind, would it be a good idea to get some business/management experience? (Started my MBA right out of undergrad.)

Thanks for the help,
NTx

 

[satpak77]

most corporate flight dept managers rose up thru the ranks from "line pilot" in their respective department.

 

[NTXPilot]

Ok thanks for the info. satpak. I wasn't sure if they would be pilots first then managers or if they had business backgrounds.

 

[Problow]

The MBA would probably be better used somewhere else. I have known some managers to have an MBA but only because they chose to do it for themselves on their own time. Chief pilots and Director of Operation position are achieved by paying your dues as a "line pilot" and working your way up as you get some experience. I have known some to become chief pilots simiply by senority and some to come from another company into that position but still they have all had many years.

Not to get off topic, but you will find that there are really good jobs and really bad jobs and very difficult to find something in between. Most of the really good jobs are given to those that "know" someone. I am not telling you this to scare you away but want you to understand all aspects. I have been fortunate enough to have one of the really good jobs and I'm very greatful but I "knew" someone. Do a search on here and you will find alot of unhappy people. Good luck. Hey maybe try becoming an investment banker. The guy that rides in the back of our plane took that route and flew for fun. But that job gave him the option of buying a jet out of pocket for personal use.

 

[NTXPilot]

Problow,
Thanks for the advice. Right out of college I had one of those really bad jobs (outside aviation) and that's why I went back to school. One guy in my class is looking into I-banking. Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to stare at Excel for 12 hours a day or more.

 

[g159av8tor]

NTX,

We have similar career tracks in mind. I finished my MS last December with the hopes of working my way up the management food chain. I had a recent interview with a F50 company and was asked why I went on to grad school as a pilot. I answered, I like the institutional punishment and an aviation professional never stops learning.

A grad degree will only help you in your business aviation career track. The more you know about business and management, obviously the better. Great pilots sometimes make poor mangers because of their lack of management and business fundamentals and, well, visa versa. You will need the aviation experience.

When your formal education is over, get going on the pilot stuff--FAST. It's all about the journey.

Tailwinds...

 

[NTXPilot]

G159,
Good to hear. Thanks for sharing your experience and good luck.

 

[FlyFlyFly]

I did things backwards having earned an MBA and had a somewhat successful career in business prior to entering the aviation field. I love to fly, but there are times when I think of at least being home at the end of a ten or twelve hour day and earning a respectable 6 digit income with bonuses and stock options based on performance. The financial rewards for a job well done are just not there in aviation (there are isolated instances, but few).

If you want to be rewarded financially for working hard, then find a job where your performance is directly linked to generating profit or revenue. Most management jobs in aviation come from longevity. You will note that most posts have indicated this. For the most part, management skills are overlooked when it comes time to find leaders. There seems to be a move afoot where this is changing (NBAA CAM, etc.) where dedication to learning and hard skills are more valued, but this is still evolving.

You may do well to spend some quality time with a career counselor and get crystal clear on your values and what you really want out of a job prior to embarking on a path. Looking back on my experience, I might have approached this business differently based on my interests and skills.