Corporate Cirrus Salary question

[IHateMgmt]

Hey guys,

I have a possibility of flying a SR-22 for a small, but successful and rapidly growing business. I would be flying about three days a week and rarely weekends. The company is already outgrowing the Cirrus and is seriously looking at a very light type of jet within a couple of years. There's a possibility that they would have me use my business degree in their company (probably a phone sales from home type of position) on the weekdays I am not flying. I will require to paid via salary. That is about all the details I know right now.

My question is: Do any of you have an idea of what an low/average/high rate would be for a position flying a Cirrus or similar ASEL? If anyone currently does this or knows of someone who does this, it would be greatly appreciated if you would post the annual income of such a position.

Thanks in advance,
IHM

P.S. I did a search and did not come up with the info I was looking for

 

[Lostdog65]

Figure low 20's to start. Most single engine work starts there. Good luck...

Eric

 

[ultrarunner]

That's going to be harder to find, as corporate pilot positions flying single-engine piston engine aircraft are not benchmarked that I am aware of.

The closest you might get to are some of the share programs that are using some of the single-engine turboprops.

Also more difficult to benchmark this postion is your "additional" duties on days you are not flying....

Corporate pilot postions are benchmarked as such. Department managers, Captains, First Officers, etc....

In the position you describe you would be the corporate pilot in a 'single-pilot' operation and would flying and managing the airplane AND these 'other duties'.

You have to be very careful in the precedence that is set in this type of operation....

As soon as a company gets used to operating a certain way, it is very difficult if not, in some cases, impossible to change.

Say in a year or so you get a jet..it's likely to be a single-pilot jet...now you're flying 4 to 5 days a week AND managing the jet...AND the company has also been counting on you to work these other duties....

In this example, QOL can go down the toilet in a heartbeat.

I'm not saying this would happen, but the probability exists. You do have the advantage of putting ALL of this on the table now, since you don't work for this outfit yet. You can then judge the philosophy of those whom you may be working for and best attempt to evaluate the job.

Good luck

 

[CaravanMan]

I used to fly a corporate Saratoga in the midwest (KS) a few years back. I don't remember exactly what I made, but I think it was in the neighborhood of $23k/yr, w/additional duties... answering phones at Flight Dept/keep airplanes and hangar looking good...

 

[IHateMgmt]

Thanks for the replies guys...

ultrarunner, those are some things I will certainly consider, thanks for the advise.

I'm a bit surprised about how low the salaries have been... I have another job offer making $35000 salary, so I will not accept any less than that. However, the QOL is not as good on the 35K job so I was thinking this cirrus thing could be good.

 

[400A]

Ultrarunner speaks the truth.

If you do it, you need to also make sure that what ever office duties you take on should not earn more than a Single engine commercial pilot. If so you need to get that salary plus a little more for flying the airplane. For Example, dont let them give you a 50K office job, and only pay you for the 25K pilot job. Many have done it. Dont get shiny airplane syndrome.

Also you need to make sure they dont step right from a Single to a Jet. Not only will the bills make them get out of the airplane business, it might out grow your qualifications.

Be very up front that your goal is to be a professional pilot.

I did this in 1989. I flew a 182 and had office duties and was started at $25K.
Our next step was a C-55 Baron. The 600 hours in that was what got me started. I had a newborn, and I needed the salary and bennies.

I chose that road in place of the instructing thing, and I have never regreted it. The money and the hands on Single and Multi IFR were great learing experiences. My company was good about not working me more than 5 days per week. If I flew more, I did less office.

Good luck.

 

[IHateMgmt]

Ultrarunner speaks the truth.

If you do it, you need to also make sure that what ever office duties you take on should not earn more than a Single engine commercial pilot. If so you need to get that salary plus a little more for flying the airplane. For Example, dont let them give you a 50K office job, and only pay you for the 25K pilot job. Many have done it. Dont get shiny airplane syndrome.

Also you need to make sure they dont step right from a Single to a Jet. Not only will the bills make them get out of the airplane business, it might out grow your qualifications.

Be very up front that your goal is to be a professional pilot.

I did this in 1989. I flew a 182 and had office duties and was started at $25K.
Our next step was a C-55 Baron. The 600 hours in that was what got me started. I had a newborn, and I needed the salary and bennies.

I chose that road in place of the instructing thing, and I have never regreted it. The money and the hands on Single and Multi IFR were great learing experiences. My company was good about not working me more than 5 days per week. If I flew more, I did less office.

Good luck.

lol... shiny airplane syndrome... I'm a little past that. I'm no new kid to the aviation industry. I ask the question because the only corp experience I have is flying a KingAir350 for $300/day. I was wondering if there were any others who had some similar experience with this. The salary I am planning on asking is 50k-60k plus stock options. I've done the CFIing, been a freighter, corporate, the airlines, and now I'm looking for something that will pay my worth with a descent QOL. I could care less about the type of aircraft.

 

[Smash312]

hope this helps (and I hope for good advice)

While, we're on the topic, I'm not sure if I'm getting a good deal or whether the figures being stated are too low.

Please, can someone tell me if I should take this (as I am considering this very hard - and no, I'm trying not to hijak the threat, but complement it).

I'm flying for an aerial photography company in Central FL flying a well maintained Cessna 177RG. I fly about 30 hours a month (average) - can be as less as 20 hours. I get paid $35 an hour (but obviously have side things going to supplement my wages).

The company is expanding and they need me to fly more - but have been offered this following package to go full-time flying a Cessna 177RG. $45k, a new car (leased and paid for by the company), all personal/business fuel bills paid for, car insurance paid for, cellphone bill paid for, medial/dental included. With all this said and done, I'm going to be flying around 45 hours a month, but then they need me in the office too - I'd say flying/office work will be a 40/60 spilt (40% being the flying). Paying $45k, living in Central FL withiout having to move, I'm seriously considering taking the offer, but with almost 1500TT and about 120 Multi, I don't know if I'll be stunting my flying 'career' (if you want to call it that). As I 'think' I should be going onto flying multi, cargo, etc, etc........(it seems to be the norm and 'natural' progression)

I'm very confused and need a little advice as to whether I should take it or not.

Now tieing this to the current threat, I hope this is a pointer as to what you should be getting - though I'm not sure if this is a very good (or a bum) deal.

Thanks to all replies.

 

[IHateMgmt]

Hey Smash,

Thanks for contributing. We all come from different places with different experiences, so I'm sure you'll get a variety of advice. As I've said on previous posts, I've done a little of all the general types of flying there are. I guess it all depends of personal preference, but having seen what aviation has to offer, if someone presented to me the deal that you were, I'd take it. Who gives a dang about multi-time if you're already making a decent salary. Plus, cardinals are fun little planes to fly. Just took one from MN to Indiana and back yesterday.

That being said, there's one big question. How's the job security? Being a new position, that is a big risk factor. But then again, there are few "safe bets" in aviation. Something to consider though. Best of luck.

 

[Smash312]

Thanks for the reply..... Job security is anyones game. I think it shouldn't be bad as I fly the guy I'll be working for full time on a part time basis already. A true gentleman. Get paid on time, get treated with respect, he moves the schedule around when I need a little time to myself for a trip or so, slaps me $50/$100 every so often as a gesture of appreciation. I think I'm a little worried on my end.

Being on the fairly junior end, I'm looking to get my ATP in the next two/three months and then get a citation type a friend of mine can get at very discounted rate. To be honest with you, I wanted to head down the corporate avenue. I'm a little worried, as if this guy is going to offer me this position, then I at least want to give him a year of commitment. It's not something that he has asked for, but something that I'd want to as I'd hate to have him set me up, only for me to leave in 4/5 months time when a decent enough SIC position turns up. Obviouly it hasn't, and not sure it will, so until then, do I take the position or not. That's the dilemma I'm having.

I have to admit though, the financial situation is swaying me to the 'take the job' end of the scale. I'm craving a bit of security and regularity with a decent pay check. I know I won't be getting the hours I need to progress to the next rung of what I'd like to be in this career, but a little is better than none (and the money will be welcomed). Although, 60% office work is something I'd rather stay away from - but we've all done things we'd rather not do - I'm no different and everyone will at sometime do what they rather not fancy.

As for trying out at the regionals, well, it's not something I really want to do, unless it really turns up on my plate with minimal effort on my behalf.

 

[400A]

lol... shiny airplane syndrome... I'm a little past that. I'm no new kid to the aviation industry. I ask the question because the only corp experience I have is flying a KingAir350 for $300/day. I was wondering if there were any others who had some similar experience with this. The salary I am planning on asking is 50k-60k plus stock options. I've done the CFIing, been a freighter, corporate, the airlines, and now I'm looking for something that will pay my worth with a descent QOL. I could care less about the type of aircraft.

Sorry bout that, I looked at your guals after I answered the question.

I also retract the out-grow your quals part too.

I will put my beer down now.

 

[PC12Cowboy]

45 K and all expenses is not out of the question...and if your instructing to add some more...they are CFO's CEO's and such...what are their lives worth
and if they are growing get the stock options to be sure

 

[PC12Cowboy]

is this located in lousiana per chance?

 

[flyingid]

I was offered by a private individual to fly his cirrus he bought. He was offering 50k and health insurance.

 

[Melon]

Smash-Take the job if you want stability, if you want career progression, go to the regionals and build your time. Go to one you will upgrade quickly at. You have to choose though what you really want and then give it 100%. No airline is going to call you out of the blue.

IHateMGT- I would consider the whole job in the salary department, and with what you are describing, I think $55000 is a good starting point. I would also make it clear that as aircraft size increases, so will your pay.

Best to you both.

 

[Lead Sled]

What is a Cirrus job worth? It's worth exactly what ever amount you can negotiate - no more, no less. I'm sure there are SEL positions out there paying less than $15K per year. Believe it or not, there are also guys flying piston singles making upwards of $100K. What experience and background to you bring to the table? Don't sell yourself short. In my experience, most company owners respond to cost of living and quality of life issues. You're selling them on your experience and they've got to pay for it if they want it. A 200 hour comm/instrument pilot could do the job legally - do they want to fly around with a pilot with such limited experience? If they do, then the job really isn't one that you'd be happy with in the long run.

'Sled

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

I made 26K flying a SE piston coporate a/c about 12-15 days per month with no side duties or jobs. Most fun I ever had flying. Only did about 3 or 4 overnights per month, which still kept overnights fun. I would do it again in a heartbeat for about 2.5 times as much money, but I realize you can't pay someone this kind of money to fly a single engine piston a/c.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I know a guy that flys a Cirrus in the SE. 40k a year, I think it includes bennies but not positive.