How to break into corporate flying?

[elkurro]

What's the best way to get into corporate flying? All my experience is military and commercial. Thanks, elkurro.

 

[Bandit60]

There is no sure way to break into coporate flying, but i suggest you start by getting your foot in the door. You can do this by going to an airport that has alot of corporate planes and talk to the pilots.

 

[FlyFlyFly]

What kind of commercial flying have you been doing? With your time and a type rating or two, you are easily qualified, the tough part is that most corporate flight departments hire people that someone in the department has come to know. My advice would be to network. I never fail to introduce myslef to other pilots and strike up a conversation. I have a rolodex full of contacts at a number of flight depts, all from just talking to guys out on the road.

 

[elkurro]

I'm a United furloughee. What would be a good all-around type rating to invest in? I live in Houston and was wondering if you'd tell me about a good airport to network at. Thanks.

 

[Bandit60]

I'm a United furloughee. What would be a good all-around type rating to invest in? I live in Houston and was wondering if you'd tell me about a good airport to network at. Thanks.

It wouldn't do you much good to spend that kind of money out of your own pocket. Most good companies will pay for you training and having a type you have no practical experience in is pointless to the employer

 

[elkurro]

Rog, guess I'll save the cash and try and get hired first.

 

[Flywrite]

According to my cherished, but slightly out-of-date NBAA Directory, Hobby has the most NBAA member flight departments. Do you have time in any corporate-type aircraft? If so I can take a look if any of the companies listed operate something you have time in.

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[elkurro]

Hobby is very near my home, that would be a nice coincidence. I don't have any corporate experience except for some King Air training back in the Navy, and possibly some time as an FO on the 737. Thanks for your reply. Elkurro.

 

[Flywrite]

Well a little King Air training is a start. Here are some at HOU:

American General Corp
BE200, DA2000, HS125-800

Compass Bank
2 X CE650

Hollywood Marine Inc.
BE200

Reliant Energy
BE200, IAI 1124, HS125-800

P-K Charter
BE200, LR35

As a furloughee from a major you may have difficulty with some corporate flight depts. They may see you as someone who will bail back to United or another airline someday. If you are interested in switching career paths and looking for a top-tier FalconCapt type corporate job you may want to look at bridging the gap between 121 and Corporate by doing a little 135 time. A Pt 91 corporate operator may be more likely to look at a guy whose last job was as a 135 King Air Captain than a United FO. The type of flying is closer to what the corporate operator does and it shows an interest in going that route over returning to a major.

Looking for a 135 position is where your 121 experience will help instead of hinder you also. A 135 operator will look at your 121 time and realise that you are familiar with ops specs and all the other paperwork associated with flying for an air carrier. Since there is more turnover in charter than corporate the charter operator is less likely to be turned off by the prosepct of you leaving to go fly for Southwest next year.

Once you have a little time at a charter operator and maybe a corporate type rating the doors will be a lot easier to squeeze through in the corporate world. Flying charter will also mean hanging around in FBOs with corporate guys, meaning great networking time.

Anyway, just my two cents worth. I hope it made sense. I'm rushing because I need to go get ready for my anniversay dinner now or the wonderful Mrs. Flywrite will not be a happy camper!

Good Luck!

 

[elkurro]

Thank you and Happy Anniversary! I will contact those companies, good weekend.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Best advice to an all airline/mil guy is to polish up the people skills (not being rude here)

Dont "yes sir" "yes maam" people at interviews.

Know the companys culture and thier business.

Try and find any temp or contract type charter/corporate work to bridge the gap on your resume - without a good contact you will have a hard time selling yourself as an airline F/O to a corp flight department....but if you were currently and airline guy on furlough who has a little corp experience....it looks a whole lot different. Most departments dont want to be the ones to "break in" an airline guy.

With your experience, everyone knows you are a good pilot - just work on selling your personality.

Lastly, scratch that idea of buying the type-rating. A type with no time in the aircraft is worth about the $1 it cost the FAA to print it. Some of the lower end beginning gigs will let you fly right seat without one, and once a decent outfit hires you they will take care off all your training...

Good Luck!

 

[Lead Sled]

Corporations that will be willing to fork out the money to train a furloughed airline pilot will be few and far between. If they are interested in you be prepared to be asked if you would be willing to give up your senority number. Your answer to that question will be a major factor in how the interview goes from there. Bringing someone online, and getting them up to speed is a MAJOR expense. As was mentioned previously, few chief pilots will be willing to spend the time and money on an individual who doesn't have his heart in the job and is merely using it to "tread water" until his/her number is recalled.

Lead Sled

 

[Gulfstream 200]

But there are jobs that will hire airline guys, and many times the jobs are good enough that the furloughed airline guy is very happy to stay..

The airlines are not in a couple year rut like they used to be, why would someone go back to UAL,USAIR,AA?



good luck in the search.

 

[elkurro]

Exactly, the airline appeal has quickly worn out. Too much is left to chance. I have to look for a job that's stable and can allow me to plan my life. Thanks for your opinions dudes!

 

[Lead Sled]

Hey, I feel your pain. Everyone needs to be able to earn a living. The problem is that right now experienced qualifed pilots are a dime a dozen and the economy is still tight. You will have to compete with all of the qualified GA folks when it comes to finding that dream position. You'll find a job, but your greatest chance of success will be in one of the "high turnover" part 135 positions that always seem to be out there. If you're serious about switching to the corporate sector then you'll need to think about giving up your airline senority number. Most corporate chief pilots won't take you seriously if you are unwilling to do so. There are lots of stories out there of retired and furoughed airline types that, once the novelty of flying the new bizjet wears off, find out that they are having a hard time dealing with the "hands on" aspect of corporate aviation. When they decide to move on it makes it much tougher for the next furloughed guy. Good luck to you. Keep us posted.