How to get that first part 91 corporate gig?

[Way2Broke]

So my dream job is flying a G-V or a CE-X for a private owner/part 91 flight department. And one day I would like to have my dream job. However, I know I am still a while away from my dream job, but I would like to get into flying a King Air, Beechjet, or for that matter pretty much anything with turbines or jets on it PART 91. The problem I find is that all the jobs that I find out there are looking for people with a type, or if a type is not required a bunch of time in type. How do you gain the experience to get the job? How did you find your first part 91 job? Did you have to pay anything out of your pocket for training to be able to get the job? Was it worth it? Now that you have been around the block what would your tell a guy like me about how to get a part 91 gig? Sometimes I feel like it is never going to happen, like today! Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[pilotyip]

Get a job at FSI or Simuflight as a BE-200 instructor. You will meet owners and Chief Pilots and build a network that someday may lead to a pilot job. At least that is how it worked in the old days, with the new pay at FSI most instructors may not want take a pay cut.

 

[Way2Broke]

How do you get a instructor job if you have never even been in the airplane?

 

[CapnVegetto]

Take a 135 job and pay your dues. They're the regionals of the corporate world. However, there are a few good ones out there.....you'll just have to search. But you will be able to find some very good jobs to get experience in, some PIC time, and may be even a type or two. And while you're doing that, you're flying to the same FBO's as those Fortune 200 big fellas, networking, meeting, going to lunch with 'em, etc. Who knows? I have a buddy that ended up on the golf course with the CP of Johnson & Johnson on an overnight. The CP told him to send a resume and gave him his direct line. That's how jobs are won.

Good luck!

 

[jergbsn]

I have to agree with Cap.V. Get a 135 job at an airport with some corporate flight departments at them. When you have the time stick your head into there operations and just start getting to know the people that work there. I just recently got a job for a Fourtune 25 company, because I knew someone more than because of my experience. You get to a point where either you have the experience or you don't. Once you do, it's who you know.
The 135 experience will get you the time you need. And as you work there, you'll get plenty of training and posssibly some type ratings. Good luck!!!

 

[Way2Broke]

What type of time are we talking about here. Right now I have about 2500 TT, 1100 Multi, 100 Turbine with 135 and 121 experience. I am not flying into FBOs, but I am flying people. So it seems that my problem is meeting the right people and networking. All of my friends went the airline route. I tried it, and hated it. God bless'em for putting up with that madness.

 

[jergbsn]

Your going to need more turbine time most likely. And flying people 121, is deffinetly different than flying part 91. The people who are going to hire you want to know if your going to be able to tell the CEO that you can't go flying right now. In a respectfull and political way of course. I would suggest finding a charter job flying a king air or small jet, and just start making connections any way you can. Try flying some contract work for people around you. That's a good way to start making connections.

 

[Way2Broke]

Thanks for the advise. For now I would also be willing to consider a part 91 piston job for a private owner. What are the most common piston planes flown by part 91 operators? I do not see myself getting any more turbine time easily because i got that while at the airlines, and I am not willing to go back. Most miserable job of my life!

 

[Problow]

what ever you do stay away from the 121 flying including the regionals. it's possible to switch but much harder then sucking it up and staying in the 135 line of work until the right op comes along. 121 gets ya in quick but the upgrade time would allow ya to have 4 years captain experience flying freight or something along that lines. not always great but it beats the regionals on your resume.

 

[tracearabians]

Where do you live ?

So my dream job is flying a G-V or a CE-X for a private owner/part 91 flight department. And one day I would like to have my dream job. However, I know I am still a while away from my dream job, but I would like to get into flying a King Air, Beechjet, or for that matter pretty much anything with turbines or jets on it PART 91. The problem I find is that all the jobs that I find out there are looking for people with a type, or if a type is not required a bunch of time in type. How do you gain the experience to get the job? How did you find your first part 91 job? Did you have to pay anything out of your pocket for training to be able to get the job? Was it worth it? Now that you have been around the block what would your tell a guy like me about how to get a part 91 gig? Sometimes I feel like it is never going to happen, like today! Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[sydeseet]

Find a 135/91 Charter/management firm - the bigger the better in some cases and start knocking on doors. I worked for one with a pretty good lifestyle, benefits, salary, etc.. and some GREAT people. The flying was intense but interesting and not time wasted by any means. I don't know where you live or where you're willing to live but most major cities have at least a few of these types of operations. A few people make a career of such environments but I was tired of on-call, 600 hrs/year, on-call, on-call, and no long term financial incentives.

When your resume is right, the timing is right, and the online employment boards smile on you you'll get a phone call out of the blue like I did. Bada Bing!

 

[CapnVegetto]

To reiterate what Problow said, stay far away from 121. Most corporate operators avoid 121 pilots like the plague, especially regionals. It's possible to get on if you know the right people, but it ain't easy. Trust me, I've been there. I took a 121 job, got the stink on my resume, and couldn't get anyone to give me the time of day. I happened to break out because I knew a guy. I'll never go back either. The regionals was the WORST flying job I ever had, by far.

 

[Galaxy]

How do you get a instructor job if you have never even been in the airplane?

I just did recurrent at SF with a guy that has never been in the real airplane... So I guess its easy.

 

[jergbsn]

I did initial with a guy at SF that had never been in the airplane. And by his example, it must be easy to get a job.

 

[skeeter666]

I agree with capnvegetto, going from 121 to anything else is very, very difficult. You will half to go to a part 135 gig and start there. Do not quit your job till you find one! You need to get some type ratings and some experience in them. It takes time. Good luck!

 

[jrbevis]

I used climbto350.com to find my first job. From there I was able to network and get my second job. I love it! I have three friends that have also had great sucess with climbto350.com. I had to move across the country for the first one! Just send a resume to every post.MOST IMPORTANT FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP.

 

[g4800xp]

Hey guys, 15 post's and no b.s. from some angry burnout. WOW. I would second everything said above. I would add, become a FBO rat, meet everyone you can, present yourself well, and visit with crews, but do not appear desperate, it really is who you know not so much what you know.
Study biz jets so you can ask intelegent questions like, what sort of fuel burns does your Cj or G4 get, what about the range on it? Good ice breakers and if you get a jerk, forget about him. Ask me, and I will show you my plane and if I have the time, I will blabber on til you beg me to stop. Be positive, and network. Good luck

 

[Joecool3]

That great advice g4800xp-thanks