Petersen Aviation in Van Nuys........

[Heavy Set]

I have read about this charter operation and I have seen its website. I noted that Petersen operates a number of GIVs, Hawker 1000s and a Westwind.

Does anyone know anything about this operation? Are they hiring and are type ratings a requisite? What about pay and morale?

What is it like to be a Petersen pilot - pros and cons?

I would love an opportunity to fly one of their GIVs - a great aircraft!


Thanks

 

[TaxiDriver]

Here is what I know about Petersen...which is not much...but better than nothing.

Majority of the pilots are hired on a contract basis so they won't have to pay benefits etc. I know they have a high turnover, and most of the pilots they utilize are already typed and have a current 135 letter in the aircraft. Keeps training costs down, I guess.

I fly for a smaller 135 operator.....and we get resumes from Peterson pilots all the time. Maybe that is an indication to the working conditions, pay, moral..etc

In my opinion, right now in corporate aviation it is more about what you are current and qualified to fly. Budgets are tight and if a company needs to choose between a young 3000 hr pilot that is typed and ready to go, or a highly experienced ex airline pilot with 10000+ hours but needs training.....they will go with the 3000 hr guy. Yeah, Petersens G-IV's are nice....so is every other operators G-IV.

 

[GIVDRIVER]

I flew for Petersen Aviation for about 3 years but that was a few years ago. They have had almost a 200% turnover in pilots since I was first hired, so that should tell you a little bit about their operation.

There were many positives aspects to working there too. The Petersens were very nice people and I flew some great 91 trips for them, plus some of the G-IV charters were fantastic. A beautiful facility/FBO and a superb maintenance department.

They had the chance several years ago to be a truly world class charter operation but they have been hampered by poor management and a lack of leadership. From what I hear on the street it's not the place to be right now.

I do keep in touch with some of the folks there, so e-mail me off list if you like and I'll fill you in on more specifics