Small plane careers possible?

[Archer]

Could a corporate pilot/ 135 charter/air-taxi pilot make a decent living flying light twins such as Barons or at most, a King Air 90?

I understand that a G4 Captain makes more than Challenger Captain makes more than a Lear Captain, which makes more than a King Air captain which makes more than a Baron pilot which makes more than a CFI...

but is there any hope of a career for people who want to fly smaller planes?

Archer

 

[AeroDMB]

I can think of several careers that you can make a living from flying smaller planes. Although they will most likely involve more than just a flying job.

1) Flying for insurance company. Some people employed fly around small aircraft to visit customers/aircraft across the country for appraisals.

2) Aircraft Sales. You get to sell what you love to fly and demonstrate it to prospective customers.

3) Test Pilot in small aircraft.

4) Demonstration pilot/training instructor. Many aircraft companies need pilot instructors to fly aircraft to customers as well as offer flight training.

I'm sure there is more but most likely will incorporate more than just flying airplanes. It's definitely an option worth considering! Soon you may have enough money to buy your own airplane.

Good luck!

AeroDMB

 

[CL600Pilot]

Pay doesn't necessarily depend on the size of the aircraft. You can definatley make a decent living flying smaller aircraft. I know a Challenger Captain working for a charter company making $69K a year - I know a corporate King Air 350/Starship Captain making $90K a year - it just depends on the company.

CL

 

[Snakum]

Having explored options for small-time charter and corporate work as I try to transition to pro pilot late in life ... I have found that there are indeed guys now nearing retirement that have made a decent living flying everything from King Airs to Caravans. There are long-time pilots at many Caravan freight operators who've managed to save a little money, build a decent retirement fund, and have ALOT of fun in a twenty or thirty-year career. Not everyone feels the need to fly bigger iron.

I know another guy just a little younger than I who's been flying an older Citation I and a Piper Chieftan during the week ferrying lab samples for many years. He also picks up work on weekends in King Airs and larger piston twins when he wants to fly. He tells me he has made a pretty decent living and still enjoys what he does. No politics, home every night/day, etc. He has no desire to do anything else.

There are alot of options for someone who isn't deadset on eventually occupying the left-hand seat of a widebody. I think the trick is to find a position that fits your ideal QOL-wise and pays enough to put together a decent 401K for the golden years. This may be a small charter outfit, a small corporate job, or a second-tier freight operator flying Caravans.

Good luck!

Minh

 

[avrodriverj85]

I think Snakum is right on the money! It's all about QOL and what you enjoy doing. Just follow your instincts and your heart and everything usually works out.

 

[Archer]

My instinct tells me I want to fly 6 seater single or twin, high performance piston or turboprop airplanes while being able to make a good living and earn enough money to make my family happy.

 

[Thunderchief]

what ya want...

I used to fly for 2 different corporations, the first had old piston equipment and it was hard work. The second corporate gig I had bought brand new turbine equipment every 2 years but none of the pilots got along with management or the owners.

I miss the job with the great coworkers and crappy equipment...

Go for the place where you think you could work with the people for the rest of your career. People make the job, not the equipment...

My 2 cents, as worthless as they are!

Good luck

 

[Archer]

Your 2 cents are very valuable, as I do believe the people you work with can be much more significant than the equipment you work with...

obvioulsy within limits...if the thing you fly is so old to jeopardize your life...then you gotta switch

Archer

 

[GVFlyer]

Size-Impaired Airplane Jobs

Have you considered state and university flight departments?

 

[Singlecoil]

I think it would be difficult to find a better small airplane job than flying in Alaska. The pay is great, the scenery will surprise and awe you every single day, and the people can be the best you will ever meet. Of course some places are better to work at than others, but you have to start somewhere. The pay, for a similar size aircraft, is probably the best in the world.
Oh, that's right, its too cold up there. Its been a lot warmer than New York or Chicago has been lately.