Why do you like to fly bizjets?

[saviboy]

Hi I am a CFI with about 700tt and I used to be strongly commercial aviation oriented but I am more and more interested by the universe of business aviation.
I have the feeling ,by reading posts on this forum, that bizjets pilots are more passionate about what they do, more passionate about their airplanes.
could you guys share with us what makes you like your job on a bizjet?
Thanks

 

[banned username 2]

Hi I am a CFI with about 700tt and I used to be strongly commercial aviation oriented but I am more and more interested by the universe of business aviation.
I have the feeling ,by reading posts on this forum, that bizjets pilots are more passionate about what they do, more passionate about their airplanes.
could you guys share with us what makes you like your job on a bizjet?
Thanks

The variety of flying, dealing directly with the passengers, having an input in the department, flying very modern/capable equipment, the pay, the time off, making all the operational decisions, accomplishing a unique mission for the company, having the company treat you like a person and not just a number...

Just to name a few...

 

[English]

Falcon Capt nailed it in his succinct post.

It's just more fun, at least for me. I really like knowing my passengers, and I like being the person ultimately responsible for everything.

 

[sleepy]

Because they pay me well to do it, and I don't have to sell anything or sit in a cube all day. I like the free food and travel to exotic places (like Teterboro, NJ) too.

Where else can you get paid to do a hobby?

 

[GVFlyer]

If you get the right corporate position you will be paid as much as a senior legacy airline captain used to be paid, fly better equipment to more interesting places, have greater job security and enjoy a better quality of life. You will also develop personal relationships with people who appreciate what you do for them.


Personally, I like fast cars, fast motorcycles, fast boats and high tech equipment, so flying a Gulfstream G550, which at the weights we normally flight them has a pound of thrust pushing about two pounds of jet, is just plain fun. Last night, 25 minutes after take-off we were at FL490 cruising at Mach 0.84 and burning only 1200 pounds a side.


Also, I'm the worlds biggest tourist and a jet like the Gulfstream makes the world a very small place. You can go any place on the planet with one fuel stop.


So, to directly answer your question, the reason that I like business aviation is that it's enjoyable and both professionally and personally rewarding.


GV






~

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Ditto all the above.

I like the overseas travel above all. Airline guys overseas? they usually stay at the airport hotel (1-2hrs out of town) that cant be fun...having control over your hotels,meals makes the job that much more fun. You want to know the best hotels/restaurants etc in a foreign city -- ask a corp pilot..

I just think I would want to stay in the business with a job like Southwest Airlines....

Dallas-Tampa-Burbank in a 737 all year.....shoot me now - but of course to many this is "The Dream Job" - different strokes for different folks!

 

[TransMach]

Bizjets

Mate,

I second and third Falcon Capt's and GVFlyer's points !! At the airline, all the pilots did was try to figure out how to have more time off and not loose any money. It was much more about playing a game than flying. In business aviation, our focus is much more mission oriented and that is simply more satisfying.

TransMach

 

[sydeseet]

The women, definitely the women.

Then there's the money.



Sorry, I'm feeling a little punchy today. This FBO recliner has a hard spot in the seat.

 

[bigD]

But understand that there's a difference between being a "bizjet pilot" and being a corporate pilot. Everyone above is talking about the corporate side of things.

Fractional guys are "bizjet pilots" too. Head over to their board and click on any thread with "Netjets" in the title.

 

[Nalo Boy]

Last night, 25 minutes after take-off we were at FL490 cruising at Mach 0.84 and burning only 1200 pounds a side.

Hey G, You bring your lead underwear and sunscreen up there with you...if not, you better start spending those big paychecks!

 

[wndshr]

Perspective...

having flown BOTH....i think i'll jump in with my FREE and worthless opinion!

If you are single, there is no doubt in my mind that bizjet flying (Part 91/135) is better for all the previously mentioned reasons.....variety of flying, independence, exotic overseas destinations etc. also, the chicks at the FBO''s are WAY better looking than the FA's in the airline world!!

However, if you are married with a family....airline flying is better hands down. Yes, it is more boring, but if you want to stay married, go to ALL the soccer/basketball games, have lots of control of your sked with over half the month off....its the way to go!

Now if you are able to land one of the very FEW high paying fortune 10 corporate jobs flying a G550 or better ...then i would think that the job is comparable to airline flying at the senior legacy level....Nowadays, that job would be comparable to a senior SWA capt making 200K plus flying a 3 on 4 off sked....job security, sked and pay would be pretty comparable...those jobs are very uncommon and you HAVE to know someone....maybe intimately (just kidding)...to get the job. Your chances of finding a comparable airline job is better based on shear number of jobs available.

the important thing to remember is that for every G550 job paying big bucks, no flight department mergers or downsizing, adequate skeds, and good bosses....there are literally thousands of terrible 135 bizjet jobs. unfortunately, like the airline pilots starting at the regional level....most bizjet pilots have to pay their dues flying at these outfits to gain experience and to network!!!

to make it big in corporate....network network network!!!
to make it in airlines.....PIC Turbine PIC Turbine PIC Turbine!!!

and vice versa!

remember: opinions are like ar$h0Le$...everyone's got one and they all STINK!

 

[aeronautic1]

Yep, Falcon Capt said it.

Last week I was in Belguim and this week I am in St. Maarten. I love flying corporate~!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I agree witht the above...

anything with "part 135" in has strings attatched and $ucks.

Example: A charter during the week and then off to one of the owners vacation homes each weekend - oh, and they think you're really on vacation too ("you guys are lucky!")

repeat this 1000 different times.

If you are single and brand new to charter/jet flying this seems fun, for a little while at least.....

Go Fortune 50 or go to the airlines.

 

[HMR]

Last week I was in Belguim and this week I am in St. Maarten. I love flying corporate~!

Last week I was home and this week I am home. I love flying corporate~!

 

[Dep676]

However, if you are married with a family....airline flying is better hands down. Yes, it is more boring, but if you want to stay married, go to ALL the soccer/basketball games, have lots of control of your sked with over half the month off....its the way to go!

Yeah that is really going to happen to a junior guy at the airlines. Only the senior guys get the good schedules. Everyone is either sitting reserve while your kid is playing soccer or whatever they are into. So that theory is not holding much water. Also like mentioned earlier. You go to same places ALL the time with the airlines. I bet you do not even have to look at the charts anymore? Sounds like fun to me. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of the corporate jobs around here have more guys than airplanes. So therefore they can switch with someone to get a day off if needed. Others get contract guys to take their place if they need time off.

But hey whatever your cup of tea is. Everyone is different.

 

[saviboy]

thanks for the feedback.
I am interested in corporate flying. I know that between my 700tt (almost exclusively c172! and a falcon 900ex there is a long way but what should I do ? go get turbine experience with a regional and then try to find a corporate gig, or try to find a local 135 job( there are a lot in the fxe/opf area where I currently am) and then a corporate job.
thanks again

 

[2000flyer]

...i'll jump in with my FREE and worthless opinion!

However, if you are married with a family....airline flying is better hands down. Yes, it is more boring, but if you want to stay married, go to ALL the soccer/basketball games, have lots of control of your sked with over half the month off....its the way to go!

...

Oh really?!?! Let's see then, I celebrate my 18th anniversary in a couple of months, and have two strappin' young lads. When I'm at home [note: I fly about +/- 325 hours a year and about 60-90 RONs] I awake and go to bed with hugs from all. When I'm away I get frequent calls from all. I'd say I'm pretty well set, wouldn't you? Three guys in my department have all raised families and have been married 25-40 years. Sounds like they are pretty well set too! Our most junior guy has been here a few months. The most senior, nearly 35 years.

Now, if I went airline, I'd have...what...13-15 RONs a MONTH (roughly 156-180 a year)...more than double what I'm doing now. Given current conditions my pay would be nearly the same as with an airline. I'd probably be worrying about the next round of furloughs or if my airline will even make it to 2006!

Nah, I'm pretty well set as a corporate guy, happily married to a loving wife and two wonderful children.

2000Flyer

PS - What Falcon Capt and GV said too!

 

[2000flyer]

thanks for the feedback.
I am interested in corporate flying. I know that between my 700tt (almost exclusively c172! and a falcon 900ex there is a long way but what should I do ? go get turbine experience with a regional and then try to find a corporate gig, or try to find a local 135 job( there are a lot in the fxe/opf area where I currently am) and then a corporate job.
thanks again

Go to a good 135 or fractional when you have the hours. Granted, you'll build time faster at a regional but you'll be much better off getting time in corporate equipment over regional (not many 91 operators flying Dash 8's or CRJ's around these days). I'd say, given the current airline environment you'll probably upgrade sooner at a 135 operator as well.

However, you're young so you have plenty of time to give whatever avenue you choose with time to change routes down the road.

I've always said that the day my career becomes a "job" it will be time to try something new. I've been doing this for nearly 25 years now and have not been disappointed yet!

2000Flyer

 

[Ace-of-the-Base]

I like the planes, the people and the places we go. My 'boss' is a friend and my 'co-workers' are like family (and yes, that means we also argue alot)

Ace

 

[HMR]

Now if you are able to land one of the very FEW high paying fortune 10 corporate jobs flying a G550 or better ...then i would think that the job is comparable to airline flying at the senior legacy level

I hear a lot of mention about the very few Fortune 10 or Fortune 50 jobs. There are also a number of corporate jobs flying for families/non-"Fortune" companies that are every bit as as secure and lucrative. In the town I live in there are 8-10 flight dept's that fly large jets, pay very well, and have been in operation for 10-20 years. Until I moved here I had never heard of any of them.

My flight department has only been around for two years. We don't fly a G550 or go to many exotic locales. We also average 20 RON's PER YEAR. When it comes to pay, schedule and QOL, there is nowhere else the crew would rather be.

Saviboy- There are good corp jobs out there. Keep a good attitude. Being a CFI is a great way to make contacts. You'd be surprised how many of your students are connected in some way to a PT91 flight dept. GOOD LUCK!