Advice for the new guys...
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Join Date: Jan 2000
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Advice for the new guys...
Hi all.. I'm just after some advice for a fresh biz jet pilot, who's ink on the type rating hasn't dried yet...
Whats gonna kill me?
Whats gonna get me in trouble?
BTW I have NO airline experience and expect that I will be doing most of my own ground handling/cabin management/trip planning myself...
Whats gonna kill me?
Whats gonna get me in trouble?
BTW I have NO airline experience and expect that I will be doing most of my own ground handling/cabin management/trip planning myself...
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Well, about a billion things can kill you or get you in trouble, foremost on my mind the guy driving you to the airport (just had a SCARY experience with a Bombay taxi driver
)
However, what struck me most coming to bizjets is the absence of SOPs. Now, that doesn't mean business pilots are lesser pilots in any way, but it's just true that every captain in a small outfit takes HIS own shortcuts, relying on his experience of what he can get away with while still feeling safe.
Now, for a new guy, this can be very confusing and hard to interpret... So my only advice is to STICK TO YOUR BASICS. What was right in training is not suddendly wrong in "real life": So what if you need 20 minutes longer to get the plane set up... So what if you do a second walkaround because you forgot something.. So what if you are the only guy on the airport asking for a complete weather and NOTAM brief... So what if you are the only guy in the company actually doing a correct Weight and Balance... So what if You are making a nuisance of yourself calling Dispatch in the middle of the night, because there's something you just don't know yet.
What kept you alive in training will keep doing so, even if, in time, you will do things you own way. If you are airborne 45 minutes after getting "the call", and end up flying to a closed airport, or being refused an overflight, nobody will commiserate.
On the other hand, I'm not old enough to give advice yet, so just go out and fly and have FUN!!!
)However, what struck me most coming to bizjets is the absence of SOPs. Now, that doesn't mean business pilots are lesser pilots in any way, but it's just true that every captain in a small outfit takes HIS own shortcuts, relying on his experience of what he can get away with while still feeling safe.
Now, for a new guy, this can be very confusing and hard to interpret... So my only advice is to STICK TO YOUR BASICS. What was right in training is not suddendly wrong in "real life": So what if you need 20 minutes longer to get the plane set up... So what if you do a second walkaround because you forgot something.. So what if you are the only guy on the airport asking for a complete weather and NOTAM brief... So what if you are the only guy in the company actually doing a correct Weight and Balance... So what if You are making a nuisance of yourself calling Dispatch in the middle of the night, because there's something you just don't know yet.
What kept you alive in training will keep doing so, even if, in time, you will do things you own way. If you are airborne 45 minutes after getting "the call", and end up flying to a closed airport, or being refused an overflight, nobody will commiserate.
On the other hand, I'm not old enough to give advice yet, so just go out and fly and have FUN!!!
Join Date: Oct 1999
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Assumptions in Aviation Kill.
Do not assume, look it up, the day you do not it will have changed or be off air/ broken /etc.
Everyone will give advice, some will be good some will just be!!!
Check everything till you are happy , have things set up, plates handy , always have a back up plan and plenty of fuel
Do not assume, look it up, the day you do not it will have changed or be off air/ broken /etc.
Everyone will give advice, some will be good some will just be!!!
Check everything till you are happy , have things set up, plates handy , always have a back up plan and plenty of fuel
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Totally agree with Flymd and Machone, well said.
Never be afraid to ask questions, experience is knowledge and this is gained by many years of watching, listening, asking.
You won't go far wrong if you keep in the back of your mind Safety Safety Safety, and never be pushed into something that you feel uncomfortable with.
All the best.
Never be afraid to ask questions, experience is knowledge and this is gained by many years of watching, listening, asking.
You won't go far wrong if you keep in the back of your mind Safety Safety Safety, and never be pushed into something that you feel uncomfortable with.
All the best.
Join Date: May 1999
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ANC
No not the African thingy!
1. Aviate ; make sure you are flying it (or somebody is!) The alternatives are few.
2. Navigate ; know where you are,where you are going and where terra firma is beneath and around you.
3. Communicate ; to those who need to know - on the ground, in the air and in the cockpit (and cabin if necessary).
Finally by never assuming, as has already beem recommended, never get into the "Please Lord give me back the last 5 seconds" situation whereby your tombstone will not have the worst possible epitaph :- "died on XXX and took another 1/5/10/50/500 with him when he did"
Along the way ENJOY IT, it takes a lot of beating!
No not the African thingy!
1. Aviate ; make sure you are flying it (or somebody is!) The alternatives are few.
2. Navigate ; know where you are,where you are going and where terra firma is beneath and around you.
3. Communicate ; to those who need to know - on the ground, in the air and in the cockpit (and cabin if necessary).
Finally by never assuming, as has already beem recommended, never get into the "Please Lord give me back the last 5 seconds" situation whereby your tombstone will not have the worst possible epitaph :- "died on XXX and took another 1/5/10/50/500 with him when he did"
Along the way ENJOY IT, it takes a lot of beating!
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Been some good advice already, although Margarita’s is a bit suspect. One simple thing that will keep you out of trouble and you along with everyone else alive is the ability to say “NO” when you need to. Whether it’s weather, technical, regulatory, fatigue management…..(the list goes on) if you need to say no then say it.
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604 GUY HAS MADE A VERY VALID POINT! You may not realise it now but there will be atime when you will need to say NO.
The biz jet world is a great community to work in - I love it. I can't think of many walks of life where you can have such a cool job as this. BUT, you will be put under alot of pressure at some point. Whether you fly for a private owner or for a GA charter company (usually) at some time you will be called out at a silly time, asked to fly to somewhere taxing, asked to exceed FTL, given the old "well its a private flight so it will be ok to fly an extra xxx hrs into the early hours of the morning", just get the job done attitude. Just remember the biz jet world adheres to the same rules as any other AOC operator. So you need to stick to them.
I know I sound like a glorified propaganda freek but I have been put in many of the above situations and you need to maintain professionalism. If you don't the guy trying to bust your balls will not thank nor respect you. You need to focuss on doing a good professional job and being safe.
You do need to have a good idea about the commercial pressures. The guy that has chartered the jet is spending all this money to save time. That means a speedy delivery of service. This does not mean cut corners. It all comes down to planning and preparation. Get there early and get ready. Check everything twice or three times if you have to until you know where you stand if you get my drift.
It is a fun sector of the industry to work in. You will get to mix with alot of monied people and see a flashy and cool side of life. On the other hand you will need to muck in and clean aircraft, do flight plans, get coffee/catering/ice etc, serve the pax and all the other stuff.
Its a great training ground with avenues for serious career development. Listen, Learn and work hard.
Good luck.
The biz jet world is a great community to work in - I love it. I can't think of many walks of life where you can have such a cool job as this. BUT, you will be put under alot of pressure at some point. Whether you fly for a private owner or for a GA charter company (usually) at some time you will be called out at a silly time, asked to fly to somewhere taxing, asked to exceed FTL, given the old "well its a private flight so it will be ok to fly an extra xxx hrs into the early hours of the morning", just get the job done attitude. Just remember the biz jet world adheres to the same rules as any other AOC operator. So you need to stick to them.
I know I sound like a glorified propaganda freek but I have been put in many of the above situations and you need to maintain professionalism. If you don't the guy trying to bust your balls will not thank nor respect you. You need to focuss on doing a good professional job and being safe.
You do need to have a good idea about the commercial pressures. The guy that has chartered the jet is spending all this money to save time. That means a speedy delivery of service. This does not mean cut corners. It all comes down to planning and preparation. Get there early and get ready. Check everything twice or three times if you have to until you know where you stand if you get my drift.
It is a fun sector of the industry to work in. You will get to mix with alot of monied people and see a flashy and cool side of life. On the other hand you will need to muck in and clean aircraft, do flight plans, get coffee/catering/ice etc, serve the pax and all the other stuff.
Its a great training ground with avenues for serious career development. Listen, Learn and work hard.
Good luck.
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Don't rush or allow yourself to be rushed. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. You can never be too prepared to go into an unfamiliar airport. Just because someone is in the right seat, it doesn't mean they don't know anything. If you don't know something, admit it (at least to yourself) and go ahead and ask that stupid question.
Good luck.TC
Good luck.TC
To answer your original questions.
1. Hitting the ground is going to kill you - take FlyMD's advice.
2. Upsetting the owner is going to get you in trouble - Drink Margaritas!!
When things get tough for me, I wish I had listened to my father's advice. Only problem is I don't know what he said cos I never listened!!!
MM
1. Hitting the ground is going to kill you - take FlyMD's advice.
2. Upsetting the owner is going to get you in trouble - Drink Margaritas!!
When things get tough for me, I wish I had listened to my father's advice. Only problem is I don't know what he said cos I never listened!!!
MM
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All good advise…start a journal now!! Put all these words of wisdom in there and keep adding as you learn. You will always be learning new “lessons learned” and this will be a way to track them. Refer to them often…you have probably heard the saying by the “ancient aviators” “ I’ve forgot more than you will ever know” and that is somewhat true, however, your book of knowledge will allow you to go back and retrieve those pearls of wisdom.
Also, put all your funniest, and worst trips, best and worst pilots, best and worst what ever,you want in there and you will appreciate that in years to come.
I posted this recently on another site to a young aviation and it holds true….
As a young pilot with no experiences I quickly bored when listening to our older pilots talk about their different trips. Now fourty years later (Army helicopters to corporate Twin Bonanza’s to GV’s), and nearing retirement…I have “my adventures” and “my memorable trips”.
Someone once said that…“look at adversity as a thread that adds richness to the tapestry of life”. My tapestry cover the walls of my den, mementos from all over the world, domestic and international, each having a story. No matter how bad the trip was, I endured thinking that this will make a great story some day, and they do. Sitting around with other pilots, whether in Austin or Athens, Bangor or Bangladore, Chicago or Canberra, you will always be able to join the conversation with “your adventure” and like fine wine, they get better with time and the telling.
My career in corporate aviation has always been demanding, always interesting and always rewarding, maybe not monetarily like the airlines, but rich in memories, experiences, friendships and every changing new and challenging opportunities.
I wish you the best of luck in what ever you chose.
PS…for aviation sayings try…. http://www.rcaerobats.net/old_aviation_sayings.htm
Also, put all your funniest, and worst trips, best and worst pilots, best and worst what ever,you want in there and you will appreciate that in years to come.
I posted this recently on another site to a young aviation and it holds true….
As a young pilot with no experiences I quickly bored when listening to our older pilots talk about their different trips. Now fourty years later (Army helicopters to corporate Twin Bonanza’s to GV’s), and nearing retirement…I have “my adventures” and “my memorable trips”.
Someone once said that…“look at adversity as a thread that adds richness to the tapestry of life”. My tapestry cover the walls of my den, mementos from all over the world, domestic and international, each having a story. No matter how bad the trip was, I endured thinking that this will make a great story some day, and they do. Sitting around with other pilots, whether in Austin or Athens, Bangor or Bangladore, Chicago or Canberra, you will always be able to join the conversation with “your adventure” and like fine wine, they get better with time and the telling.
My career in corporate aviation has always been demanding, always interesting and always rewarding, maybe not monetarily like the airlines, but rich in memories, experiences, friendships and every changing new and challenging opportunities.
I wish you the best of luck in what ever you chose.
PS…for aviation sayings try…. http://www.rcaerobats.net/old_aviation_sayings.htm
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My penny's worth
I totally agree with all these posts....Dont be rushed......and think ahead....if you think ahead, think what might go wrong, then it will not go wrong if you have already though of it.
Keeping the boss happy is a good rule of thumb, but not at the expense of your yet to be earned reputation.
If he has a go mentality, and some do....then point out that you reach the accident site just before he will...... (unless he is an Arab in which case different rules apply.)
It taks a strong person to say NO...practice it....in front of the mirror.you will need to say it with all the conviction you can muster.......
Bumz
Keeping the boss happy is a good rule of thumb, but not at the expense of your yet to be earned reputation.
If he has a go mentality, and some do....then point out that you reach the accident site just before he will...... (unless he is an Arab in which case different rules apply.)
It taks a strong person to say NO...practice it....in front of the mirror.you will need to say it with all the conviction you can muster.......
Bumz
Bumz first comment is pure gold.
Only last week one of our F/Os thought I was spending rather alot of time making contingency plans for what looked like a straight forawrd trip but which had potential wx, ATC, Pax, NOTAM, fuel and other problems, but then it allways works out OK in the end doesn't it?
In the end there were quite a few complications when getting near our dest.
My words to the F/O were that it is the unexpected that catches you out. If you expect the worst case then you will never face an unexpected situation!
MM
Only last week one of our F/Os thought I was spending rather alot of time making contingency plans for what looked like a straight forawrd trip but which had potential wx, ATC, Pax, NOTAM, fuel and other problems, but then it allways works out OK in the end doesn't it?
In the end there were quite a few complications when getting near our dest.
My words to the F/O were that it is the unexpected that catches you out. If you expect the worst case then you will never face an unexpected situation!
MM
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Cypher have you actually got a job then?
It is true you have to keep the boss happy, but better to be out of work than dead, or alive with a wrecked aircraft on your CV.
Remember, some things are worth working for, some people are not. If the boss is a tosser and there are some about, dont even consider it, you should look forward to going to work not hate it.
To fly corporate safely takes a hell of a lot of self discipline, even if you are single crew write yourself an ops manual and stick to it!
No one is impressed by a cowboy appart from other cowboys or the boss who probably doesnt realise how close his pilot just came to killing him. Thankfully I think the days of the cowboy corporate pilots are long since gone with type ratings bieng required for jets and flight safety courses etc.
It is true you have to keep the boss happy, but better to be out of work than dead, or alive with a wrecked aircraft on your CV.
Remember, some things are worth working for, some people are not. If the boss is a tosser and there are some about, dont even consider it, you should look forward to going to work not hate it.
To fly corporate safely takes a hell of a lot of self discipline, even if you are single crew write yourself an ops manual and stick to it!
No one is impressed by a cowboy appart from other cowboys or the boss who probably doesnt realise how close his pilot just came to killing him. Thankfully I think the days of the cowboy corporate pilots are long since gone with type ratings bieng required for jets and flight safety courses etc.
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Don't be pressured into doing things that you are not happy about. Just ask yourself the question, "At the subsequent board of enquiry, how will I answer the question ......."
Remember, if they think flight safety's expensive, then suggest they try an accident!
Remember, if they think flight safety's expensive, then suggest they try an accident!
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Hey High Viz..
Yeah.. I have a job.
I am lucky, this is a multi crew aircraft as well. So I have someone to keep an eye on me and vice versa.
Too right about having an accident.. too damn expensive...
Yeah.. I have a job.
I am lucky, this is a multi crew aircraft as well. So I have someone to keep an eye on me and vice versa.
Too right about having an accident.. too damn expensive...
