How did YOU get started flying Biz Jets?

[Astra driver]

How did YOU get started flying Biz Jets?

The Judge told me it was this or do jail time!

[redsnail]

Thanks Astra Driver, you owe me a new keyboard.

[Old Boeing Driver]

First Corporate Job

I was placed by Jan Barden of Aviation Personnel from San Francisco.

She was in New Orleans at the time.

[CaptainProp]

Im ex airline and found an add for a corporate jet position in a magazine. Applied, got called for interview, psychometric test and sim ride. Got the job and never looked back.

CP

[Cecco]

Same as CaptainProp. Applied, called for interview and got the job.

Itīs not all about experience and flight hours. Often, the operator/owner will call you e.g because of your previous professional field etc. Particularly at small operators, itīs all on a personal level.

Cecco

[Geosync]

A lot of it is "who you know" mixed with ambition. Put yourself in a position to meet those who operate the jets. I know you're asking about Europe, but in the States I pumped fuel and serviced lavs for any aircraft that rolled onto my ramp- Cessna 182s to Gulfstream IVs, and actually CARED. Did it in rain, in the middle of the night and in the blazing sun. If the clients needed fresh coffee and the New York Times and I didn't have it I'd go get it. I had my FAA commerical ratings, so when these pilots would be in front of me I'd tell them who I was and what I wanted to do. Good people want to help other good people, but they will see through the bu%lsh!t. If they feel like you're a good person with ambition, but willing to get soaking wet while emptying rich people $hit from the lav in the middle of the night, they're willing to give you a shot. If you're a cocky SOB that think that stuff is below you, forget about it.

So this is what I would do-

1. Get your ratings.
2. Get in a position where you meet pilots/operators.
3. Do the grunt work and do it well.
4. Most importantly, have ambition, but be humble. When you're flying that G650 at 40,000 feet you'll look back a chuckle about the times you got blasted in the face with blue juice because your lav cart was broken and the winds where howling.

[con-pilot]

I started off ferrying new and used aircraft, then moved on to flying charters, then one of my customers that I had flown on charters bought a new Navajo Chieftain and hired me to fly it.

The rest is history for 42 years, except for the ten years I flew 727s for the government.

[Tray Surfer]

Excellent post Geosync

I am a firm believer in working your way up, getting your hands dirty, and not expecting things to just be handed to you on a plate.

[NilDesperandum]

I did the old 'work in Ops for a while, and see if you get a shot at a pilots job' route. Did about a year of Ops, then the company put me on a type rating. After that it all started to go a bit wrong - got put back in Ops instead of going flying, company got taken over by a charlatan, and went bust 6 months later ! It was only down to kindly intervention by 2 of the management that I escaped with the landings done and the rating on my license.

You've got to love business aviation ! In spite of the bad side of the story, it did give me a break, and I found a position with another company within a few months.

I think the ops to pilot route is still viable in some companies.