Shanwick--Hell yes you can get into this sector. You've got exceptionally good experience, esp. for European employers. NetJets Europe hires people with a lot less than that.
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Falcon 2000 Enters Fractional Service in Europe
The first Falcon 2000 for the NetJets Europe fractional ownership program arrived in Portugal in mid-April, and is the first of two 2000s that will serve as core fleet aircraft. A total of three 2000s will be delivered to NetJets Europe this year, with a fourth joining the fleet in January 2001. The first customer aircraft, which is already sold-out, will arrive in September, according to Bruce Huffman, Vice-President, International Operations.
In addition to the Falcons, the NJE fleet now consists of two Cessna Citation SIIs, three Citation VIIs, and seven Hawker 800s (five 800XPs and two 800As that are used as core aircraft). However the SIIs are slated for retirement sometime in 2001 because of the cost of complying with Europe's RVSM requirement, which begins in January 2002. The company said it is examining options for a new entry-level aircraft and expects to make an announcement before the end of the year.
NetJets' workforce now stands at 91 pilots and 53 other employees at the European headquarters outside Lisbon, Portugal. The company is "continuously recruiting" and expects to add at least 20 more flight crewmembers this year. The pilot force comes from 15 different countries and speaks 12 different languages, underscoring the fundamental challenge of conducting pan-European operations.
Utilization is now running at about 50 hours per aircraft per month, with 54 percent of the flying being conducted on behlaf of European owners and 35 percent for U.S. customers flying within Europe. The remaining 11 percent is charter and demonstration flights. Total time now is 10,500 hours and more than 8,000 flights since operations commenced in June 1996.
Most of the flying is being conducted in western Europe. Paris is the most common destination, followed by Zurich. Of the top 10 airports, four are around London, including Luton, Northolt, Farnborough, and Heathrow. However, the company has operated out of some 225 airports around Europe.
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From Business Commercial Aviation May 2000 issue page 42