Curiosity

[Weasel]

I normally frequent the wannabe forum, but out of curiosity I’d like to ask how you guys get in to the business side of things. I know of one person who managed to get a job because daddy knew somebody who knew somebody…is this par for the course, or do most self-sponsor. Do some companies sponsor? do they advertise?

Just curious really, but any responses would be much appreciate, then I'll sneak back to the wannabes forum, I promise!

Cheers! Weasel.

[redsnail]

Not sure which part of the "business" you are referring to there. Are you talking about Bizjets or just GA in general.
As far as I know in Oz, none of the bizjet operators sponsor pilots. The backgrounds of the guys is varied, ie military, GA, helo etc. It helps to know a lot of people in the right places. Have the right resume and be available seems to be the key and be in the right place at the right time....
Actually, that isn't too different to getting a GA job either!!
Hope this helps.

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reddo
skid, slide, scrape, bash, then...silence.

[Weasel]

Cheers Reddo, I was referring to 'bizjets' (I assume that GA is general aviation), although I'm just curious to see what else is out there other than just being blinkered into BA, I imagine that flying business jets is a little more fun than flying for the airlines, but probably a fairly standard timetable from week to week. Am I right?

[PPRuNe Radar]

Weasel,

A few of the guys I know in the UK BizJet business very much got in through personal contacts, either friends of friends putting in a word, or through people who had come through the wannabee system with them and passed on recommendations to the company bosses.

I think you will find that there is never the same pattern each week for bizjets since they have to go where and when the business demands. For ad hoc charters this could be a very long haul to the USA, then straight back to Europe for the next job to the Middle East, and at the hours of the day which the customer wants which might be pretty unsociable. For company aircraft then it's at the whim of those who use it. The "boss" may decide to nip somewhere for lunch and will then expect you to be ready to go at a moment's notice from there to wherever. Meanwhile in all this, you'll be expected to sort out all the paperwork in a flash, get ATC slots organised, refuelling, catering, etc, etc, and not cause your employer to be sitting around wasting his valuable time.

Perks are variable but good hotels, lots of interesting experiences (flying and otherwise :)), free Grand Prix tickets, and a life which is too busy to be dull have all been quoted to me.

In short then, it's hard work and not half as glamorous as you might think, but gives good experience and helps build up your jet time for that job where the grass is greener.

If you've any specific queries then let me know and I can ask around.

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PPRuNe Radar
ATC Forum Moderator
[email protected]

[Rat Catcher]

Reddo, That must have been "the mother of all prangs" if you are still Bang, Crash etc
How's the equipment now?
Isn't corporate a closed door game unless you know someone?

[Bendo]

700 hrs SE, just tell some bloke that wants to buy an airplane that a Chieftain will suit him perfectly....get the endorsement cheap and get stuck into it!

Dunnunda, as Reddo Said, it's who you know, right place right time, johnny on the spot and all those other things you have heard (and you're sick of hearing).

It's a bit hard thinking of yourself as corporate when you fly a Chieftain, but the G.IV fellas from Crown Casino didn't laugh directly in my face so I must be getting somewhere.