Sub-tropical Isle vs Biz jet charter

[dareen]

Dear Fellow ppruner's ,

Apologies in advance for a somewhat unusual advice request that might not be taken too seriously but it is genuine so I'll put it out there.

I've been flying for many years including twin piston charters and now I'm at a crossroads having hit the big 40 to either go down the freelance light jet route albeit that the cost for training will be met by myself or take another path.

I have no romantic illusions about aviation and enjoy the positive aspects of aviation i.e the flying and fellow crew however I appreciate there are downsides...

The other path and this is the unusual bit : to take on a small low tech proven business opportunity in the Canaries ( modest profits) were if I'm honest like many UK folk ....I just want to leave the inclement UK CLIMATE!

Oh and I forgot to mention and it's a biggy , I will have access to a C172 so can fly VFR for fun whenever money permitting.

I'm torn between the shiny Jet job we've all worked hard for over so many years like my fellow pprunners (I have gone down the working my way up the ladder route) or a quality of life in the great outdoors.... another big passion of mine were one can pursue so much.... sports, fishing etc
I think I know which way I'm heading but would be delighted to hear the route you would take in my shoes ! What would you do?

All best.

[INNflight]

Light jet rating you have to pay for yourself, then flying freelance?
Save yourself the heartache, everyone and their dog is a CJ driver (esp. F/Os).

Don't mean to be angry or mean, it's just really the way it is. Unless you have someone who guarantees to put you into a jet (and I mean in writing), don't do it. If you do, ask to get a bond instead of having to pay the rating.

Canaries sound nice on the other hand. We de-iced today. Central Europe. May 24th.

[dareen]

Thanks Innflight , I understand..... deicing central Europe in May urghh! The aircraft would be slightly larger the ce560
with a chance of doing a weeks work a month , but the start up costs are high with ratings, fire drill training, recurrent training to name but a few. I do love flying and aviation but its weighing up what I would get out of this with all the other downsides and headaches versus the other path I mentioned. Also does one get to stay down route for significant periods whilst freelancing? PS What are the upsides and downsides of freelancing?

Thanks very much.

[Trim Stab]

As INNflight suggests, don't go down the freelance route on light jets. There are too many desperate wannabes out there paying for their own ratings without any job afterwards, who will fly for free on light jets.

[dareen]

Thanks folks it's looking like the Isles !




Cheers All Best.

[winkwink]

I think the Isles is the right choice. I've had some great times freelance jet flying and made some great friends. I've also worked for a couple of real monsters during co pilot days, two English and one American, and had spells of no work at all. I am bailing out soon and off to a warmer clime, a different job and no medical to fret about, no recurrent to part fund, no having to apply for jobs to companies or individuals who don't even say thanks but no thanks.
It's gone from being fun to Frankenstein. Mean owners, EASA, security of anal proportions. ....it's junk. Defo the Isles!

[cavortingcheetah]

I would suggest, at your age, that you take whichever opportunity offers you the better quality of life and so I wish you good luck in your island adventures.

[JonDyer]

Fly aeroplanes. Why else are you on this site if you don't love it?

Every post on PPRuNe ought to come with the qualifier: "I know I'm moaning like a whiny bitch but you need to bear-in-mind that I love being a pilot and if I didn't I wouldn't do it, but..."

Ok- in the airlines there are people that fly for a living and hate it - but over here those individuals would be a minority surely?

I wouldn't give it up to do an ordinary job.

YMMV.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Flying Mechanic]

go and live in the Caribbean, the likes of Fly Montserrat and Air Mustique, SVG Air would be happy to have the likes of you with Twin Charter experience.
Once you out of flying you will really miss it.

[Klimax]

If you want to fly aeroplanes - and for a living - then you would know what direction to go. If, for one reason or another you doubt that, then maybe your best of going to the Canaries. I never wanted to do anything but flying, really, so maybe it was easier.

If you do go to the Canaries, I just hope that you have a way back, should you regret, that decision. Flying is flying - with its good and its bad sides - but a land born job is, what it is!

Good luck bru,

[Private jet]

I assume that you would have to buy, or buy into the business in the Canaries and if you are contemplating it then it is profitable and you have done full due diligence and assessed all of the risks. I would not advise anyone to go into piloting full stop at the moment, the "marketplace" is flooded. I've already done it professionally for many years and at my stage there is little achievably left that i want to do so i know its easy for me to say stay away. IF you go with the bizjet's you MUST get a job, freelancing is very hit and miss, it takes time to get known and build a reputation and if you have a mortgage or other major regular financial commitment then FORGET IT. (Unless you have a rich wife or something like that haha) Also DO NOT pay for the type rating yourself, either enter a bonding agreement or as i did with my first bizjet job accept reduced pay for the first few years in lieu of them taking a punt on you, therefore if it all goes to pot then you're not losing out.

[Teldorserious]

Took me a while to realize that I would rather wander the world with a backpack and a guitar before anyone is going to tell me what do to, which includes flying with people I hate and living in an area just for the type or paycheck. I've always been the PIC and only have 20 hours of SIC in my whole career.

It's a choice, but I chose to fly planes on my terms rather then be a checklist reader, and I had the freedom to have hobbies, be home most of the time, do things that you can't do if you are living in hotels half your life. The price? Well I wasn't where I could bang super models, I didn't live on a sailboat and I don't have a tan.

Better to reign in hell

[G280]

Dareen

You've been looking at doing an XLS rating for some time now (years?)

You obviously have doubt or you would have done it by now. I wouldn't bother if you have to pay for it yourself. Take the sunshine and sangria - enjoy life a bit.

It's not worth it for one week a month.

Fwiw - I can't believe they expect you to pay the rating AND the SEP drills.

Good luck.

[dareen]

Dear folks,

Thanks very much for your kind responses,apart from the flying, this is what I would miss the most the great comradery! Thanks again for your help and I have a few decisions to make.


All the very best .