When looking into aviation careers, there are plenty of exciting options available within both airline and corporate piloting. While there are fundamental overlaps in core skills and qualifications required, such as earning a commercial pilot license, each path also has its own unique attributes that prospective pilots should familiarize themselves with.
Understanding the key differences can help determine the ideal career path. With the growing pilot shortage and surge in demand for private pilots since the pandemic, opportunities abound in both industries. In this post, I will examine the differences between corporate and airline pilots so you can make an informed choice.
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Corporate Pilot vs Airline Pilot: Similarities and Differences
The Covid-19 pandemic ushered in widespread changes throughout the aviation sector. While commercial travel decreased sharply, private flying saw a major increase as affluent passengers sought alternatives to commercial airlines. This surge in demand contributed to an already tight market for qualified pilots across private operations. As corporations require reliable transportation and high-net-worth individuals turn to chartering, corporate aviation continues growing.
Understanding the distinctions between corporate and airline piloting is key for any aspiring aviator weighing their career options. Factors like schedule preferences, lifestyle priorities, base locations and career trajectories will influence individual choices. Important operational differences exist between these sectors that impact day-to-day job functions and responsibilities.
By evaluating both paths, pilots can determine the best environment to maximize their talents and meet personal objectives. With looming pilot shortfalls industry-wide, learning the unique attributes of corporate versus airline flying sets candidates up for successful hiring!
What is a Corporate Pilot?
Corporate pilots operate private aircraft on behalf of companies and wealthy individuals. Many are employed directly by corporate flight departments to transport executives and staff. They may also fly for charter operators managing fractional jet ownership programs.
As outlined in our post “How Many Pilots Are Required Per Aircraft“, safety regulations mandate at least two pilots on most private jets. Therefore, corporate aviators split duties including flight planning, aircraft operation, and passenger experience coordination between the pilot-in-command and second-in-command.
Corporate flying presents a flexible lifestyle with crews scheduled to shuttle high-profile clients between major business hubs and private airports globally. Some larger operations even self-perform maintenance at their own facilities. Whether supporting a business traveler’s time-sensitive itinerary or fulfilling a client’s on-demand charter request, corporate aviators provide a personalized travel experience for passengers flying privately.
What Does a Corporate Pilot Do?
- Conduct preflight inspections and complete flight planning tasks
- Operate private aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds with a commercial pilot license
- Manage all radio communications and coordinate ground activities
- Provide exceptional customer service and assist passengers
- Operate world-class jets including Gulfstreams, Bombardiers, Dassaults and more
- Maintain mandatory FAA safety and training requirements
- Analyze weather data and effectively handle diversions if needed
- Collaborate with other pilots and crew members
How Much Do Corporate Pilots Make?
According to industry data, corporate pilots typically earn a salary in the range of $70,000 to $150,000 per year. Compensation varies based on several factors. More experienced aviators flying larger business jets like Gulfstreams and Bombardiers earn towards the higher end of this scale.
Type of aircraft alone can affect pay as well, with those operating turboprops making less than widebody commanders. Additional certifications such as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating, allow pilots to legally function as pilots-in-command of larger aircraft, further increasing earning power.
International routes as well as number of flight hours logged annually also impact corporate pilot salaries. Newer aviators likely start closer to $70,000, with longer careers often capping out above $150,000 dependent upon an individual’s experience level and responsibilities. Benefits such as medical coverage and retirement plans generally supplement base incomes. Of course, the intimate nature of corporate aviation also presents lifestyle rewards challenging to monetize. Dedicated flyers can ultimately develop highly marketable skill sets maximizing career earnings.
How To Become A Corporate Pilot:
Earn Your Pilot’s License
Obtain private, commercial, instrument ratings by completing flight school or online programs. Total hours needed range between 200-250. For more on this, you can read our post on how to get a pilot’s license.
Gain Relevant Experience
Build flight hours through positions like flight instructor, banner towing, freight hauling or building “corporate pilot” skills by interning at charter outfits. Try to pursue advanced ratings in turboprops or jets.
Develop Soft Skills
Corporate flying emphasizes top-notch customer service. Take communications, leadership or hospitality courses. Establish industry connections through regional aviation associations or social media networking groups.
Consider Flight Safety Training
ISO-certified programs from Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) help bridge theory with practical scenarios relevant to commercial operation. Pursuing this “corporate pilot” training raises one’s value.
What is an Airline Pilot?
Airline pilots are responsible for the safe transportation of passengers and cargo aboard large commercial aircraft flying scheduled routes worldwide. They command transport-category jets, turboprops, or helicopters on behalf of major passenger and cargo carriers certified under 14 CFR Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
In contrast to more flexible corporate aviation operations falling under general Part 91 rules, airline aviators strictly follow their specific employer’s Flight Operations Manuals and Standard Operating Procedures. Qualifying on aircraft is type-specific, requiring pilots to complete an airline’s FAA-approved training program on each model flown.
Most airline pilots in the United States work for large regional, national, or international carriers operating out of major hub airports. Their schedules involve set routings to transport travelers or goods between cities efficiently based on published flight times. Some may also work for cargo-dedicated outfits like FedEx.
International airlines present additional considerations, like obtaining Flight Crew Licensing from governing civil aviation authorities beyond the FAA. Language proficiency becomes more essential, too. Overall, airline piloting centers around precisely conducted flights transporting high volumes of passengers on scheduled itineraries globally as an essential service.
What Does an Airline Pilot Do?
- Fly jets, turboprops or helicopters along scheduled routes
- Manage complex systems and comply with standard operating procedures
- Coordinate with flight dispatchers and air traffic control extensively
- Oversee safe boarding, in-flight service and deplaning of hundreds of passengers
- Meet recurrent training and checking ride requirements
- Achieve an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with 1,500 hours total time
- Build extensive experience before captain upgrade evaluation
How Much Do Airline Pilots Make?
According to industry data, the average annual salary range for an airline pilot in the United States is approximately $70,000 to $160,000. However, compensation varies considerably based on airline, aircraft flown, total flight hours logged, assigned location, and most significantly, seniority level achieved.
At the lower end of the pay scale are those piloting smaller regional aircraft in the early stages of their career. Starting salaries hover around $70,000 for these new aviators building experience. Moving up to larger narrowbody or widebody jets at major legacy carriers and attaining captain roles lifts earnings towards the higher threshold.
Pilots based in major metro hubs like New York, Los Angeles and Dallas also earn elevated wages compared to those at smaller provincial outstations. International salaries depend highly on local job markets and currency rates too.
Collective bargaining renewals likewise impact raises. Contract negotiation breakthroughs at unionized network airlines may see annual pay rising faster than non-union competitors. Longevity flying for a single airline also continuously augments compensation packages as senior pilots capture more lucrative domiciles and aircraft.
How To Become An Airline Pilot:
Earn Your Pilot’s License and Degree
Consider accredited aviation programs leading directly into well-structured cadet pathways with partner carriers. Choose majors like aviation science or professional pilot.
See above for infromation on earning your pilot’s license.
Build Total Flight Hours
Log a minimum of 1,000 hours before applying at regional airlines where initial flying occurs in smaller aircraft under a lower hourly minimum.
Gain Relevant Certifications
In addition to your commercial pilot license and instrument rating from flight schools , achieve an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and type ratings on aircraft types usually through the airline’s “airline pilot” entry-level training program.
Strengthen Your Soft Skills
Airline piloting emphasizes rigorous standard operating procedures. Develop multitasking, aviation decision-making and crew resource management abilities through simulation or continued education.
Though similar, a corporate and airline pilot differ in terms of personal priorities for careers.
Whether pursuing the flexibility of corporate aviation or stable career progression within airlines, aspiring pilots have rewarding options ahead. While both fields overlap foundationally, each path presents pilots’ unique lifestyle and operational realities worth considering against individual goals and circumstances. For anyone wrestling with these career routes, we hope this overview provides clarity around core similarities and differences.
At the end of the day, pilots should choose the environment optimizing their skills and life priorities. With pilot shortages spanning private and commercial segments, qualified aviators will find ample flying opportunities within corporate or airline cockpits.
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