Hiring pilots to fly your private jet is no simple task. While owning a luxury aircraft sounds glamorous, finding qualified pilots capable of ferrying passengers in these multi-million dollar machines is more difficult than it seems. Very few pilots have the credentials, skills, and experience required to take control of private planes. The vetting process alone can be an immense challenge!
As anyone who has chartered a private flight or flown on a corporate jet knows, the pilots hold the lives of all on board in their hands with each takeoff and landing. This level of responsibility demands rigorously trained and excellently vetted individuals at the controls. So for a private jet owner, choosing the right aviators to fly their most valuable asset and transport their most crucial cargo themselves and their passengers is very important.
Today, we explore the ins and outs of locating and hiring private pilots that meet stringent standards. This comprehensive guide outlines best practices for screening candidates, determining ideal qualifications, and securing top talent. From licensing requirements to negotiating contracts, we cover everything needed to source pilots worthy of shepherding the most discerning clientele through the skies in sophisticated private planes. Let’s get started!
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How To Find A Pilot For A Private Jet
Whether you’re starting a new private air charter service or simply want to fly your personal jet, hiring pilots is a crucial step. Here are some top places to start your search:
Professional Pilot Job Boards
Job boards are a direct pipeline to active professionals in the field. Sites like PilotsGlobal and FindaPilot continually host new private jet pilot postings. Rather than occasional sporadic checking, commit to thoroughly browsing listings daily or weekly. If needed, speak with each board’s representatives to better understand how postings are optimized to attract skilled applicants. Ask about premium placement options, too. And finally, don’t neglect niche boards catering specifically to certain aircraft manufacturers.
Pilot Placement Firms
Clay Lacy Aviation and other specialized recruiters have long histories and insider industry connections. While placement fees are incurred, the talent pools, screening processes, and account support services more than offset costs. Discuss target qualifications in-depth and get progress updates. Ask how else they can help preferences, interview assistance, or contract advice. The right consultancy pays for itself!
Industry Forums and Groups
Tap communities like Pilots of America, Airline Pilot Central, and specialized Facebook pages. Outline all attributes, experience, licenses/ratings required plus ideal hourly/salary ranges in postings. Then, proactively follow up with suitable members via message. Consider interacting informally to build rapport before listings. Sponsor relevant forum sections or virtual conferences for increased exposure.
Personal and Professional Networks
Current colleagues, flight departments, flight school alumni and local operators are invaluable. Meet regularly to enhance relationships and learn of career changers. Attend regional pilot meetups and introduce yourself genuinely. Offer informational interviews to make a great first impression. Follow up promptly and personally with referrals. Loyalty is key in tight-knit professional worlds!
Aviation Career Events
Attend the yearly NBAA and regional job fairs in person. Meet hundreds of pilots under one roof and make a lasting impression with swag and demeanor. Inquire about candidates proactively by seeking booth contacts. Establish your organization as an employer of choice. Learn about competitors too for benchmarking. You can even sponsor forums at these or local career days for continued visibility!
7 Tips For Hiring A Pilot For A Private Jet
A thorough evaluation of pilots is crucial when lives are at stake every time the aircraft departs the runway. Consider each of the following seven factors carefully during screening:
Licensing and Certification
For most private jets, an ATP certificate from the FAA will be the minimum required license. However, you’ll want to validate any additional credentials on the pilots list, including type ratings for specific aircraft make and models you operate.
Request to physically inspect or receive copies of each license and rating held. It’s also wise to directly contact the FAA to verify information and check for any restrictions, investigations, or lapses that may not be disclosed. Pay close attention to medical certification dates and limitations as well. Thorough validation of licensing upfront prevents future problems.
Flight Experience Levels
Specifying a minimum number of total flight hours is standard practice, but you must consider hours in different relevant categories too. At a minimum, pilots should exceed your required flight hours, but preferably by a considerable margin, depending on the type of private jet, for advanced aircraft.
Carefully scrutinize logbooks to analyze total PIC time versus as SIC or instructor. Also, examine specific make and model aircraft hours that are most applicable. Consider additional experience factors like overwater operations, international routes requiring customs compliance, or flying in rough weather conditions. The more demanding your mission profiles, the higher experience expectations should be.
Recency of Operations
It’s insufficient to merely check total lifetime flight hours recency is equally critical. Ask to view logbooks from the previous 6-12 months minimum to verify regular activity. Drill down on specific recency within the previous 90 and even 30 days to be sure a pilot remains sharp. Recency requirements indicate preparedness to step into your aircraft having just flown a similar platform, as opposed to relying on hours from years past. Activity gaps necessitate scrutiny and may require skill assessment prior to hire.
Performance History
Reference and background checks deserve as much diligence as validating licenses. When hiring contract pilots. Contact all references provided, plus consider asking candidates for an additional character reference from someone unrelated.
Exhaustively question references about safety practices, decision-making examples, technical knowledge and interpersonal skills observed. Also obtain FAA records to uncover any license actions, accidents, incidents, or enforcement proceedings. Certain infractions in a pilot’s past may be disqualifying, so transparency in disclosure is key.
Skill Assessments
Once top candidates are identified from paper screening, challenging scenario-based assessments provide invaluable insight. Develop situations simulating normal operations along with emergencies to evaluate how pilots respond analytically under pressure.
Probe decision-making rationales, problem-solving techniques, and abilities to effectively communicate choices made. Also, test system knowledge through simulated malfunctions. Video recordings of evaluations allow for review by your team. Multiple assessments over time further reveal consistency.
Technical Aptitude
Hands-on evaluations complement scenarios. Consider a base check observing aircraft preflight, engine start, run-up procedures and systems deployment performed flawlessly to standard. Simulation sessions gauging pilot-machine integration via instrument scans, flow management and handling qualities prove invaluable too. Acquire video/audio recordings for later examination. Technical virtuosity inspires confidence.
Cultural Compatibility
Values, work ethic, flexibility and personality must mesh well within the operation’s culture. Thorough interviews and background checks will reveal integrity, temperament, customer service-focus and other attributes. As pilots become brand ambassadors, represent the operation when away from base too. When hiring pilots for a temporary or full-time position, compatibility avoids disruption and dissatisfaction.
Following this detailed vetting process leaves little uncertainty regarding candidates. Safety ultimately depends on selecting the ideal pilot.
Thorough candidate screening is key to finding top private jet pilots.
So in summary leverage all resources at your disposal like industry job sites, referrals, networks and events to locate qualified pilots actively seeking private jet positions. Screen for the right licenses, minimum experience thresholds, recent recency, good references and a professional demeanor. And negotiate contracts thoughtfully. With diligence, you’re sure to find top talent to fly your aircraft safely and professionally.
For more answers to questions related to your private jet ownership, consult our blog. And, if you’re looking for an easy and convenient tool that will help you and your crew avoid flight fatigue, explore our fleet of JetBeds to find the one that best fits your aircraft!