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Becoming a Business-Aviation Pilot

A business-aviation job pays well, often on par with the ­major airlines. Juice Flair/Shutterstock
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Business aviation is experiencing a boom, driven by increased demand for private, personalized travel, contrasting with the airline industry and creating significant pilot opportunities.
  • The role of a business aviation pilot is uniquely comprehensive and customer-focused, requiring hands-on involvement in all flight aspects, from logistics to passenger care.
  • This distinct operational culture means business aviation companies prioritize specific customer service skills and commitment, often making airline pilots with a different operational mindset less direct hires, despite competitive pay and diverse experiences offered.
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When the original Midway Airlines closed its doors a few decades ago, they took away one of the best flying jobs I’d ever had up to that point. Luckily, the opportunity to fly right seat on a business jet appeared, though I knew next to nothing about business aviation at the time. The chief pilot was nice enough to give me a chance—despite my airline experience, he said. I thought he was kidding but soon learned the only thing the two flying jobs had in common was how the flight controls moved. As it turned out, the opportunity that chief gave me opened the door to an entirely different segment of the aviation world, one that I’ve been pretty much glued to ever since.

Rob Mark

Rob Mark is an award-winning journalist, business jet pilot, flight instructor, and blogger.

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