How to Become a Corporate Jet Pilot

If you aspire to be the one in the cockpit, there are many pathways other than becoming an airline pilot. One of them is a corporate jet pilot. Becoming a corporate pilot can be extremely rewarding. Unlike an airline pilot, a corporate pilot has more flexibility in his/her schedule, besides flying to some fascinating locales on an average day. If this line of work interests you, you may be wondering how to become a corporate jet pilot. This blog dives into this very topic.

What is a Corporate Jet Pilot?

Before discovering how to become a corporate pilot, it is also vital to understand what a corporate jet pilot is. Corporate jet pilots are aviation professionals employed by large corporations and high-net individuals to fly their private jets for executive travel. They often fly business executives or VIPs.

Many corporate jet pilots also work for charter companies that provide customized air travel services to small businesses, government agencies, groups, and private individuals.  The corporate pilot requirements on the job differ from those of airline pilots. Corporate pilots are more hands-on with planning, catering, luggage, and coordination with passengers, while the same responsibilities for airline pilots are more standardized.

Steps to Becoming a Corporate Jet Pilot

1. Obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

As with any other field of flying, a corporate pilot also requires a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). It is the first of many corporate pilot requirements when you read up on how to become a corporate pilot. To obtain a CPL, you need to complete ground school training and flight hours. Each country has specific regulations regarding the required flight hours for obtaining a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). In general, you will complete flight training with an instructor, logging in 250 flight hours, with 100 hours as pilot-in-command. You also need to pass a theoretical test and a flight test to obtain your Commercial Pilot's License (CPL). Once you have done that, you have completed your first step on how to become a corporate jet pilot.

2. Accumulate More Flight Hours

Your second step on how to become a corporate pilot is to accumulate more flight hours, now that you have obtained your CPL. Building flight hours will also help you get more confident about your skills as a pilot. You will also get acquainted with demanding and stressful scenarios, which will require you to think and act skillfully.

Corporate pilot requirements in terms of flight hours are at least 1500 hours. Although there are no industry standards here, the more the better. To gain this experience, you can work as a flight instructor, charter pilot, or regional pilot.

3. Obtain an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

Obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) is not a mandatory requirement. Many professionals, when navigating the path of how to become a corporate jet pilot, do not pursue an ATPL. But it can be a desired qualification for interested employers. The requirements for obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) may differ from country to country. The general standard requires a total of 1,500 flight hours, during which pilots must also pass specific tests and undergo a medical examination.

An ATPL is the highest pilot certification, indicating that any potential employee possesses extensive experience and knowledge. When searching for how to become a corporate jet pilot, consider obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), as it opens doors to more advanced opportunities.

4. Get a Type Rating

As with every other pilot, a corporate jet pilot also requires a type rating. When you learn more about how to become a corporate jet pilot, you will discover that a type rating is a specialized certification that allows pilots to fly specific types of aircraft. A type rating becomes mandatory because aircraft have unique systems and procedures that require specialized training.

When making a list of corporate pilot requirements, obtain one or more type ratings for the specific aircraft model you wish to fly.

5. Build Relevant Experience

Another critical aspect of how to become a corporate pilot is building the experience that secures the job. Securing a job as a corporate jet pilot can be challenging if you lack experience. Consider building relevant experience by working first in smaller charter companies or as an assistant to senior pilots. This way, you will learn how to handle executive-level expectations, VIP protocols, and embody flexibility in your flight schedules. Prior experience in similar roles will also help you develop strong navigation and communication skills essential for flying safely and effectively.

6. Start Applying

You have the license. You have the type rating. You have the skills. The final step of how to become a corporate jet pilot is to start applying for roles that align with your long-term career goals. Of course, this will be a challenging phase in a competitive market. Networking with pilots and professionals in the aviation industry can help you learn more about job opportunities that are otherwise not publicly available. Alternatively, prepare a strong resume and keep practicing for technical and behavioral interview rounds. Look for openings with private companies, air charter services, or individual aircraft owners.

What does a Corporate Jet Pilot Do?

We reviewed the corporate pilot requirements. But what does a corporate pilot do? A corporate jet pilot's responsibilities are multifaceted, encompassing flight planning, aircraft preparation, and post-flight maintenance.

• Flight planning: So, what does a corporate pilot do? The first step is to create a safe and timely flight plan that accounts for potential turbulence during the flight.
• Aircraft prep: Corporate jet pilots also oversee the loading and fueling of the aircraft. They also brief the cabin crew and perform safety inspections.
• In-flight emergency: A corporate pilot is responsible for maintaining composure in the event of an in-flight emergency, ensuring the safety of both the crew and passengers.
• Post-flight maintenance: Corporate pilot requirements also include keeping detailed records of any incidents or issues that may have arisen during flight and coordinating with the maintenance team to resolve them.
• Client Interaction: As a corporate pilot, it is your responsibility to deliver a seamless travel experience. Meeting with passengers, briefing them on the flight, and addressing their concerns will also be part of your job responsibilities.
• Discretion and professionalism: Corporate pilots are expected to maintain a high level of discretion and professionalism, particularly when interacting with influential individuals and celebrities who value their privacy.

How Much Do Corporate Jet Pilots Earn?

With more people in a high-income bracket and companies offering curated travel experiences, it is a good time to become a corporate jet pilot. Of course, when you study how to become a corporate jet pilot, you cannot skip what these pilots earn. The global pay scale of corporate jet pilots varies widely. The potential of earning more rests on factors such as experience, location, and the specific employer.

In the United States, corporate jet pilots can earn between $150,000 and $250,000 per year, with experience potentially increasing their earnings to exceed $300,000. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the salary of a corporate pilot falls within the range of £25,000 to £60,000 ($33,402.25 to $80,165.40) per year. Generally, the compensation and benefits of corporate jet pilots are favorable in most countries. Numerous country-specific reports are available for aspiring corporate pilots to review. Consider examining these data points to establish a realistic goal.

Conclusion

A career as a corporate jet pilot can be both enormously exciting and rewarding, provided one possesses the right skills and holds the proper licenses. Some skills can also be beneficial, which you can start developing on your own. This includes the ability to communicate with passengers, flight crew, and air traffic controllers, a teamwork attitude that facilitates easier coordination of flight plans and emergency procedures, quick problem-solving to deal with mechanical failure, weather complications and passenger complaints, and situational awareness, ensuring you are cognizant of other aircraft, weather, and aircraft controls.

If you have a CPL, you can also venture into other not-so-well-known pilot categories that can be equally exciting and rewarding, such as an air ambulance pilot. If you want a job that combines aviation skills with lifesaving missions, it is time to know more about how to become an air ambulance pilot. In any case, the field of aviation is at an exciting stage, with an increasing number of corporate pilot jobs becoming available. If you have what it takes, start applying now. Once you make it as a corporate pilot, you can also move into managerial or director positions with relevant experience.