Salary for FBO pilot?

Question

Would I make a good salary if I flew private jets for a FBO or other company based at a municipal or reliever airport?

Answer 1

Good comments, John B, although the question was about "FBO pilots". However, I largely agree with your comments----so many YA posters are obsessed with the airlines and with being "airline pilots".  Knew a fellow who was senior and a captain before a well-known merger years ago and became a lower seniority f.o. after. Then was furloughed. Not sure exactly what is meant by "FBO pilots".  Are you talking a small FBO flying one old jet or a large chain with multiple revenue sources which also offers some jet charter in nice equipment? Talking managed Part 91 gig or on-demand 135? It makes a difference. One company I know pays peanuts to most of its charter pilots, but pays well the pilots hired for and assigned to the jets it manages for outside owners.

Answer 2

Don't listen to Victor. I just retired from a forty year flying career, the bulk of it as an executive jet pilot. I have many friends in both the airlines and corporate aviation and by far the airline guys have less security. Victor is right about airplanes being sold and pilots loosing their job but what he hasn't told you is that your experience will allow you to continue elsewhere at an equal position and equal or greater pay. If you are with an airline that shuts down or experiences layoffs you'll start at the bottom again. Each job I had in corporate aviation was better than the last. And I retired making more than the average airline captain. Executive jets are selling at near record levels and if you have a type rating in one of the long range ones you'll make good money and there's not an airline in the world that's been around as long as companies such as Coca Cola, AT&T, etc. So get in there and do what it takes and start moving up until you move into the left seat.

Answer 3

You can make good money, but the downside is job security. Whenever a company gets into trouble, the first things to go are planes and pilots This applies to charters and such as well. They are expendable because airline travel is always an alternative and can be less expensive. If you go with a job in business jets, great, it'll be satisfying and interesting but be sure to put away a nest egg in case you find yourself looking for work.