Life of a Pilot: The Demanding Schedule of a Corporate Pilot

In Aviation, there are many different types of paths someone can take and they all have very different schedules. Cargo, for example, is known for the long late-night flights in wide-body aircraft. The first reaction when someone hears the term pilot is to think of an Airline pilot who flies for majors like United or Delta. But what they don’t think about are the pilots who fly around the elite in private jets.

The Unpredictability of the Schedule:

Corporate pilots operate on a variety of schedules depending on their role. Some are dedicated charter pilots, working on fixed rotations, such as 8 days on followed by 6 days off. These pilots typically fly aircraft owned by companies like NetJets, which are then rented out to clients for hourly flights based on their needs. On the other hand, some corporate pilots are assigned to private accounts under Part 91 regulations which means an individual owns the plane and only uses it for himself. In these cases, their job is to be as available as much as possible for the plane's owner. These pilots often work in small crews, usually with 2-3 pilots, allowing for one to take time off while the others continue flying.

On my account, I fly a managed aircraft where a company oversees the owner's plane, and when it's not in use by the owner, it can be chartered to help offset the cost of ownership. I work a schedule of 9 days on followed by 6 days off. During those 9 days, I may be on a 1.5-hour callout, flying for a broker, or operating flights for the owner. It is a very unpredictable schedule and is constantly changing. We might think we have a few days off in Vegas, only to get a last-minute trip to Aspen. Flexibility is the name of the game.

Long Hours - Quick Turns:

There are occasions when brokered trips can involve long, demanding days. Working up to our limit of 14 hours of duty in a day while battling weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Those are the days when all you want is to get to bed and don’t care about the destination. Doing quick turns all day, dropping off passengers, getting fuel, then a quick bathroom break before you head to the next location to get more clients. Those are days when I feel like we are the Uber of the sky.

Looking back, these aren’t on every rotation and come pretty scarcely. As a pilot, fatigue is a widely discussed issue within the aviation community. Long days like these make fatigue particularly prominent. Safety is always the top priority, and a pilot who isn't fully alert can pose a serious hazard. Need to balance days like these with the “Beauty of the Day Off".”

The Beauty of the Day Off:

Sometimes, we catch a break and get a few days in a destination, giving the crew a chance to unwind and explore. That’s everyone's favorite part — the opportunity to travel and discover new cities. Corporate pilots are lucky and that sometimes we may get lots of days off while “working.” An owner may have a family vacation you take them on and want you and the plane to be there on standby during that duration. This is one of the biggest benefits of being a corporate pilot vs an airline pilot.

It’s not typically a vacation, but in a Part 91 operation, your days off are entirely dictated by the owner’s needs. The jet is used as a mere time machine to get quickly to business meetings or to close deals. In these situations, you will fly the clients to the destination, wait until their business is concluded, and then fly them home. The whole time they are getting work done, the pilots have the opportunity to be relaxing or persuing personal interests.

Sacrifices and Work-Life Balance:

The most challenging and ever-evolving aspect of this job is maintaining a work-life balance. While many careers face this struggle, traveling for work makes it particularly difficult. Aviation operates 24/7, 365 days a year, creating a constant grind. Working on holidays, weekends, and special occasions is just part of the sacrifice that comes with "living the dream" of being a pilot. However, technology has been a lifesaver, allowing pilots to easily stay connected with friends and family while traveling and working around the globe.