Business Aviation

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Hands-On Work

Jay Johnston flew for nearly 25 years with a commercial airline before mandatory retirement. He moved three years ago to a Part 91 operator based in the northern U.S.

“Business aviation is a lot more hands-on, and of course you need to keep your primary happy,” Johnston said. “If he decides to stay an extra day somewhere, it’s ‘yes sir’ followed by what can be a lot of rearranging your personal schedule on the back end.”

Prior to retirement, Johnston consulted with a 20year industry veteran. “I knew a lot going in about what to expect,” he said. “Some of that I learned from my friend, and some was from simply envisioning the operation and thinking about what would be required.”

Johnston found that business aviation offered several upsides. “First and foremost, the owners are great people,” he said. “That’s a big factor when flying Part 91; you get to know them, you’re traveling to the same fun places they go to and you’re usually staying at or near the same hotel.

“You’re in the neighborhood of their lifestyle,” Johnston continued. “We can select our hotels that are usually much nicer than airline accommodations and optimize [rewards] points for hotels and rental cars.”

“Business aviation crews are often very well taken care of. Nice hotels, nice meals and perks that can be much better than airlines offer.” ing his own flight planning and monitoring his flight hours to stay ahead of training requirements.

“The airline tracks your hours and currency, and advises when you’re due for training,” Johnston said. “In this world, the chief pilot may call me and say I need to take an online international flying course and it’s up to me to select the provider and ensure I’m current.”

With that greater responsibility also comes what Johnston termed a sizable pay disparity. “That’s really the only thing I’d change,” he said. “The airline did pay me a lot more, but this is the job that keeps me flying and I’ve met some fantastic people.”

Building Relationships

Keys and Archibald agreed the ability to develop those personal relationships is a definite advantage in making the move to business aviation.

“The airlines were a lot different when I first started flying,” Keys said. “Back in the 1980s we could interact a lot more with the flight attendants and ground crews. Now, we just lock ourselves behind the cockpit door.

“Business aviation is a lot more fun. Had I stayed with the airlines, I’d not have near the number of friends I have in business aviation today.”

DAVID KEYS Chief Pilot, Peace River Citrus Products

“Business aviation is a lot more fun,” he continued. “Had I stayed with the airlines, I’d not have near the number of friends I have in business aviation today.”

“It’s nice to get to know someone and make that connection, especially in retirement,” Archibald agreed. “You never know where you might be able to help someone, or someone may help you.”

Archibald also noted that the nature of business aviation flying appeals to many pilots. “Type A people enjoy new challenges, and each flight can offer a puzzle or two that requires solving,” she said. “That can be so much fun!”

“I just fell in love with business aviation,” Keys added. “Sure, it’s not glamorous to carry bags or empty the lavatory, but it is fulfilling work. You don’t simply check in and check out; you are contributing to all aspects of the operation.”

“We all play a role outside the flight deck,” Archibald agreed. “It may be small – scheduling pilot training, managing an EFB subscription – but in business aviation, those roles must usually be completed by the pilot.

“I love being involved, so I’m involved outside the flight deck [at the airline] but that is my choice,” she continued. “It is not a choice in business aviation.”

Archibald agreed. “Business aviation crews are often very well taken care of. Nice hotels, nice meals and perks that can be much better than airlines offer.”

Like Archibald, Johnston had to get used to perform-

View available aviation jobs at NBAA’s Business Aviation Jobs board at NBAA’s website, nbaa.org.