Fractional Airline Pilot

A Day in the Life as a Fractional Airplane Pilot – JobGuppy

Brian (Fractional Airline Captain Pilot) & James (young aspiring pilot)

Summary:
You’ve probably heard of a Commercial Pilot or even a Freight Pilot, but a Fractional Airplane Pilot? In case you are wondering, fractional ownership is when multiple owners share the use and costs of purchasing and operating an aircraft (or business jet). In this episode, Chris is joined by Brian Miller, a Fractional Airline Pilot who shares what a typical day looks like for him, his journey as a pilot, how he rose up the ranks, and what certifications you need to receive your own pilot license. Along for the conversation is 16-year-old James Kearsing, looking to start his career in aviation. He offers a different perspective as he decides what steps to take in order to earn his wings.

Brian’s Bio:
– Commercial pilot for 28 years
– Current position is training captain for a private aviation company
– Accumulated over 13,000 hours of flight time in a single-engine prop aircraft to the latest twin-engine jet with the most advanced avionics
– Commercial pilot certificate, ATP certificate, and multiple type ratings on different aircraft
– Bachelor of Arts from Northern Kentucky University
– His professional path has taken him from flight instructing and flying freight, to flying for two part 121 airlines, to his current position with the largest private aviation company.

Brian’s Experience:
– Graduated with a Communications Degree
– Certified Flight Instructor and CFI Instrument Rated who at one point was able to teach new students their private license, their commercial, instrumental commercial, and multi-engine
– Got a freight job flying packages for UPS, FedEx, USPS
– American Eagle Pilot – Regional Airline
– 17 years working for a Fractional Airline

Career advice: Brian shares that the payscale increases the longer you’re with the same company, but you have to have a passion for becoming a pilot because it’s a lot of steps, a lot of testing, and a lot of hard work. However, it is all very rewarding.

Education & Certifications:

  • Degree not required.
  • Private License: 35-40 hours of flight time (you’re flying line of sight).
  • Instrument License (you’re flying using the instrument panel in front of you).
  • Commercial License: 250 hours of flight time.
  • ***Note – During each sequence, you have to take a written test, an oral test in front of the flight examiner, and a practical test (where you go up in an airplane & show the instructor that you know how to fly using the sequences they give you).
  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).
  • CFI Instrument Rating.

Flights Schools Referenced:

Income and Salary:

$75k – $300k per year.
Salary search on pilotpipeline.com

Ongoing Certifications & Requirements:

  • Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) – Once you’re hired by an airline or fractional, you’ll have to go back to school every year. Entails: 4-5 days at school and fly simulator (3 sessions) & check ride.
  • As a Commercial Pilot, you have to keep up your medical every 6 months. Entails: 1st class medical, doctor checks hearing, eyesight, blood pressure, etc. 45 and older, EKGs are required.

Job Search terms and ideas:

Job Perks:

  • You get to fly for free anywhere you want in the world.
  • Your parents and family can fly for free (or at a steep discount)
  • Buddy passes allow your friends to fly at a discount (5 per year depending on the airline).
  • Fractional Pilots can fly on their corporate jets when not occupied for free.
  • Gain hotel and airline points which allow you to stay at hotels for free.