Job Responsibilities
Evaluate flight and systems characteristics of production
aircraft before final delivery to customer. Work with sales team
to show benefits and performance of aircraft to C-level prospects
and/or their representatives. Review and revise flight manuals
and support publications, as required. Liaise with FAA
officials, as required, on flight operations. Approx 40
hours/week. On call, as required, to support flight schedule.
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Job Requirements
This is a flying career path. Most of my skills were learned in
the military. Because of the nature of the workload and desire
to produce a high-quality product, Gulfstream prefers pilots with
military experience, especially test and fighter pilots.
Military flight training is very demanding. Getting selected to
be a fighter pilot is akin to a college athlete turning pro:
about 1% of applicants get there. Student pilots are evaluated on
three levels: officership (including leadership skills),
academic testing, and flight performance. Experience as a
civilian pilot prior to entering military flight school gives the
student a slight edge, which is neutralized about half-way into
the 12-month school. Candidates must be under 27 years of age
before entering flight school. Nowadays, military pilots have a
12-year active duty commitment before being eligible for return
to a civilian life. Bonuses are high to encourage a 20-year
career.
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Uppers
Flying state of the art avionics and equipment. Interacting with senior
management as part of the sales process. Interacting with C-level personnel from
prospective companies. Traveling to nice locales, staying at nice (4*+) hotels,
and eating at fancy restaurants while on the road.
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Downers
On-call, as required, to support the flight schedule.
Potentially long days (12+ hours) supporting the sales process.
Hazards of flight test and hoping maintenance was performed
correctly.
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Lifestyle
Flight test is generally a 8 - 5 job, M - F, with dinner at home. About 2 weeks
a quarter (at most), pilots are out of town with aircraft deliveries and/or sales
team events. Work dress is business casual and/or a blue flight suit. The
company has an annual Christmas party; otherwise, no social events, as you might
see in business school. The pilots are an ancillary part of the manufacturing and
sales process. The company does not encourage or discourage outside involvement
in civic/non-profit affairs.
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Compensation
Co-pilots start at $85 - $90k. Upgrade to Captain is $5k more,
typically. Getting qualified in another type of aircraft is
another $5k. Some profit sharing (usually less than $1k)based
on company safety record. No stock options. Great health benefit
plan, underwritten by parent company, General Dynamics, e.g. $15
co-pay. Company match of 50% on first 3% contribution to 401(k),
with 8% max individual contribution annually, due to status
as "highly compensated employee." Annual merit and/or cost of
living raise, as required. Promoted, typically, by seniority.
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Advice to Jobseekers
This is a "good ol' boy" system in the aerospace industry.
Nepotism goes far. Who you know also helps. Advances within
management are far and few between, with age and seniority
typically being the factor, rather than individual merit. A long
line exists for people wanting to sell aircraft, where
commissions can create a mid-6-figure compensation package.
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