Starting your own Pilot Services company

[semperfido]

I am told that JPI gets 1800 per day for a GV pilot. Don't know how much of that trickles down to the pilot.

 

[psysicx]

So do most people who do contract flying have a business license?

 

[HMR]

I'm leaning towards a Sole Proprietorship since it's the easiest to set up (only requires a DBA filing). The drawbacks are what 501261 mentioned regarding personal liability. I had a contract Astra trip recently where the "Captain" was someone I didn't know and ended up being pretty scary to fly with. I hadn't had an experience like that since my CFI days. It got me thinking about some "what if" scenarios. Fortunately, the landing gear on the Astra is incredibly strong.

I'm still researching the S Corp since it has potential tax advantages.

Thanks for the ideas and advice. Keep it coming.

 

[G100driver]

I had some of those expirences while flying the Westwind with a particular guy (I declined to fly with him after 2 trips). Pretty scary when you are just along for the ride at 50 feet and have no idea what this guy is going to do. Trick will be to find a professional flight department that will use you on regular basis.

As much as I hate to admit it ... AZT made some very valid points in a previous thread. There are a LOT of goof balls in corporate (especially small 91) with no real way to weed them out. Once they get a type rating (failure is almost never an option here) they are carte blanc on flying the airplane.

Good luck, HMR. Sounds like you have a GREAT gig. Be careful not to let an extra few thousand bucks a year get in the way of the big picture. Fly with guys you know or are reputable flight department.

Alright I will get off my soapbox here. I would just hate to see a good guy loose a GREAT thing over something silly like an altitude bust because Captain dipsh&t was admiring his watch.

 

[HMR]

G100- Good advice. Your soapbox speeches are always appreciated. Now if I could just get you to stop avoiding me when you're in town...

The upcoming work is for reputable operators and with pilots I know and trust.