Retiring Airline Pilots: Rick Koubsky’s Advice for Moving Into Corporate Aviation

Retiring from an airline does not necessarily mean that a pilot is ready to stop flying. Many experienced Part 121 pilots want to continue their careers through corporate aviation, private flight departments, charter ops, simulator instruction, or contract flying.

However, transitioning from the airlines into business aviation requires an open mind and a willingness to learn a different side of the industry.

In a new video, BizJetJobs founder Rick Koubsky shares his most important advice for retiring airline pilots: be humble and recognize that you are entering a new area of aviation.

Be Willing to Start Below the Captain Position

A retiring airline captain usually has decades of experience, thousands of flight hours, and an outstanding safety record. Those qualifications are valuable, but they do not automatically provide experience in corporate aviation.

Corporate operators must also consider a pilot’s familiarity with their particular aircraft, customers, schedules, and Part 91 or Part 135 operating environment.

Rick Koubsky advises retiring airline pilots to remain open to accepting a first officer position rather than insisting on immediately becoming a captain. A right-seat opportunity can allow a pilot to:

• Learn how corporate aviation operates
• Gain experience in a business aircraft
• Understand the expectations of private aircraft owners and passengers
• Learn the differences between Part 121, Part 135, and Part 91 flying
• Establish relationships within the corporate aviation community

This willingness to learn can be one of the most important steps toward building a successful post-airline flying career.

For a broader look at these differences, read our top six tips for retiring airline pilots moving into business aviation.

Gain Experience in a Corporate Aircraft

Retiring airline pilots may need experience in aircraft commonly used by corporate and private flight departments. These can include:

• Gulfstream aircraft
• Dassault Falcon aircraft
• Bombardier Global aircraft
• Bombardier Challenger aircraft
• Other light, midsize, super-midsize, and large-cabin business jets

Becoming type-rated is important, but the type rating alone may not be enough. Employers and aircraft owners frequently want pilots who also have meaningful time and operational experience in that aircraft.

Once a former airline pilot becomes type-rated and gains corporate-aircraft experience, contract flying can become a realistic option. That combination of airline experience, aircraft qualifications, and business-aviation knowledge can make a pilot much more competitive.

Consider Becoming a Simulator Instructor

One possible route into corporate aviation is working as a simulator instructor at a training provider such as FlightSafety International or CAE.

A retiring airline pilot may begin as a right-seat simulator instructor and develop extensive knowledge of a specific corporate aircraft. This can provide several benefits:

• Regular exposure to the aircraft’s systems and procedures
• Experience working with pilots from different flight departments
• New connections throughout corporate aviation
• Opportunities to determine which crews and operators may be a good fit
• Greater visibility among employers looking for qualified pilots

Because instructors regularly meet pilots and flight-department personnel attending training, full-time or contract opportunities can sometimes develop from those relationships.

The instructor may eventually accept a full-time flying position or use that aircraft knowledge and industry network to enter the contract-pilot market.

Gain Part 91 and Part 135 Experience

Another route is accepting a first officer—or possibly captain—position with a Part 135 charter operator.

This allows a former airline pilot to develop practical business-aviation experience while learning a new type of operation. Depending on the position, the pilot may gain experience with charter customers, private aircraft owners, smaller flight departments, changing schedules, and responsibilities that were handled by other departments at an airline.

That Part 91 and Part 135 experience can later lead to:

• A position with a private Part 91 flight department
• A corporate captain position
• Full-time contract flying
• A combination of contract and permanent opportunities

The transition may take time, but each position can provide the experience and relationships needed for the next step.

Our interview with a retired airline pilot who successfully continued flying after age 65 offers additional perspective on navigating Part 91, Part 135, international, simulator, and contract opportunities.

Prepare for the Contract-Pilot Market

Contract flying can be an attractive option for retired airline pilots who want to continue flying without committing to another traditional airline career.

However, successful contract pilots must offer more than flight time and technical ability. They must be dependable, flexible, easy to work with, and willing to support the entire flight operation.

Pilots considering this path can also read Rick Koubsky’s advice on what makes a great contract pilot.

Watch Rick Koubsky’s Advice for Retiring Airline Pilots

In this short video, Rick explains how simulator instruction, corporate-aircraft training, and Part 91 or Part 135 experience can help retiring airline pilots build a second career in aviation.

▶️ Watch Rick Koubsky’s full video about transitioning from the airlines into corporate aviation

BizJetJobs Helps Retiring Airline Pilots Make the Transition

BizJetJobs has helped pilots navigate the corporate and contract aviation markets for more than 20 years. We understand that airline experience is extremely valuable—but we also understand the additional qualifications, relationships, and business-aviation experience employers are seeking.

Whether you are approaching airline retirement, searching for your first corporate-aircraft position, considering simulator instruction, or preparing to enter the contract market, the BizJetJobs team is here to help.

We do have quick links on bizjetjobs.com to filter jobs specifically suited for you!

Retiring airline pilot jobs:

https://bizjetjobs.com/retired-airline-jobs

Pilot jobs where the employer is willing to look at pilot's without a type rating on their corporate jet:

type rating not required filter

Visit BizJetJobs.com to build your profile, search corporate pilot opportunities, and begin planning the next chapter of your aviation career.