However, there’s still plenty of work to be found as a private jet pilot – if you know where to look.  The following are some tips to help you find employment in this field:

Search online – While it seems that this is becoming a more and more common answer when searching for any type of employment, an online search really is one of the best ways to find work as a private jet pilot.  There are many hiring firms online that focus specifically on pilots that offer one-time jobs or more permanent positions.  You may also look into flying for a company temporarily while their regular pilots are on vacation or out sick.  This can be a terrific way to get your foot in the door until a full-time job opens up.
Check with your airport – You may be surprised to find out how many companies advertise at the airports to find a private pilot.  If you fly out of a certain airport frequently and have inside contacts there, they may be able to tell you which companies are currently looking for a pilot.  Ask which corporations house their jets at the airport, then call up the human resources departments at these companies.  While the first person who answers the phone may have no idea about a private jet pilot opening, you may be transferred eventually to someone who does.
Become an instructor – Many of the private pilot schools are aware of pilot openings within the corporate world before these jobs are ever posted.  In addition, this can be a great way to network your way into an open position.
Check with fractional jet management companies – These companies specialize in programs designed for wealthy individuals and companies that are similar to the time share concept, but for private jets.  NetJets and Delta Elite are two of the biggest names in the fractional jet management industry.  Polish up your resume, but be aware that you’ll probably need at least 2,500 flying hours to even qualify for a position with these companies.
Aviation magazines – Sign up for a trial subscription to any of the aviation magazines on the market today.  You’ll find that there are many private pilot employment ads listed in these publication, as well as important news and information on private sector piloting. 

Finding work as a private jet pilot isn’t as difficult as you may think – especially if you have a few years of experience in the air (few companies are ready to hire a pilot who has just completed training).  If you’e looking for work straight out of school, you may want to try to find co-pilot positions or put in a few years with the commercial airlines.  Despite the recent economic downturn, many corporations will continue to use private jets.   Stick with your search for a private jet pilot position – you may be surprised how quickly you can land a job!

Cessna Citation Sovereign

The Cessna Citation Sovereign is a good choice for small or large companies that will be flying 12 or fewer passengers at a time.  As a perk, this model includes luxurious leather seating for the travelers – an especially nice upgrade on long trips.  The Sovereign can travel at speeds of up to 513 miles per hour, making it a snap to arrive on time at your destination.  Buyers interested in this plane may also want to consider the Cessna Citation Bravo, which can fly at heights up to 45,000 feet, making it the perfect model for areas that experience frequent storms or bad weather conditions.  This model sells at just under $17 million, while offering all the amenities of a more expensive model.

Learjet 35

The Learjet 35 is a luxurious model owned by many business executives that travel today.  The cabin offers a variety of amenities including leather seating, wood grained trim, and a convenient galley to prepare various drinks and foods.  However, this model is priced well below most other midsized jets – comparable to the price of a smaller jet.  Offering speeds of up to 540 mph, this jet can quickly commute between major cities.  It’s perfect for short trips such as from LA to Boston.  This jet starts around $2 million dollars, making it one of the most economical choices in private jets today.

Boeing Business Jet BBJ1

The Boeing Business Jet BBJ1 has often been referred to as an “office in the skies.”  This private jet can be upgraded to include amenities such as a private conference room, full living space, and all the amenities needed to run your home or office from the sky.  This jet holds up to 18 passengers, so you can easily travel with your staff and your assistants in comfort.  The Boeing Business Jet BBJ1 can travel throughout the United States, as well as several other countries without having to stop for fuel.  The jet can travel at speeds of up to 528 miles per hour, but it will cost you a whopping $52 million to travel in this level of comfort.

As you can see, there are many different styles to choose from if you’re in need of a private jet.  The best jet for you basically comes down to the level of comfort and amenities you require during your flight – as well as the size of your pocketbook.  If you need a full office for your staff, you’ll pay a bit more, but you can also travel a lot further without stopping to refuel.

If you meet the flight hours criteria described above, you may want to begin the process of looking into the cost of buying your own plane.  The price tag for a private jet can range between $3 million and $50 million, depending on the size and range of the jet you buy.  A light jet usually costs between $3 and $8 million dollars, and can carry 5-8 passengers a maximum distance of approximately 2,000 miles.  The next size up, a midsize executive jet, can carry up to 9 passengers and will cost approximately $9 to $16 million dollars.  This size jet typically has a range of about 2,000-3,000 miles.  Finally, there are large executive jets that can carry about 12 passengers with a range of 4,000 miles, at a cost of about $17 to $50 million dollars.

After you’ve decided what size, cost, and flying range best fits your businesses needs, it’s time to start looking for the perfect jet.  One of the best ways to find a jet nowadays is online – there are many private jet websites that offer pricing online, as well as information on the jet’s specifications.  You may also be able to find a used or repossessed jet that meets your needs at a better price than a new plane. 

However, don’t think that the cost of the plane itself is all you’ll pay – there are many other costs associated with owning a private jet that you may not think about initially.  Insurance, catering, fuel, and pilots call all add up to be hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.  If this sounds overwhelming, you may want to look into a jet aircraft management company that will take of these needs for your company, typically for a fee of around $100,000 to $200,000 a year.  Of course, this fee will vary depending on how much your company uses the jet and how large the jet is. 

If you choose to operate without a jet management company, you’ll need to find your own pilot.  Depending on how often you fly and the type of jet you purchase, you can expect to pay $20,000 to $120,000 a year for a pilot.  While private pilots don’t usually make an equivalent salary of a traditional airline pilot, it’s still a pretty significant investment.

Many businesses, after running the numbers associated with buying a private jet, decide that the cost and maintenance fees of owning a plane are simply too much.  However, don’t give up hope yet – fractional jet ownership may be a more cost-effective means of private air travel for your business.  These programs allow you to buy a share in a jet from a jet management company – essentially, you’re paying to share a private jet with other companies.  All you pay is a monthly fee and an hourly operation cost.  Many times, you can have a jet ready within just an hour’s notice, depending on where the management company is located.

Private jet membership is nothing new – however, only recently has it come into the forefront as an affordable travel option.  In addition, as an added bonus, most of the private jet companies are currently offering extraordinary deals just to get your attention.  Right now, you can purchase a membership card for much less than you might expect, making private jet memberships much less expensive than if you were to rent an entire jet or apply for a fractional ownership.

Private jet memberships come in all shapes and sizes, so the private jet membership companies will work with you to determine your company’s needs.  This will help you decide which plan is best suited to your business; based on the amount of air travel you anticipate scheduling and the price range you’re comfortable with. 

Of course, there are some things you need to consider when looking into a private jet membership.  First, you’ll need to determine how often you or your employees fly and how long the average trip is.  Do the employees usually fly by themselves or is there often more than one person in the party?  These answers will help determine the size and type of aircraft you’ll need.

Next, you’ll need to choose the type of aircraft for which you want to purchase a plan.  Most companies will be able to offer you one of three types of jets, depending on the answers you provide to their questions.  A light jet usually holds 6-8 passengers and has a range of about 2,000 km, or about 1,242 miles.  A midsize jet will hold 7-9 passengers and has a range of around 2,500 km, or about 1,553 miles, while a large jet will hold between 8-15 passengers and has a range of 5,000 km, or about 3,106 miles.

The next thing you’ll need to decide is how many hours each month or year you plan to fly and can afford.  Most private jet companies offer packages down to a minimum of ten hours.  If you decide that 20, 30, or more hours will better meet your needs, you should be able to find a more expensive plan that will guarantee you a larger amount of airtime.  At some point, however, you’ll have to decide is fractional jet ownership – where you own the plane outright with one or more other businesses – is more suited to your needs.

Once you’ve determined the type of aircraft you want to rent and the number of hours you plan to fly, you’ll be required to sign a contract with the private jet membership administrator.  Most of the private jet membership companies will require a certain percentage of your payment at this time as well. 

One of the most important things to remember when searching for a private jet membership is that companies offer different pricing, plans and features.  Therefore, it pays to do some research to find the best deal for your company before signing on the dotted line.  Speak to others who have used this type of service before and get their opinion.  You may find that they’ve received a terrific deal elsewhere or that they have a contact at a private jet company who can get you a great plan at an affordable price.

For this reason, many companies are choosing an alternative known as fractional jet ownership.  This concept has become very popular in the past years with companies who need a private plane available, but don’t want to shoulder the burden of paying for one themselves.  Fractional jet ownership allows you “go in” on the purchase of a private jet and share it with other parties who have similar needs or wants. The following five reasons illustrate why this concept has become se popular in the last few years.

You can share the cost of upkeep

Rather than paying all the costs associated with the maintenance and upkeep of a private jet on your own, you can spread out the burden by sharing them with other part-owners of the plane.  For example, instead of undertaking the cost of a motor overhaul all on your own, you’ll pay just a fraction of the cost and be back in the air in no time.  Jet repairs aren’t cheap, so fractional jet ownership is a great way to minimize these expenses.

Save Money on Each Flight

It may seem a bit indulgent and over the top to fly on a private jet for each flight you take; however, it can actually wind up being cheaper than flying commercially.  For example, consider that the cost of flying ten employees across the country for a last minute meeting can run into the thousands.  When you work with a company that offers fractional jet ownership, you only pay for the time you’re in the air – whether you schedule your flight today or six months in advance.

Enjoy Your Privacy

When flying on a commercial flight with your colleagues, it isn’t always safe to discuss the meeting you’re about to attend.  After all, many company details are confidential and shouldn’t be discussed in public. However, when flying on a private flight, you can discuss anything you need to, without the fear of being overheard. In many cases, these last minute collaborations can make or break the deal you’re about to discuss.

No More Rushing To Catch Your Flight

Unlike flying on commercial airlines, you don’t have to worry about missing your flight when you use a private jet, since the pilot has no reason to take off until all the passengers arrive. When you use a private jet service, you can be sure that you won’t miss a meeting due to flight delays or missed connections.  You control your own schedule, which can be very helpful in the business world.

Skip the Long Lines At Security

As you probably already know, security lines can be long and tiresome when flying commercially. However, when you’re flying on your own plane, you’re the only one who has to pass through security – significantly reducing your wait time.  In many cases, your car can be checked in upon your arrival at the terminal, allowing you to proceed directly to the plane.

Size Is Your First Concern…

Private jets come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and the first thing you should consider is size.  After all, a jet that holds six won’t help when there are ten people traveling.  The size of your charter jet will also have an impact on the amenities available and the comfort of the flight.  While some charter planes are constructed with plush leather captain’s chairs, others have small plastic seats.  Smaller planes may not have a galley or resting area as well.  However, some private jet charters can be found that include a full office, bedroom, and big screen televisions – all of which can make a big difference over a long flight.

…But Don’t Forget About Price

While it’s true that you get what you pay for, the price of a private charter flight can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.  You generally have two options – you can buy a ticket for one seat on a charter flight or you can charter the entire plane yourself for a private trip.  If you charter the entire plane, you’ll either pay for each seat or a flat rate for the trip.  In either case, you’ll want to shop around for the best price, as the rates and fares can vary with each different charter company.

Consider the Track Record of the Plane and the Pilot

Before booking any private plane, you should always ask for maintenance records and the qualifications of the pilot on the plane you’ll be chartering.  In most cases, smaller terminals aren’t as closely regulated as larger commercial lines, so you’ll want to ensure that the plane is safe and the pilot is experienced.  This is especially true if the pilot is both pilot and owner of the terminal.  Reputable charter companies shouldn’t have any problem showing you the maintenance records of the plane and the pilot’s credentials if they have nothing to hide.

In any case, booking the best charter flight will generally come down to a gut feeling of what feels safe and best for you.  In many cases, you can tour the facility and plane before scheduling a flight.  If this option is possible, take advantage of it to get a better feel for the establishment.  You can also do research online to see the record of the company and what previous fliers have to say.  Having a charter company at your disposal can save you a lot of time and in some cases money – you just have to make sure you’ll be satisfied with the flight you receive.