So, You Bought Your Plane, Now You Need a Pilot

Buying an aircraft is a milestone. It signals independence, efficiency, and the ability to move on your own terms. But once the paperwork is signed and the hangar space secured, another decision looms large: who will fly it?

Some new owners feel the pull to become pilots themselves, drawn by the adventure of the cockpit and the ultimate control it promises. Training for a private pilot certificate can take 40–60 flight hours, but mastering the complexities of a turbine or jet-class aircraft demands significantly more time and certification. For most business owners, hiring a professional pilot is the pragmatic and safer route, one that can also make better financial sense.

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Beyond the FAA’s requirements, insurance carriers often set their own standards, and they can be even more demanding. Policies may require hundreds of logged flight hours or advanced ratings before offering full coverage or affordable rates. According to Wings Insurance, hiring an experienced pilot can be the more cost-effective choice, especially for new owners still building time in the cockpit. A professional pilot’s credentials and experience can lower premiums, ease compliance hurdles, and keep your investment better protected.

Finding the right pilot begins with understanding your aircraft’s needs. Turboprops, light jets, and midsize cabins each require different experience levels and type ratings. The FAA mandates specific qualifications for each aircraft type, including total flight hours and recurrent training.

But skill is not the only factor. A great pilot should also fit your lifestyle and mission profile. Will they be comfortable integrating with your family, executive team, or travel rhythm? Do they understand the nuances of business travel, such as confidentiality, schedule flexibility, and professional presentation?

When interviewing, ask about prior aircraft experience, training recency, and their approach to weather and decision-making. A reputable management company or aviation staffing agency can help vet candidates, but the final choice often comes down to chemistry and trust.

Aircraft ownership is both an investment and a potential partnership with a pilot. Your pilot isn’t just operating your plane; they are protecting your time, your business partners and colleagues, your safety, and most importantly, your family, which all leads to peace of mind. Choosing well means you can focus on what flight was meant to deliver: freedom.

Sources

Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot Certification and Training Requirementshttps://www.faa.gov/pilots/become

National Business Aviation Association - Pilot Type Ratings and Recurrent Training Standardshttps://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/pilot-training/

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - How to Hire a Professional Pilothttps://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/april/flight-training/how-to-hire-a-professional-pilot

Wings Insurance - https://www.wingsinsurance.com/