Corporate Aviation Manager Vs. Airport Manager

1. Corporate Aviation
Department Manager
Vs.
Airport Manager

3.  Manage Flight Department
personnel
 Oversee aircraft maintenance
 Solicit and review bids for aircraft
upgrades and acquisitions
 Implement Safety Management
System (SMS)
 Review and submit annual
department budgets
 Assign flight crews to aircraft and
trips
 Establish and promote vendor
relations
Job Description

4.  Previous experience in corporate
aviation
 College graduate in a related field
 Significant piloting experience
(7,000+ hours)
 Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
 Previous management experience
 Operational experience of ISBAO
protocols
 Knowledge of international
aviation procedures
 Thorough understanding of
budgetary processes
 Ability to effectively communicate
Qualifications

5. An Aviation Manager overseeing
“large cabin” corporate aircraft can
expect to earn in excess of
$230,000 annually. This salary
should be annually adjusted for
cost of living increases. Other
benefits include full medical and
dental insurance along with 401k
contributions and stock grants.
Typically, retirement benefits are
self directed and funded. One can
expect to live where the corporate
aircraft are based, typically
coincident with the parent
corporation's headquarters.
Working hours and days are
predicated on need along with
flight schedule. This is not a typical
8 to 5 job, there is ample time off
along with weeks away from home.
This can be a fantastic career if one
is fortunate enough to work for a
stable corporation that can justify
corporate aircraft.

7.  Act as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) for
flights as scheduled by Chief Pilot
 Ensure completion of preflight
inspections and appropriate
documentation
 Prepare flight plans
 Assist passengers and cabin crew
with luggage
 Comply with published standard
operating procedures
 Supervise Second-in-Command
(SIC) as appropriate
 Ensure corporate aircraft is
operated and maintained to
company and FAA standards

8.  FAA Airline Transport Pilot
Certificate (ATP)
 Bachelors Degree (Preferred)
 FCC Restricted Radiotelephone
Operator license
 4,000 hours total flight time
 1,000 hours Turbine PIC
 500 hours PIC Jet
 Ability to pass criminal background
check

9. Being selected as a “large cabin”
corporate pilot is often very
competitive and requires years of
professional networking. One can
expect to earn between $90,000 to
$220,000 as a corporate pilot in
command of larger corporate aircraft.
The pay disparities and quality of life
differences between corporate flight
departments can be tremendous and
largely driven by location and
established expectations. Employment
at larger, quality, flight department
should provide for established days off,
full medical/ dental insurance, 3-4
weeks of vacation per year, stock
options, and $150,000+ in gross
income. You can expect to live where
the aircraft is based while some
operators arrange for airline
transportation to the location of the
aircraft in worldwide operations.
Upward movement of a corporate pilot
can include positions such as Chief Pilot
and/ or Department Manager.

11.  Airfield Maintenance Supervision
 Solicitation for and
implementation of airfield/
terminal improvements
 General aviation facility
supervision
 Law enforcement implementation
per Title 49 CFR Part 1542
 Supervision of aircraft rescue and
firefighting (ARFF)
 Regulatory compliance with
security directives
 Oversight of airport budget and
compliance
 Act as principal airport officer
when interacting with local (city)
government
 Attract and expand airline service
to the airport

12.  Bachelors degree in Aviation
Administration or related field
 Prior management experience
 Certified Airport Executive (CAE)
 American Association of Airport
Executives certification (AAAE)
 Commercial drivers license (small
airports)
 Knowledge of National Incident
Management System (NIMS)
 Safety Management Systems (SMS)
experience
 3-5 years of employment in airport
operations
 Ability to pass a criminal
background check

13. An airport manager can expect a
regular 5 day per week schedule with
emergencies requiring after-hours
response. Most airport managers
perform general supervisory roles to
assure that all airport operations run
smoothly. Some smaller airports may
require that the manager take part in
airfield maintenance along with
responsibilities such as plowing snow.
Annual income is typically predicated
on the size of airport managed with a
nationwide average of $161,020
(Salary.com, 2014) along with a civil
service retirement plan. Other benefits
may include an airport vehicle for
personal transportation, 3 to 6 weeks
of vacation per year, and generous
medical insurance. Career progression
as an airport manager typically includes
moving to larger airports which
command higher salaries.

14. Entry Level Position Plan B:
Airport Operations Agent

15.  Airfield operations supervision
 Airfield and terminal inspections
 Regulatory oversight of security
procedures
 NOTAM creation and issuance
 Coordinate public relations events
 Disseminate information to airport
tenants and businesses
 Respond to aircraft emergencies
and fuel spills
 Document daily airfield activities
 Work with FAA to ensure safety of
aircraft movements

16.  Bachelors degree in aviation
related field
 Knowledge of Federal Aviation
Administration Regulations (FAR)
pertaining to airport infrastructure
 Knowledge of airport emergency
operations
 Ability to communicate effectively
 Knowledge of NOTAM terminology
pertaining to airport operations
 Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and
associated physical activities.

17. The airport operations is a job that
has a very broad scope. One can
expect to work a typical 5 day per
week schedule along with after
hours call-outs for emergencies. Pay
ranges for this position between
$32,000 to $85,000 depending on
airport size and geographic location.
Additional benefits include health
care, civil service pension eligibility,
2-4 weeks of annual vacation, and an
airport owned car for airport related
travel. Future positions available to
an Operations Agent include general
supervisory roles up to the Airport
Manager position.