As A Professional Contract Pilot In General Aviation, we navigate a dynamic and demanding field where our skills and dedication play pivotal roles in the satisfaction for our valued clients. However, it is equally important that your compensation reflects what your hard work and dedication to years of flight training, building of flight hours, and always ensuring passenger safety deserves.

Follow These Key Strategies To Always Ensure That You Get The Pay You Deserve:

Know Your Worth

• Stay Ahead Of Market Research: Stay informed about industry standards for pilot compensation. Utilize aviation resources to know and understand the going rates for contract pilots with similar experience and qualifications.
• Document Your Aviation Experience and Specialization: Highlight your unique qualifications, such as type ratings, specific aircraft experience, advanced certifications, and any specialized training. Pilots who have niche skills or extensive experience can command higher rates.

Build a Strong Professional Network

• Participate In Professional Aviation Networks: Join professional associations, attend aviation conferences, and engage with other pilots who fly your specific aircraft and industry professionals for ongoing access to better job opportunities and insights into competitive compensation.
• Build New And Existing Relationships: Cultivate new and existing relationships with loyal past clients and employers to secure strong references and testimonials. Positive endorsements will significantly influence potential employers and justify higher pay.

Click To CONNECT With Other Pilots Who Fly Your Specific Aircraft, 👉 https://www.theprofessionalpilotnetwork.com/the-professional-pilot-forums

Negotiate Effectively For The Pay You Deserve

• Be Prepared To Command The Right Pay: Before entering negotiations for upcoming gigs, gather all the relevant information about the contract opportunity, including flight hours required, travel requirements, whether domestic or international travel, fly days versus non-fly days, and any additional responsibilities.
• Make Sure All Terms Are Clear: Ensure that all aspects of compensation are discussed, including daily rate compensation, per diems, and reimbursement for travel expenses. Be clear about your expectations and that everything required of you is outlined and understood.

Create a Detailed Pilot Service Agreement

• Provide A Comprehensive PSA Agreement: Draft a thorough Pilot Service Agreement [PSA] that clearly outlines your duties, compensation, payment terms, and other conditions. This protects your interests and ensures both parties are on the same page.
• Legal Review: Have your initial agreements reviewed by a legal professional to ensure it legal and binding and enforceable. They should be easy to understand with no fine print so that everyone who signs it clearly understands what is written and is eager to move the relationship forward.

Run Your Business Like A Business

• Keep Accurate And Up To Date Records: Keep a record of all your active and past contracts in an organized format. Make sure you have a paper copy of everything such as all signed documents, copies of actual receipts, airline tickets, copies from logbooks, etc. Keep these records archived for at least 5 years because you never know what type of litigation may be in the future. Keep all your bases covered. Archive them in a labeled box them out of your way.
• Update Your Professional Profiles: Maintain updated profiles on your professional networks like LinkedIn and other professional aviation platforms. Always highlight your current skills, certifications, and notable achievements.  You never know who is looking for a pilot with your level of expertise and skillset.
• Professional Pilot Platforms: Consider joining online platforms that connect contract pilots with other contract pilots and possible employers. These platforms often provide transparency in pay rates and will help you to reach a broader client base for ongoing success.

Invest in Continuous Learning

• Ongoing Training: Keep your skills and certifications current. Investing in additional training and education will increase your marketability and justify higher compensation. Please do so with discernment, because your new employer should also play a significant role in new training and certifications to fly their specific aircraft with the highest standards of safety.
• Stay Ahead Of The Industry: Regularly update yourself on industry trends, new regulations, and advancements in general aviation technology. A well-informed pilot is an asset to the aviation industry and to any employer.

Track Your Performance and Achievements

• Document Achievements: Keep a record of your flight hours, types of aircraft flown, and career milestones or awards received. Demonstrating a history of reliability and excellence will strengthen your case for the highest possible competitive pay as a contract pilot.
• Performance Reviews: Seek feedback from clients and employers. Constructive reviews can provide leverage during negotiations for better pay or contract renewals.

Be Ready To Walk Away From A Bad Deal

• Know Your Limits: Be prepared to walk away from offers that do not meet your compensation expectations or undervalue your skills. Sometimes, holding out for a better opportunity is the best strategy for long-term career success as a contract pilot. You don’t need to be belligerent, but simply let others know that you have a standard that you want to uphold and wish them the best.

By following these steps, you will better position yourself to receive the pay that you deserve as a contract pilot in general aviation. Remember, your expertise and dedication are valuable assets, and it’s important to ensure your compensation ALWAYS reflects that.

Click To CONNECT With Other Pilots Who Fly Your Specific Aircraft, 👉 https://www.theprofessionalpilotnetwork.com/the-professional-pilot-forums