Flying for the Rich and Famous

 

Interview with Air Georgian Pilot, Jeff Pepper

Former Captain and Training Captain of a Hawker 800, as well as Captain of a Citation Bravo aircraft, Jeff Pepper is always on the go flying VIP. He currently works for a special client on behalf of Air Georgian’s Operational Contract, as the Captain and Training Captain of a Citation Sovereign.

 

Why did you want to become a pilot of a private jet?

As a child, I was brought up around aviation with my father being a pilot and owning a variety of airplanes. Weekends with my father around the Peterborough Airport were normal, and in that time, I was lucky enough to be given an occasional tour of a private jet. I was always in awe of private jets and the lifestyle associated with them. It was a natural path that brought me here, you could say.

 

Was your training different then the typical charter pilot?

The majority of my private jet experience has been here at Air Georgian. With that being said, our company is airline centric and with that, has a very high training standard. Air Georgian takes the same approach with all crew, airline or corporate aviation. My training was on par with our airline standards, with the only difference being that on new airplane types, we generally spend two to three weeks in Orlando or Wichita for our training. It’s a lot of fun!

 

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I really like the variety of destinations we fly to. I have been all over the USA, Caribbean, Canada and Europe within this sector of aviation. I also really enjoy being responsible for my own aircraft. Everyday I fly the same airplane, and all of us take pride in our aircraft and treat it as though it’s our own. Even if we don’t pay the bills or own the airplane, there is a huge sense of ownership and pride amongst the crew.

 

What kind of jet(s) do you fly?

I have flown the Cessna 550 Citation II, The Citation Bravo, Raytheon Premier 1A, Hawker 800/800xp and now our Cessna Sovereign – the Sovereign being my favorite.

 

What are the great aspects of flying for the rich and famous?

Some of the greatest aspects of flying, are that we generally stay with the airplane wherever it goes. Often, we are in some of the most beautiful and exclusive places and we get to stay there. I’ve spent some great layovers for 4-7 days in some really amazing places that I probably would have never even known existed.

 

What are some of the differences between flying a private jet for someone versus a public charter?

I think the primary difference between flying a private jet and airline is the personal service that’s involved. We deal directly with our owner and his or her needs. This often includes specific catering and even selecting airports. We also deal and speak directly to our clients about any operational issue or changes we forecast, and sometimes change plans in flight. Like I said earlier, we are never in the same place twice. There is no consistency in what we do in terms of flying and landing.

 

As a pilot for a private jet, what do your passengers expect from you?

They expect to be kept a secret. Who you fly and where you fly is private. They also expect to be kept in the loop of everything operationally, and have a say in the outcome of their travels. They expect you to learn about them, learn what they like, learn their habits and what they eat… etc.

 

Do you think the concept of private jets is on the rise, and where is it more prevalent?

I do think that the concept is a growing one. The notion that a private jet, as being a business tool, is something that many companies are considering. Even as the market here in Canada is growing, Canadians in this regard, are very conservative in comparison to their US counterparts. Growing markets are most certainly Asia and the Middle East. Both understand the need for private jets and they also embrace the luxury factor as well.

 

Explain what a typical flight is like with one of your key clients?

With one of my client’s aircraft being used almost primarily for business purposes, a typical flight would be from Toronto to the west coast. Almost always, we leave our FBO at 7 a.m. sharp. Preparation usually starts with our Charter Co-ordinators getting a call for a flight, and then given the details of the passenger list and destination(s). The night before, the aircraft is scheduled for grooming and we arrange a pull out time. Flight planning is done with the help of our operations department and computer software. On the day of, we have fuel ordered and we prep the aircraft. We also have the aircraft re-stocked with the client’s favourite treats. It’s quite “business like” on this aircraft and we generally stick to the schedule, with very little in the way of delays. As far as client care, there’s not much for us to do. Within the operation, we all have a job: the passengers are told when and where to be; the pilots are given the time and location for the flight; and, the passengers are instructed by their boss on flight departure details. We embrace the teamwork environment we have with our client.

 

What are your work hours like?

Our schedule is one of the many perks of the job. We work very hard during the week, but also have a fair amount of time off. Often talked about on our plane, is how hard we work and yet how much time off we have. Our aircraft is the busiest corporate aircraft in Toronto. Last year, all pilots did approximately 600 hrs of flying time.  With three pilots on the plane, we do a two-week on/one week off schedule. We generally only work Monday to Friday with weekends and holidays off. It equals out to 5 on-2 off-5 on-9 off in terms of a work schedule.

 

What are some of the safety measures you take while flying a private jet for the rich and famous?

Security is very important. Securing the aircraft and thorough inspections of the aircraft when in the south Caribbean is very important. Often, we have life rafts on board and some other safety equipment that isn’t usually carried aboard an airline flight. In some cases, we have had armed guards and spotlights on the aircraft for the entire time of our stay… sometimes for 5-6 days.

 

What kind of social/personal life do you have with this type of job? What do you like to do outside of work?

I think it takes an understanding wife or partner to support a private jet pilot’s career. We can be called at anytime to go anywhere… often this can and usually does interrupt plans with family and friends. As said earlier, my job is very different than a typical private jet pilot and it is very much scheduled. We know of flights for the week often a week ahead of time, and I am usually away from home from 6am-6pm and one overnight a week. Outside of work, I like to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. I play Tennis and Squash as well as workout regularly. With friends, we love to travel and hit local hot spot restaurants and sporting events. My travels this year, have taken me from Barcelona to Hawaii and everything in between. Next month, I will be with friends in Amsterdam! I love our travel benefits!

 

What kind of advice do you have for someone who wants to fly for the rich and famous?

I think that they need to network. You will meet many people on your way up, that may be doing what you hope to achieve. Maintain those relationships and stay focused. They also need to remember that they have to start somewhere and usually it’s at the bottom. Experience accumulates quickly, and I would recommend focusing on one or two companies that you want to work for. Stay in touch with them and check in, either in person or phone. Our industry is very personal, and I always recommend going in person to shake hands and forge relationships. Persistence and patience always pay off.

 

Are there any false assumptions made by the public when it comes to flying the rich and famous that you can demystify for us?

I think most people assume that the rich and famous are eccentric and odd. Quite the opposite, they usually are very low key and humble. The ones I met, anyway. I flew an extremely wealthy man and his family for many years – this man loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and chicken fingers. We also do not always take them to exclusive destinations. Some people think that we really get to know our clients, and often we do not speak to them, much like a charter client. They like the quiet of flying private and it is usually the only time that these people get to rest without being harassed or their phones going off.