As a mentor and fellow aviator, I’m frequently asked by newly rated pilots whether they should pursue a charter job in General Aviation (GA) or apply for a position at a regional or domestic airline. It’s a complex question, and my default answer is usually, “Why not both?”
I’m admittedly partial to starting in General Aviation because the experience I gained during my 10 years prior to joining the airline industry has shaped me into the Captain I am today.
In GA, I learned how to make decisions under pressure, stand up for myself, and take full responsibility for my actions—or lack thereof. It forced me to mature professionally, even though I was fortunate to work with structured, well-run companies, I still found myself out of my comfort zone majority of the time.
I’ve been a flight instructor, a bush pilot, a medical evacuation pilot, and a freight pilot before joining the airlines. Along the way, I gained exposure to multi-crew environments, night operations, and twin-engine aircraft, all of which paved the way for my eventual transition to the airline industry.
This progression wasn’t accidental—it was always a calculated, intentional move. After earning my commercial license with an instructor rating, I set a clear goal: become a Grade II instructor and work towards meeting the night hour requirements for my ATPL.
As I got closer to reaching that milestone, I started reaching out to charter companies, eventually landing a bush flying job in Botswana. My goal there was twofold: build turbine hours and earn a ground qualification in Safety Assurance and Quality Assurance.
With 1,000 hours of turbine time under my belt, plus that quality assurance experience, I moved on to companies where I could gain multi-engine experience. My aim was to complete my ATPL and pursue a path to the left seat.
After securing my ATPL, I applied to airlines and was fortunate to join a company that I’ve now been with for seven years, three of which have been in the left seat. Today, I’m a Training Captain, and I love every second of it.
The journey hasn’t been without challenges, and there are definitely quicker paths to get into an airline, if that’s your ultimate goal. But when it comes to becoming a Captain, I think the timeline would have been similar for me, regardless of the path I chose.
I qualified for the upgrade ahead of my seniority number, thanks to the experience I had gained in GA. I wouldn’t trade my General Aviation background for anything, though I have no desire to return to it.
When deciding between GA and an airline, you also have to consider external factors like your family structure, financial stability, and the safety culture of the companies you’re applying to. Ultimately, the path you choose should align with your long-term goals and personal circumstances.
My best advice will be progress with intention and consider every opportunity that comes your way!
Whatever avenue you choose, we would love to be apart of that Journey. For consulting don’t hesitate to contact the Skynotes Team.
