The most important difference that sets a contract pilot apart from the pack, is that he or she is not an employee. You are your own boss and are completely independent. You decide when you work, which jobs you accept or decline and how much you work.
You are paid by the day or by the trip, to fly a company or privately owned aircraft. The term “crew lease” is what describes the construct you are part of. Flight crew which is hired for a specific flight.
It is very important to realize that this means there is no retirement plan set up, no medical insurance coverage or any guarantee that the crew will be called on to fly for this company or private owner ever again. The crew gets paid for their aviation services and when the job is done, they go on to their next assignment.
Crew leasing companies can offer contracts to provide a flight crew: two pilots, or two pilots and a flight attendant, who are all fully trained, fully current and up to date on everything for a set rate per hour/day. Crew can also be directly recruited by the airline by means of a temporary contract.
What does a day in the life of a contract pilot look like? Click here to find out!
