While contract pilots may be plentiful, that doesn’t mean that they are all one and the
same. In fact, if you have a specific aircraft, such as a Challenger 601, that you are looking for contract pilots for, it is even more vital that you be sure you are working with contract pilots that have knowledge and experience as well as the professionalism you both want and deserve. The most logical place to look is with your jet management company, but
there are some steps you can take to ensure that you are getting the best of the best.

Here is how you can be sure that you are getting the best quality in contract pilots possible:

• Interview Them: Take the time to come up with a list of questions that you want all contract pilots to answer, and sit down with them for an interview. Sometimes you
  will have to work with an agency in order to get to the contract pilots, but if there is
  no way to interview them, you really have no way of knowing what you will get.
• As for References: All contract pilots that are worth their salt will be happy to supply you with a number of references. By checking with those who have used their services
  in the past, you can get a better feel of how a particular contract pilot will fit for your particular situation.
• Ask to See Credentials: Let’s say you own a Challenger 601 and you are seeking
  a contract pilot. You need to be sure that the contract pilots you are working with do
  in fact have all the needed credentials allowing them to fly your Challenger 601. Not doing so can be costly in both safety and in fines if you are caught.
• Price: This should be your last concern. While it is important, it is only important if the contract pilots that you are working with have the best standards and practices. No matter what contract pilots charge, you need to know that they have the knowledge and professionalism you desire. A bargain is only a bargain if you are still getting the best in services.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what you pay to obtain the services of your contract pilots, the most important factor is safety. When it comes to contract pilots, you have to check, check, and then check again. Make sure you are getting what you need and if your jet management company can’t help you, then make some calls yourself. The bottom line is, if you don’t feel 100 percent comfortable then keep looking until you are completely comfortable with the contract pilots that will be flying for you.