bop Aero’s Pilot Referral Program for Commercial Pilots*

Do you have at least an FAA Certified Commercial Pilot (ASEL) Certificate with an Instrument Rating? Then we’d love to hear from you!

bop Aero’s Pilot Referral Program* is a unique opportunity that gives both seasoned and aspiring professional pilots the opportunity to fly state-of-the-art aircraft while setting their own schedule and compensation requirements for each day they fly.

Background…

bop Aero manages a fleet of Cirrus Aircraft that are exclusively owned by multiple owners. The owners who are not pilots are still legally responsible for the operation and planning of each flight they operate. To further complicate matters, bop Aero is prohibited from providing any assistance in this regard due to the fact that all flights are operated under CFR Part 91 operating rules. Any operational assistance would violate these rules and be seen as an illegal charter flight.

PROBLEM: So how do these non-pilot owners fly their aircraft when they have no idea or capability to plan or execute a flight?

SOLUTION: They have to hire a pilot to do it.

PROBLEM: But where do they find a pilot?

SOLUTION: Either find a pilot themselves that meets the minimum requirements to operate the aircraft. Or use the bop Aero Pilot Referral Program*.

CFR Part 91 restricts a third party, such as bop Aero from exercising operational control over an owner’s flight. However, it does not restrict us from providing pilot referrals to our owners. That’s why we created the bop Aero Pilot Referral Program*.

Here’s how it works…

All pilots in the program provide their services as independent contractors and are compensated directly by the owners who contracted them. bop Aero does not employ or compensate these pilots in any way.

What makes the Pilot Referral Program so attractive to both owners and pilots is its simplicity and exclusivity.

For Pilots:

  • Professional Development. For newly minted Commercial Pilots, gain valuable experience flying state-of-the-art aircraft in an environment structured after the flight operations standards of a major airline.

  • Schedule Flexibility. Choose when you want to fly, flying as much or as little as you like.

  • Set your own compensation requirements. An owner is only permitted to schedule a flight once they’ve accepted your compensation requirements. Upon trip completion, the owner pays you directly.

  • Exclusivity is what makes the Pilot Referral Program so unique. Many of our owners are not pilots and will need to contract one in order to fly. While they can freely choose any pilot they wish, most won’t have any idea how to do that and will use the Pilot Referral Program. All aircraft in our managed fleet will be sold for one thousand five hundred (1500) units, with a minimum purchase of thirty (30) units. This leads to dozens, or more, owners per aircraft. With so many owners, there will be a lot of flying available.

  • Come and go as you wish.** Starting a new flying job and need to leave the program? No problem. Want to return? No problem. As long as you are in good standing with the program when you leave, you can return at any time.**

For Owners:

  • Simplicity. It couldn’t be any easier. Choose any pilot*** on the list that’s available.

  • Quality. Every pilot*** in the program is an FAA Certified Commercial Pilot (or higher) with an Instrument Rating. Additionally, bop Aero has established operating standards in the interest of safety and aircraft longevity. Pilots*** participating within the program will be trained to, and expected to maintain these standards. Similar to many airline Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) programs, bop Aero will actively monitor recorded flight data for adherence to these standards. Because of this, owners can be confident that any pilot*** they choose from the program will maintain the highest level of safety throughout their flight.

Pilots enter a short bio, compensation requirements, and availability into the Pilot Referral Program system. Owners access the program through an online gateway that displays all pilots participating in the program. They simply choose their pilot by checking availability and requesting a booking.

Here’s an example of what a pilot listing might look like (subject to change):

** EXAMPLE ONLY**

Pete Mitchell (★4.9 ), ATP, Commercial, 8 years Professional Pilot Experience, $1000 + Expenses

Each pilot listing will include a rating on a 5-point scale. Owners will be asked to rate their flight experience with each pilot that they choose from the program. The rating is an average of all ratings received. If a pilot has not received a rating, (No Rating) will be displayed in place of a number.

If you’re interested in participating in or learning more about flying in bop Aero’s Pilot Referral Program, please complete the short form below and we will contact you.

* Owners can choose to contract any pilot they wish, regardless of whether or not that pilot is part of the bop Aero Pilot Referral Program. The bop Aero Pilot Referral Program is a service provided to our owners at no cost in order to simplify the process of contracting a pilot. Use of the service by an owner/entity is strictly at their discretion.

** Pilot “re-boarding” contingent upon program staffing levels and pilot currency.

*** All pilots participating in the Pilot Referral Program do not work for or receive any compensation from BOP AERO SERVICES LLC. Pilots are compensated directly by the owner who contracted them. Their participation within the program is strictly voluntary, and they can choose to withdraw from the program at any time.