Follow the Big Dogs Aircraft Rule
Use major operators' fleets to reduce pilot-supply and training risk
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~days to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 90%
This decision rule treats fleet composition at major operators as a proxy for labor-market depth. Pilots must obtain type-specific initial qualifications and recurrent training, so a general count of available pilots does not show whether qualified crew exists for a particular aircraft. Large operators such as NetJets, Flexjet, and VistaJet train substantial numbers of pilots for the models they operate. Some of those pilots eventually enter the wider employment market, creating a deeper recruiting pool around popular fleet types. A buyer therefore examines major operators' fleets alongside range, cabin, and acquisition price. Selecting a model with an established training and employment ecosystem can reduce recruiting delays, wage pressure, operational interruptions, and dependence on a handful of specialists.
Origin
Extracted from Masters in Business during Preston Holland's discussion of type ratings and pilot availability in private aviation.
Core principles
- 01A pilot qualification applies to specific aircraft types
- 02Popular commercial fleets create deeper pools of trained pilots
- 03Large operators reveal which models have supporting labor infrastructure
- 04Aircraft selection should include staffing risk, not just performance
How to run it
- 1
Shortlist Mission-Capable Aircraft
Identify the aircraft models that satisfy the required range, passenger capacity, runway, and cabin criteria.
Pro tip Keep several viable models in contention before evaluating labor supply.
Watch out Do not select solely on cabin features or purchase price.
- 2
Map Major Operator Fleets
Review which shortlisted models are operated by large fractional and charter companies such as NetJets, Flexjet, and VistaJet.
Pro tip Look for sustained fleet commitments rather than isolated aircraft.
Watch out A large total fleet does not imply support for every aircraft type.
- 3
Check Type-Rated Pilot Depth
Estimate how many pilots hold current type ratings for each model and how accessible initial and recurrent training slots are.
Pro tip Ask management companies and training providers for model-specific evidence.
Watch out A pilot qualified on one large jet cannot automatically fly another type.
- 4
Assess Recruiting Resilience
Compare compensation, turnover, training lead times, and the availability of replacement crew for each model.
Pro tip Plan for at least two qualified pilots and foreseeable turnover.
Watch out A model that can be staffed today may still have fragile replacement coverage.
- 5
Use Labor Depth as a Tie-Breaker
When aircraft meet the mission similarly, favor the model with the larger training and pilot ecosystem.
Pro tip Include expected staffing disruption in the ownership-cost comparison.
Watch out Do not override a critical safety or mission requirement merely to obtain a larger hiring pool.
In the wild
Holland points to large operators that train many pilots for their fleet models. A buyer considering a Phenom 300 can investigate whether this activity creates a stronger supply of qualified pilots than a rarer alternative with comparable mission capabilities.
→ Fleet selection incorporates the practical ability to recruit and replace qualified crew.
A company compares two aircraft with suitable range and cabin space. One has fewer training slots and only a small local pilot pool, while the other is widely operated by fractional fleets. The company selects the widely supported type despite a slightly higher acquisition price.
→ The company lowers the probability of grounding the aircraft after pilot turnover.
Common mistakes
Counting Pilots Without Type Ratings
Overall pilot-supply statistics are misleading because each candidate must be qualified and current on the specific aircraft type.
Ignoring Recurrent Training
Initial qualification is insufficient; pilots need continuing access to recurrent training to remain current.
Following Fleets Blindly
Large-operator adoption is a staffing signal, not a substitute for matching the aircraft to the buyer's actual mission.
Is it for you?
Best for
Buyers choosing between otherwise suitable aircraft models in a constrained pilot market.
Not ideal for
Buyers whose unique mission requires a rare aircraft regardless of staffing complexity.
From the transcript
“One thing that I advise clients to do a lot of times is follow the big dogs.”
“every pilot can only fly so many types of aircraft”
“if you follow their make models, kind of their fleet composition, they train so many pilots.”
From the episode
At The Money: What Does it Take to Buy Your Own Jet?