Business Aviation Survey: The Results are In!

    Oct. 18, 2017
    Compared to 2016, flight hours have increased (+4%) and fewer companies report being impacted by the pilot shortage (-8%). The majority of operators reported expansion of staff and/or fleet and an increased business demand in 2017.
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    Roanoke, TX (October 10, 2017) JSfirm.com, the leading aviation job advertisement website, has completed its annual Business Aviation Survey. 275 Part 91 and 135 operators participated this year. Compared to 2016, flight hours have increased (+4%) and fewer companies report being impacted by the pilot shortage (-8%). Jeff Richards, operations manager for JSfirm.com said, "Overwhelmingly, those surveyed reported that business is good due to the improving economy." He continued, "The majority of operators reported expansion of staff and/or fleet and an increased business demand in 2017.”

    2017 Business Aviation Survey Results:

    · 275 companies were surveyed

    · 57% are experiencing an increase in flight hours

    · 55% will acquire pre-owned or refurb existing aircraft in the next 12-24 months

    · 65% report operations are not being impacted by the pilot shortage

    JSfirm.com Business Aviation Survey Results: Copyright 2017

    Q1 - Which of the following best describes your title?

    Answers 2017 2016

    Owner 18.61% 15.91%

    Chief Pilot 26.64% 28.64%

    Pilot 8.76% 10.00%

    Flight Department Manager 20.44% 18.64%

    Director of Aviation 13.87% 13.64%

    Vice President of Flight Operations 4.38% 5.91%

    Other 7.3% 7.27%

    Q2 - What FAR Part do you operate under?

    Answers 2017 2016

    Part 91 75.09% 65.30%

    Part 135 5.49% 8.68%

    Both 16.48% 22.83%

    Other 2.93% 3.20%

    Q3 - How many employees support your flight department?

    Answers 2017 2016

    1 - 10 71.17% 68.04%

    11 - 30 16.06% 16.89%

    31 - 50 4.38% 5.94%

    51 - 100 5.47% 6.39%

    101 -200 .73% .91%

    201 + 2.19% 1.83%

    Q4 - How many aircraft does your company operate?

    Answers 2017 2016

    1 42.65% 38.71%

    2 22.06% 18.89%

    3 - 5 17.65% 20.74%

    6 - 10 7.35% 11.98%

    11 - 20 6.99% 4.61%

    21 + 3.31% 5.07%

    Q5 - What types of aircraft do you operate?

    Answers 2017 2016

    Helicopter 6.57% 3.77%

    Turboprop 22.73% 19.42%

    Light Jets (< 20,000 lbs.) 18.43% 24.35%

    Medium Jets (20,000 - 40,000 lbs.) 30.56% 28.41%

    Heavy Jets (> 40,000 lbs.) 21.72% 24.06%

    Q6 - Are you seeing increased flight hours in 2017?

    Answers 2017 2016

    Yes 55.51% 51.36%

    No 44.49% 48.64%

    Q7 - What is the estimated increase in flight hours?

    Answers 2017 2016

    No Increase 43.17% 46.54%

    0 - 10% 29.89% 28.57%

    11 - 20% 20.3% 17.97%

    21 - 30% 5.17% 4.61%

    31 - 40% 0.37% 1.38%

    41 - 50% 0.74% 0.46%

    50% + 0.37% 0.46%

    Q8 - In the next 12-24 months, my company will:

    Answers 2017 2016

    Refurb Existing Aircraft 29.43% 30.63%

    Acquire New Aircraft 17.36% 15.32%

    Acquire Pre-Owned Aircraft 25.66% 27.93%

    Other 27.55% 26.13%

    Q9 - Is the reported pilot shortage impacting your operations?

    Answers 2017 2016

    Yes 35.4% 43.12%

    No 64.6% 56.88%

    About JSfirm.com

    JSfirm.com continues to be the fastest-growing aviation job website with resume database access and has exclusively served the aviation industry for over 18 years. It is a free service for job seekers and an out-of-this-world place for aviation companies to advertise jobs and search resumes. For more information, please visit www.jsfirm.com or call 724-547-6203.