by Dave Morisey, Director of CJP Safety, Education and Training
As someone who’s spent more than a few hours behind the yoke – I want to talk about the kind of flying many of us love most: just you, your jet, and a sky full of freedom.
There’s something uniquely satisfying about single-pilot jet operations. It’s the ultimate blend of confidence, competence and sheer joy. No crew briefings, no headset dance with a copilot – Just a well-prepared pilot, a high-performance machine and the kind of clarity you don’t get anywhere else in life.
But as liberating as solo Citation or Premier flying is, it’s also a world where safety isn’t just important. It’s personal.
You’re the Boss… of Everything
As owner-operators, we wear all the hats: captain, FO, dispatcher, meteorologist, and yes, in-flight snack curator. That’s part of the fun. But it also means no one’s there to catch a missed checklist or challenge a rushed decision. That’s why our best safety tool is mindset – staying proactive, intentional, and just a little humble every time we fly.
Recurrent Training: The Ultimate Confidence Builder
Every time I step into a sim, I walk out better. Not just sharper on procedures, but more relaxed in the cockpit. That’s the beauty of training—it makes flying more enjoyable. Emergencies are rare, but being fully prepared to handle one brings a level of confidence that enhances every leg, from V1 to shutdown.
SOPs: Not Just for Airlines
Standard Operating Procedures (“Practices” in our case) aren’t about rules—they’re about rhythm. When you’ve got a solid flow and you stick to your checklists, the cockpit becomes a smoother, safer, and frankly more fun place to be. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of everything clicking as you climb out through 10,000.
Know Your Panel – Fly Like You Built It
Today’s avionics can do incredible things. But only if you know how to use them under pressure. Whether you’re flying with the Garmin G3000 or Pro Line Fusion, take time to learn it cold. When you’re fluent in your tech, every approach feels smoother and more precise—and your workload drops, leaving room to enjoy the ride.
Margins Are Freedom, Not Limitations
One of the best things about flying privately is the flexibility. So why not build in more margin? Extra fuel, longer runways, better weather minimums – They aren’t signs of weakness, they’re signs of good judgment. They buy you time, space, and clarity. That’s where the joy lives.
Tap Into Your Community
At CJP, you are never flying alone—even if you’re the only one in the cockpit. Our safety programs, Safe to Land® initiatives, and Gold Standard Safety Award exist because we believe in the power of shared experience. Use the resources. Talk to your fellow members. This is a community full of pilots who want to see each other succeed—and stick the landing.
Final Thoughts from the Right Seat (Metaphorically)
Flying a jet solo is a privilege few get to enjoy. But with that privilege comes responsibility – the kind that doesn’t just make you a safer pilot, but a better one. And when safety and skill come together, what’s left is pure joy: the sunrise over the horizon, the smooth roll onto final, the satisfaction of another perfectly executed flight.
So, here’s to flying solo but never flying sloppy. Prepare well. Train often. Fly sharp. And most of all – Enjoy every single second of it.