Developing Your Career

5 Cool Pilot Jobs That Don't Involve Working For An Airline

25 July 2016 by Cory Diaz

When applying for aviation school in order to fulfill your lifelong dream of becoming a licensed pilot, you are probably curious about what types of jobs you may be eligible for once you graduate and complete the requisite flight hours. While being an airline pilot can be a great career, that's far from your only option. Here are five cool non-airline pilot jobs to consider:

Flight Instructor

Flight instructors are typically in high demand, and this is an optimal career for those who wish to combine a desire to become a pilot with a natural affinity for teaching and mentorship. Becoming a flight instructor typically involves several steps, including passing the FAA written exam, creating lesson plans, and completing practice teaching.

Private Jet Pilot

Becoming a private jet pilot can be a glamorous and exciting option. In most cases, you will be employed through a chartered jet company, which typically have clients ranging from business executives to Hollywood celebrities. This job can offer a lot of downtime and the chance to sightsee, since you often need to wait at your destination city until the clients are ready to be flown back home.

Government Pilot

The federal government hires pilots in a wide range of roles, including flying for the National Park Service or serving as a scientific research pilot. Being a government pilot is a great option because it combines the excitement of flying airplanes with the stability and benefits of a government job.

Skydive Jump Pilot

A love of flying and a love of adrenaline junkie sports like skydiving seem to go hand-in-hand. Skydive jump pilots are the pilots who fly skydivers and their instructors up to altitude and then hover long enough to let the skydivers jump. To become a skydive jump pilot, you should have a calm demeanor (since you will be flying many nervous skydivers), and be comfortable in non-traditional takeoff and landing situations. Unlike super organized airports, skydiving jump locations often involve rural, dirt road runways that aren't clearly marked.

Pipeline Patrol Pilot

Pipeline patrol pilot jobs can be very well-compensated and are great for detail-oriented pilots who are comfortable flying safely at low altitudes. This job involves flying along oil pipelines and power lines looking for places where the pipeline or power line has been vandalized, damaged by weather, or is otherwise in need of repair.

As you can see, career opportunities for licensed pilots are more diverse than you may have imagined. Applying to aviation school will start you on the path toward the exciting pilot career of your choosing.

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