Becoming an aerobatic or airshow pilot is a dream for many, but there are many steps to go through to achieve that goal.

Start With Primary Pilot Training

As with becoming any type of specialized pilot, the first step to becoming an airshow pilot is to become a private pilot. Such training teaches the basics of aircraft control, energy management, and aeronautical decision making.

Many airshow pilots also consider getting a commercial pilot certificate, regardless of whether they plan to fly in the events for a living. The additional training provides more expertise and aircraft control, and it builds upon the concepts learned during private pilot training to make an aviator more complete and well-rounded.

Specialized Aerobatic Training

After primary training, aerobatic pilots then need to go through aerobatic pilot training to hone their stunt skills.

A number of flight schools around the country provide acrobatic training in aircraft such as the Cessna Aerobat, Pitts Special, or American Champion Decathlon.

In addition to special training, aerobatic flight schools employ instructors with significant experience flying acrobatics. Real-world experience is a great benefit to help newer pilots learn the trade of aerobatic aviation.

To become a stunt pilot, one must complete at least 10 hours with an aerobatic instructor on top of the requirements to achieve an FAA pilot certificate. It is recommended that aerobatic training not be completed until a pilot receives their primary training and certification to make the process of becoming a stunt pilot easier.

It is important to note that one can become a stunt pilot with only an endorsement. This means that they fly with an instructor until it’s determined they are proficient to act as an aerobatic pilot by themselves. No additional FAA exam is required.

Maintaining proficiency as a stunt pilot is no easy feat.

After receiving their endorsement, a pilot should practice regularly to make sure their skills, decision making, and reaction times stay sharp. This is especially important for pilots performing at airshows or flying in formation with other aerobatic aircraft.

Career Opportunities for Aerobatic Pilots

Some stunt pilots are happy to fly only for themselves. They may enjoy the adrenaline of flying aerobatics or want access to a unique sector of aviation not available to all.

However, some decide to continue into a career as an aerobatic pilot. Many go on to fly as instructors or in fields such as aerial photography or film. Still others become test pilots, flying new or modified aircraft to ensure their performance and safety.

Again, flying in airshows is a top attraction for many stunt pilots. Some airshows are operated by volunteers flying antique or unique aircraft, while others are professional pilots who tour the country—or world—as part of an act. Major airshows across the country attract hundreds or thousands of paying viewers excited to witness a special facet of aviation.

Some stunt pilots are even sponsored by companies or branches of the military. Acrobatic flying can be such a spectacle that planes painted in certain colors can bring significant visibility in key demographics.

In addition, large companies and the military are among the few who have the resources to fund and maintain fleets of aerobatic aircraft, often jets, as they tour.

Resources to Start Training

There are a number of organizations that help pilots work toward acrobatic training and maintain proficiency as stunt pilots.

The International Aerobatic Club (IAC), for example, sponsors events and educational programs to help pilots attain and maintain their aerobatic proficiency. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is also a great place to make connections with pilots who have the knowledge and skills to help with aerobatic training.

Local pilots will know the best places to start aerobatic training. Participating in local IAC and EAA chapters, or stopping in at the local FBO, could help prospective pilots learn more about how and where to get started.

A great way to test out aerobatic flying is to visit a flight school with planes that can perform basic spins.

Every flight instructor in the U.S. is required to complete spins during their instructor training and thus have experience with the maneuver. Getting flight time practicing spins can help pilots decide whether acrobatic flight is a path they would like to pursue more in depth. If not, simply practicing spins can provide an adrenaline rush and help pilots hone their basic airmanship.

Ultimately, acrobatic flying is an exciting path to take. Whether you want to pursue acrobatics as a career or simply want to learn to improve your flying skills, there are resources across the country to help you pursue your passions.

Acrobatics help you learn energy management in new ways usually not accessible to standard category airplanes and can help you apply a wider variety of principles to your day-to-day flying.

The post How to Become an Aerobatic or Airshow Pilot appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

While top executives can earn millions per year, frontline operational employees can also work in well-compensated roles, with some jobs offering six-figure annual salaries. Here are the highest-paying jobs in the aviation industry:

Airline Management

The top earners at a company are typically the senior executives, and airlines are no different.

The chief executive officers of major airlines in the United States made anywhere from $4.5 million to $34 million in 2023. These individuals typically reach their roles through other jobs in airline management.

Airlines have countless different roles in their corporate offices, ranging from revenue management to network planning to human resources. Entry-level jobs typically offer salaries under $75,000, but there is significant room for earnings growth if workers climb the corporate ladder.

Airport Management

Just like an airline, airports have teams of employees working behind the scenes in their management offices. There are people who oversee emergency preparedness, manage projects, and run the airport’s finances.

Airport executives can also be very well paid, with top executives earning hundreds of thousands—if not millions—per year. As is the case at the airlines, there is also significant earning potential between entry-level positions and senior management roles.

Pilots

Pilots are some of the most well-paid operational workers in the aviation industry. New pilots at a major airline can expect to make between $90,000 and $110,000 per year, depending on the airline.

Meanwhile, the most senior captains can earn over $500,000 at the largest airlines in the U.S.

Although regional airlines were once notorious for low pilot pay, they now offer significantly more generous compensation. A new first officer at a regional airline typically has an annual salary of $80,000 to $110,000, and senior captains can earn over $200,000 a year.

The salary of corporate pilots can vary greatly, from $40,000 to over $300,000 per year.

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineers play a crucial role in the aviation industry by designing and developing aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles. Employers typically require a four-year college engineering degree, and many aerospace engineers pursue graduate education on top of that.

Companies that hire aerospace engineers include aircraft manufacturers, rocket companies, and parts manufacturers. The median pay for an aerospace engineer in America was approximately $130,000 per year, but salaries can far exceed that with some employers and positions.

Air Traffic Control

The job of an air traffic controller is a challenging and dynamic one.

These professionals are responsible for monitoring our airports and skies and managing the movement of aircraft. In the U.S., most civilian air traffic controllers (ATCs) are employed by the FAA.

After they complete their training and are assigned to an air traffic facility, controllers earn approximately $60,000 to $70,000 per year. The pay rates depend in part on the geographical area and associated cost of living.

Salaries increase as controllers progress throughout their practical training and move along in their careers, with the average salary for an ATC in 2023 being $137,380.

Exciting and Lucrative Industry

The aviation industry offers the opportunity to earn generous salaries while working in a dynamic and rewarding field.

While there are certainly jobs in the industry that have limited earning potential, others—like the ones discussed above—can lead to very well-paying careers. 

The post Highest Paying Jobs in Aviation appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Becoming an AMT can lead to a lucrative and rewarding career. However, there are some important skills that prospective AMTs need to possess.

A Willingness to Learn

There is a steep learning curve for new AMTs. Not only do they need to complete their academic training, but there is also extensive on-the-job training. Learning and development is also a career-long process, with AMTs being required to stay up to date on new directives, procedures, and practices.

Teachability and adaptability are therefore valued traits in the world of aviation maintenance. Prospective AMTs need to be willing and able to absorb new information and apply their newfound knowledge and skills in a practical environment.

Attention to Detail

Pilots, crewmembers, and passengers rely on the hard work of AMTs for aircraft safety and reliability. With such important responsibilities, AMTs must have strong attention to detail when conducting their work.

Small mistakes can have serious consequences when it comes to aircraft maintenance. With larger aircraft now having millions of parts, the work of AMTs is often complex and detail oriented.

Flexibility

The work environment of an AMT can be dynamic and challenging. While AMTs often perform routine scheduled maintenance, the nature of the work also means that they are called upon when things go wrong.

Whether an aircraft is grounded due to an unexpected maintenance issue, or a new problem is discovered during a routine process, AMTs must have the ability to adapt to changing situations.

Many AMTs will work in a 24/7 environment, especially if they work for an airline. Companies will often perform maintenance at night when many of their aircraft are not flying. Prospective AMTs need to be prepared to work shifts around the clock and on evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Ability to Work Independently and on a Team

Although AMTs can work in different types of environments and workplaces, they typically work as part of a larger operation. Large airlines or maintenance providers, for example, could have dozens or even hundreds of AMTs working in a facility at any given time.

AMTs can work on all parts of an aircraft, ranging from the engines to the pilot seats. Given the wide range of potential tasks, AMTs have to be able to work well on their own and as part of a larger team.

Strong Communication 

Effective communication is important in most workplaces, but it is particularly crucial when safety is involved.

Not only do AMTs have to communicate with their maintenance colleagues, but they often have to work closely with pilots, crewmembers, supervisors, and other professionals within their company. Having the ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing, is a major asset for an AMT.

Technical Skills

The work of an AMT is inherently technical and requires extensive knowledge and training. Many of the technical skills needed to be an AMT are obtained through formal training.

However, there are also valuable skills that can be developed outside of the field of aviation maintenance. For example, strong math abilities or a good grasp on diagrams and patterns can greatly benefit a prospective AMT.

Physical Skills

Being an AMT is a physical job that requires a certain level of stamina and dexterity. AMTs may have to stand for long periods of time, work in confined spaces or awkward positions, and operate a variety of tools and equipment.

While many of these skills can be developed through training and experience, it can help a prospective AMT to be in good physical shape and have a general understanding of how to use tools and power tools.

Do You Have What It Takes to Be an AMT?

Being an AMT requires a certain set of skills, abilities, and knowledge. While many of these can be obtained with training and experience, others require personal development and growth.

The post What Skills Do You Need to Become an Aviation Maintenance Technician? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Instead of flying large planes to big airports with hundreds of people on board, these pilots are tasked with transporting individual customers to specific destinations.

Many of the most important items for becoming a commercial pilot still hold true, but there are additional things to consider when starting a career as a charter pilot.

Types of Charter Pilots

There are a number of different ways to become a charter pilot.

Among the most common is to operate for a charter company—commercial operators that sell seats or a certain amount of flight time per year on private jets. These firms then hire pilots to operate their aircraft.

• READ MORE: How to Become a Military Pilot

Many charter companies, especially well-known operators such as NetJets or Flexjet, require just as much flight experience as large commercial airlines. Building time as a flight instructor or pipeline patrol pilot, and maybe even flying for a regional airline, is just as important for these companies as it is for career airline pilots.

The range of passengers on a commercial operator like this may be quite substantial. Some may be one-off passengers who need a pilot and plane for one flight or a defined trip. However, pilots can also fly regular customers who have purchased a fractional share of an aircraft for long-term use.

Some charter pilots work for hybrid companies that regularly fly for only one client. These companies, however, sometimes find it practical to charter out their aircraft if it’s not being used for an extended period. These operations give pilots the stability of flying one single airplane, or a small number of the same type, for a familiar customer with the diversity of a charter operation. 

• READ MORE: Pilots’ Favorite and Least Favorite Airports

Still other charter pilots work as full-time contract pilots. These pilots don’t work for a specific operator but instead sell their own time on a day-to-day basis to private aircraft owners or operators who need a pilot for one defined mission.

This may often arise in cases where a regular company pilot is out sick or just left for another position, leaving a temporary vacancy that must be filled. However, sometimes opportunities also lead to long-term partnerships that offer consistent work for a small group of clients.

How to Succeed as a Charter Pilot

Charter companies look at things beyond just total flight time when hiring pilots.

Though, as with the big companies, a certain amount of total time and turbine time is important, charter pilots also need to be cognizant of how much they advertise the amount of time they have in different aircraft types.

Charter pilots often specialize in a small number of aircraft types, often defined roughly by families like the Cessna Citation series. Having more time in a certain type of aircraft allows a pilot, especially a contract pilot, to market themselves to people and companies that operate that specific type of airplane.

Upon reaching a specified amount of total time, pilots often fly for a charter company to build their total time in a certain type of aircraft, thereby making it easier to take other jobs flying that aircraft or other similar ones.

• READ MORE: Private to Professional Pilot: The Value of Volunteering

This does not make it impossible to move from one type to another. Building connections is critically important in charter aviation, and many pilots get new jobs simply because of who they know.

Meeting new people, attending job fairs, and even just hanging around a local airport can be highly beneficial to charter pilots looking to change jobs or move to a new operator.

Charter flying is an incredibly rewarding career path. It allows pilots to fly to an incredibly wide range of airports, fly a range of aircraft, and meet various people.

The path to success is convoluted at times, but building the right experience and making the right connections will do wonders for launching a career into the flight levels.

The post How to Become a Charter Pilot appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

From search and rescue to aerial photography, the possibilities for helicopter pilots are endless. Here is how to land a job as a helicopter pilot.

How Do You Become One?

The licensing process is similar to that of fixed-wing pilots. Aspiring helicopter pilots need to be a minimum of 17 years old and be able to obtain an FAA medical certificate.

A private pilot certificate is the first step in the journey to a career as a helicopter pilot. The training for this license teaches you the basics of flying a rotary-wing aircraft and prepares you to fly helicopters recreationally.

To make money while flying, you will need a commercial pilot certificate. You can work as a helicopter pilot with this license, opening the door to jobs in industries such as flight tours, medical transport, and law enforcement.

The airline transport certificate is the top-level license and requires significant training. Although it is not required for many helicopter pilot jobs, having it can make you more competitive during your job search.

Where Do You Train?

While they are less prevalent than fixed-wing flight schools, there are many schools offering helicopter flight training across the country.

 After you have researched local training options, your chosen flight school will be able to help you learn more about the process and requirements for obtaining your certificates. Once you have completed the necessary training for each, you will need to pass written and oral tests to earn your license.

Is It Expensive?

The cost of becoming a helicopter pilot varies greatly depending on your situation, but a private pilot certificate typically costs between $10,000 and $20,000. Earning your commercial license can cost upward of $100,000.

What Types of Companies Can Employ You?

Once you have your commercial pilot license, you can begin applying for helicopter pilot jobs. There are many types of companies and organizations in need.

Medical airlift and evacuation companies commonly use helicopters to transport patients, and therefore have a significant demand for pilots. Similarly, search and rescue operators also require pilots to operate their helicopters.

Helicopters are often used for observing the world beneath them or capturing imagery of the ground. There are companies that employ helicopter pilots for aerial photography and videography, and news organizations hire them as well. If you want to fly passengers, corporate transport and tour companies hire helicopter pilots.  

Government bodies also have a need for commercial helicopter pilots. For example, the military employs pilots to work as instructors, and the U.S. Forest Service  for their firefighting operations. Law enforcement agencies  hire civilian pilots to fly their aircraft.

Do You Make Good Money?

The salary for helicopter pilots can vary depending on their experience and employer, but you can expect salaries to start at around $70,000 per year. With more experience, one can easily earn upward of $100,000 to $200,000 annually.

Is There a Demand?

There is a significant need for helicopter pilots across the United States. Many employers are actively seeking new pilots, and the demand is forecasted to grow over the coming years.

Helicopters perform specialized tasks that are vital to society. Despite the cost and effort required to gain the necessary licenses and experience, helicopter pilots are rewarded with exciting career prospects and competitive salaries.

The post How to Land a Helicopter Pilot Job appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Founded in 1974, Republic is one the largest regional airlines in North America, along with SkyWest Airlines, PSA Airlines, and Mesa Airlines. Its all-jet fleet consists of about 200 Embraer 170/175 aircraft.

Republic has bases in Boston (KBOS), Chicago (KORD), Columbus, Ohio (KCMH), Indianapolis (KIND), Louisville, Kentucky (KSDF), Newark, New Jersey (KEWR), New York (KLGA), Philadelphia (KPHL), Pittsburgh (KPIT) and Washington, D.C. (KDCA).

Republic’s Mission Statement

Per its website, “We believe that every associate, regardless of personal beliefs or worldview, has been created in the image and likeness of God. We seek to become stronger from our diversity. We seek personal respect and fulfillment from our work. Most of all, we seek to recognize the dignity and potential of each member of our Republic Airways Holdings family.”

Career Insights

Republic employs more than 6,000 across its 10 U.S. bases. The airline’s website says it has “immediate openings for Direct Entry Captains with the opportunity to earn up to $100K in sign-on bonuses.” The career page also lists openings for flight attendants, maintenance technicians, and corporate office positions.

Republic’s LIFT Academy for Flight Training

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. launched the Leadership In Flight Training Academy (LIFT) in 2018. Students at LIFT train on Diamond DA40 and DA42 fleet along with simulators designed to replicate the flight deck environment.

Applicants fill out a free online application.. Selected applicants will be invited for an in-person interview in Indianapolis. LIFT tuition costs $65,000, which covers training and materials, including an iPad and headset. Food and lodging are not included in that price. There are financing opportunities and a loan assistance program.

Students who attend the program are expected to “pass through all flight ratings and commit to flying with Republic Airways for five years.” According to the academy, the training program can be completed in as little as one year. Find out more at the LIFT website.

Republic Airways in the News

LIFT Academy Makes ‘Significant Fleet Expansion’ with Diamond Aircraft
Leadership in Flight Training (LIFT) Academy is expanding its training fleet by nearly five dozen Diamond aircraft, according to the manufacturer.

Latest Republic Jobs on FindaPilot.com

• Commercial Airline FO – Pittsburgh, PA
• Commercial Airline FO – Newark, NJ
• Commercial Airline FO – Chicago, IL
• Commercial Airline FO – New York, NY

Other Resources

• LinkedIn 
• Facebook 
• Twitter
• Republic career opportunities

The post Employer Profile: Republic Airways Holdings Inc. appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

This additional funding is part of the FAA’s Aviation Workforce Development Grants program, which provides support to aviation-related education programs. The $80 million in pilot development grants is part of a broader $240 million pool intended to also recruit aircraft mechanics and aviation manufacturing workers.

According to Yahoo Finance, an early version of the bill included $120 million in total funding, but that number was doubled with an amendment introduced by Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock. “This is a long-term issue,” he said during an interview.

‘The Pilot Shortage Myth’

The roughly $55 million in new funding comes as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) – the world’s largest pilots union representing over 77,000 aviators—says the pilot shortage “isn’t real.” The labor group even goes as far as saying that the shortage is a so-called “myth,” instead pointing fingers at airline leadership.

“So, although we don’t have a pilot shortage, we do have a shortage of airline executives willing to stand by their business decisions to cut air service and be upfront about their intentions to skirt safety rules and hire inexperienced workers for less pay,” ALPA says on its website.

Despite the rhetoric, regional carriers say they aren’t quite out of the pilot supply woods yet with some offering lucrative bonuses for direct-entry captains. In a recent presentation, the Regional Airline Association (RAA)—a trade group—said, “We can’t believe we have to say this, but an abrupt, temporary hiring disruption—driven entirely by an abrupt aircraft delivery disruption—is not the same thing as fixing the pilot shortage.”

Some in Washington also believe the so-called pilot shortage isn’t over. During a press briefing at Austin’s Bergstrom airport on Tuesday, Texas Senator and Senate commerce committee ranking member Ted Cruz said he ‘absolutely’ still believes there’s a shortage, adding that Congress should have done more.

“So this bill…takes modest steps in the direction of addressing the pilot shortage, but I wish we had been able to take more, and I’m going to continue working to take even bolder steps,” he added.

Cruz strongly supported raising the airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67, which failed after a narrow party-line vote. ALPA and other pilot unions opposed the increase.

“The pilots union has an interesting position on this. It’s one of the very rare circumstances I know of where a union picked some members over other members,” Cruz said at the briefing.

Diversity Push

With the bill now passed, the FAA will be tasked with distributing the funding as grants to flight schools and other institutions. Sen. Warnock said he pushed to include provisions in the bill to distribute some of the funding to ‘underrepresented populations’ in the aviation sector.

“I’m making the business case for diversity,” Warnock told Yahoo Finance. “It’s in our enlightened self-interest to find that talent and create a robust pipeline so that they can become pilots.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Congress Shells Out Millions to Aid Pilot Shortage appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In this edition of V1 Rotate, FLYING contributor Sam Weigel chats with Ed Krause, who has been flying as an expat pilot in Asia for the past 16 years. Krause takes Weigel through the process of being hired at a startup regional airline in China, transitioning to business jets, and more. Learn how the expat pilot market is evolving, what the future may have in store, and ways to make yourself competitive for an overseas job.

The post Riding the Wave as an Expat Pilot in Asia appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In reality, if you want to become a race car driver or auto mechanic and are just starting in the field, odds are you won’t get your first job with a top-tier NASCAR racing team. Most professions require you to learn skills and gain experience before reaching the more technical and higher-paying opportunities.

Getting your drone pilot certification and becoming a commercial drone pilot is relatively easy. But like auto racing, you’re unlikely to qualify for the top jobs when just starting out. This article explores which sectors are primed for new pilots and which require more experience.

The Commercial Drone Pilot Job Market

Global demand for commercial drone pilots has rapidly expanded in recent years, with no sign of slowing down. In fact, even as many industries are contracting, drone pilot employment opportunities have only grown more plentiful, keeping step with evolving technologies and use cases. It’s a modern economic feat that reflects the endless potential applications of drones and the increasing number of industries already benefiting from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.

Commercial drone pilot jobs are readily available to Part 107 license-holders seeking employment with established organizations or on their own as freelancers. The real question is where to focus your efforts as a new UAV operator.

Main Industries Hiring for Entry-Level Drone Pilot Jobs

As an entry-level drone pilot, you have many opportunities to explore. But, like any expedition into the unknown, navigating the world of commercial drone pilot jobs requires an understanding of which sectors are most accessible to new pilots. 

I’ve worked in each of these sectors and will rank them from easiest to most challenging to enter for pilots who have just earned (or are planning to earn) a remote pilot certification.

Real Estate

No matter where you live, real property is being bought and sold. Studies show that properties with aerial photography are much more likely to sell than those without it. This sector requires basic flying and photography skills. Most jobs involve taking aerial photographs and videos of properties to enhance real estate listings. 

Drones needed for this work are inexpensive, with some viable options available at under $1,000. Thanks to the high need for real estate aerial photography and the low level of skills/experience needed, almost any pilot can find real estate gigs with little effort. To get a jump on other entry-level drone pilots, consider taking a real estate drone photography and video course.

Advertising

There are many similarities between real estate photography and advertising. In this sector, pilots can capture content for commercials or film billboards and large public events. Advertising is slightly more challenging than real estate because the subjects can be varied, requiring flexibility and more skill as a pilot and photographer. Instead of just specializing in real property, your focus will likely become more diverse, perhaps expanding to people or moving objects as you work on brand campaigns. 

Thankfully, the field has some creative flexibility, making it somewhat less stressful. With an entry-level commercial drone and a little more experience, advertising can be lucrative for new UAV operators.

Filmmaking and Photography

If you have a creative flair, the filmmaking business may be a good place to start. Here, you will be involved in the creation of television shows and movies. While finding work in this field as an entry-level drone pilot isn’t impossible, it is definitely more challenging than real estate and advertising. 

Two reasons for this are experience and market saturation. You’ll need more than a basic knowledge of photography for these types of commercial drone pilot jobs. A prerequisite is a deep understanding of composition, camera angles, and advanced cinematic tools. 

Your second challenge will be competing with companies that have already positioned themselves as the industry’s go-to drone operators. Look to sharpen your skills as a photographer, perhaps with a specialized drone videography course, and network with employees from well-established businesses to kick-start your drone career in Hollywood.

Agriculture and Forestry

Drones have become indispensable tools in precision agriculture and forestry. New drone operators can find work in this field but generally are expected to have some experience under their belts. In fact, UAV pilots specializing in this niche typically bring a deep wealth of agricultural or forestry knowledge to the role, so it could be difficult for a recently licensed operator to succeed as an industry newcomer. 

If you are someone with this type of background, your drone must be equipped with a multispectral camera to sell your services. You’ll need to understand what your camera is capturing and how to interpret the data. Although drones can detect diseased plants, analyze soil, and determine water needs, they require a highly skilled pilot to capture actionable footage, analyze resulting data, and present findings to clients. 

Construction and Infrastructure

When it comes to the construction and infrastructural industries, drones are used to monitor building progress, inspect structures, and map large areas. UAV operators in this field are expected to:

• Understand industrial inspection and general construction processes.
• Possess flying skills extending well beyond basic maneuvers.
• Know how to use special software and equipment to collect and integrate data.
• Know and comply with safety standards, such as those set forth by OSHA. 

Most entry-level pilots will find working for someone else to be the best way to break into this field.

Surveying and Mapping

Most off-the-shelf “prosumer” drones can be combined with easily accessible software, such as DroneDeploy and Pix4D, to create maps, so some pilots mistakenly believe that anyone can offer surveying and mapping services. The problem is that these maps don’t offer survey-level accuracy, and pilots need specialized knowledge in geospatial technologies and precision data collection to land jobs in this field. 

You’ll also need specialized equipment to facilitate this precision data collection, which may include: 

• High-quality drones 
• RTK base stations 
• Ground control points 

Between the complexities of data collection and high equipment costs, you’re probably unlikely to land entry-level drone pilot jobs on your own within this niche. Like construction, if you’re interested in surveying and mapping, you should look to be hired by an established company in the sector—or consider taking a specialized drone course to build up the right skills.

Public Safety and Emergency Response

The public safety and emergency response sector employs drones for search and rescue operations, disaster management, and law enforcement. I consider this the most challenging field for beginners to find jobs, and for reasons unrelated to equipment and skills. 

First, the work can be dangerous and mentally draining. You may be pulled into ongoing incidents, for instance, some of which don’t end well for those involved.

Second, getting hired for these roles can require becoming a law enforcement officer, which takes months or years of training. Even as a civilian, you need extensive training outside your Part 107 certification. As an example, when I joined a local sheriff’s search and rescue team as a volunteer, it took months of training before I could be sworn in and permitted to join searches. 

These unique obstacles result in a high barrier to entry that new pilots may find difficult to overcome. You can start, though, by earning a Public Safety Certificate of Authorization to operate drones for governmental organizations.

How to Decide on a Specialization

There is no standard path when it comes to starting your drone pilot career journey. Deciding which sector to start in entails balancing your personal goals and experience level with local market opportunities. 

Here are a few suggestions to help you pinpoint where to begin:

• Market availability: Whether you are looking at real estate, agriculture, or something else, make sure there is a market need in the area you will be flying. For example, you may want to focus your business on event photography, but if you live in a town with only 200 people, you may find it difficult to stay in business.
• Training and education: Before investing in expensive drones and other equipment, research the educational and training needs of the sector you want to specialize in. Drone pilot courses are one of the best places to start.
• Work environment: Consider where you’ll probably be flying. I focus mostly on vacant land photography, which often places me far from civilization in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. I love it, but many pilots I speak to can’t stand being in the sun that long. Choose an environment that suits your comfort with the elements you’ll most likely encounter.
• Income potential: Evaluate how much you can make in the sector and whether there’s growth potential. If the income and opportunities don’t match your goals, focus your efforts elsewhere.
• Personal interests: It may seem cliche, but never work in a niche that you won’t enjoy.
• Regulatory requirements: Consider any additional regulations that may apply to the area you’re considering. Crop spraying may be interesting, for example, but many niches require additional operator licenses or certifications. 

By weighing these factors, you should find it easy to focus on a particular section of the booming UAV industry.

Entry Level Drone Pilot Jobs Await

As you can see, there are many entry-level opportunities for drone pilots. If you’re thinking of joining this exciting industry, there’s no better time to do so. Enroll in a training program and take control of your future. I hope to see you in the skies soon.

FAQ

Can you make 6 figures as a drone pilot?

Yes. Like any profession, drone pilot earnings are tied to the type of work you do and how often you fly. Earning six figures a year is possible, especially in more specialized drone applications.

What drone jobs pay the most?

There is typically a strong correlation between higher earnings and more specialized drone work. For example, you’ll probably make more using a drone for industrial inspections than real estate photography.

Is it hard to become a drone pilot?

No. Becoming a drone pilot is easy, especially with online platforms like Altitude University’s and ASA Part 107 test prep courses. Hundreds of thousands of people have already earned their remote pilot certification—and so can you.

The post Which Industries Offer Entry-Level Drone Pilot Jobs? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

I’ve written about this process in broad terms before, but there is one aspect I would like to focus on: honing your ability to tell a good story and refining your repertoire of stories for interviews.

Most aviation interviews include a group chat that may include chief pilots, check airmen, recruiters, HR reps, line pilots, and perhaps even nonpilot employee representatives. This is commonly referred to as the panel interview, and for many pilots, it is the most stressful part, especially if the panel is large. Many of the questions during the panel interview take the form of, “Tell me about a time you…,” and you are expected to reply with a short illustrative anecdote from your career or life.

• READ MORE: Pilot Mental Health Remains the Last Taboo in Aviation

Some people were born with a natural gift of gab—many of us were not. That’s OK. You weren’t born with the natural ability to fly, either—you gained the skill the hard way, through learning, practice, and experience. Talking about yourself in a relaxed, authentic manner is a skill like any other. It can be taught, learned through trial and error—or for the lucky few, acquired by osmosis, by growing up around other good storytellers and subconsciously adopting their techniques. Most of us get better at it throughout our lives because we accumulate more interesting stories and tell them enough times to hone them well.

This isn’t something that you can pick up the night before your interview. If you’re only belatedly finding out about the panel interview and you have one next week, best arrange for a jam session with an aviation interview prep service, such as Cage Consulting or Emerald Coast. This isn’t a bad idea anyways, because most people are poor judges of how they sound and look to others.

Less expensively, but also less expertly, you can rope your friends or colleagues into being your practice audience and giving you feedback. This can be a fruitful (and FAA legal) use of free time in cruise flight. But if you’re shy and prefer to judge yourself, a GoPro or other camera set up on a tripod at eye level and 10 feet away will be brutally honest. The main thing is to make a conscious effort to practice. It’s best to start early.

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If you “got the gouge” for a particular employer’s interview, you’ll have an idea of what questions they may ask, but they’ll likely switch up things on occasion, and there’s a good chance you get at least one completely random question. Rather than focus on specific questions, you should develop a repertoire of stories concerning a broad range of events throughout your life and career.

Your stories should, whenever possible, be no longer than two or three minutes long. A good story will include a brief setup, a well-paced narrative, and a definitive conclusion. You should obviously avoid stories that paint you as a clueless lout, but they should show humility and growth. A bit of humor of the self-deprecating variety is often helpful. I’ve often joked that I never let the truth get in the way of a good story, but interview stories should be mostly true. Outright fabrications are usually glaringly obvious. Paring details for the sake of narrative and brevity, however, is both expected and necessary.

Often the panel’s questions are of a sort that could be seen as an invitation to talk about the deficiencies of former employers or coworkers (“Tell me about a time you disagreed with a supervisor.”) Don’t fall for this trap: Your overall tone should be positive and focus on your own actions, deficiencies, growth, and strengths. The last thing you want to show is simmering resentment. When a story necessarily involves a company or supervisor doing something underhanded, unsafe, or illegal, do not name them. On the other hand, liberally name mentors, coworkers, and supervisors who have been a positive influence. There’s a decent chance someone on the panel knows them.

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Your stories shouldn’t all be aviation-related. Many of the questions won’t directly concern flying, and using anecdotes from your life outside of aviation can help demonstrate a wider variety of interests and talents. This can be particularly helpful when the panel includes nonpilots. In that case, you should also limit your technical jargon or include explanatory asides.

When telling your stories, try to appear relaxed even if you’re not, and try to sound like you haven’t rehearsed even though, ideally, you have. The trick is to write down only the outline, and then never tell the story exactly the same way twice. Pretend you’re telling it at a bar, and the next time at church, and the next time on a date. Use a timer and work out the ideal pacing. Try to eliminate “uhs” and “umms,” inserting pauses instead where needed. As you become more comfortable with a story, incorporate natural-feeling hand gestures, and use a camera to check your corresponding facial expressions.

Here are some sample questions to get you started at developing your repertoire of stories. I’ve included a version of a story I’ve told in several interviews as well, as an example.

• “Tell me about a time you helped a coworker.”
• “Tell me about a time you were interviewed and didn’t get hired for a job.”
• “Tell me about a time that a coworker made you uncomfortable.”
• “Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.”
• “Tell me about a time you felt out of your depth.”
• “Tell me about a time you failed a test or course.”
•  “Tell me about your proudest moment.”
• “Tell me about a time you broke a FAR.”
• “Tell me about a time you were uncomfortably low on fuel.”
• “Tell me about a time you declared an emergency.”
• “Tell me about a time you diverted to an alternate.”
• “Tell me about a time you thought the system was unfair.”
• “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a dispatcher (supervisor of flight, etc.).”
• “Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a [captain/first officer].”
• “Tell me about the best job you ever had.”
• “Tell me about a time you stayed at a job you disliked.”
• “Tell me about a time you witnessed sexual harassment/racial discrimination.”
• “Tell me about the best teacher you ever had.”
• “Tell me about a time the customer was wrong.”
• “Tell me about a time you went above and beyond.”
• “Tell me about a time you were scared.”
• “Tell me about a time you were fatigued.”
• “Tell me about a time you grounded an unairworthy airplane.”
• “Tell me about a time you were asked to do something illegal or unsafe.”

An example of my response: 

“Early in my career, I was flying canceled checks at a Part 135 company that’s no longer in business. They were sort of a mom-and-pop, fly-by-night operation, and they were nice people and tried hard, but you never knew if your next paycheck was going to clear. Anyways, late one night in Las Vegas, I had an electric fuel pump fail on a Piper Navajo, and, since that’s a nondeferrable item, I called my boss, who we’ll call Jim, at 2 a.m. I woke him up, and he was understandably grumpy, telling me to just open the fuel cross-feed, use the left electric fuel pump to start the right engine, and then press on to Burbank on the engine-driven pump.

“I thought about it for a second and realized, yes, that would work—but it was pretty severely illegal and would also leave me with a single point of failure in a heavy airplane over high terrain. I told Jim that and said I wasn’t willing to do it. He just growled, ‘Fine. Don’t move. I’ll be there in three hours,’ and hung up. 

“Sure enough, just as the sky is getting light, Jim roars up with another Navajo, gets out without a word, and starts tossing bags out of my plane. I join in and a few minutes later we’re panting next to a small mountain of bank bags and Jim just points at them, grunts, ‘Take those to Burbank,’ jumps in the broken Navajo, and blasts off. I was pretty shaken up. The whole way to Burbank, I was wondering if I just got myself fired. 

“The next day I came to work half expecting to be sent home, and I was kinda OK with that. I’d thought about it during the night and decided that no job was worth my life or my certificate and that I didn’t want to work for anyone who required me to put either at risk. The funny thing is, Jim greeted me cheerfully and didn’t say a single word about the incident. In fact, he never mentioned it again. I think once he calmed down and had some time to think about it, he realized he’d rather have a safety-conscious pilot than a risk-taker even if it was occasionally inconvenient. Since then, whenever I have to make a hard decision that I know might upset coworkers or supervisors, I think back to that night in Las Vegas.”

The post How to Ace an Airline Interview by Telling a Good Story appeared first on FLYING Magazine.