50 Different Types of Piloting Jobs

Georeference Pilot

- This is a pilot who flies specially modified aircraft that have cameras mounted to the belly of the aircraft that shoot large amounts of terrain. These pictures are then assigned LAT/LOG coordinates and used for aerial mapping. These pilots fly at low altitudes and fly small single-engine aircraft. This is a good first piloting job since you can gain a large amount of flying in a short amount of time.

Aerial Mapping Pilot

- Aerial Mapping Pilots are similar to georeference pilots except they specifically map roads, property borders, and other points of interest. These pilots fly at low altitudes and fly small single-engine aircraft. This is a good first piloting job since you can gain large amounts of flying in a short amount of time.

Skydive Pilot

- Skydive pilots fly skydivers divers up to altitude for the purpose of jumping out of the aircraft. After sending out the skydivers, the pilot dives the airplane towards the ground in order to quickly land and take the next set of jumpers. This can be very physically taxing. This is a good first piloting job since you can gain large amounts of flying in a short amount of time.

Tow Glider Pilot

- Tow glider pilots pull glider aircraft up to altitude via a wire and then release them for a fee. This is one of the very few positions that a private pilot is allowed to fly and be compensated without a commercial pilot's license. This is a great way to cut down the cost of earning your commercial pilot's license and build time. Click here to learn more about the requirements that must be met in order to obtain towing privileges.

Photography Pilot

- A pilot who shoots photography for a living. Typical missions include scenic photography, real-estate shoots, and famous landmarks. This is a good position for someone who likes to fly varying types of missions in VFR weather.

Air Taxi Pilot

- Air Taxi pilots fly short routes between designated ports. Taxi pilots usually fly single-engine aircraft, and many companies use amphibious (float) aircraft. As a Taxi pilot, you can expect to fly scheduled flights. Many companies charter flights as well as fly air tours. This is typically a low-hour (250 - 1000 hour) pilot position. Some busier Air Taxi operations may require an ATP or the equivalent 1500 hours of flight experience.

Sightseeing Pilot

- A pilot who conducts local tours around nearby famous or scenic places. These positions are good for lower time pilots who are time building for career growth. They usually take place in VFR conditions and are fun to fly.

Private Airline Pilot

- A private airline pilot is a pilot who flies aircraft much like they would for an airline going to and from specific city pairs at scheduled times. The difference between a private airline and a public airline is the passengers. The passengers of a private airline are company employees and use the airline for commuting between cities where the company has business. I have seen private airlines for large oil and chemical companies. These pilots usually have several years of experience before being hired.

Flight Instructor

- A flight instructor is a pilot who teaches people how to fly. This is the most common first piloting job and is the gateway to future flying positions. There are many different types of flight instructors. The most common flight instructor is known as a CFI, which stands for certified flight instructor. This certificate allows a pilot to teach primary fight instruction as well as commercial flight instruction. Next is the CFII pronounced “CF-double I.“ This flight instructor teaches pilots how to fly using instruments in meteorological conditions or IMC for short (AKA clouds and periods of low visibility). Finally, an MEI is a pilot who teaches other pilots how to fly multiengine aircraft.

Aerobatic Pilot

- Aerobatic pilots fly aggressive aerial maneuvers to entertain an audience on the ground. This type of flying involves high-speed maneuvers and intense g-forces while performing aerobatic stunts often near the ground. No specific hourly requirements exist to be hired to do this type of flying besides having the necessary flying skills to be able to perform the aerobatics. A private pilot’s license is the only license required, and a pilot must follow the rules under 91.303.

Banner Pilot

- A banner pilot tows an advertisement or message behind an aircraft for hire. This is a great first job for a starting professional pilot as you typically fly long flights for several hours in a single day. One benefit to this position is it can be flexible as many banner pilots fly on weekends and allow you to hold a more stable job while earning flight hours. The only real downside is that it doesn’t typically pay well.

Test Pilot

- Test pilots test a multitude of aircraft components as part of their job. Not only do they test new aircraft designs, but test pilots may also check new aircraft systems, components, and engine types. These pilots can fly long missions, and at times work can be very repetitive testing components over and over again. This type of piloting requires years of flying experience and precise flying abilities.

Flight Simulator Pilot

- A Flight Simulator Pilot is someone who trains other pilots full time in a flight simulator. They are usually hired by airlines and large pilot training facilities for initial and recurrent training for other pilots. This position requires years of piloting experience and the ability to train complex aircraft procedures and aircraft systems.

*** Descriptions coming soon! ***
Transport Mission Pilot (Civil Air Patrol)
Search and Rescue (SAR) (Civil Air Patrol)
Disaster Relief (DR) (Civil Air Patrol)
Cadet Orientation Pilot (Civil Air Patrol)
Forest Service Pilot
Bush Pilot
Agricultural Pilot
Light Cargo Pilot - Skylab
FAA Pilot
Chief Pilot
Pilot Examiner DPE
Charter Pilot
Check Pilot
Check Airmen
Military Pilot
Captain
Second Officer
Personal Pilot
Relief Pilot
News Reporting
Traffic Pilot
Contract Pilot
Journalist Pilot
Type Rated Pilot
Sail Plane Pilot
Ultralight Pilot
Student Pilot
Private Pilot
Instrument Rated Pilot
Multi Engine Pilot
Commercial Pilot
ATP Rated Pilot
Safety Pilot

Do you know of any we missed? Please let us know and we will update the list. Contact us!

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Different Types of Pilot Jobs