The World of Aviation

The aviation sector most people think about first has a multitude of career paths:

Administrative Assistant

Air Freight / Cargo Agent

Airframe and Powerplant

Airframe or Powerplant Mechanic

Assembler/Installer

Aviation Attorney

Aviation Medical Examiner

Avionics Specialist

Baggage Handler

Cabin Maintenance Mechanic

Cargo Handler

Concession Worker

Customer Service Representative

Electrical Installer/Technician

Flight Attendant

Flight Dispatcher

Flight Physician

Food Preparation Specialist

Ground Attendant

Information Systems Specialist

Line Person

Machine Tool Operator

Major / National Airline Pilot

Manufacturing Engineer

Marketing Analyst

Meteorologist

Operations Supervisor

Passenger Service Agent

Quality Control Technician

Ramp Planner

Ramp Service Personnel

Regional Airline Pilot

Reservation Sales Agent

Scheduling Coordinator

Secretary

Security Officer

Sheet Metal Fabricator

Sky Cap

Station Manager

Technician (Avionics/Electronics)

Test Pilot

Ticket Agent

A variety of careers are associated directly with airport operations:

• Administrative Assistant

• Air Freight / Cargo Agent

• Air Traffic Reporting Pilot

• Airframe and Powerplant inspector

• Airframe or Powerplant Mechanic

• Airport Manager

• Architect

• Avionics Technician/Specialist

• Cargo Handlers

• Concession Worker

• Corporate Pilot

• Customs Agent

• Fire and Crash Rescue

• Fixed Base Operator Manager

• Flight Instructor

• Food Preparation Specialist

• Information Systems Specialist

• Lineperson/fueler

• Marketing / Public Relations

• Operations Supervisor

• Ramp Service Personnel

• Safety Inspector

• Secretary

• Security Officer

• Station Manager

• Technician (Avionics/Electronics)

• Ticket Agent

Many opportunities are available in not only with the FAA, NTSB, and NASA, but also with state and local governments:

Accident Investigator

Administrative Assistant

Aeronautical Engineer

Aerospace Engineers

Air Traffic Controller

Astronaut

Aviation Attorney

Aviation Medical Examiner

Cartographer

Civil Engineer

Customs Agent

Drug Enforcement Agent

Electrical Engineer

Flight Physician

Helicopter Pilot

Information Systems Specialist

Marketing / Public Relations

Mechanical Engineer

Meteorologist

Military Pilot

Operations Supervisor

Safety Inspector

Secretary

Security Specialist

Sky Marshal

Technicians (Avionics/Electronics)

Test Pilot

Travel Agents

Law Enforcement

Fish and Game Department

There are many ways to make a living as a pilot. The list below will give you an idea of the variety of ways to fly as a career.

Keep in mind, almost all paid pilot positions will require a Commercial Pilot certificate, Second Class Medical certificate, and specialized training or additional ratings depending on the job. Some pilot careers will require an Airline Transport Rating (ATP) and a First Class Medical certificate.

Agricultural Pilot

Air Taxi/ Charter Pilot

Air Tour Pilot

Air Traffic Reporting Pilot

Astronaut

Banner Tow Pilot

Cargo Pilot

Corporate Pilot

Fire Fighter Pilot

Flight Instructor

Government Services (FBI, DEA, FAA, National Guard and State Police) Pilot

Helicopter Pilot

Jump Pilot (Sky Dive Operations)

Major / National Airline Pilot

Medical/Air Ambulance Pilot

Military Pilot

Pilot Examiner (DPE)

Regional Airline Pilot

Sailplane/Glider Tow Pilot

Test Pilot