Aviation Careers

If you’re considering a career in aviation, you’re not alone. These are some of the most exciting and sought after careers in today’s job market, and this trend will only continue in the coming years.

Everyone knows about commercial pilots and flight attendants. But there are dozens of other career fields in the aviation industry as well, from mechanics to aerospace engineers, ticket agents, baggage handlers, security agents and more.

Almost all of these aviation careers pay well and have great benefits. Airline positions are typically union jobs that have good retirement benefits, paid vacations, health insurance, and company investment opportunities.

The job of commercial pilot was voted one of the top 50 careers of 2011 by US New and World Report. And pilots don’t just work for the airlines these days, many are self-employed or work for smaller companies. Agricultural pilots who perform crop-dusting over farmland, for example. Or so-called “bush pilots” who work in remote areas like Alaska, South Americ or Africa.

Other pilots fly charter jets or smaller aircraft, or the cargo carriers like Fed Ex or UPS. Some fly corporate jets for business executives, or are pilot instructors teaching other pilots how to fly. Some commercial pilots even work for the US Forest Service helping to put out forest fires, or helping in rescue operations over remote areas.

The job of a modern pilot is a complicated one, and requires extensive training and experience in skills such as cockpit instrumentation, the systems of the aircraft, and all weather navigation. Pilots also need to work with a variety of other people, including weather forcasters, air traffic control dispatchers, mechanics, and more.

Aviation mechanic is another well-paying and exciting career in the aviation industry. This is another field that’s broken down in a number of sub-specialties, including powerplant technicians, airframe and avionics technicians, flight instrument service and more.

Just as with pilots, you’ll need a good deal of training and experience to get an entry-level position as an aviation mechanic. Aircraft mechanics who work for the airlines, or for smaller aviation companies, can either be licensed or unlicensed depending on the position.

Typically mechanics who work for airlines are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a Mechanics or Repairman Certificate. This comes with a rating for a specific part of the aircraft, such as powerplant or airframe, and the mechanic is only able to work on the area of the aircraft for which he or she is rated.

As mentioned earlier, there are many other aviation careers that don’t involve sitting in a cockpit, or working on the mechanics of an airplane. Some of these jobs with the major airlines include working as a cargo handler, aircraft fueler, sky cap, sales representative, ticket agent, flight dispatcher, flight attendant, and more.

Other non-airline careers in the aviation industry include working as helicopter pilot, corporate pilot, aerospace engineer, airport engineer, airport safety officer, air traffic controller and more.

Many of the entry-level jobs in aviation involve working with the public, and customer service skills are important if you expect to land one of these competitive positions. Many people choose their airline based on the level of service they’ve received in the past, so making a good impression on the flying (and paying) public is a top priority for the airlines.

Since people fly during all hours of the day and night, you can expect to start out working some evening or early-morning shifts until you get some seniority. You’ll also need to have good grooming and a professional appearance to work in this industry, even if you work behind the scenes as a cargo handler or mechanic.

 

 

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