AIRLINE / AVIATION CAREERS - THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

Do you know what keeps an aircraft flying?  Sure, wings and engines do the aerodynamic work.  But it’s really people who keep aircraft going.

General aviation is a large and growing industry supporting nearly 1.2 million jobs and $150 billion in annual economic activity in the United States.  It employs people in finance, business management, customer service, engineering, electronics, software and hardware development, marketing, sales, insurance, science, law, medicine, real estate, and other occupations.  If you have a passion for aviation, there are career opportunities for you. 

To turn your passion into a career, education and training are important.  Many positions require a college degree, technical school education, specialized career training, or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.  That’s why there are many colleges and universities in the United States that offer aviation-related programs.  Some jobs require written and oral examinations along with practical skills and training for positions that offer high wages and good job security, flexibility, and mobility.

MULTIPLE PATHS FOR YOUR TALENTS AND INTERESTS

There are numerous aviation career options that can take advantage of your unique skills. 

PILOTS   There are many opportunities for pilots beyond the airlines.  In agriculture, pilots ensure the productivity of our nation’s farms.  Pilots for government agencies play vital roles in land and wildlife management.

Traffic reporting pilots alert commuters to highway trouble spots.  Pilots fly for law enforcement, medical support, and business needs.  Corporate pilots allow executives to make efficient use of their time visiting distant offices and clients.  The government and military employ thousands of pilots.  Air taxi pilots transport passengers on demand to and from 5,000 public-use airports across the country.  And without flight instructors, there would be no professional pilots.  Most piloting jobs require a college degree and FAA training, testing, and certification.

PROFESSIONS AVAILABLE & EDUCATION REQUIRED

CORPORATE PILOT:  2-Year College Degree

AIR TAXI PILOT:  College Degree Preferred

ASTRONAUT:  College Degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or Physics

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR:  High School Diploma

MAJOR/NATIONAL AIRLINE PILOT:  2-Year College Degree

REGIONAL AIRLINE PILOT:  2-Year College Degree

AGRICULTURE PILOT:  High School Diploma, Special Training & License

TRAFFIC REPORTING PILOT:  College Degree Preferred

MILITARY PILOT:  College Degree

HELICOPTER PILOT:  2-Year College Degree

WHO’S HIRING?National & Regional Airlines; Agriculture Operations & Large Farms; Radio & TV, Traffic Reporting Companies; Corporate Flight Departments; FBO’s & Air Taxi Operators; U.S. Armed Forces; NASA; Law Enforcement.

AIRLINE & AIRPORT OPERATIONS/SERVICES    Airlines, airports, the FAA, and private companies that service aircraft employ a wide range of workers to keep flying safe and efficient.  Qualifications range from a high school diploma for ramp workers to a college degree for management positions and flight dispatchers.  Specialized training is required for other positions, including air traffic controllers, safety inspectors, and airport firefighting and rescue personnel.

PROFESSIONS AVAILABLE & EDUCATION REQUIRED

GROUND ATTENDANT:  High School Diploma

CONCESSION WORKER:  High School Diploma

SAFETY INSPECTOR:  College Degree in Engineering, Pilot or Mechanic Experience

RAMP SERVICE PERSONNEL:  High School Diploma

STATION MANAGER:  High School Diploma

SCHEDULING COORDINATOR:  College Degree & Experience Preferred

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER:  FAA Training; College Preferred

RAMP PLANNER:  High School Diploma & Experience

FLIGHT DISPATCHER:  Dispatcher’s License, College Degree & Experience

LINEPERSON:  High

School Diploma

FIRE & CRASH RESCUER:  Special Training; College Preferred

AIRPORT MANAGER:  College Degree in Airport Management or Business Administration

CABIN MAINTENANCE MECHANIC:  High School Diploma & Technical Training

PASSENGER SERVICE AGENT:  High School Diploma

CARGO HANDLER:  High School Diploma

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE:  High School Diploma, Business Experience

SKY CAP:  High School Diploma

TICKET AGENT:  High School Diploma

RESERVATION SALES AGENT:  High School Diploma

AIR FREIGHT/CARGO AGENT:  High School Diploma & Shipping Experience

FLIGHT ATTENDANT:  Special Training & College Preferred

BAGGAGE HANDLER:  High School Diploma

WHO’S HIRING?Airports; Fixed-Base Operators; Airlines; Airport Authorities; FAA.

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE & MANUFACTURING   It takes skilled engineers and technicians to build and maintain today’s state-of-the-art aircraft.  Engineers must have a college degree, while technicians, machinists, and assemblers typically have at least a high school diploma.  Airframe and powerplant mechanics require at least a high school diploma and specialized technical training and licensing.  Avionics specialists who install and service aircraft electronics are in demand with the growth of advanced “glass cockpit” avionics.

PROFESSIONS AVAILABLE & EDUCATION REQUIRED

AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT MECHANIC:  Technical Training & College Preferred

AIRFRAME & POWERPLANT MECHANIC:  Technical Training & College Preferred

AVIONICS SPECIALIST:  Technical Training & College Preferred

TOOL, JIG & FIXTURE MAKER:  Vocational School

MACHINE TOOL OPERATOR:  Vocational School

SHEET METAL FABRICATOR:  High School Diploma

ELECTRICAL INSTALLER & TECHNICIAN:  Associate’s Degree

ASSEMBLER & INSTALLER:  High School Diploma

QUALITY TECHNICIAN:  Associate’s Degree

WHO’S HIRING? Airlines; Fixed-Base Operators; Private Companies; Aircraft Manufacturers.

SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, HEALTH, & FOOD SERVICES   It’s technology that keeps our air transportation system working smoothly.  Engineers serve multiple roles at aircraft manufacturers, the FAA, and NASA. 

Meteorologists provide critical information about weather conditions for flying.  Cartographers produce vital navigation charts.  Architect design airport buildings and terminals.  Technicians maintain the computer, radio, satellite, and radar systems used to control the nation’s airspace.  Most positions require college degrees or technical training.

Food service professionals play an important role in making sure flight crews and passengers have food and beverages.  In fact, food service can make all the difference in a passenger’s flight experience.  That’s especially true in corporate and charter flight operations, which seek to distinguish their level of service.  A high school diploma and health certification are needed for most food service jobs, while a related college degree is usually required for management positions. 

PROFESSIONS AVAILABLE & EDUCATION REQUIRED

METEOROLOGIST:  College Degree in Meteorology

TECHNICIAN (ELECTRONICS, RADAR, NAVIGATION):  High School Diploma, Special Training

CARTOGRAPHER:  College Degree in Cartography

FLIGHT PHYSICIAN/AVIATION MEDICAL EXAMINER:  Medical Degree

FOOD PREPARER:  High School Diploma, Health Certificate Required

ARCHITECT:  College Degree in Architecture

OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR:  College Degree

ENGINEER (AERONAUTICAL AEROSPACE, CIVIL, ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL):  College  
      Degree in Engineering

WHO’S HIRING?Aircraft Manufacturers; FAA, NASA, & Military; National Weather Service & Private Weather Companies; NOAA, Federal & State Government; Airports & Architecture Firms; Independent Contractors; Airlines; Fixed-Bases Operators.

OFFICE PROFESSIONALS & LAW ENFORCEMENT   Aviation law and law enforcement require special training and knowledge.  Aviation attorneys in government, corporate, and private practices require a law degree.  Drug enforcement and U.S. Customs agents need a college degree.

Accident investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and insurance companies require a college degree and related experience.  Aviation security officers, inspectors, and specialists should have at least a high school diploma and specialized training.

PROFESSIONS AVAILABLE & EDUCATION REQUIRED

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR:  College Degree & Experience

DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENT:  College Degree, Special Training

AVIATION ATTORNEY:  Law Degree

SECURITY SPECIALIST:  High School Diploma & Law Enforcement Experience

AVIATION INSPECTOR:  High School Diploma, Special Training

SECURITY OFFICER:  High School Diploma, Special Training

INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST:  College Degree

SECRETARY/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:  High School Diploma

TRAVEL AGENT:  High School Diploma, Special Training

FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL:  Police Academy & Law Enforcement Experience

U.S. CUSTOMS AGENT:  College Degree

WHO’S HIRING?Airlines & Airports; FAA, TSA, & Government; Private Law Firms; Construction Companies & Airport Consultants; NTSB & Insurance Companies; Travel Age

Adopted from AOPA  (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)