Low Time Commercial Pilot Jobs - Other Than CFI

If you’ve got your commercial license, you’ve probably thought about whether you want to pursue your CFI. It’s only a matter of time before someone asks or encourages it. While it’s a great license for a pilot, a way to keep learning and source of future income, it may not be something you want to do. It’s another large financial commitment. Also, instructors who are building time to move on as soon as possible can stick out for negative reasons. Here are some other great low time pilot jobs you can pursue.

Aerial Survey

People and companies need pictures of the earth from above. In aerial survey, you will use camera technology attached to your plane to complete projects for your company and its clients.

What’s the job like? You won’t need many more hours after acquiring your commercial for consideration. You will fly long, day-VFR hours and build time quickly, in a small single engine plane, like a Cessna 172. It’s possible to fly as much as 80-100 hours per month. There may be an opportunity for IFR flying if you are repositioning the plane. The projects themselves may be monotonous and long straight-line tracks.

You may have someone else along with you in the cockpit to operate the camera, an opportunity for teamwork and cooperation. Expect to travel a lot with a variety of schedule lengths depending on the project, and see many parts of the country. You can definitely expect to be away from home for extended periods of time. Inclement weather can ground you with no flight hours built, and force you to sit in a hotel away from home. Be sure to collect those hotel rewards points!

Companies: Dynamic Aviation, Sandhills Aviation, SkyLens Aerial Imaging, JAV Imagery LLC, Keystone Aerial Surveys, Aperture Aviation

Part 91/135 Second-in-Command

Some operators will use a second-in-command pilot. The SIC will not be subject to the higher 1500 ATP or Restricted ATP rules since operating under Pt. 91 or 135. These operators may fly cargo or passengers.

What’s the job like? Schedule and pay will vary. Some companies have chartered or on-demand flying. Or, a scheduled operation with set routes and departure arrival times. You will learn crew resource management flying with another pilot. You’ll fly in all types of weather conditions in the IFR environment. Some companies use larger airplanes, either multi-engine, turbine, or both. If your company is busy, you’ll fly a lot and build time fast.

Companies: Planesense, Cape Air, Boutique Air, Air Choice One, Mokulele, Southern Airways Express, Ameriflight

Skydive Pilot

Skydivers need a driver to get them up where they need to be to jump. If you’ve jumped before, you have experienced the quick flight up there. If not, you may find yourself curious enough to try it!

What’s the job like? It will be fun flying excited, scared, high-energy and enthusiastic customers about to jump out of your plane. Flight times will be short, probably around 30 minutes, and you’ll be doing those same runs many times a day. Possibly with minimal time between flights on busy days. You’ll log a lot of takeoffs and landings. It’ll be VFR flying, and you’ll develop great stick and rudder skills, but could lose instrument proficiency.

In the air, you’ll be busy the entire flight and have to be the master of your airplane. Pilots have to fly slow and in control, ready for CG and drag changes as jumpers move around and climb out onto the strut. Jump pilots are encouraged to get the plane on the ground as soon as possible after the jumpers are gone, so you’ll have to learn to do this safety and with proper engine management. The specific company and airport will determine other factors about the job, such as best times of the day for jump run and the type of aircraft you’ll fly. All you need for this entry level pilot job is a commercial certificate. Pay will vary but is usually rather low.

Companies: Jump Pilot Academy, SkydiverDriver Blog

Banner Towing

Banner tow pilots are commercial pilots who get paid to fly large advertisements behind their aircraft, low to the ground for people to view. It may be seasonal, summer being the busy season, especially along the beaches.

Whats the job like? Be prepared for long days, which means building a lot of flight time. Expect to operate out of short runways and grass fields. Depending on the operators, you may fly shorter, repetitive less-than-one hour flights or long 6+ hour legs. Flights are solo, so it’s a lot of time hand-flying alone. VFR and low-and-slow, you’ll get great views of the beach and ground. You won’t fly IFR. You’ll develop great stick and rudder skills. The schedule will vary day to day and you’ll have to be flexible, but it won’t include too many early mornings, and you can live local and be home most nights. The job itself may be seasonal. You’ll need a tailwheel endorsement and probably some tailwheel flight time for insurance purposes.

Companies: Aerial Banners, Inc, Jersey Shore Aerial Advertising

Low Time Pilot Jobs (Other than CFI)

Low Time Pilot Jobs (Other than CFI)

Low Time Commercial Pilot Jobs - Other Than CFI

Aerial Survey

Part 91/135 Second-in-Command

Skydive Pilot

Banner Towing

Low Time Pilot Jobs (Other than CFI)

Low Time Pilot Jobs (Other than CFI)

Low Time Commercial Pilot Jobs - Other Than CFI

Aerial Survey

Part 91/135 Second-in-Command

Skydive Pilot

Banner Towing

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