Why is it that you never saw the “Small Aircraft Pilot” booth at your childhood career fair? There are tons of viable—and ridiculously fun—careers that those with their pilot’s license (and a few new aviation supplies) can enjoy.
And whether you own a plane or just aspire to, take a look at these five excellent careers for small craft pilots. This is one time when the sky truly is the limit.
Tour Guide
The American Southwest is teeming with tourists and visitors who want to take in the natural splendor in daring and exciting ways. As a small craft tour guide, you’ll be responsible for taking inexperienced people into the sky to peer down into the Grand Canyon, scour the rock fields of Joshua Tree National Park, or take photos of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone’s great buffalo herds.
Pick up a few aviator watches to keep your schedule running smoothly.
Rescue Pilot
From the deserts of the Southwest to the major metro areas of New York and Chicago, talented pilots are always needed to fly medical helicopters and small aircraft. These pilots could go from rescuing a lost family in Death Valley to evacuating injured victims from a bridge collapse in the city. It’s a stressful job, but for those who do it well, it’s also incredibly rewarding.
According to Indeed.com, you could earn upwards of $69,000 a year.
Instructor
You’ll need a Certified Flight Instructor license before you’re able to teach others how to fly, how to use pilot’s GPS, and how to read aviator watches, but once you’ve earned that commendation, you’ll get to spend all your time in the sky. If you work in the right place for the right company, you could earn a nice five-figure salary.
Of course, if you strike out as an independent flight instructor, you’ll earn a salary based on your clients and how much time you put into your craft.
Signage Towing
To make extra money on the side, many pilots take advantage of festivals, great beach weather, or even high-volume tourist spots by providing a unique service. If you’ve ever seen a Geico banner flying high during your family’s yearly vacation to the beach, you already understand this concept.
There are worse ways to spend your day than rigging a banner to your plane and circling the sky for a few hours at a time; and you could make some good money at the same time.
No matter which of these careers you get into, you’re sure to make some great money and have a blast while doing it. Maybe it’s best that “small aircraft pilot” isn’t advertised as a viable career field. After all, that leaves more gigs for you. So put on your pilot sunglasses and get to work—it’s up to you to create your sky-high career!