Career Description
Pilots fly many types of aircraft for different purposes. There are many different aircraft styles to fit the job needed. Experienced pilots fly jumbo passenger jets to transport many people to different parts of the world. Other pilots fly smaller planes used for corporate travel, crop dusting, aerial photography, flight instruction, fighting forest fires, transporting people and cargo to remote areas, and scouting pipelines or electrical power lines.
Education/Training Required
To become eligible for a job at a major airlines, a pilot must go through several levels of training and education. A potential pilot must successfully complete ground school and flight training to earn a private pilot's license. Pilots must also obtain a commercial pilot's license. A commercial pilot's license allows pilots to offer their services in exchange for a fee and is needed in order to work for an airline.
Current Need
Pilot's are needed many positions today. These jobs include remote area cargo transportation, corporate travel pilots, and flight instruction.
Salary Range
There is a large range of salaries earned by pilots. Starting salaries are usually around $20,000 for newly trained and qualified pilots. The average salary for pilots in Canada is approximately $70,000 a year. However, some pilots who work for commercial airlines make $115,000-$150,000.
Potential for Growth/Future Outlook
After working 2 years as a flight instructor or charter, a pilot will look ahead for small single-engine plane jobs. A pilot could then begin to work under his/her jobs, or running small organizations. Pilots get paid more for the bigger jobs they are required to do.
Potential for Promotion
After working 2 years as an instructor, a pilot can be promoted to a charter plane position. This position earns approximately $25,000-$50,000 per year. After 6 years of experienced flying, a pilot can work as a scheduled pilot, flying larger planes. This earns approximately $40,000-$80,000 per year. A pilot can work as a Major Airline Pilot after 6 years of turbo jet planes. This position earns approximately $70,000 to $150,000 per year.
Potential Employers
Small companies can recruit pilots with 3 years of flight experience, for jobs such as crop dusting and aerial photography. Pilots for small cargo transport flights are highly employed. Major airlines such as Spirit and Northwest Airlines hire experienced pilots for full time hours.
Related Jobs
Related jobs include Aerospace engineer, air traffic control, train operator, transit operator, helicopter pilot or military officer.
