
at low altitudes to check for leaks or damage. Pilots patrol pipelines - which carry oil, natural gas, water, etc. For both fixed-wing and rotary-wing pilots, the regular patrol of these lines can provide both a source of flight time and a rewarding job that ensures the stability of the nation’s energy supplies. Two of the backbones of industry, pipelines and powerlines can extend for thousands of miles across the continent. The additional drag of the banner can lead to very slow flying speeds - hardly an issue for a time-building pilot! Like glider towing, many banner-towing planes are tailwheel equipped and include workhorses like the American Champion Citabria, the venerable Piper Super Cub, and the legendary Stearman biplane. Banner towing requires a skillful pickup of the assembled banner, followed by a lengthy session of towing it along an appropriate route. If you have spent much time at a popular beach, a large sporting event, or a metropolitan city, you may have seen a plane slowly motoring by with a large banner that advertises a company, product, or even a marriage proposal. An efficient and relatively consistent time builder, many traffic watch jobs utilize the ubiquitous Cessna 172. Many traffic reporting jobs have pilots fly in the morning hours and take a break during the day before going back up in the afternoon for evening rush hour. Traffic watch pilots fly over major city thoroughfares during busier traffic periods and report conditions for news and radio stations on the ground. If you have lived in a larger city and felt the frustration of being in a traffic jam, you may well have thought how much you would rather be flying over the concrete jungle than being stuck in it. Be aware that many tow aircraft are tailwheel-equipped, including popular former agricultural aircraft such as the Piper Pawnee.



Tow pilots should expect to learn the fundamentals of gliding, if not take gliding lessons, which is a great opportunity to expand your skillset in energy management while you build flight time. Soaring schools or clubs are popular in areas that accommodate good soaring performance, such as Reno or Southern California, though operators have locations from coast to coast. Though there are other ways to launch a glider, having it towed to altitude behind a fixed-wing airplane is by far the most common. If you have taken a flight in a glider, you know it can be both a peaceful and exciting experience. Helicopter tours commonly occur in a Robinson R44, AStar, or Airbus H130. Based on the location and type of tour, you might fly aircraft ranging from a Cessna 172 to a de Havilland Twin Otter. If you plan to become a charter pilot, the extra practice talking to passengers is helpful.Īs you would expect, tour companies flourish in vacation spots like Las Vegas and New York City, but operators exist across the country. You are as much a guide as a pilot in the aerial tour industry, allowing you to interact with people from all over the world and make their experience unforgettable. Tour companies can use both airplanes and helicopters and provide services ranging from short flights of just a few minutes to extended tours lasting well over an hour, sometimes even including stops. Aerial Tour Pilotįor tourists or out-of-towners, few experiences can offer as incomparable a view of a new area as an aerial tour. Be aware that insurance may drive higher hour minimums for certain jobs.
#LOW TIME PILOT JOBS IN FLORIDA HOW TO#
Whether your goal is to fly for an airline or a charter company, take a look at these entry-level job opportunities for commercial pilots as you consider how to accumulate hours toward your airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate requirements.Īll the jobs listed below require a commercial pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings. Some are obvious, and others are less well-known. After you complete a commercial pilot certificate, one of the first questions you will ask yourself is "what next?" Fortunately, many low-hour pilot jobs exist across the industry to help you take your next step.
