
As an aerial surveyor you will be using technology like calibrated aerial cameras, laser scanners, magnetometers, radar, and hyper-spectrometers. Multiple pieces of hardware are typically used to conduct a survey, and they must be mounted or properly positioned in/on the aircraft. If you do not have an engineer on board, part of your job as an aerial surveyor will be to operate the imaging and other equipment yourself, so computer and technical skillsets can be useful. Depending on the nature of the survey and the equipment management needs, the pilot may be flying solo or with an experienced systems and sensor management engineer on board. Aerial Surveying/MappingĪerial surveying or mapping uses both fixed and rotary wing aircraft to collect various geographical information about a designated region from the air. This is where you gain the towing-specific skills required to be a safe banner towing pilot.

To work as a banner towing pilot, you will need your banner towing endorsement. Watch The Flying Reporter’s How pilots tow banners feature to see this maneuver in action. Pilots must be very precise to hook the banner without getting too close to the ground. One of the most fun and exciting parts of being a banner towing pilot is the low flyby of the airfield to pick up the banner. You could even get to tow an engagement proposal, birthday, or other special banner. It may not be an incredibly glamorous job but working as a banner towing pilot can certainly pay the bills and help you build flight time. Banner towing pilots spend their days flying back and forth slow and low over designated areas so that people below can see the banner. We have all seen the planes flying over sporting events, festivals, and beaches towing the promotional banners. Either way, becoming a CFI is a low time pilot job that rewards you in terms of building your skills and capabilities. Others use the experience as a steppingstone to different piloting jobs. Some CFIs really love their job and make a career out of it. During this check ride, not only will you need to demonstrate your own piloting skills, but you must also show that you have what it takes to reliably transfer those skills to your students and to serve as their safety net while in the air. Prepare for a longer and more challenging check ride than you have previously experienced. If you are interested in becoming a certified flight instructor, you will need to earn your CFI certificate. Like other teachers, flight instructors dedicate additional time outside of lessons for planning curriculum and preparing lesson plans. This strong base will serve you as you continue to advance your career.Īs you know from having gone through plenty of pilot training yourself, the role of a CFI is to guide student pilots through both the academic principles of flight during ground school and the hands-on reality in the air. As a certified flight instructor (CFI), you will naturally close any gaps in your own learning and become an expert on the fundamentals of flight. One of the best ways to crystalize your own skills and push yourself to the next level at the same time is to start teaching. Although the salary is not lucrative, you are still being paid to build flight time rather than having to pay for it yourself. Working as an air tour pilot is an excellent starter job that can require as little as 200 hours of flight time to get your foot in the door.

As a bonus, wherever you choose to work, you know it will be somewhere with a view that others are paying to see.
LOW TIME PILOT JOBS PLUS
As their pilot you have a chance to showcase all the best sights plus share interesting stories and history of the areas you are flying over. Passengers are usually tourists looking for a good time and some memorable photo opportunities. Many air tour pilots are people oriented, so they enjoy entertaining and interacting with their passengers. This type of pilot flies passengers over scenic sites of all types whether in urban areas like Las Vegas and Miami or place with natural beauty like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. Air ToursĪn air tour pilot is the classier aviation version of the tour bus guide in popular destinations.

The only problem is you have less than 500 hours, and many of the job listings require more experience.īefore giving up and resigning yourself to taking a job in another field while building more flight time on the side, check out our list of 8 low time pilot jobs that all require you to have logged less than 500 hours. You brushed up on the privileges and limitations that come with it, and now you are ready to go land that first job. You put in the time to earn a commercial pilot certificate.
