Careers in Aviation

Pilot Careers

There is a variety of aviation jobs, each with its own hiring requirements, benefits, and
challenges. Benefits and compensation will vary according to the type and size of the
company. For any pilot job, there is a considerable amount of training required. Some
pilots received their training in the military and others through civilian training. For most
pilots, you must have at least a commercial pilot licence, instrument and multi-engine
ratings. The hiring requirements will vary for each airline and company.

Agricultural Pilot (Aerial Applicator)

An agricultural pilot flies airplanes and/or helicopters carrying various chemicals and compounds such as herbicides, insecticides, seeds and fertilizers to spray farmlands, crops, forests, orchards, fields, or swamps. Some jobs also require aerial surveying of wildlife animals, cattle, and crops, or disbursing fire-extinguishing agents on bush fires.
Employers: Agricultural operators, large farms.

Airline Pilot

For many pilots, the ultimate job is to be a major airline pilot. Airline pilots fly
passengers or freight/cargo to major and mid-size domestic and/or international cities.
There are numerous major/national airlines in Australia, and other countries. These
airlines operate large jet aircraft manufactured by Boeing such as the B-737, B-757,
B-777, and Airbus such as the A321, A330.

Regional Airline Pilot

Many pilots use the regional airlines as a "stepping stone" to accumulate the necessary flight hours and experience to apply to the national airlines. Regional airlines fly short/mid-range routes to small/mid-sized towns to transport passengers to the major cities. They operate various airplanes ranging from turboprop to small jet airplanes such as the Jetstream 32 and 41, Beech 1900, Saab 340, ATR, Dash-8, Regional Jet, and others. These airplanes carry between 19 and 70 passengers. There are numerous regional airlines throughout Australia.

Corporate Pilot

Corporate pilots fly aircraft owned by businesses or industrial firms transporting company executives to domestic and/or international cities for company business. The types of airplanes flown vary between turbo-prop planes (i.e. King-Air), executive jets (i.e. Citations to Gulfstreams), and large jets (i.e. Boeing 737).
Corporate pilots are responsible for planning all aspects of each trip such as flight planning, arranging for passenger meals and ground transportation at destinations, loading and unloading baggage, supervising the servicing and maintenance of the aircraft, keeping aircraft records, and more.
Unlike airline pilots, corporate pilots fly less routine schedules and irregular hours. These pilots fly to unfamiliar airports, and exotic or exciting places. They are also at the call of the company executives whenever they need to travel on company business. Some large companies have several airplanes and a flight department, in which their pilots may fly a regular schedule. The benefits and compensations are dependent on the type and size of the company.

Charter Pilot

Charter pilots fly fare-paying passengers to destinations of their choice, as service demands. Some pilots also fly cargo. Their flights are usually for short to mid-range trips over varying routes in various twin-engine airplanes to small executive jets such as Beech Barons, King-Airs, Learjets, etc.
Charter companies offer greater control and flexibility in travel arrangements to accommodate their customers. Some charter companies have scheduled flights to specific destinations similar to an airline, but on a much smaller scale.

There are several types of pilot jobs:
          :: Agricultural Pilot
          :: Airline Pilot
          :: Regional Airline Pilot
          :: Corporate Pilot
          :: Charter Pilot
          :: Flight Instructor
          :: Military Pilot

Flight Instructor

Flight Instructors teach students how to fly by demonstrating and explaining, on the ground and in the air, basic principles of flight, aerial navigation, communications procedures, weather factors, and Civil Aviation Regulations all pilots must adhere too. They also prepare their students for various exams to help them earn their pilot licences(s) or rating(s). Flight instructors work irregular hours, which are based on several factors such as the type of seasons (i.e. Summer, Winter), weather conditions, and students' schedules.

Military Pilot

Military pilots fly for one of the branches within the Australian Defence Force (such as the Army, Navy, Air Force). The types of aircraft flown are dependent on the military branch, which range from small turbo-prop airplanes, fighter jets, bombers, helicopters, to small executive jets, and large transport airplanes. Most military pilots also pursue careers as major/national airline pilots.

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