Careers in Aviation…

Always been fascinated by flying? A career in aviation may be for you!

Aviation isn't just flying, or "piloting." Aviation is an entire world above and beyond the cockpit.

Aviation is ... aircraft design, systems engineering, test piloting, search and rescue, human factors, air traffic control, jet mechanics, electrical engineering, computer systems, airport management, space exploration, customer service, and much more!

There are many reasons given by those working in the aviation industry on why they chose aviation. But the truth is … it's because they love it!

Career Options

Airline & Airport Careers

Airlines, airports, the FAA, and private companies that service aircraft hire a wide range of workers to keep flying safe and efficient. Qualifications range from a high school diploma for ramp workers to a college degree for management positions and flight dispatchers. Specialized training is required for other positions including air traffic controllers, safety inspectors, and airport firefighting and rescue personnel.

Some career paths include:

• Airport Manager
• Fixed-base Operator Manager
• Station Manager

Pilot Careers

There are many opportunities for pilots in addition to the most obvious, the airlines.Pilots for government agencies play vital roles in land and wildlife management. Traffic reporting pilots alert commuters to highway trouble spots. Helicopter pilots fly for law enforcement, medical and business needs. Corporate pilots allow executives to make efficient use of their time visiting clients and distant offices. Thousands of pilots are employed by the military and NASA. An emerging industry of air taxis has pilots who transport passengers to and from the nation's public-use airports. And without flight instructors, there would be no professional pilots. Most piloting jobs require a college degree and required FAA training, testing and licensing.

• Air Traffic Reporting Pilot
• Airline Pilot
• Helicopter Pilot
• Corporate Pilot
• Air Taxi Pilot
• Flight Instructor

Earning Potential

Pilots

Earnings depend on the type and size of the plane a pilot flies, the number of hours they fly, and the type of employer. In general, a pilot's salary will increase as he or she flies larger and faster airplanes. Pilots who fly jet aircraft earn higher salaries than non-jet pilots. Those who are employed by large, scheduled service airlines are likely to be better paid than those who work for smaller charter carriers. To get a job flying large planes for a major scheduled service carrier, a pilot must pay his or her dues on smaller planes and increase his or her accumulated flying time.

The range of salaries earned by pilots is huge. Starting salaries can be around $20,000 for newly qualified pilots. The average salary for all pilots is somewhere between $55,000 and $70,000 a year. However, senior pilots who work for large national or international airlines can make over $200,000 a year.

They type of work a pilot does strongly affects their income. Pilots who work as instructors often earn between $15,000 and $50,000 a year. Income levels for pilots flying large commercial aircraft vary according to the type of employer they work for. Those working for large airlines average well over $100,000 a year, while those flying regional carriers average about $65,000 or $70,000 a year.

In addition to a salary, pilots who are employed full-time usually get health and dental benefits, paid sick days and paid vacation time, and free or discounted travel. Pilots may also receive a daily allowance to cover their expenses while they are away from home. This is called a "per diem."

Airport Managers

Salaries for airport managers vary widely according to the size and location of the airport. Salaries range anywhere form a starting salary of $18,000 of $130,000 with several years of experience. The median salary is typically around $50,000.

Sources

• http://learnhub.com/redirect?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.careercruising.com%2FCareers%2FJobDetails.aspx%3FLoginID%3D8cb1a942-6d10-49ec-a8ca-fb6972ac4deb-%26%2338%3BOccNumber%3D333%26#38;field=Salary
• http://learnhub.com/redirect?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.careersinaviation.org