CAREERS
AVIATION
From the cockpit to the control tower and beyond, aviation offers a wide range of exciting careers that keep the world moving. Explore hands-on, technical, service, and leadership roles that support safe, efficient, and unforgettable air travel.
Pilot: Flies commercial, cargo, or private aircraft.
Air Traffic Controller: Directs aircraft to ensure safe and efficient flights.
Flight Attendant: Keeps passengers safe and comfortable during flights.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer: Inspects, maintains, and repairs aircraft.
Airport Operations Manager: Oversees airport logistics and daily operations.
Aviation Lawyer: Handles legal matters in the aviation industry.
Aircraft Specs Coordinator: Helps aircraft purchasers evaluate their options on aircraft interiors.
Baggage Handler: Loads, unloads, and manages luggage and cargo.
Ticket Agent: Assists passengers with bookings and travel plans.
AEROSPACE
Discover careers that push the boundaries of flight and space exploration. From designing spacecraft to maintaining advanced systems, these roles drive innovation and make space and air travel possible.
Aerospace Engineer: Designs and tests aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.
Avionics Technician: Installs and maintains aircraft and spacecraft electronic systems.
Spacecraft Designer: Creates spacecraft for exploration or commercial use.
Satellite Operations Engineer: Operates and maintains satellite systems.
Astronaut: Trains for and participates in space missions.
Propulsion Engineer: Develops engines and propulsion systems for aircraft and spacecraft.
SUPPORTING CAREERS
These roles keep aviation and space operations running smoothly. From monitoring weather to ensuring safety and health, these careers are essential to every mission in the skies and beyond.
Meteorologist: Provides weather forecasts essential for aviation and space missions.
Drone Operator: Pilots unmanned aerial vehicles for research, commercial, or recreational use.
Aviation Safety Inspector: Ensures aircraft and operations meet safety standards.
Aerospace Medical Specialist: Monitors and safeguards the health of pilots and astronauts.
HELICOPTOR PILOT
Helicopter pilots fly in diverse fields—from emergency services, search and rescue, and firefighting to commercial transport, aerial filming, sightseeing tours, and corporate flights. They also train new pilots as flight and simulator instructors, combining skill, precision, and adventure across public safety, industry, tourism, and education.
AIR MEDICAL & EMERGENCY SERVICES: Focused on rapid response and public safety, this category includes aviation careers that operate where time and access are critical. Professionals in this field support medical transport, search and rescue, firefighting, and law enforcement missions—using specialized aircraft and advanced training to reach people in need when every minute matters.
Helicoptor Pilot - support emergency and public safety missions by transporting patients, crews, and equipment to locations unreachable by traditional aircraft.
Air medical (Life Flight/MEDEVAC) – transporting patients and medical teams
Search and rescue (SAR) – coast guard, sheriff’s departments, mountain rescue
Law enforcement pilot – surveillance, pursuit support, missing persons
Firefighting pilot – water drops, fire crew transport (very seasonal in some areas)
INDUSTRIAL & UTILITY FLYING: Precision and technical skill define this area of aviation. Power line patrol, pipeline inspection, offshore transport, and heavy-lift operations support essential infrastructure in demanding and often remote environments.
Power line patrol & construction – inspection, sling-load work
Pipeline patrol – monitoring oil and gas lines
Offshore oil rig transport – moving crews to and from rigs
Helicopter logging – lifting logs out of hard-to-reach areas
COMMERCIAL & SPECIALTY FLYING: Creativity and visibility set this category apart. Opportunities include aerial filming, traffic and news reporting, charter services, and sightseeing tours over famous landscapes and city skylines.
Aerial photography / filming – movies, TV, real estate, live sports
News helicopter pilot – traffic and breaking news coverage
Tour pilot – sightseeing flights (Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Alaska, etc.)
Charter pilot – VIP or on-demand transport
TRAINING & CORPORATE AVIATION: Professionalism and mentorship shape this career path. Instructors prepare new pilots for the industry, while corporate pilots provide reliable transportation for business and executive travel.
Flight instructor (CFI-H) – teaching new helicopter pilots
Corporate pilot – flying executives or company leadership
Simulator instructor – training pilots without flying full-time
MILITARY & GOVERNMENT: Service-oriented flying combines structure with mission-driven work. Pilots contribute to national defense, border protection, wildlife conservation, and disaster response through military branches and government agencies.
Military helicopter pilot – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard
Government agencies – border patrol, forestry service, wildlife agencies
NICHE & ADVENTURE ROLES: Unconventional environments and specialized missions make this category unique. From heli-skiing and wildlife surveys to humanitarian relief and remote expedition support, these roles offer unforgettable flying experiences.
Heli-ski pilot – transporting skiers to backcountry terrain
Wildlife survey pilot – tracking animal populations
Remote operations support – mining, research expeditions
Humanitarian / disaster relief pilot – often international
CAREER ADJACENT OPTIONS: Aviation expertise extends well beyond the cockpit. Paths include safety management, operations leadership, consulting, inspection, and aviation sales or demonstration flying.
Aviation Safety Manager – Oversees safety programs and procedures to reduce risk and ensure regulatory compliance across flight operations.
Operations or Chief Pilot – Manages daily flight operations, pilot standards, and scheduling while maintaining overall safety and efficiency.
Aviation Consultant – Provides expert guidance to organizations on aviation operations, safety practices, and regulatory requirements.
FAA Inspector / Examiner – Evaluates pilots, aircraft, and aviation organizations to ensure they meet federal safety and certification standards.
Aviation Sales or Demo Pilot – Represents aviation companies by demonstrating aircraft capabilities and supporting sales through flight experience and technical knowledge.