Many new pilots choose to become flight instructors for their first aviation job. [iStock]
Key Takeaways:
New pilots in the U.S. face a "catch-22" where they need flight time for good jobs but can only build that time through flying jobs.
Both non-flying aviation roles (e.g., FBOs, ramp work) and early flying positions are valuable for building industry connections and practical experience.
Several specialized flying jobs, including flight instructing, banner towing, charter flying, and survey flying, offer distinct advantages for accumulating flight hours and developing critical skills.
Successfully progressing in an aviation career involves strategically choosing jobs that provide quality experience and foster professional relationships, recognizing that no single path is universally required.
New pilots in the United States find themselves in a predicament. They need more flight time to get a good job, but they can’t build that time without a flying job.
Luckily, there are a number of routes a new hopeful pilot can take to progress toward their long-term career goals.
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John McDermott is a student at Northwestern University. He is also a student pilot with hopes of flying for the airlines. A self-proclaimed ""avgeek,"" John will rave about aviation at length to whoever will listen, and he is keen to call out any airplane he sees, whether or not anyone around him cares about flying at all. John previously worked as a Journalist and Editor-In-Chief at Aeronautics Online Aviation News and Media. In his spare time, John enjoys running, photography, and watching planes approach Chicago O'Hare from over Lake Michigan.
