Then, there are the innumerable benefits including perks such as free tickets for the employee and his/her family that are simply too good to resist. So, if you are interested in the aviation sector, here is a look at the top 10 aviation related careers.
1. Pilot careers: Cockpit crew jobs are among the most lucrative employment opportunities in the aviation sector. Most people start as second officers and gradually transition to the post of a first officer after completing 100 or more hours of route training. The next in line is the position of the pilot in command (PIC) or Captain; a pilot will need to have logged a minimum of 15,000 to 20,000 hours with more than 2000 to 5000 hours on that specific type of aircraft to be considered for the post of a Captain. People interested in pilot careers will have to attend a flight school and earn various FAA licenses.
The first license that a pilot earns is the CPL (Commercial Pilots License) offered after 250 hours of flight time and passing practical and written examinations. After logging 1500 hours of flight time, a pilot becomes eligible to take the test for the ATPL (Airline Transport Pilots License). This is the minimum requirement for a job in an airline.
2. Flight engineer jobs: Operating commercial airliners in a complex task and although there are two pilots in the cockpit, given the sheer number of gadgets, devices, etc. the expertise of an in-flight engineer is also required. The position of a flight engineer is usually open on transatlantic flights where the aircrafts are bigger such as the Boeing 747 or the DC-10. A flight engineer is responsible for preflight checks, preparing and filing the flight plan, checking the avionics devices for correct operations and ensuring that the flight operation is smooth. An individual will need an ATPL and a degree in engineering for this job.
3. Cabin crew jobs: Cabin crew positions are among the most sought after employment prospects among people interested in aviation job search. These jobs offer all the high flying benefits associated with an airline career; however, you do not have to invest as much time or money as the pilots in your education to secure the jobs of a steward/stewardess. While most airlines will require at least an associate's degree for cabin crew jobs, some may even ask for a bachelor's degree in hospitality management or catering. Knowledge of a foreign language and any experience in the service sector will certainly help in your aviation job search.
4. Ground staff: The ground staff is responsible for helping the passengers with their luggage, seating arrangement and other airport related formalities. This again is a uniformed job with an enviable pay package. However, depending on the size of the airline that you work for and the destinations serviced by them, you may often have to work at night as well. Most airlines will require their ground staff to at least have an associate's degree. Possessing a bachelor's degree in hospitality or a related field will definitely further your chances of a promotion.
5. Ticketing staff: People interested in these aviation careers should seriously look into getting their IATA certification. The basic educational qualification required for the job is an associate's degree in travel and hospitality management. Apart from this, the airline will also provide OJT to educate the candidates on airline rules and regulations.
6. Luggage handling staff: While the job does not pay as handsomely as some of the other airline careers, it is one of the best ways to gain entry into the sector and with a little bit of hard work and some additional educational qualifications, you should be able to move up the ranks. The luggage handling staff is responsible for the orderly movement of the luggage from the air terminal to the aircraft and back.
7. Flight dispatcher: The flight dispatcher is the guy who performs some of the duties of the flight engineer while being on the ground. The flight dispatcher is primarily responsible for preparing and filing the flight plan with the ATC and getting the cockpit crew to sign the document. The flight plan is basically the route that the aircraft takes to get from point A to B. It has information about the weather along the way which will influence the fuel consumption along with other metrics such as the total payload. For the job of a dispatcher, you will at least need to have a CPL along with a dispatch certification offered by the FAA.
8. Aircraft Mechanic: An aircraft mechanic is responsible for the proper working of the airplane while it's in the air and on the ground. FAA requires all commercial aircrafts to undergo maintenance checks every 100 flight hours if not sooner. To get the job of an aircraft mechanic, you will need to attend technical school and clear written, oral and practical examinations to earn your certification.
9. Flight Instructor: While not the best paying job in the aviation sector, it can certainly help you to build hours and wiggle your way into the right seat of a commercial airliner. To get the job of a flight instructor with a flight school, you will need to get a CFI, CFII and MEI, all certifications offered by the FAA that give you the authority to impart flight training.
10. Training positions: Training is an integral part of the service industry and since the commercial aviation sector is a branch of the service industry, there is a lot of scope for training professionals in the sector. People who have training experience in the hospitality sector can easily work with an airline.
With the sheer number of aviation careers, it can be mind boggling to get precise information about specific job positions in various parts of the country and with certain airlines. Fortunately, websites like AviationCrossing.com can come to your rescue; they have thousands of listings for pilot careers and other aviation jobs with in depth information about these positions. So, if aviation job search is on your mind, register for free TODAY and obtain the benefits of a myriad of job listings at your finger tips.
