Founded in 2009, Solairus boasts 75-plus base locations, 330-plus private aircraft, and about 2,00 flight crew and support personnel. The company is headquartered in Petaluma, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Solairus Aviation Mission Statement

“We never settle for even very high levels of customer satisfaction and we’re always looking for better ways to do our business.” —Greg Petersen, chief operating officer

Solarius Aviation in the News

Solairus Aviation Announces Updates to Executive Leadership Team
Company appoints Brent Monroe as chief growth officer and promotes Bob Marinace to chief experience officer.

Solairus Aviation Announces Chad Davidson Business Aviation Leadership Scholarship Fund
The fund honors late aviator and Solairus team member Chad Davidson in support of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students.

Solairus Aviation Openings on FindaPilot.com

• Hawker 900XP Captain in Rockland, ME
• Gulfstream G650 Captain in Teterboro, NJ
• Gulfstream G550 Captain in Teterboro, NJ
• Challenger 650 Captain in Bedford, MA
• Gulfstream G500 Captain in Oxford, CT
• Gulfstream G650 Captain in Camarillo, CA

More Solairus Aviation Resources:

• Career site 
• LinkedIn 
• Facebook 
• X (Twitter) 
• Instagram 
• YouTube

The post Employer Profile: Solairus Aviation appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Kalitta’s call sign—”Connie”— is a nod to its founder, Conrad “Connie” Kalitta, who began the business as a car-part-carrying airline in 1967. The airline changed its name to American International Airways in 1984, when it began offering air freight, air ambulance, and charter operations.

In 1990, AIA flew hundreds of cargo missions for U.S. military operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf.

The company evolved and transformed into Kalitta Air in 2000. Today its fleet has more than 25 planes, consisting of Boeing 777 and B747-400 freighters.

Kalitta Air Mission Statement

According to its website: “Traveling the globe and delivering a quality product on time, anytime, anywhere.”

Kalitta Air in the News

Kalitta Charters II Says Goodbye to the Boeing 727
Michigan-based cargo operator Kalitta Charters II bid farewell to its final Boeing 727 freighter on April 5. The over-40-year-old aircraft, N729CK, completed a short flight from Willow Run Airport (KIPT) to Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (KOSC) in Michigan, marking the end of an era for the company.

Which U.S. Airlines Are Hiring Pilots?
Despite recent headlines, there are several career opportunities for aspiring aviators.

The Last 747, Queen of the Skies
The last 747 has rolled off Boeing’s production line, but the iconic jumbo jet still has plenty of history to make.

More Kalitta Resources:

• Career site 
• LinkedIn 
• Facebook 
• X (Twitter) 
• Instagram 
• YouTube

The post Employer Profile: Kalitta Air appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

There are many types of pilot jobs throughout the country, and some of them offer higher earning potential than others. Here are the best paying pilot jobs:  

Major Airlines

The “big three” in the United States—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines—have all recently had significant pay increases for their pilots. While airline pilot pay depends on seniority and aircraft type, the most senior widebody captains at these airlines can make upward of $500,000 per year.

Other large carriers—such as Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines—also pay very well. The salary scales at these airlines are generally competitive with their largest counterparts, but the maximum earning potential for pilots is typically lower since they do not operate widebody aircraft.

A new first officer at a major carrier can expect to make between $90,000 and $110,000 per year, depending on the airline. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that  airline pilots had an average salary of $250,050 in 2023.

Regional Airlines

A few short years ago, new pilots at regional airlines were relatively poorly compensated. A new first officer—often still saddled with debt from flight school—would sometimes make less than $50,000 a year.  

However, increased demand for pilots at regional airlines have increased salaries, with many companies even offering hiring bonuses. The starting pay for a first officer at a regional airline is now typically within the range of $80,000 to $110,000 per year, and senior captains can command an annual salary of over $200,000.

Cargo

The salaries at large cargo airlines are competitive with that of their passenger counterparts. While FedEx and UPS pilots have a slightly lower starting salary than those at airlines like American Airlines or Southwest Airlines, their more experienced pilots have comparable pay scales.

However, pilots at cargo airlines that fly smaller regional aircraft are paid less. At some of these airlines, the pay is comparable to that of passenger regional carriers, but others have lower salaries for their pilots.

Business and Corporate

The schedule and lifestyle of a business or corporate pilot can vary greatly depending on their employer. Salaries therefore also differ significantly between individual pilots.

While some pilots work lots of flights on very short notice, others only fly long trips that are scheduled well in advance. Corporate pilots also fly a variety of aircraft, ranging from smaller propeller planes to large business jets.

Salaries for corporate and business pilots can start as low as $40,000 to $50,000, while the top-earning captains can earn upward of $300,000 per year.

Government

The federal government hires pilots for a variety of roles, including passenger and cargo transportation, law enforcement, and firefighting.

Pilots typically fall on the GS-12 to GS-14 federal government pay grades. In 2024, this means that their salaries range from $74,441 to $135,987.

Local and state governments also hire pilots for similar roles. The pay for these pilots is typically comparable to what the federal government offers.

Are Pilots Paid Well?

The salary of a pilot can vary greatly depending on their experience, schedule, and employer. Although early career jobs may not be very well-compensated, more experienced pilots—and particularly those at major airlines—have very high earning potential. 

The post The Best Paying Pilot Jobs appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Clay Lacy Mission Statement

The company’s website lists the following values: Strive for excellence, thoughtfully improve, and do the right thing. 

Clay Lacy in the News

Clay Lacy Prepares to Open Waterbury-Oxford FBO Summer 2024
Clay Lacy Aviation’s newest FBO and hangar complex at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC), which serves New York City and the greater Northeast, is nearing completion and scheduled to open this summer. 

Clay Lacy Aviation, Overair Partner to Bring Air Taxis to Southern California
The FBO network and infrastructure developer will install vertiports and electric chargers and work toward an air taxi concept of operations.

A Life in Pursuit with Clay Lacy
In a long and storied career, Clay Lacy Aviation has notched extraordinary experiences in commercial and business aviation, the military, and air racing.

Clay Lacy Job Openings on FindaPilot.com

• Gulfstream 650 Captain in White Plains, NY
• Pilot Challenger 350 in Seattle, WA
• Gulfstream GIVSP Captain in Los Angeles, CA
• Global 6000 Captain in Van Nuys, CA
• Gulfstream G650 Captain in Los Angeles, CA
• Gulfstream G650 Captain in Van Nuys, CA

More Clay Lacy Resources:

• Clay Lacy career site
• Facebook
• X (Twitter)
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

The post Employer Profile: Clay Lacy Aviation appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Evandale, Ohio-based company plans to put them to work on supporting current aircraft engine programs and developing new technologies for future flight. “Hiring has already started,” according to GE.

Among the programs with openings for new engineers is the CFM International Revolution Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) airliner engine project as well as advanced military engine programs. GE said in a statement that most of the openings are expected to be in the U.S., with some global positions also available. Engineering disciplines GE is seeking among applicants include mechanical and thermal design, analysis, systems, controls and aerodynamics.

“We’re entering a new era of technology development focused on reducing emissions and new architectures, advanced materials, manufacturing processes, and supercomputing capabilities revolutionizing what is possible,” said Mohamed Ali, GE Aerospace vice president of engineering. “Now, as a stand-alone public company with innovation at the core of what we do, we look forward to welcoming more engineers to help us invent the future of flight.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

The post GE Aerospace on the Hunt for Engineering Talent appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In this edition of V1 Rotate, FLYING contributor Sam Weigel chats with Ed Krause, who has been flying as an expat pilot in Asia for the past 16 years. Krause takes Weigel through the process of being hired at a startup regional airline in China, transitioning to business jets, and more. Learn how the expat pilot market is evolving, what the future may have in store, and ways to make yourself competitive for an overseas job.

The post Riding the Wave as an Expat Pilot in Asia appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Taylor built the world’s first aircraft engine from a scratch-paper drawing tacked up to his work bench. He had no formal training and made do with what he had to work with. I am still amazed to this day by what Taylor pulled off.

• READ MORE: The First Aircraft Mechanic

Aircraft mechanics often quietly apply our trade behind the scenes, ensuring the world stays connected via air travel. Each of us has a story to tell.

In thinking of the next generation who will work on airplanes, what story would you tell to inspire them? 

Born Into the Business

Some of us cannot help it; we were born into this life. I didn’t choose the jet life; the jet life chose me. My dad worked for the Beechcraft distributor Hangar One in the 1970s. Once, he took me on a business trip with him through middle Georgia, and I took a ride in a taildragger. My life has not been the same since.

This week, I met Suresh Narayanan, owner and CEO of Jets MRO in Dallas. Narayanan is doing what he can to solve the high turnover in aircraft maintenance by offering company-paid benefits, enhanced work culture, and path to partial ownership. He also has no sales representatives and expects his mechanics to communicate with the customer. 

What drove this CEO to appreciate his mechanics in this manner? His father was a Concorde mechanic for British Airways, and he grew up on a steady diet of airplane stories, which he still recalls fondly.

In March, I spent the day at Airbase Georgia, the local Commemorative Air Force (CAF) squadron. The theme was “Rosie the Riveter” in honor of its Stearman project. I witnessed parents walking with their sons and daughters, checking out the swag at the PX tent, taking photos with reenactors, and getting up close and personal with warbirds Some even had custom dog tags made.

One of the best parts was seeing folks, young and old, stand and stare when the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless taxied up the grinder, its big, powerful engine pounding out a symphony of 1,200 hp before shutting down. I don’t care who you are, a warbird will freeze time for just a minute while you soak it in.

How many aviators or maintainers crossed over that day? What is their story? Only time can tell.

Answering the Call

Paul Hendrickson was just a small child when his father, Joe Paul, left for World War II. What happened in the war changed him forever. I recently had a conversation with Hendrickson just as he was about to wade into his local trout stream at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Hendrickson recently published a book about his father’s experience during the Iwo Jima campaign called Fighting the Night. He told me the story of a sharecropper’s kid who learned to work on tractors in western Kentucky during the 1930s. One day, a Ford Trimotor flew over the farm, and the boy was hooked.

All those hours working on tractors and Ford Model T’s paid off. Paul Hendrickson recalls his father learning of his new job in the military.

“He had boot camp ahead of him, but the Air Corps Technical School had already promised him a place in its airplane mechanics class,” Hendrickson said.

Tech school began in the fall of 1937 at Chanute Field in Rantoul, Illinois. The elder Hendrickson’s WWII story began as a mechanic but ended with flying night missions in a P-61 Black Widow. Afterward, Joe Paul Hendrickson earned his A&E mechanic license, the precursor to the A&P.

The old Chanute Field became Chanute Air Force Base before closing in 1993. An estimated 2 million students trained there. Each was either a farm boy or a city kid, but they answered the call and had to live their own story. 

Coming Full Circle

Sometimes a story begins with a simple idea. Stacey Rudser, president and scholarship chair of the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM), had such an idea when she enrolled and became the first female to graduate from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in Orlando, Florida, earning her A&P in 2009. You may have seen Rudser’s pink boots sticking out of an avionics bay at some point.

Rudser offered her thoughts on what AMT Day means to her.

“On this AMT Day, AWAM celebrates all the women working to keep our skies safe,” she said. “We are a small but mighty part of this very special industry and are encouraged to see how many women are entering the ranks of schools and transitioning to the military. Thank you to all the mentors, advocates, and allies as we continue to show that aviation maintenance is a vibrant and viable career for all.”

How did Rudser’s maintenance story begin? In 2013, she earned a 767 maintenance training scholarship for UPS through AWAM. Life has a way of coming full circle, and Rudser went from that honor 13 years ago to personally touching the lives of 26 young women through scholarship awards this year.

Now, that is how you pay it forward.

The post AMT Day Offers Opportunity to Inspire Next Generation appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In reality, if you want to become a race car driver or auto mechanic and are just starting in the field, odds are you won’t get your first job with a top-tier NASCAR racing team. Most professions require you to learn skills and gain experience before reaching the more technical and higher-paying opportunities.

Getting your drone pilot certification and becoming a commercial drone pilot is relatively easy. But like auto racing, you’re unlikely to qualify for the top jobs when just starting out. This article explores which sectors are primed for new pilots and which require more experience.

The Commercial Drone Pilot Job Market

Global demand for commercial drone pilots has rapidly expanded in recent years, with no sign of slowing down. In fact, even as many industries are contracting, drone pilot employment opportunities have only grown more plentiful, keeping step with evolving technologies and use cases. It’s a modern economic feat that reflects the endless potential applications of drones and the increasing number of industries already benefiting from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.

Commercial drone pilot jobs are readily available to Part 107 license-holders seeking employment with established organizations or on their own as freelancers. The real question is where to focus your efforts as a new UAV operator.

Main Industries Hiring for Entry-Level Drone Pilot Jobs

As an entry-level drone pilot, you have many opportunities to explore. But, like any expedition into the unknown, navigating the world of commercial drone pilot jobs requires an understanding of which sectors are most accessible to new pilots. 

I’ve worked in each of these sectors and will rank them from easiest to most challenging to enter for pilots who have just earned (or are planning to earn) a remote pilot certification.

Real Estate

No matter where you live, real property is being bought and sold. Studies show that properties with aerial photography are much more likely to sell than those without it. This sector requires basic flying and photography skills. Most jobs involve taking aerial photographs and videos of properties to enhance real estate listings. 

Drones needed for this work are inexpensive, with some viable options available at under $1,000. Thanks to the high need for real estate aerial photography and the low level of skills/experience needed, almost any pilot can find real estate gigs with little effort. To get a jump on other entry-level drone pilots, consider taking a real estate drone photography and video course.

Advertising

There are many similarities between real estate photography and advertising. In this sector, pilots can capture content for commercials or film billboards and large public events. Advertising is slightly more challenging than real estate because the subjects can be varied, requiring flexibility and more skill as a pilot and photographer. Instead of just specializing in real property, your focus will likely become more diverse, perhaps expanding to people or moving objects as you work on brand campaigns. 

Thankfully, the field has some creative flexibility, making it somewhat less stressful. With an entry-level commercial drone and a little more experience, advertising can be lucrative for new UAV operators.

Filmmaking and Photography

If you have a creative flair, the filmmaking business may be a good place to start. Here, you will be involved in the creation of television shows and movies. While finding work in this field as an entry-level drone pilot isn’t impossible, it is definitely more challenging than real estate and advertising. 

Two reasons for this are experience and market saturation. You’ll need more than a basic knowledge of photography for these types of commercial drone pilot jobs. A prerequisite is a deep understanding of composition, camera angles, and advanced cinematic tools. 

Your second challenge will be competing with companies that have already positioned themselves as the industry’s go-to drone operators. Look to sharpen your skills as a photographer, perhaps with a specialized drone videography course, and network with employees from well-established businesses to kick-start your drone career in Hollywood.

Agriculture and Forestry

Drones have become indispensable tools in precision agriculture and forestry. New drone operators can find work in this field but generally are expected to have some experience under their belts. In fact, UAV pilots specializing in this niche typically bring a deep wealth of agricultural or forestry knowledge to the role, so it could be difficult for a recently licensed operator to succeed as an industry newcomer. 

If you are someone with this type of background, your drone must be equipped with a multispectral camera to sell your services. You’ll need to understand what your camera is capturing and how to interpret the data. Although drones can detect diseased plants, analyze soil, and determine water needs, they require a highly skilled pilot to capture actionable footage, analyze resulting data, and present findings to clients. 

Construction and Infrastructure

When it comes to the construction and infrastructural industries, drones are used to monitor building progress, inspect structures, and map large areas. UAV operators in this field are expected to:

• Understand industrial inspection and general construction processes.
• Possess flying skills extending well beyond basic maneuvers.
• Know how to use special software and equipment to collect and integrate data.
• Know and comply with safety standards, such as those set forth by OSHA. 

Most entry-level pilots will find working for someone else to be the best way to break into this field.

Surveying and Mapping

Most off-the-shelf “prosumer” drones can be combined with easily accessible software, such as DroneDeploy and Pix4D, to create maps, so some pilots mistakenly believe that anyone can offer surveying and mapping services. The problem is that these maps don’t offer survey-level accuracy, and pilots need specialized knowledge in geospatial technologies and precision data collection to land jobs in this field. 

You’ll also need specialized equipment to facilitate this precision data collection, which may include: 

• High-quality drones 
• RTK base stations 
• Ground control points 

Between the complexities of data collection and high equipment costs, you’re probably unlikely to land entry-level drone pilot jobs on your own within this niche. Like construction, if you’re interested in surveying and mapping, you should look to be hired by an established company in the sector—or consider taking a specialized drone course to build up the right skills.

Public Safety and Emergency Response

The public safety and emergency response sector employs drones for search and rescue operations, disaster management, and law enforcement. I consider this the most challenging field for beginners to find jobs, and for reasons unrelated to equipment and skills. 

First, the work can be dangerous and mentally draining. You may be pulled into ongoing incidents, for instance, some of which don’t end well for those involved.

Second, getting hired for these roles can require becoming a law enforcement officer, which takes months or years of training. Even as a civilian, you need extensive training outside your Part 107 certification. As an example, when I joined a local sheriff’s search and rescue team as a volunteer, it took months of training before I could be sworn in and permitted to join searches. 

These unique obstacles result in a high barrier to entry that new pilots may find difficult to overcome. You can start, though, by earning a Public Safety Certificate of Authorization to operate drones for governmental organizations.

How to Decide on a Specialization

There is no standard path when it comes to starting your drone pilot career journey. Deciding which sector to start in entails balancing your personal goals and experience level with local market opportunities. 

Here are a few suggestions to help you pinpoint where to begin:

• Market availability: Whether you are looking at real estate, agriculture, or something else, make sure there is a market need in the area you will be flying. For example, you may want to focus your business on event photography, but if you live in a town with only 200 people, you may find it difficult to stay in business.
• Training and education: Before investing in expensive drones and other equipment, research the educational and training needs of the sector you want to specialize in. Drone pilot courses are one of the best places to start.
• Work environment: Consider where you’ll probably be flying. I focus mostly on vacant land photography, which often places me far from civilization in the middle of California’s Mojave Desert. I love it, but many pilots I speak to can’t stand being in the sun that long. Choose an environment that suits your comfort with the elements you’ll most likely encounter.
• Income potential: Evaluate how much you can make in the sector and whether there’s growth potential. If the income and opportunities don’t match your goals, focus your efforts elsewhere.
• Personal interests: It may seem cliche, but never work in a niche that you won’t enjoy.
• Regulatory requirements: Consider any additional regulations that may apply to the area you’re considering. Crop spraying may be interesting, for example, but many niches require additional operator licenses or certifications. 

By weighing these factors, you should find it easy to focus on a particular section of the booming UAV industry.

Entry Level Drone Pilot Jobs Await

As you can see, there are many entry-level opportunities for drone pilots. If you’re thinking of joining this exciting industry, there’s no better time to do so. Enroll in a training program and take control of your future. I hope to see you in the skies soon.

FAQ

Can you make 6 figures as a drone pilot?

Yes. Like any profession, drone pilot earnings are tied to the type of work you do and how often you fly. Earning six figures a year is possible, especially in more specialized drone applications.

What drone jobs pay the most?

There is typically a strong correlation between higher earnings and more specialized drone work. For example, you’ll probably make more using a drone for industrial inspections than real estate photography.

Is it hard to become a drone pilot?

No. Becoming a drone pilot is easy, especially with online platforms like Altitude University’s and ASA Part 107 test prep courses. Hundreds of thousands of people have already earned their remote pilot certification—and so can you.

The post Which Industries Offer Entry-Level Drone Pilot Jobs? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Leadership on the flight deck sets those apart from the general pilot population—and there are ways to build your capabilities in this regard with greater assumption of authority along the way. We spoke with longtime FLYING contributor Pia Bergqvist about her journey from a well-rounded general aviation pilot to the left seat of a regional airliner—and, most recently, to the right seat of a Boeing 737 for a major U.S. airline. Her experience illuminates one way to accomplish the goal of becoming an airline pilot, and in this Q&A she shares her tips for being prepared when the opportunity knocks:

FLYING Magazine (FM): How did you know you wanted to pursue a career as a professional pilot, and specifically as an airline pilot?

Pia Bergqvist (PB): I grew up in Sweden and dreamed of being a pilot since I was 8 years old. Unfortunately, the challenge in researching the path to get there in the era before the internet, along with the fact that I was a woman desiring a very male-dominated profession, made my dream job seem unattainable.

• READ MORE: Airline Pilots Must Not Dismiss Mental Well-Being

I finally began pursuing my career in my late 20s. One of the first things I did was to become a member of Women in Aviation International, and I attended the conference in 2000. I remember visiting several airline booths and being blown away by all the women who were airline pilots. At that time, the one that stood out the most was FedEx, where I met a Swedish pilot who described her job. She flew all over the world, had lots of time off, and made enough money to live by the beach.

FM: When you committed to the pursuit, how did you identify the airline(s) you wanted to aim for? How did that choice affect your plans for training and what you needed to have on your résumé before applying?

PB: At the time when I started flying, I would have needed a significant amount of time flying as captain of a twin-turbine aircraft, preferably at a regional airline, before applying for a position with a major airline. While FedEx was my top choice, other attractive choices included United, American, Continental, and UPS, as they were all flying internationally.

I based my pick of potential regionals on advice from flight instructors at the flight school where I received all of my primary training—Justice Aviation in Santa Monica, California. The regional airlines of choice on the West Coast were SkyWest, Mesa, and American Eagle. I applied for my first airline job on September 10, 2001. As a result of the tragic events that followed the next day [on 9/11], I shelved my airline dream for nearly two decades.

FM: How did you build time before applying? What were the minimums when you made the application 20 years ago versus five years ago?

PB: When I first started flying, pilots were getting hired by regional airlines with as little as 1,000 hours of total time and a hundred hours of twin time. The industry was booming. I built most of my flight time through flight instruction before sending in my application with about 900 hours [under] my belt. I also built some twin time by flying from Torrance, California, to Nantucket, Massachusetts, and back in a Beechcraft Duchess.

At that time, the interview process was much more rigorous than it is today, and applicants had to have the written ATP test completed. Regionals also conducted cognitive tests and simulator evaluations.

• READ MORE: Airline Pilots Flying to Age 67?

Today, the FAA requires airline pilots to have at least 1,500 hours (or 1,000 through a limited number of approved flight training programs) and to complete an ATP-CTP training program before they can take the controls of an airliner—a change that resulted from the Colgan Air crash in 2009. Most airlines these days, whether regional or major, only require an application

and an interview. Whereas the major airlines used to require turbine PIC [pilot in command] time, some pilots are now hired with just a few hundred hours as a first officer.

FM: What tips do you have for that first interview?

PB: The most difficult part of getting hired with a major airline is actually getting to the interview stage. Stay in touch with the captains and flight instructors that you fly with. They will be a great resource when it comes time to apply as you will need several letters of recommendation. Meeting with the hiring teams at job fairs, meet-and-greets, and aviation conferences are also a good way to get your foot in the door.

There are many things that go into a successful interview. Make it clear that you really want to be there. Go in with a positive attitude. Dress well and make sure you’re groomed to look the part. Professional interview coaching companies, such as Emerald Coast, Cage Marshall Consulting, Raven Career Development, and Career Takeoff, are almost a must for a successful airline pilot interview. They will provide practice scenarios, targeted to your airline of choice, that will develop the confidence you need as you sit down to get grilled.

FM: How did initial training at the regional go? What tips would you give for a prospective pilot to help them prep for success in training?

PB: The initial training at the regional level can be very challenging. There are many new concepts that go into flying in a professional crew environment versus flying in general aviation.

Get familiar with the flows, callouts, and other procedures that are written into the company’s standard operating procedures [SOPs] manual as early as possible. The only way to learn these procedures is by constant repetition, so having a “paper tiger”—basically a printed version of the flight deck layout—and using it for chair flying is a very good way to get ready. Understand that it can take hundreds of repetitions to learn the proper procedures to an acceptable level. Just keep going.

Practice the flows, callouts, and procedures for normal, non-normal, and emergency operations until they’re perfect. And keep practicing them during times when you’re not in simulator training or the actual airplane. Being able to immediately and accurately execute emergency procedures is critical in those rare and unexpected situations, such as an engine failure.

FM: What was upgrading to captain like?

PB: When it came time for me to move from the right seat to the left seat, it felt very much like it felt to become a flight instructor. I questioned whether I was really ready to be the one in charge of the ship.

The key to success was channeling what I had learned from the captains who I enjoyed flying with as a first officer. So, pay close attention to what the captains do to get the airplane off the gate; how they deal with challenging situations with passengers, gate agents, and rampers; what they do if there is an maintenance issue or emergency, and so on. The schoolhouse upgrade training is great, but the more experience you have seeing how the real-world operations go, the better.

The training is basically identical to the first officer training, albeit with different flows and more responsibilities. Often, captain candidates are paired with first officers through the training and check rides. Your partner can make or break you, in either seat, so do your best to find a good one.

FM: When did you know you were ready to apply for the next step, the majors?

PB: Most people in the industry consider [this to be] an unprecedented time in airline pilot hiring. Everyone I flew with, whether captains or first officers, at the regional airline was talking about moving on.

There were many first officers I flew with who moved on before I did. There were some things in my personal life that held me back, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the regional airline, [but] it was time to move on. The working conditions, destinations, pay, and retirement plans are more attractive at the majors, even with the huge pay bump we got at the regionals in 2022.

I was proud to be a regional airline captain. But now I feel like I have reached the pinnacle of my career.

FM: How did you approach that training differently, knowing what you know now?

PB: I found the training at the major airline much more relaxed. Perhaps it was because I was more prepared and ready for the hard work that is required of pilots in airline training departments. But it appeared to me that the level of respect at the major airline was higher.

At the regional level, there were hard limits on how many extra hours of training pilots could receive or how many events could be unsuccessful before they let a trainee go. As a result, the stress level was high.

From my very loosely gathered data, it appears that about 15 percent of the trainees at my regional airline were let go for one reason or another. That stressor didn’t exist at the major airline where I trained. We were made to feel very welcome and part of the family.

FM: What qualities do you think pilots need to cultivate to shine in a sea of candidates for the same role?

PB: Be professional, both in appearance and the way you handle yourself. Be prepared. Make sure you keep current on company SOPs, FARs, and instrument procedures, how to interpret weather data, and other details that you should be familiar with as a professional pilot. Build relevant flight time. Volunteer with aviation organizations to show your passion for the profession.

If you’re applying for a major airline job, go the extra mile and visit a job fair, conference, or meet-and-greet to get your name on the radar. Keep in touch with people you’ve met, and treat people with kindness and respect. Before an interview, seek help from one of several airline interview prep companies, but find a way to be yourself.

The stakes are way too high to just “wing it.”

This Q&A first appeared in the March 2024/Issue 946 of FLYING’s print edition.

The post Pro Track: Finding Your Way to an Airline Pilot Career appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

This year the event in central Florida is expanding to five days. It will be held during the Sun ‘n Fun fly-in at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL) from Tuesday, March 28 to Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are $45 per day, and may be purchased here.

“Expanding the Career Fair that takes place during Sun ‘n Fun was a common request from participating companies and job seekers alike,” said Abbey Hutter, executive director for JSfirm.com.

Hutter noted that the career fair began as a one-day event and has steadily grown, fueled by requests from participants. The career fair is an opportunity for employers to meet potential applicants and those searching for career opportunities to see their options.

“We always look forward to having hiring companies on site,” said Richele Floyd, scholarship director for the Aerospace Center for Excellence. “The networking capability truly is limitless even outside of show hours.”

Who Can You Expect To See:

The 2023 career fair exhibitors include: 

• Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services
• Air Wisconsin
• Cirrus Aircraft
• Commuteair
• Endeavor
• FAA
• flyExclusive
• Frontier Airlines
• GoJet Airlines
• Legends Airways
• LIFT
• Mesa Airlines
• National Airlines
• Piedmont Airlines
• PlaneSense
• PSA Airlines
• Republic Airways
• Silver Airways
• SkyWest Airlines
• VistaJet

Floyd adds that the partnership with JSfirm.com continues to grow, to the extent the two entities now have a new five-year agreement in place.

The post Find a Career During Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo appeared first on FLYING Magazine.