If you’re looking for a new adventure, a career change or want to finally pursue a lifelong dream, learning to fly a plane might just be an exciting new path you should consider. With a private or commercial pilot license, you can enjoy the freedom to travel the world and experience new cultures, or perhaps embark on a new, high-paying, secure career path. Regardless of your goals, whether you’re searching for a professional or personal fulfillment, becoming a pilot may be your ticket to a new lifestyle.
So, let’s take a closer look at why becoming a pilot is such an exciting and rewarding choice, and explore the many opportunities available in this exciting world.
Pilots Are In Sky-High Demand
The shortage of qualified pilots has created numerous job opportunities for those interested in pursuing a career soaring the skies. Airlines around the world are struggling to fill cockpit positions with qualified candidates, leading to a massive surge in demand for pilots. In fact, according to Boeing’s outlook, there will be a need for more than 600,000 new pilots over the next 20 years. Regional airlines, in particular, have been struggling to find pilots, as many pilots move up to better, empty positions at major airlines.
And, this demand for pilots extends beyond just airlines, as other commercial professions are also in high demand. Corporations are increasingly relying on private jets for executive travel, which is leading to an increasing need for business jet pilots.
In general, this need for qualified employees has created a ton of job opportunities for those with the proper training. Pursuing a career as a pilot is not only exciting but also offers long-term job security and financial stability, and it’s a great time to jump in.
There Are A Variety Of Aviation Careers
The career options for commercial pilots cater to a wide range of interests. For instance, in agricultural operations, a commercial pilot’s license can lead to opportunities in crop dusting, field planning and aerial seeding. Search-and-rescue operations may require bush flying, or medical or firefighting skills. If you prefer working on water, seaplane charters will allow you to fly on lakes, rivers and oceans. And that’s just a small sample of exciting things you can do from the cockpit.
Beyond flying, there are also a number of non-aerial career options available to commercial pilots. You could become a ground school instructor who trains the next generation of pilots, or an airplane broker who helps clients test, buy and sell aircraft. There are also opportunities to work in aviation regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), or to work for aviation-related companies in areas such as maintenance or marketing.
No matter what your interests are, there is likely a career path within the aviation industry that’s accommodating. On average, there are over 18,000 projected openings for airline and commercial pilots every year for the next decade, so there’s bound to be something that grabs your attention.
Commercial Pilots Are Making A Lot Of Money
Pilot contracts at airlines are being renegotiated between airlines and unions, with thousands of union members seeing big increases in salary and benefits. Delta has already reached a contract to raise pay for their pilots, American and United seem to be following suit. And, it seems like the trend will continue, as airlines that refuse to renegotiate may be faced with pilot strikes like at Allegiant Air.
Certain areas of the aviation industry are known to have lucrative career options, and becoming a commercial pilot can lead to a high-paying job with impressive benefits. In 2021, United Airlines announced a plan to hire over 10,000 pilots by 2030 and offer up to $1.2 million in tuition assistance for aspiring pilots. Regional airlines are also increasing pay, with tens of thousands in signing bonuses, even for first-timers.
Additionally, the aviation industry is constantly evolving, and with advancements in technology and consistent demand for air travel, pilots will almost always be needed, making it a stable and profitable career choice over the long term.
Becoming A Pilot Looks Great On Any Resume
Becoming a pilot is more than just an impressive achievement, it also demonstrates a wide range of valuable skills and qualities that can benefit any profession. The training and education required shows a high level of discipline, good communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
Plus, the aviation industry is a highly regulated and safety-focused industry, so obtaining a pilot’s license involves passing rigorous tests and meeting strict safety standards. This demonstrates that you have a strong sense of responsibility, which can be particularly attractive to employers in fields such as healthcare, government, finance and technology.
Maximize Business Opportunities With A Pilot License
Even if you have a simple private pilot license, you can maximize your business opportunities to land new clients, make it to meetings out of town and travel with others, among other great advantages. With the freedom to come and go at a moment’s notice, you can make it to important meetings and events outside of your local area in a fraction of the time it’d take to drive. Plus, you can avoid the hassle and delays of commercial airlines and set your own itinerary.
The ability to bring along colleagues or clients is bound to be a memorable experience, helping to fortify relationships and impress potential partners. Likewise, flying smaller aircraft allows you to land at more airports, giving you access to a wider area of places to travel. With the option to fly yourself, you have the potential to expand your professional network and take your business to new heights.
Enjoy A Connected Pilot Community
Of course, becoming a pilot can be so much more than just a career — it’s also a lifestyle. Pilots are a connected community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for flying. As a pilot, you will have the opportunity to network and connect with others who share your love for aviation. Whether it’s attending social events, chatting in the pilot’s lounge or participating in flying clubs, there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make lasting friendships.
The aviation industry is also a highly social environment by nature. Pilots work closely with air traffic controllers, ground crews and maintenance technicians, among others. This collaborative environment provides a special sense of camaraderie and teamwork that is hard to find in other professions. It’s a great option for those who want to have the opportunity to work with and learn from a diverse group of individuals, where each day is unique.
Travel Anywhere & Open Up A World Of Possibilities
Traveling as a pilot isn’t just exciting, it offers a great deal of flexibility too. As a pilot, you have the ability to fly yourself and your loved ones to any destination you want. You can also take advantage of perks offered by employers, such as discounted or even free flights, meaning you can vacation more often and to more places.
Through exploring new destinations, traveling freely as a pilot gives you several benefits. You’ll likely have the opportunity to fly to exciting places as part of your job, whether it be for an airline, corporate aviation, charter company or something else – this is one of the most unique and rewarding aspects of the job. It also gives you a way to expand your network and meet new people every day. You’ll have the chance to interact with people from different parts of the world, and forge lasting connections with colleagues and passengers alike.
In addition to personal and career benefits, being able to travel anywhere is also practical. For example, if you need to attend a business meeting or professional event in another part of the country or world, you can quickly and easily get there without relying on commercial flights or other modes of transportation.
Flight Training Is Just Plain Fun
Flight training is a one-of-a-kind experience that gives you a sense of personal accomplishment and can open the doors to a whole new world of possibilities. The feeling of freedom as you take off into the sky, darting through clouds and over changing landscapes, is simply unmatched. And, while learning to fly requires discipline and hard work, it is also a lot of fun.
You will develop skills and qualities that will stay with you for a lifetime, some of which will positively affect other areas of your life, making you a more well-rounded and capable individual overall. As you progress, you will be exposed to new types of aircraft, different styles of flying, interesting people who share your love of aviation, and so many more unique situations – there’s never a dull moment in the aviation world!
Another enjoyable aspect of learning to fly is the opportunity to travel. As you accumulate flight hours, you will have the chance to explore new cities, towns and regions from a one-of-a-kind perspective. Whether it’s flying over impressive scenery, visiting foreign countries or landing at airports around the world, every flight is an adventure that you’ll cherish forever. With these adventures, you also get the chance to meet new people, make new friends, and connect with a passionate and supportive community of aviators.
Do you want to take advantage of an exciting opportunity to fly?
This is your chance to learn how to fly, and become a certified pilot – sign up for lessons at Inflight Pilot Training and work with the best instructors at the best prices in the Twin Cities. With thousands of hours of experience, the largest fleet of trainer aircraft around, and a variety of certifications and ratings available, we’ll help put you on the path toward success.
Whether you’re searching for a new career or just a fun hobby, it starts with a simple call to our facilities. For additional information on Inflight training programs, contact us today or call (952) 698-3000.