Two Important Aviation Jobs
Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re about to graduate our aviation school, you need a direction to go when looking through a list of careers in aviation. You want to make sure that you pick a career path that you’re passionate about while ensuring that you make a decent salary. Different careers in the aviation industry offer opportunities for advancement in air traffic control, piloting, engineering, and more. Our experienced crew of Sheffield School of Aeronautics is glad to point you in the right direction by highlighting two important aviation jobs in the industry.
Commercial and Airline Pilot
If you’re looking to take to the skies after receiving an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a certified aviation institute, becoming a commercial or airline pilot is one of the two important aviation jobs. Requirements to transport passengers or cargo in the sky include an instrument rating, 250 hours of aviation experience, and you must be 18 years of age or older. [1] Additionally, a majority of pilot aviation jobs require new hires to endure physical, psychological, and aptitude tests to guarantee they can manage the numerous amount of stressors experienced in an airline pilot’s career.
The everyday life of a pilot’s career is not what it used to be back in the day. Nowadays, pilots are subject to complex security protocols, terrorist threats, grueling hours, and financial restrictions, thus making their jobs effectively more of a challenge.
The average aviation salary for a commercial airline pilot starts at an estimated $110,000 depending on several factors such as experience, ratings, and whether it’s a domestic or international position. [2]
Air Traffic Controller
Are you more interested in aviation safety and security? If so, then becoming an air traffic controller is the most ideal for you out of the two important aviation jobs. Most air traffic controller positions require applicants to be a U.S. citizen, 31 years of age or younger (for those with no prior experience), complete training from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved institution, graduate from the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, as well as a required score on the FAA pre-employment exam. [1]
The daily life of an air traffic controller revolves around organizing and directing airplanes that are departing and others that are arriving as well. Their careers encompass communicating instructions to pilots, using advanced radar and computer technology that helps coordinate aircraft movement to increase security, as well as giving authorization to pilots of flight route changes and emergencies. They must also alert pilots of weather conditions, visibility issues, and supervise ground traffic like baggage vehicles and personnel.
The aviation salary for beginning air traffic controllers, also known as “developmental controllers,” is estimated at $84,000. If you’d like to learn how to become an air traffic controller, our aviation school provides knowledgeable professors and resourceful courses to help catapult your career in air traffic control.
If you’d like to learn more about other aviation jobs in the airline industry, feel free to get in touch with a member of our crew here at the Sheffield School of Aeronautics. The sky’s the limit!
Sources:
[1] The Best Schools – Aviation Careers
[2] Epic Flight Academy – How Much Is An Airline Pilot’s Salary?
[3] Learn How to Become – How to Work in the Aviation Field