Practical Ways to Make Money as a Licensed Pilot

woman pilot

It’s safe to say that we’ve come a long way as a modern society. Thanks to the aviation sector, the world has become smaller and smaller. For this reason, it’s now easy to travel by air from one place to another. In fact, the planet has now become a global village.

Such progress and development can be attributed to our modern pilots. These trained and certified professionals are capable of running an aircraft. They can transport passengers and cargoes from one location to another. They have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to ensure a seamless and safe air flight.

If you’re a licensed pilot, here are ways to make money in terms of job and business opportunities:

1. Offer flights for tourism

pilot using tablet

There’s money that comes with offering flights for tourism purposes. As a licensed pilot, you can take clients up in the air to have a panoramic view of the surroundings in your region.

Tourists can have a wonderful sightseeing experience, while photographers can take photos of the wonders of nature. That said, you can work as a pilot for a private aviation business or open your own flight tour business.

2. Provide private charter to wealthy clientele

A private charter business can be a lucrative one. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, some pilots offer private jet charters to a wealthy clientele. However, the private aviation sector has boomed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Some businesses have offered flight services to individuals affected by travel restrictions. As such, it’s a good idea to provide private charter services amid the COVID-19 crisis. Whether business executives or affluent individuals, they can take advantage of your flights services amid the pandemic.

3. Offer non-scheduled flight services

As a licensed pilot, you can offer your private flight services to different clients. These flights aren’t regularly scheduled but are rather on-call.

For instance, you can work with business executives, political leaders, and other affluent individuals and fly jets to take them to their respective places. They can reach out to you whenever they need your flight services. And you must be readily available to assist your clients.

4. Work as a commercial airline pilot

Working in a commercial airline is the most logical course of action for a licensed pilot. Sure, you might have undergone long hours in training and spent too much on flight classes. However, earning your license as a pilot will pay off in the long run.

That said, you can start working for a small commuter airline. From there, you can eventually transition to flying a jet. It’s no secret how working as a licensed pilot is a lucrative job in the aviation industry.

5. Become an air ambulance and rescue pilot

Another fulfilling job in aviation is working as an air ambulance and rescue pilot. Not only will you earn money, but you’ll also be able to save lives. In some cases, you can volunteer to provide air transport to individuals needing help.

Know, however, that such an aviation job is often a paid position. This paid position requires a pilot to be available in emergencies, whether rescuing individuals or transporting critically ill persons.

6. Get hired as a flight instructor

As a licensed pilot, it’s best to transmit your flight knowledge and skills to other interested individuals. You can apply to an aviation school and work as a flight instructor to teach aspiring pilots.

As a flight instructor, you may teach ground school and take students for flights. Your goal is to provide your students with the necessary training and help them earn the required certification. That way, they will end up becoming licensed pilots as well.

7. Open a flight school

If you don’t want to work as a flight instructor, you can consider opening your own flight school. As a licensed pilot, you know the ins and outs of the aviation industry. You are also well-acquainted with the requirements for students to become licensed pilots themselves.

However, there are many considerations to make, from getting teaching accreditation to erecting your flight school to hiring flight instructors. But when successful, you’ll generate income out of your aviation school.

Prepare to Take off in Aviation

A licensed pilot comes with a handful of opportunities for making money. Be sure to consider one of those mentioned above, from offering flights for tourism to working as a commercial airline pilot to opening a flight school.

Whether starting a pilot job or opening an aviation business, be sure to factor in the valuable information discussed above. Ultimately, you’ll be surprised at how you can leverage your pilot profession and make money out of this.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

About the Author

Scroll to Top