What companies hire low time pilots?

The most common jobs for low time pilots are Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) roles and SIC positions at aerial imagery companies. However, the job opportunities increase after a pilot has accumulated more flight time. This chart shows a sample of companies and flight operations based on the minimum Total Time listed in their recent job listings.

What Pilot jobs require less than 500 hours?

The most common job for pilots with less than 500 hours is flight instruction. At larger flight schools, new pilots often can obtain work where they trained. For international students trying to work in the US on F1 visas, this is the most viable first job.

There are several aerial imagery companies that hire low time pilots into their Second in Command (SIC) roles or as Sensor Operators. Another role similar to a sensor operator is called "Observer." These often don't have requirements to be a pilot, but employers prefer pilots in these roles because they can better support the captains and also often are a pipeline of talent to the captain positions.

Some companies that hire pilots with less than 500 hours are:

• JAV Aerial Imagery

• American Patrols

• Eagle View

• Sol Aerial Imagery

One incredible opportunity for low time pilots in this range is the First Officer or "Seat Support" positions at Flight Simulator Centers such as Flight Safety International and CAE. If you live near one of these facilities, they will hire very low time pilots (400 hours TT) to sit in the First Officer seat when a second pilot is not provided by their client. This can be a great way to get exposure to Class D full motion simulators.

What Pilot jobs require less than 1000 hours?

Between 500 to 1000 flight hours, pilots have more opportunities. These include SIC roles on turbine powered aircraft such as King Air 90 / 200, PC-12s, and Cessna Caravans. Often these companies fly "Part 135" unscheduled charter operations. These companies tend to be smaller and have a niche service focusing on government contracts, cargo operations, or larger aerial imagery contracts.

The governing reason why these operators require more time has less to do with pilot capability and more to do with minimums outlined by their insurance providers. They simply can't hire pilots with less time due to these insurance requirements.

From a career perspective, the best options in this segment of the market are companies that have diverse fleets of aircraft and opportunities for professional growth for their pilots. The SIC role in a King Air can turn into a PIC role in that same aircraft, for example.

Some companies that hire pilots between 500 - 1000 hours are:

• Dynamic Aviation

• Mountain Air Cargo

• PlaneSense

• CSI Aviation

What Pilot jobs require less than 1500 hours?

Once a pilot has more than 1000 hours total time, even more opportunities become available. These include more competitive fractional operations, Part 121 scheduled cargo airlines, and PIC roles on single-engine turbine aircraft doing specialty Part 135 operations.

Some companies that hire pilots between 1000-1500 hours are:

• Empire Airlines

• Mountain Air Cargo

• Morningstar Air Express