So you’ve completed your CPL licence and now you’re ready to fly! As an eager young pilot, or keen-eyed career changer, you’re ready for that first job behind the stick. But hold up– you’ve got your licence, but you don’t have experience. While that might mean a job as a flight commander for a major airline isn’t quite on the table yet, there are still lots of pilot employment opportunities for you. There is an increasing demand for pilots in Australia, and that has meant that there are more and more entry level pilot jobs. Australia’s aviation industry is a growth industry, so let’s take a look at some entry level pilot jobs– no experience required!
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Entry Level Pilot Jobs - Australia
In Australia, there are several entry-level pilot jobs available for aspiring aviators looking to start their careers in the aviation industry. These common entry-level pilot employment opportunities can be found in numerous locations all over the country.
1. Flight Instructor
Many pilots begin their careers as flight instructors, teaching aspiring pilots how to fly. Flight instructors work for flight schools, flying clubs, and aviation academies. They provide both theory instruction and flight training to student pilots. This role offers valuable flight experience and the opportunity to build flight hours while helping others learn to fly. It’s a win-win for everyone!
2. Charter Pilot
If you like the idea of flying people around, but prefer to make your own schedule and fly smaller planes than big airline jets, a career as a charter pilot might be for you! Charter pilots fly private aircraft for charter companies, providing on-demand air transportation for individuals, businesses, and organisations. Charter pilots may fly single-engine or multi-engine aircraft and may transport passengers, cargo, or both. Charter piloting often involves flying to a variety of destinations and requires flexibility and adaptability.
3. Agricultural Pilot
Agricultural pilots, also known as crop dusters or aerial applicators, apply fertilisers, pesticides, and other agricultural chemicals to crops from the air. They typically fly low and slow over fields, using specialised aircraft equipped with spraying equipment. Agricultural flying can be challenging, but highly rewarding. This job is situated in rural areas, so if you want to live out in the country and support the agricultural industry, it might be just what you need.
4. Advertising Pilot
Have you ever seen a banner towed behind a small plane at the beach? That was an advertising pilot, or a banner towing pilot! These pilots fly small aircraft equipped with advertising banners, towing them behind the aircraft to display messages or advertisements. Towing a banner behind a plane often involves flying in high-traffic areas such as beaches, sporting events, and festivals, and requires precision flying skills and good decision-making abilities.
5. Skydiving Pilot
Skydiving pilots fly aircraft used for skydiving operations, transporting skydivers to altitude and ensuring safe and timely exits. They may operate single-engine or multi-engine aircraft and work closely with skydiving instructors and jumpers to coordinate flight operations. This job offers the opportunity to fly in a dynamic and exciting environment, as well as good teamwork.
6. Pipeline Patrol Pilot
Pipeline patrol pilots fly aircraft equipped with specialised cameras or sensors to inspect pipelines and power lines for signs of damage, leaks, or encroachment. They may also monitor wildlife, environmental conditions, and other factors relevant to pipeline operations. Pipeline patrolling frequently requires flying low and slow over remote areas and requires good observational skills.
7. Traffic Reporting Pilot
Traffic reporting pilots fly aircraft equipped with cameras or sensors to provide real-time traffic updates for radio or television stations. They fly over highways and urban areas, observing traffic patterns and reporting on accidents, congestion, and road closures. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work under tight deadlines. It also requires a great deal of teamwork and excellent navigation abilities. Typically this is a helicopter piloting job.
8. Air Ambulance Pilot
Air ambulance pilots operate aircraft used for medical evacuation and air ambulance services. They transport critically ill or injured patients to hospitals or medical facilities for urgent medical care. Air ambulance pilots may fly fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters and work closely with medical teams to ensure the safe and efficient transport of patients.
9. SAR Pilot
Search and rescue (SAR) pilots fly aircraft used for search and rescue missions to locate and rescue individuals in distress or emergency situations. They may operate fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters and work closely with search and rescue teams, emergency responders, and government agencies to conduct search operations and provide assistance to those in need.
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How To Get Your First Job As A Pilot In Australia
If you want to pursue pilot employment opportunities in Australia, the first thing you need is a CPL– a commercial pilot licence. The first two levels of pilot licence, the recreational and private pilot licences, do not allow you to take paid passengers. Our Bachelor of Aviation flight course offers you everything you need to get your CPL. And that’s not the only advantage of learning with us at the Holmes Institute of Aviation!
Our students get excellent hands-on training and experience with a variety of aircraft types. We want our students to succeed, and our training is tailored towards helping you get your first professional piloting job. Between aircraft flight hours, simulator training, classroom experience, and hands-on practice in our aircraft repair lab, you will leave with the experience and theoretical knowledge you need to get an entry-level pilot job in Australia. Contact us today to find out more about how you can get your foot in the door of Australia’s growing aviation industry.
