High flying careers are not only about piloting planes or helicopters as the diversification within the flying industry has expanded career possibilities in the air and on the ground. With a burgeoning interest in aeronautics and the opportunities available, there are no limits in the range of careers available to those who love flight.
Planes
A career as a pilot can take different paths that are exciting, adventurous and fulfilling. Whether a bush pilot in Alaska, a slurry bomber passing over a raging forest fire in the Northwest, or a commercial airline pilot traveling to all corners of the world, flying can be a dream come true for those who love planes and the thrill of flying them.
The options for potential pilots are innumerable, and the career paths can range from militarily related flying, government service pilots (DEA, FBI), corporate, charter and regional shuttling, cargo transport, medical and air ambulance support, law enforcement surveillance, traffic and weather reporting, and so much more. With all these choices and different paths to take, guidance in the right direction through aviation career counseling can help future pilots find the right career path.
Helicopters
Potential helicopter pilots are equally challenged with the number of career choices, though many of the same or similar areas of interest exist for them as they do for airplane pilots. One benefit that helicopter pilots boast over most airplane pilots is their ability to have a full-time career and still have a very local living situation. Unlike airline pilots, helicopter pilots in many fields are able to fly for the day and sleep in their own beds at night. Numerous helicopter careers are based on medical related services, search and rescue, law enforcement, military transport, sightseeing operations, corporate and commercial enterprises, heavy cargo lifting, fish and game spotting, surveying, aerial photography, and state and federal levels of departmental operations that require helicopter use.
Aviation Industry
There are hundreds of supplementary careers affiliated with the operation and maintenance of airplanes and helicopters as well as jobs that are connected to flight control, general airport operations, ground operations, manufacturing of new aircraft, National Flight Services, and other industries related to the technical aspects of flight. Jobs exist for flight controllers, flight engineers, flight attendants, interior and exterior maintenance technicians, ground crews, cargo and baggage handlers, security personnel, inspectors, aircraft purchasers and other ground related operatives.
The nitty-gritty jobs in aviation are the ones that keep planes and helicopters in the air. Airframe and powerplant mechanics (A&P) are the technical experts that repair, maintain and troubleshoot aircraft. Other technicians and engineers develop, design and structure new aircraft and test all systems for safe and efficient operation. Avionics, dealing with electrical system repairs, hydraulics, and repair of specific components is a growing and necessary field in aircraft mechanics as are related areas dedicated to the preservation and upkeep of aircraft.
With the growth in aviation careers, for both airplane and helicopter pilots as well as for supportive technicians and ground personnel, the entire industry will continue to flourish and will provide not only high-flying careers for pilots but will employ tech savvy individuals that keep planes and helicopters safe and airborne.
