Whatever your eventual aim in aviation, to fly a plane or to be involved in the design of a plane or even control air traffic, there are so many different kind of careers in aviation and whe don't even know about them. These kind of jobs are not always your normal day to day jobs and therefore we don't know much about them. What we can tell you is that hese jobs are very exciting and if you have a passion for aviation then this is where you should start looking. We have compiled a short guide of different kind of careers in aviation. If there is a specific kind of career that you are interested in you can contact us for more detailed information.
Private Pilot: Private Pilots are not allowed to accept fees for flying an aircraft and normally they just do it for fun or for business.
Commercial Pilot: These pilots have the privilege of getting paid for flying and aircraft. Once they have obtained their CPL, they can specialize in different kind of flight operations.
Helicopter Pilot: These pilots can make flights to otherwise inaccessible areas and they have the advantages of low flying and hovering.
Airline Transport Pilot: These are the guys who fly us around in Kulula, Mango, 1Time and SAA and they are called airline pilots. Before you can become a captain on one of these airlines you need to obtain your Airline Transport Pilot’s License.
Police Pilot: These pilots work for the South African Police Force.
Air Force Pilot: These people normally enroll in the Air Force and they get trained there and sometimes they get to fly some of the most amazing aircraft on the planet. It is here where you get to fly fighter jets. ( Has anyone of you watched Top Gun? )
Charter Pilot: They charter people on non scheduled flights all over the world and they get to see places that some of us can only dream of.
Crop Spraying Pilot: These guys normally work in the country side and the spray the crops of farmers with pesticides etc.
Fire Fighting Pilot: This is a thrilling job and can be dangerous but very exciting.
Flight Instructor: These guys train other people to become pilots.
Search and Rescue Pilot: If you love adrenaline this is the job for you. These pilots sometimes operates in the most difficult places and conditions.
Ferry Pilot: Their job is to ferry aircraft between different countries and sometimes over the ocean and it can be very adventurous and demanding.
Test Pilot: These pilots test newly designed or newly built aircraft.
Aerial Photography Pilot: These pilots are involved in wildlife filming, movies etc.
Game Capturing Pilot: Mostly for helicopter pilots. These pilots have great skills and they also get to work with wildlife.
Survey Pilot: Mapping and mining companies make use of these pilots.
Aerobatics Pilot: These pilots do aerobatics at air shows and they also participate in competitions.
Patrol Pilot: They normally patrol protected areas or the country’s borders.
Display Pilot: They do different kinds of displays at air shows etc.
Racing Pilot: Pilots who participate in air races.
Aeronautical Engineer: He or she develops, designs and tests aircraft. missiles. satellites and other systems.
Air Cargo Agent: It is this person's job to supervise the cargo terminal. Record air freight shipments and arrange for deliveries.
Air Cargo / Baggage Handler: He or she loads and unloads cargo and baggage, drives baggage tractors, operates conveyors, forklifts and other air freight handling equipment.
Aircraft Builder: He or she assembles, fits and installs pre-fabricated parts to manufacture fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft or aircraft sub-assemblies.
Aviation Catering Chef: He or she is responsible for the preparation of the food served on airliners.
Aircraft Composite Technician: The Technician in this trade is responsible for the maintenance, repair and manufacture of plastic, fiberglass and honeycomb structure components.
Aviation Consultant: These people specializes in various aviation related services like helping companies setting up a new airline, flying school etc.
Aircraft Electroplater: This trade entails the plating of a thin protective layer on aircraft parts by means of electrochemical processes.
Aircraft Instrument Technician: He or She is trained to repair, test and install navigational and flying instruments such as the auto pilot, altimeter, directional indicator and electronic compasses.
Aviation Insurance Broker: These people specializes in insurance for the aviation industry.
Aviation Lawyer: These lawyers specialize in air law.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs): He or she diagnoses, adjusts, repairs, replaces or overhauls aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems, wings and fuselage and functional components including rigging, surface controls and plumbing to ensure airworthiness.
Aviation Medical Doctor: These doctors are certified to do aviation medicals on pilots and air crew.
Aerial Photographer: They are involved in aerial filiming etc.
Aircraft Spray painter: Technicians in this trade are responsible for the protective and decorative finishing of the aircraft, its engines and components.
Aircraft Radiotrician: This person's responsibility is to carry out maintenance of all communication equipment of the aircraft.
Air Rescue Paramedic: These people work at for search and rescue, the air ambulance etc.
Aircraft Structural Radiologist: This person is trained and certified to take x - rays of the aircraft’s structure.
Aircraft Structures Worker: The Aircraft Structures Worker is mainly responsible for the maintenance, repair, overhaul, manufacturing and modification of the aircraft structure and its components.
Aircraft Sheet Metal Worker: These artisans are responsible for applying various sheet metals, like aluminium, onto the airframes of aircraft.
Aircraft Trimmer: This trade is responsible for the manufacturing. maintenance and repair of interior components such as fabric covered panels, carpets, curtains and seat covers.
Aircraft Welder: This Technician is responsible for the repairing of aircraft components by applying various welding processes and advanced technologies.
Airline Station Manager: The station manager is in charge of all ground and flight operations for his/her airline.
Airport Planner: It is this person's job to plan and design airport facilities. It is also his or her role to create a master plan for the airport, noting the increasing demands of passengers and the airline services.
Airport Manager: This person Is responsible for management and co-ordination of the complete airport.
Air Traffic Controller: An air traffic controller's job includes tower control. which handles all aircraft movements, take-offs and landings, while approach control monitors approaching and departing traffic, en route control ana Information and advisory services.
Aviation Law: This is a highly specialised aspect of the lawand is very much internationally orientated. It is recommended that you contact universities for more information.
Aviation Medicine: General practitioners take the course, to be in a better position to deal with patients transported by air, or to carry out the required medical examinations for the issue and renewal of personnel licenses.
Aviation Safety Specialist: Aviation safety specialists report incidents and accidents and ensure that their causes are made widely known to all that could benefit by the knowledge.
Aviation Turner and Machinist: The technician in this trade is responsible for the modifications, repair and manufacture of aircraft parts.
Cabin Crew I Flight Attendant: He or she checks passengers' names and destinations, enforces safety rules, serves food. oversees passengers' comfort and directs evacuation procedures in the case of an emergency.
Electro mechanic: The electro mechanic maintains teletype equipment. landing lights, beacons and stand-by generators,
Electronics Maintenance Technician: This person maintains navigational aids and communication equipment, such as radar and radio beacons.
Fitter and Turner: The fitter and turner is trained to manufacture parts and aircraft components.
Flight Dispatcher: The flight dispatcher works with the pilot planning flight requirements, authorizes take-offs or cancels flightsand advises pilots in the air on weather or route changes.
Flight Engineer: The flight engineer monitors the in-flight operation of the engines and aircraft's mechanical and electrical systems.
Flight Line Mechanic: The airplane is prepared for test flight after final assembly by the flight line mechanic.
Ground Handling and Emergency Services: When on the ground, aircraft need to be moved around, refueled, cleaned and so on. Also, emergency services such as airport rescue and fire-fighting teams have to be available at all times to react to emergencies, Paramedics and fire-fighters are employed by these services.
Loadmaster: He or she supervises proper tie-down procedures of cargo and calculates weight distribution of the load.
Meteorologist: He or she analyzes weather data and makes weather reports to the pilot and dispatcher. He or she may also work with the flight dispatcher preparing flight plans.
Navigator: The navigator plots the course, reports positions and estimates arrival time.
Operations Agent: The operations agent oversees the loading and unloading of the aircraft and checks the distribution of the aircraft load and fuel.
Don't just dream about it, you can make your passion your career