Commercial Pilot Jobs in North Carolina
Cities in North Carolina with Aviation Schools:
- Apex
- Asheboro
- Asheville
- Boone
- Burlington
- Carrboro
- Cary
- Chapel Hill
- Charlotte
- Clayton
- Clemmons
- Concord
- Cornelius
- Durham
- Fayetteville
- Fort Bragg
- Fuquay Varina
- Garner
- Gastonia
- Goldsboro
- Greensboro
- Greenville
- Havelock
- Hickory
- High Point
- Holly Springs
- Huntersville
- Indian Trail
- Jacksonville
- Kannapolis
- Kernersville
- Kinston
- Leland
- Lumberton
- Matthews
- Mint Hill
- Monroe
- Mooresville
- Morrisville
- New Bern
- Old Fort
- Raleigh
- Rocky Mount
- Salisbury
- Sanford
- Shelby
- Statesville
- Thomasville
- Wake Forest
- Wilmington
- Wilson
- Winston-Salem
Commercial Pilot Jobs North Carolina

North Carolina Commercial Pilot Salary - How Much Do Commercial Pilots Make?
Commercial Pilot Benefits

Depending on the company you work for, as a commercial pilot you may be eligible to receive health insurance, life insurance, and disability benefits, along with retirement plans and "per diem" pay for longer trips, but these benefits are fairly rare for most commercial pilot jobs.
Seniority Affects Pay
As a new commercial pilot, you can expect to make entry level pay, fly older, less sophisticated aircraft, and fly less desirable routes and schedules. New commercial pilots typically must "pay their dues" in this role in order to accumulate the required hours to apply for better jobs and move up the career ladder into higher paying jobs. Get more information about commercial pilot training.
Pilot Training - What you need to know to fly for a living

Commercial pilots with two years of college or more have an advantage over pilots with only a high school diploma. However, many operations do hire pilots with only a high school education. Pilots who have degrees in aviation-related fields like aeronautics have a better chance of landing a job. If you want to become a commercial pilot, there are two routes to take: military or civilian training. Military training is only a viable option for people with top grades and a four year degree, as competition for military flying slots is fierce, to say the least. The majority of new commercial pilot training occurs at flight schools, flight academies, and colleges with flight training programs.
Where to Find Commercial Pilot Training Near North Carolina
Most schools, academies, and colleges offer pilot training for people with no experience. These programs will have a base price for earning all the required licenses and ratings to become a commercial pilot and begin building your flight hours to find a job. Keep in mind that the quoted price is for people who progress at the "average" rate, so the price can go lower or higher, depending on your personal progress.
Building Commercial Pilot Hours

Since you will need to build flight hours after earning your licenses and ratings, it's important to find a flight school or academy that offers jobs to its graduates. This way, assuming you are professional in your approach to flying and the flight training environment, you are virtually assured of having your first "commercial pilot" job after graduation, and have a chance to build those flight hours and experience you need to move on to your next position. Learn about commercial pilot jobs.
As a commercial pilot, you will be required to take additional training and check rides periodically, depending on the type of operation you work for, and the type of aircraft being flown. Ongoing training is a reality for all commercial pilots.
FAA - A History of Airplane Structures Facts for North Carolina
There are five major stresses to which all aircraft are subjected: Compression. Compression is the stress that resists a crushing force. The compressive strength of a material is also measured in psi. Compression is the stress that tends to shorten or squeeze aircraft parts.
Aviation Facts - Trim Controls
Included in the trim controls are the trim tabs, servo tabs, balance tabs, and spring tabs. Trim tabs are small airfoils recessed into the trailing edges of the primary control surfaces. Trim tabs can be used to correct any tendency of the aircraft to move toward an undesirable flight attitude. Their purpose is to enable the pilot to trim out any unbalanced condition which may exist during flight, without exerting any pressure on the primary controls.
Commercial Pilot Jobs North Carolina
Commercial Pilot License - Which License and Ratings Will You Need?
To become a commercial pilot in North Carolina, you need to be at least 18 years old (although you can earn your private pilot's license at 17, you must be 18 or older to get your commercial pilot license) and get at least a third class FAA medical certificate. The medical certificate ensures that you are in good overall health, have good vision (corrected or uncorrected is okay) and don't have any disabilities which could affect your ability to fly, although the FAA may grant a waiver for individual cases. Learn about commercial pilot jobs.
List of Licenses and Ratings
Commercial pilots typically hold some or all of the following licenses, ratings, and certificates, depending on the operation:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Medical First Class - Certificate
- Private Pilot - License
- Commercial Pilot - License
- Instrument Pilot - Rating
- Multi-Engine - Rating
- Type Rating - Rating specific to the type of aircraft being flown, if necessary
The Road to a Commercial Pilot License
The first license you earn is private pilot. Next, most people get their instrument rating, and then go on to the commercial pilot license. Some operations don't require an instrument rating. However, possessing the rating is always beneficial both for piloting skills and getting jobs. If you'll be flying multi-engine aircraft (and you probably will), you'll need to earn a multi-engine rating, and, if flying larger aircraft (over 12,500 pounds gross weight) or turbo jet aircraft, you'll also need a type rating for that specific model or family of aircraft. Many companies offer type rating training specifically for this purpose. Get more information on commercial pilot training.
North Carolina Commercial Pilot License Tests
Most, but not all, FAA licenses and ratings require that you pass written, oral, and practical (check ride) tests given by approved testing centers and designated examiners.
Accelerated Flight Training - Condensed training helps pilots retain info, earn more ratings, and get jobs
No matter how you look at it, flight training is a lengthy process. There are many new things to learn and hundreds of flight hours to gain. When it comes down to it, flight training can only be condensed so much before it bumps up against regulations. This presents a bit of a problem to someone looking to start a career in aviation. Training costs money, but it's going to be a while before flying will pay. So what's the best solution? Accelerated training. Accelerated flight training offers some notable benefits including being good for career pilots, quick progression through ratings, and increased job placement opportunities. Great for Career Pilots
Accelerated training is great for career pilots. It allows the student to condense their training into a few weeks or months rather than years. This works by allowing the student to fly multiple lessons per week while also taking consolidated ground school. The nature of the training typically demands the student train like a full-time job--eight hours a day, five days a week. This is great for someone who's looking to get started with a career in the quickest amount of time. It's unfortunately not so great for someone who can't devote more than a few hours per week.
Most accelerated training programs function similarly to military training in that students alternate between flying and classroom instruction before entering a phase of longer flights. Some accelerated programs even dispatch students and aircraft on a series of long flights that are intended to provide a large amount of flight time and allow the student a more varied cross-country experience.
Quick Progression Through Ratings
This type of training is primarily designed to fast track students to ratings. Rather than taking six months to obtain a private pilot certificate or an instrument rating, it can take as little as fourteen days. How can you take something that takes six months and effectively learn it in fourteen days? Attend ground school and flight training eight hours per day. The bottom line on all flight training is the more you do it, the more you retain. Accelerated programs are based on this concept and their success stems from the fact that their students are immersed in flying so much that they can't help but learn.
Job Placement Opportunities
Most of the larger accelerated flight training schools offer job placement to graduates. They have agreements with some airlines and often directly offer employment to some of the graduates. This is a great asset to someone looking to break into the aviation career field. When considering job placement agreements, some schools offer actual job placements while some offer guaranteed interviews. Either is better than nothing no matter how you look at it. It's debatable, but the single biggest employer of many accelerated flight training program graduates is often the schools offering the programs. After all, they need flight instructors to teach their students and someone who's familiar with the program is a great asset.
As you can see, for someone trying to launch into an aviation career, accelerated flight training has a number of benefits. Even people that are just trying to get several ratings at once can benefit from an accelerated program. So if you're looking for a flying career and you have time to devote to training, consider an accelerated program.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Asheville
Air Force Helicopter Pilot: Salaries are more for those posted in difficult terrains and working outside the country. The average salary for senior level pilots and commanders with an experience of more than ten years can be around USD 100,000 per years.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Asheville
Helicopter Training Facts for Asheville: Commercial uses for helicopters include flying passengers on sightseeing trips, assisting in search-and-rescue operations and patrolling oil pipelines, to name just a few examples. If you want to become a commercial helicopter pilot, first you typically must earn your private pilot's license, then fly additional hours to become a commercial helicopter pilot.
Aviation History for Burlington and Fun Facts for Burlington
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Burlington Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting, Drug Abatement, Charters and Tours, Search and Rescue, Air Taxi Service, Air Ambulance/EMS, Corporate VIP Transport, Offshore, Oil Rig Support, Aerial Photography/ Surveillance, Electronic News Gathering, External Load/ Heavy Lifting, Agriculture Support, Logging Operations, Certified Flight Instructor.
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Burlington
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Burlington Helicopter pilots must successfully complete a flight training program and log a certain number of hours flying before beginning any job.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Cary
Air Force Helicopter Pilot: Many talented youngsters these days do not go for the air force jobs as they feel they can earn more in the private sector multi-national companies. However, one thing we all should remember is that comparing the salaries of government sector with the private should be avoided as both sectors have their own positives and negatives.
Helicopter Training Facts for Cary: Before you commit to a full program of lessons, it can be a good idea to take a test lesson in a helicopter to make sure that you like flying in the rotor-powered vehicles.
Aviation Training History and Facts for Chapel Hill
Helicopter Flight Training Tips: According to most resources, helicopter pilots typically start out earning approximately $35,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year in beginning of their career. After a couple of years as a professional and experienced pilot the pay typically exceeds $50,000.00, and in some fields pay can exceed $100,000.00.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Chapel Hill
Helicopter Training Facts for Chapel Hill: Other qualities that will help you become a commercial helicopter pilot include the ability to stay calm under pressure, the ability to solve problems quickly and a tendency to put safety first. Some employers might have weight restrictions for commercial helicopter pilots, so being in good physical shape also could help.
Air Traffic Service Routes
An Air Traffic Service route is based on a centerline that extends from one navigation aid, fix or intersection, to another navigation aid, fix or intersection (or several) specified for that route.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Charlotte
Heliports: The typical heliport contains several helipads. Helipads are smooth and flat areas devoted to helicopter landing and take offs. The heliport consists of a control tower in most instances, a radio station as well as identification and emergency lighting.
Aviation Training History and Facts for Concord
Helicopter Flight Training Tips: Regardless of what field you choose to work in; a helicopter pilot can expect to have each day filled with thrilling new adventures that are truly unique to the trade.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Concord
Helicopter Training Facts for Concord: With enough hours and experience, you can look for jobs with charter companies, tourism and sightseeing organizations and other places that use helicopters in their operations. Some employers might also expect their pilots to have some level of college education.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Durham
Air Force Helicopter Pilot: You should also be aware of the age and citizenship requirements for getting placed in the air force. Generally, the minimum age of entry into the air force is eighteen years while thirty is the maximum age limit. Only United States citizens can become air force officers as per the laws.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Durham
Heliports: Many heliport locations also include rental car agents as well as private limousine stables to service patrons. Several of the most recent heliport designs also include an upscale restaurant to host couples wishing to utilize a helicopter tour of the particular city in which it is located.
Fun Facts About Flight Dispatchers
Flight Planning – An aircraft dispatcher is the one who works up the flight plan for every flight before they ever leave the ground. Weather plays an important role in the flight plan, as does a variety of non-routine issues such as national crises, volcanic ash, and more.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Fayetteville
Heliports: Rural heliports often house helicopters used to spray agricultural fields where a standard crop-dusting airplane may not be able to operate. County sheriff's police as well as search and rescue crews may also base helicopters out of one of these locations.
Aviation History for Fort Bragg and Fun Facts for Fort Bragg
In fact, you have a better chance at surviving in a helicopter when the engine fails than you do in an airplane. Helicopters are designed specifically to allow pilots to have a reasonable chance of landing them safely in the case where the engine stops working during flight, often with no damage at all.
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Fort Bragg
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Fort Bragg Other typical job duties involve getting aerial footage for sporting events or traffic jams.
Fun Facts About Flight Dispatchers
Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test Prerequisites
To be eligible to take the Aircraft Dispatcher Practical Test, an applicant must meet the following criteria, as required by 14 CFR part 65: Be at least 21 years of age; Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English Language; Present documentary evidence of passing the required knowledge test prescribed by 14 CFR part 65.55 within the preceding 24 months; and Comply with the experience or training requirements of 14CFR part 65.57.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Gastonia
Helicopter Training Facts for Gastonia: After you have obtained a private pilot's license, you will need at least 150 hours of flying time before you can test for a commercial helicopter pilot's license. In the United States, it also is necessary to get a second-class medical certificate through a Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA) medical examiner.
Aviation History for Goldsboro and Fun Facts for Goldsboro
If you include military helicopters it is estimated that there are more than 45,000 operating worldwide.
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Goldsboro
A relatively common helicopter pilot job is working for emergency medical services. This typically involves flying solo and in different weather conditions and may require flying over terrain that can be challenging.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Greensboro
Air Force Helicopter Pilot: The university from where you pass out needs to be recognized and a reputed one. Along with graduation, training at the officer training schools is also a must.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Greensboro
Heliports: The heliport is usually located in an area near a conventional airport, but it is typically in a lesser-used area. The relation to the airport is critical for the heliport in order to properly receive and transfer persons and supplies from one type of aircraft to another, such as from an airplane onto a helicopter.
Helicopter Flight Training Tips:
If you are a Medical Evacuation helicopter pilot you will need to spend much of your time in hospitals and landing on roof top pads. Medical Evacuation pilots also get to do something many helicopter pilots don't to do regularly - night flying. Because emergency don't just happen during daylight hours, Medical Evac Pilots must also pilot during twiligt and nighttime hours.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Greenville
Helicopter Training Facts for Greenville: Looking for work in the field can be difficult at first because for the higher paying jobs, you'll need even more flight time. To earn additional flight hours as a novice commercial helicopter pilot, you might consider getting a pilot teaching certificate.
Aviation History for Hickory and Fun Facts for Hickory
Helicopters can be flown across oceans if additional fuel is made available or in-flight refueling is employed.
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Hickory
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Hickory Helicopter pilots in emergency services fields are often called upon to airlift victims of accidents, fires, or natural disasters such as flooding or the aftermath of a severe storm. Hospitals may hire pilots and pay for equipment, or the services may be provided to a hospital by an outside company.
Aviation Training History and Facts for High Point
Helicopter Flight Training Tips: Before you make a decision about helicopter training or choose a helicopter school you should take a few minutes and learn a few very important facts. This information may cause you to change your mind about receiving helicopter lessons.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for High Point
Helicopter Training Facts for High Point: When selecting a school, ask about the credentials of instructors, what kinds of helicopters they fly, how many helicopters the school has and how long the school has been in operation.
Aviation History for Huntersville and Fun Facts for Huntersville
Unlike the more common fixed wing aircraft such as a sport biplane or an airliner, the helicopter is capable of direct vertical take-off and landing; it can also hover in a fixed position.
Interesting Aviation Facts for Huntersville for Huntersville
Commercial Helicopter License Tips: Pilot in Command time is accumulated by flying solo and acting as the pilot of your helicopter AFTER you attain your Private License. Even if you are receiving flight instruction at the time; the hours toward PIC count as long as you are registered as the acting pilot of your aircraft.
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Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Jacksonville
Air Force Helicopter Pilot: The average salary for senior level pilots and commanders with an experience of more than ten years can be around USD 100,000 per years. Average salary of a pilot can vary as per their location of job and posting. Apart from the salary, air force pilots receive housing allowance, insurance, cost of living allowance, family separation allowance and the overseas housing allowance.
Helicopter Training - Some Random Facts
If you have made the decision to become a commercial helicopter pilot, you must first find a flight school where you can take lessons in piloting a helicopter. Flight schools can be found through local airports, online and in the telephone book.
There are several types of training for all aircraft certificate holders: initial, transition, upgrade, differences, recurrent, in flight and requalification training.
Aviation History for Kannapolis and Fun Facts for Kannapolis
Myth: Helicopters will drop like a rock when the engine shuts down. In fact, you have a better chance at surviving in a helicopter when the engine fails than you do in an airplane.
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Kannapolis
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Kannapolis Similar to hospital-based jobs, helicopter pilots who fly for news agencies often travel to the scene of severe accidents or natural disasters.
Aviation History for Monroe and Fun Facts for Monroe
Once the engine drops below a certain number of revolutions per minute, relative to the rotor RPM rate, a special clutch mechanism, called a freewheeling unit, disengages the engine from the main rotor automatically. This allows the main rotor to spin without resistance from the engine.
Aviation History for Monroe and Fun Facts for Monroe
Helicopter Jobs: Law enforcement, military, and government agencies also offer helicopter pilot jobs. Government jobs are found in areas such as transportation, wildlife monitoring, immigration, and national security.
Aviation Training History and Facts for Old Fort
Helicopter Flight Training Tips: Helicopter Pilots often play a pivotal role in many professions. Here are just a few of the occupational areas where licensed helicopter pilots are a critical part of the team. Certainly you are sure to find one that resonates with what you want to achieve in life.
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Old Fort Helicopter pilot jobs range from sightseeing and aerial photography to working with emergency rescue groups or news-gathering agencies. Other career opportunities include instruction, forestry, surveying and mapping, heavy-lifting, and flying for the military.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Raleigh
Air Force Helicopter Pilot: A bachelor's degree is required at almost all places for recruitment. Among the graduates, those with degrees in technical fields such as engineering, applied sciences, computer science, Mathematics and Physics are given first preference.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Raleigh
Heliports: The heliport also houses fueling stations and repair facilities for the helicopters that use it.
Fun Facts About Flight Dispatchers
To apply for an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certification, you must be at least 23 years old and be able to read, speak and write English. Dispatcher candidates must accrue 200 hours of training on specific topics. Then, students must pass a written knowledge test, a practical flight planning test, and an oral exam.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Rocky Mount
Helicopter Training Facts for Rocky Mount: Classes in aeronautics, physics and related areas might be helpful if you want to become a commercial helicopter pilot.
Aviation History for Salisbury and Fun Facts for Salisbury
A landing via autorotation is also sometimes necessary if the rear rotor blades stop functioning properly, no longer countering for the torque of the main rotor blades, so the helicopter will spin if the engine isnt turned off.
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Salisbury
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Salisbury News helicopter pilots may simply provide a means to get aerial footage, or they may transport reporters to the scene as well.
Aviation Training History and Facts for Wilmington
Helicopter Flight Training Tips: A typical day of a working as a helicopter pilot is amazing! You get to see the world from a position most people only dream of. Everything looks completely different when flying a helicopter a few thousand feet above ground.
Fun Helicopter and Airplane Facts for Wilmington
Helicopter Training Facts for Wilmington: After you begin pilot training, it isn't all about being in the air. You'll have to take courses on safety and other topics before you leave the ground. A minimum of 40 hours of helicopter flight time and a student helicopter pilot certificate.
Aviation History for Wilson and Fun Facts for Wilson
Commercial Helicopter License Tips: To obtain your Commercial Rotorcraft License, the FAA requires the pilot to have a minimum of 150 hours of flight time, and 100 of those hours must be PIC (Pilot in Command) time.
Positive Quotes: “Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.” ― Steve Maraboli
Fun Aviation Facts and Figures for Wilson
Helicopter Pilot Jobs for Wilson Specialized training, based on the kind of aircraft the pilot flies, is another requirement. Helicopter pilots are also required to have and maintain excellent physical and mental health.
Fun Facts About Flight Dispatchers
While this is true, a flight crew cannot fly without the help of a team of people on the ground. An aircraft dispatcher makes airline operations work and ensures that both pilots and their passengers are able to travel safely to their destination.
Aviation Factoids and Figures and Fun for Winston-Salem
Heliports: Many heliports also play host to a number of flight schools and repair colleges. Those wishing to learn to fly a helicopter or to repair one can take courses at these schools.