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Contract Air Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Blue Air Training

Pilot

North Las Vegas, NV · On-site

Pilot will operate company owned aircraft, including: OV-10 Bronco, PC-9, IAR-823 Brasov, Bell-206 ... Air-Support on another DoD contract. Recency requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis ...

Textron

Pilot - Skillbridge

Cherry Point, NC · On-site

Air Force Contracts: Conduct flight operations from any of ATAC's permanent facilities (Eglin AFB ... Act as, or support the individual responsible for, pilot Scheduling, Training, NATOPS/Standards ...

Textron

Air Force Contracts: Conduct flight operations from any of ATAC's permanent facilities (Eglin AFB ... Act as, or support the individual responsible for, pilot Scheduling, Training, NATOPS/Standards ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot

Houston, TX

... contracts. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in military tactical flying, particularly in ADAIR (Adversary Air) and Contracted Close Air Support (CCAS). This role will involve ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot

San Antonio, TX

... contracts. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in military tactical flying, particularly in ADAIR (Adversary Air) and Contracted Close Air Support (CCAS). This role will involve ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot

San Antonio, TX · On-site

... contracts. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in military tactical flying, particularly in ADAIR (Adversary Air) and Contracted Close Air Support (CCAS). This role will involve ...

RAVN Aerospace

Pilot

Houston, TX · On-site

... contracts. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in military tactical flying, particularly in ADAIR (Adversary Air) and Contracted Close Air Support (CCAS). This role will involve ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Twentynine Palms, CA

$82K - $93K/yr

Must meet 29 Palms contract requirement** AIR METHODS: GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HERE! As the leader in the air medical industry, Air Methods seeks exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Twentynine Palms, CA

$82K - $93K/yr

Must meet 29 Palms contract requirement** AIR METHODS: GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HERE! As the leader in the air medical industry, Air Methods seeks exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our ...

Blue Air Training

Pilot (Part-Time)

Avon Park, FL · On-site

Pilot will operate company owned aircraft, including: OV-10 Bronco, PC-9, IAR-823 Brasov, Bell-206 ... Air-Support on another DoD contract. Recency requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Twentynine Palms, CA · On-site

$25K/mo

Must meet 29 Palms contract requirement** AIR METHODS: GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HERE! As the leader in the air medical industry, Air Methods seeks exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our ...

Blue Air Training

Pilot (Part-Time)

North Las Vegas, NV · On-site

Pilot will operate company owned aircraft, including: OV-10 Bronco, PC-9, IAR-823 Brasov, Bell-206 ... Air-Support on another DoD contract. Recency requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis ...

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Contract Air Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do contract air pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract air pilot in the United States is $130,916.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,000.00 and $155,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Contract Air Pilots?

Contract Air Pilots are professional pilots who are hired on a temporary or per-assignment basis, rather than as full-time employees. They may operate a variety of aircraft, including private jets, cargo planes, or helicopters, depending on the needs of their clients. Contract Air Pilots often work for multiple employers, such as private individuals, corporations, or charter companies, and may be responsible for their own licensing, training, and insurance. This flexible arrangement allows both pilots and employers to meet short-term or specialized aviation needs. Contract pilots must comply with the same safety and regulatory standards as full-time pilots.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Air Pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Air Pilot, you need a commercial pilot license, comprehensive flight experience, and up-to-date medical certification. Familiarity with various aircraft, flight management systems, and navigation tools is essential, and additional type ratings or instrument ratings are often required. Strong situational awareness, decision-making, and communication skills are crucial for handling dynamic flight conditions and coordinating with ground teams. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and efficient operations in a role that often demands flexibility and adaptability.

What are some common challenges Contract Air Pilots face when transitioning between different employers or flight operations?

Contract Air Pilots often encounter the challenge of quickly adapting to new aircraft types, company procedures, and operational protocols when moving between employers or assignments. Each organization may have unique safety standards, communication practices, and scheduling systems, requiring pilots to be highly adaptable and detail-oriented. Building rapport with new crew members and understanding the expectations of different flight departments are also essential for maintaining smooth operations and ensuring safety. Staying current with certifications and regulatory requirements across various jurisdictions can further add complexity to the role.

What is the difference between Contract Air Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectContract Air PilotCommercial Pilot
CredentialsCommercial Pilot Certificate, possibly additional type ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, multi-engine ratings often required
Work EnvironmentCharter services, private contracts, on-demand flightsAirlines, charter companies, cargo carriers
Employer & IndustryPrivate clients, companies offering specialized flight servicesAirlines, freight, tourism

Contract Air Pilots typically operate on a freelance basis, providing specialized or on-demand flight services for private clients or companies. Commercial Pilots work for airlines or commercial operators, often with more structured employment. Both roles require a Commercial Pilot Certificate, but Contract Air Pilots often have more flexibility and varied work environments.

More about Contract Air Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Air Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Contract Air Pilot job openings:
What states have the most Contract Air Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Air Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Air Pilot jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Air Pilot jobs are:
Contract Air Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Air Pilot job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.
Contract Instructor Pilot

Contract Instructor Pilot

LB&B Associates, Inc.

Virginia Beach, VA

Other

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

LB&B Associates Inc. is hiring an on-call Contract Instructor Pilot to support our team at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA.

Qualifications: A CI must be or have been an F/A 18 Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) qualified Pilot, qualified in a tactical, fixed-wing Naval jet aircraft within five (5) years of being hired as a F/A-18 simulator instructor or have been acting as an instructor on a simulator for a tactical, fixed-wing Naval jet aircraft within the past five (5) years. A CI shall have a minimum of 800 flying hours in tactical, fixed-wing Naval jet aircraft.
Certifications: A CI must successfully complete the F/A-18 E, F and G NATOPS open-book, closed-book, oral and boldface exams and annually renew qualifications with the Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS). A CI must demonstrate an understanding of the F/A-18 mission, crew procedures, tactics, Air Combat Maneuvering, airborne Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) threats, Replacement Pilot and Replacement Weapons Systems Officer (RP/RWSO) syllabi and curriculum change forms, aircraft weapons employment, carrier operations, RADAR intercept geometry and current known F/A-18 E, F, and G threats. CI's will be qualified to instruct within all phases of the FRS syllabus.
Clearance: Must possess an Active DOD SECRET Clearance and be able to maintain a cleared status while employed by LB&B on this contract.
Education: Bachelor's degree required
The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other protected factor by country, regional or local law.

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