ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Pilot Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

UH-60 Blackhawk Instructor Pilot

Marana, AZ · On-site

Contract pilot shall participate in No-notice evaluation program. * Coordinate daily tasks and requirements (examples are work schedules, leaves, etc.) of contract employees to meet AATS missioned ...

Leidos

UH-60 Blackhawk Instructor Pilot

Marana, AZ · On-site

Contract pilot shall participate in No-notice evaluation program. * Coordinate daily tasks and requirements (examples are work schedules, leaves, etc.) of contract employees to meet AATS missioned ...

Sherpa Air

Chief Pilot

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Chief Pilot is responsible for Sherpa Air flight operations to include overall compliance ... contract regulations * Ensures that flights are manned by technically competent and legally ...

Pae

MQ-9 UAS Pilot II (Yuma, AZ)

Yuma, AZ

$78.11/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The UAS Pilot II will act as pilot in command (PIC) of MQ-9A aircraft and provide safe operation of ... Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract ...

PAE Government Services Inc.

MQ-9 UAS Pilot II (Yuma, AZ)

Yuma, AZ · On-site

$200.58/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The UAS Pilot II will act as pilot in command (PIC) of MQ‑9A aircraft and provide safe operation ... Contract Act (SCA) or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits. We ...

Amentum

MQ-9 UAS Pilot II (Yuma, AZ)

Yuma, AZ · On-site

$78.11/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The UAS Pilot II will act as pilot in command (PIC) of MQ-9A aircraft and provide safe operation of ... Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract ...

Top Aces Corp

F-16 Instructor Pilot (Argentina)

Mesa, AZ · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

F-16 Instructor Pilot (IP) and Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide academic, simulator, and ... This position is contingent upon contract award. An offer of employment may be extended prior to ...

Top Aces Corp

F-16 Instructor Pilot (Argentina)

Mesa, AZ · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

F-16 Instructor Pilot (IP) and Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide academic, simulator, and ... This position is contingent upon contract award. An offer of employment may be extended prior to ...

Lockheed Martin Corporation

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

THE WORK We are seeking experienced fighter pilots to serve as Contract Instructor Pilots to support our Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business area at Luke Air Force Base The role involves ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Pilot JobsContract Pilot Jobs in Arizona

Contract Pilot information

See Arizona salary details

$46.1K

$122K

$187.3K

How much do contract pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract pilot in Arizona is $121,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,200.00 and $144,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract pilot do?

A contract pilot is an aviation professional who operates helicopters, charter planes, or another aircraft on a per-job basis. As a contract pilot, you work directly with corporate or individual clients to fly an aircraft between locations and transport passengers or cargo. Your contract may be for a single trip or multiple trips. However, you operate as an independent contractor, so you are responsible for maintaining your credentials and insurance. Working as a contract pilot provides you with greater flexibility than being a pilot for an airline or the military.

What are some common challenges faced by contract pilots when adapting to different aircraft and client expectations?

Contract pilots often fly a variety of aircraft types for different clients, which can require quick adaptation to new cockpit layouts, avionics systems, and company-specific procedures. Additionally, each client may have unique operational standards and expectations regarding communication, scheduling, and reporting. Staying organized, maintaining up-to-date certifications, and being proactive in learning new processes are key strategies for overcoming these challenges. Strong interpersonal skills also help contract pilots integrate smoothly with new crews and flight departments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Pilot, you need extensive flight experience, an active commercial or airline transport pilot license (CPL/ATPL), and current medical certification. Familiarity with specific aircraft types, proficiency in using advanced avionics systems, and completion of required type ratings are typically necessary. Strong decision-making, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you manage diverse flying environments and coordinate with clients and crews. These competencies ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable service in varied and dynamic aviation assignments.

What is a contract pilot?

Contract pilots are professional pilots who are hired on a temporary or per-assignment basis, rather than as full-time employees of an airline or company. They typically operate private jets, corporate aircraft, or charter flights for individuals or organizations that need flight services for a limited period. Contract pilots are responsible for pre-flight planning, operating the aircraft safely, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and sometimes handling administrative tasks related to each flight. This flexible arrangement allows both pilots and employers to meet their scheduling and operational needs without long-term commitments.

What is the difference between Contract Pilot vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectContract PilotCommercial Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, possibly additional type ratingsCommercial Pilot Certificate, multi-engine ratings often required
Work EnvironmentHired on a temporary basis for specific contracts, often freelanceEmployed by airlines, charter companies, or corporate operators
Employer & Industry UsageContract basis across various operators, including private and cargoFull-time or part-time employment within commercial aviation

Contract pilots typically hold a commercial pilot certificate and work on a temporary or project basis, often flying for multiple operators. Commercial pilots are usually employed full-time by airlines or companies, with a focus on scheduled or charter flights. The main difference lies in employment type and job stability, with contract pilots offering flexibility and diverse opportunities, while commercial pilots often have more consistent employment within the commercial aviation industry.

More about Contract Pilot jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Pilot jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Pilot jobs in Arizona are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Pilot jobs in Arizona? For Contract Pilot jobs in Arizona, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Pilot jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Pilot jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Contract Pilot jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Contract Pilot job openings:
Contract Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Pilot job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,999 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

UH-60 Blackhawk Instructor Pilot

Leidos

Marana, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 491 rated business services

Job description

The Intelligence and Operations Solutions Division within the Airborne & Mission Solutions Business Area of Leidos is seeking a UH-60 Blackhawk Instructor Pilot supporting the Army National Guard (ARNG) Aviation Training Services and Operational Support (ATSOS) program in Marana, AZ. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your aviation expertise in direct support of the Western Army Aviation Training Site (WAATS) - one of the most respected training environments in the world.
As the prime contractor for ATSOS, Leidos delivers comprehensive flight and simulation training, classroom instruction, and schoolhouse support, including One Army School System (OASS) integration and Aviation Life Support Equipment (ALSE) maintenance. In this position, you will play a critical role in preparing Army National Guard maintainers for the demanding operational environments they face.
Leidos is hiring in-flight instruction of AATS assigned UH-60 A/L aircraft and instructor qualification courses, readiness level progressions, regional and foreign military training. The selected Instructor Pilots will conduct associated Instructor Operator tasks and platform academic instruction in support of the AATS student training mission. Candidates will accomplish all training in accordance with AR 95-1, TRADOC Programs of Instruction (POI), UH-60 dATM and local AATS SOPs. All contractor Instructor Pilots will adhere to prescribed requirements IAW DCMA INST 8210-1D. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience supporting the ATSOS program.
Primary Responsibilities
  • Maintain training records on formal course students and in ATP records as required for unit, readiness level (RL) progression trainees.
  • Provide instruction and evaluation to student pilots IAW Training Support Packages for AATS approved courses of instruction.
  • Conduct daily academic instruction of approved POI (Aircraft Qualification Course, Instructor Pilot Course, Aircraft Standardization Course, Maintenance Test Pilot Course).
  • Facilitate pre-mission planning and after-action reviews for all flights and simulation periods conducted.
  • Complete all aircrew training program (ATP) requirements IAW DCMA INST 8210-1D, AR 95-1, and the applicable dATM. Contract pilot shall participate in No-notice evaluation program.
  • Coordinate daily tasks and requirements (examples are work schedules, leaves, etc.) of contract employees to meet AATS missioned training requirements and schoolhouse accreditation as directed by AATS chains of command.
  • Responsible for compliance with appropriate Army, National Guard and AATS policies, procedures and regulations.
  • Coordinate with the GFR to ensure all contractors are qualified to perform aviation-training tasks IAW DCMA INST 8210.1D
  • Report Instructor Flight and Operation data in the Task Order Monthly Report.

Basic Qualifications
  • High School Diploma with 8 years' of applicable experience or Bachelors' Degree with 4 years' of experience.
  • Instructor Pilot experience with minimum of 250 military IP Flight Hours and/or 2 yrs IP experience at any USAACE approved or OASS accredited program. Flight time and operational experience, will be considered to meet experience stated above based on a records review by the GFR IAW DCMA INST 8210-1D.
  • USAACE/AATS (or equivalent Army approved NET) qualified IP in type aircraft for which duties will be performed.
  • Instructor Training Course (ITC) or ABIC qualified; or successfully graduate from a AATS provided ABIC course within 12 months of contractor employee start date.
  • FAA Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.
  • FAA Second Class flight physical required. Army Contractor pilots have the option of maintaining either an annual FAA Second Class Medical Certificate or an Army Class 2 FDME (DCMA 8210.1D, para 4.3.5.1.2).
  • Experience as an SP, IE and/or IP in a OASS school, MTOE or TDA organization at the company and/or battalion level.
    • Instrument Flight Examiners (IE), Standardization Instructor Pilots (SP), Instructor Pilots (IP), and Maintenance Evaluators (ME) designations apply only to contractor pilots (Army) contracted for the sole purpose of conducting aircraft qualification training and administration of the Aircrew Training Program (ATP). Contractor pilots in these designated positions shall meet all Army initial aircraft qualifications and recurrent training requirements per AR 95-1 and the applicable aircraft Digital Aircrew Training Module (dATM) (DCMA 8210.1D, para 4.3.4.3).
  • Must meet instructor qualification requirements IAW TR 350-10, TR 350-70.
  • Contractors performing flight operations in the role of Rated Crewmember (Instructor Pilot, Instrument Flight Examiner, Standardization Instructor Pilot, Maintenance Test Pilot, Functional Check Pilot) or Non-Rated Crewmember (Flight Engineer Instructor, Flight Instructor, Crew Chief) shall adhere to minimum qualifications as prescribed by DCMA INST 8210.1D.
  • All contractor Rated Crewmembers and Non-Rated Crewmembers will receive ACT-E qualification and sustainment training IAW TC 3-04.11.
  • The contractor shall ensure that their employees have a favorable background investigation or hold a security clearance and access approvals commensurate with the level of information processed or available to them.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Products.
  • IP experience at EAATS, HAATS, WAATS or U.S. Army Aviation Training Center.
  • Desired USAACE qualified Instrument Flight Examiner (IFE).

AMSOPP1
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 3, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

What Leidos employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Leidos logo

About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Leidos Jobs

Apply