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Low Hours Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pae

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Enterprise, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ... low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job ...

Pae

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Enterprise, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ... low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job ...

Amentum

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Enterprise, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ... low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job ...

Pae

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Enterprise, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ... low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job ...

Amentum

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Enterprise, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ... low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job ...

Amentum

Helicopter Pilot (Instructor)

Enterprise, AL · On-site

$55.85/hr

Boasting an unprecedented safety record with more than 2.5 million hours of flight instruction ... low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job ...

Lowe's

Corporate Pilot

Charlotte, NC

... Hours Jet (Preferred) Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (ATP) GVII Type Rating Preferred About Lowe's Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE ® 100 home improvement company serving ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Little Rock, AR

$82K/yr

With a low cost of living, growing job market, and a welcoming community, Little Rock makes it easy ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$82K/yr

With a low cost of living, growing job market, and a welcoming community, Little Rock makes it easy ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Little Rock, AR

$82K/yr

With a low cost of living, growing job market, and a welcoming community, Little Rock makes it easy ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Texarkana, AR

$82K/yr

Residents enjoy a low cost of living, a relaxed pace, and easy access to outdoor spaces like Spring ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Little Rock, AR

$82K/yr

With a low cost of living, growing job market, and a welcoming community, Little Rock makes it easy ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Olney, IL · On-site

$82K/yr

With a strong sense of community, low cost of living, and a slower, more meaningful pace of life ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Olney, IL · On-site

$82K - $93K/yr

With a strong sense of community, low cost of living, and a slower, more meaningful pace of life ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Olney, IL

$82K - $93K/yr

With a strong sense of community, low cost of living, and a slower, more meaningful pace of life ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Olney, IL

$82K - $93K/yr

With a strong sense of community, low cost of living, and a slower, more meaningful pace of life ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Texarkana, AR · On-site

$82K/yr

Residents enjoy a low cost of living, a relaxed pace, and easy access to outdoor spaces like Spring ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

Air Methods

Helicopter Pilot

Texarkana, AR

$82K/yr

Residents enjoy a low cost of living, a relaxed pace, and easy access to outdoor spaces like Spring ... Regular scheduled attendance. (7/7 schedule - 12-hour shifts) Subject to applicable laws and Air ...

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All JobsLow Hours Pilot Jobs

Low Hours Pilot information

See salary details

$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do low hours pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for low hours 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 is the difference between Low Hours Pilot vs Flight Instructor?

AspectLow Hours PilotFlight Instructor
Required CertificationsPrivate Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL) oftenPrivate Pilot License (PPL), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
Work EnvironmentCharter flights, aerial surveys, banner towingFlight training, student pilots, flight schools
Industry UsageEntry-level commercial flying rolesTraining and mentoring new pilots

Both Low Hours Pilots and Flight Instructors typically hold a Private Pilot License and are involved in entry-level flying roles. While Low Hours Pilots often perform charter or banner towing, Flight Instructors focus on training student pilots. The main difference lies in their primary responsibilities: Low Hours Pilots fly for various commercial purposes, whereas Flight Instructors teach and evaluate new pilots during their certification process.

What are low hours pilots?

Low hours pilots are individuals who have recently obtained their pilot license and have relatively few logged flight hours, typically under 500 hours. These pilots are often at the beginning of their aviation careers and are seeking entry-level positions to gain more flight experience. They may work in roles such as flight instruction, banner towing, or aerial surveying to build hours and qualify for more advanced positions. Opportunities for low hours pilots can be competitive, so networking and continuous training are important.

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

To thrive as a Low Hours Pilot, you need a commercial pilot license (CPL), strong aeronautical knowledge, and foundational flight experience, typically with 200–300 flight hours. Familiarity with flight planning software, navigation systems, and aircraft-specific avionics is essential. Excellent communication, situational awareness, and adaptability help Low Hours Pilots handle diverse flight conditions and work effectively with crew and instructors. These skills ensure safety, build professional credibility, and support progression to higher-level pilot roles.

What types of entry-level flying opportunities are commonly available for low hours pilots, and how can I maximize my experience in these roles?

Low hours pilots often begin their careers in roles such as flight instructing, banner towing, aerial surveying, or skydiving operations. These positions not only help build valuable flight hours but also provide exposure to different flying conditions and operational procedures. To maximize your experience, focus on developing strong communication skills, professionalism, and adaptability, as these qualities are highly valued by future employers. Networking within the aviation community and seeking mentorship can also open doors to more advanced opportunities as you accumulate hours and experience.
More about Low Hours Pilot jobs
What cities are hiring for Low Hours Pilot jobs? Cities with the most Low Hours Pilot job openings:
What states have the most Low Hours Pilot jobs? States with the most job openings for Low Hours Pilot jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Low Hours Pilot jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Low Hours Pilot jobs are:
Low Hours Pilot jobs near you
Infographic showing various Low Hours Pilot job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 48% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 48% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Large Airtanker Pilot - C-130 IA Captain

Coulson Aviation

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Large Airtanker Pilot – C-130 Initial Attack

Coulson Aviation

When wildfires ignite, you’re among the first in the air.

Coulson Aviation is seeking exceptional C-130 Initial Attack Airtanker Captains to join our world-class aerial firefighting team. If you bring prior C-130 PIC experience or are USFS Initial Attack (IA) carded as an Airtanker Captain, this is your opportunity to fly one of the most powerful and capable aerial firefighting platforms in service today.

This is a mission-critical role supporting rapid initial attack wildfire suppression, complex fire environments, and large-scale coordinated aerial operations. If you thrive in high-tempo operations, precision low-level flying, and dynamic multi-aircraft environments, this is where your experience truly matters.

Why This Role Matters

Initial attack saves forests, communities, and lives.
As a C-130 Initial Attack Pilot, your decisions and execution in the first hours of a fire can change the outcome entirely. You’ll be entrusted with one of the most capable firefighting aircraft in the world, operating at the sharp end of wildfire response. Supporting ground firefighters is our passion, and we need you to help us help them—so together, we can protect our communities and our state and national forest lands, not only here at home, but internationally as well

The Mission

Conduct time-critical wildfire response missions delivering retardant with our specialized water/retardant dropping tanking systems in the most challenging terrain and congested airspace environments you’ll see as a professional aviator. You’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with Air Attack, ground resources, and agency partners to slow fire growth when it matters most.

Key Responsibilities

  • Execute initial attack aerial firefighting missions in the C-130 Airtanker with precision, discipline, and professionalism
  • Operate at low level in mountainous and high-threat environments in accordance with approved SOPs and tactics
  • Coordinate closely with Air Attack to manage complex, congested fire traffic areas
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational hazards while actively supporting the Safety Management System (SMS)
  • Maintain aircraft and crew readiness for rapid deployment during peak fire activity
  • Complete flight logs, mission records, and required operational documentation
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of wildfire tactics, SOPs, and operational procedures

Qualifications

Required

  • FAA ATP, or FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating appropriate to C-130 operations
  • 2,000+ hours total flight time
  • 1,000+ hours of multi-engine experience
  • 500 hours of IFR experience

Preferred

  • 4,000+ hours total flight time
  • Previous C-130, LAT, or VLAT experience
  • Initial Attack aerial firefighting experience
  • Low-level tactical flying in complex or mountainous terrain
  • Multi-crew, crew-resource-management–intensive cockpit experience

What Sets You Apart

  • Exceptional CRM, threat and error management, and sound aeronautical decision-making
  • Calm, decisive communicator under pressure
  • High situational awareness in rapidly evolving fire environments
  • Safety-driven, mission-focused, and ready for on-call deployment during peak fire seasons

Ready to be first over the fire?

Apply now and join the front line of aerial wildfire suppression with Coulson Aviation.