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Part 61 Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Driscoll's, Inc.

Corporate Pilot

Watsonville, CA

The Corporate pilot will communicate regularly with the Assistant chief pilots, to ensure that all ... part 61, Standard Operating Procedures as outlined in the Driscoll's flight manual and best ...

Driscoll's, Inc.

Corporate Pilot

Watsonville, CA · On-site

The Corporate pilot will communicate regularly with the Assistant chief pilots, to ensure that all ... part 61, Standard Operating Procedures as outlined in the Driscoll's flight manual and best ...

Survice

UAV Test Pilots

Churchville, MD · On-site

$28 - $33/hr

Part 61, Part 141, Commercial Pilot or Private Pilots license. * Specific knowledge of military aircraft systems preferred. * Specific knowledge of unmanned rotorcraft preferred. * Experience ...

Tradewind

Pilot - PC-12 First Officer

West Harrison, NY · On-site

$450/day

Tradewind Pilots are aviation professionals who maintain the highest standards of safety and ... Successful completion of a Part 61 or 141 Flight Training Program Qualifications, Certificates ...

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Part 61 Pilot information

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$49.5K

$130.9K

$201K

How much do part 61 pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for part 61 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 a Part 61 pilot?

A Part 61 pilot is someone who has been trained and certified under Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) in the United States. This regulation outlines the requirements for obtaining various pilot certificates and ratings through a more flexible, instructor-driven training approach. Unlike Part 141 flight schools, which follow a structured curriculum approved by the FAA, Part 61 allows for personalized instruction and can be adapted to fit the student’s schedule and learning pace. Both pathways lead to the same pilot certificates, but Part 61 is often chosen by those seeking a more individualized training experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Part 61 pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Part 61 Pilot, you need a solid understanding of aerodynamics, navigation, flight regulations, and must obtain at least a private pilot certificate under FAA Part 61 requirements. Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS avionics, and weather briefing systems is typically required. Strong situational awareness, decision-making, and effective communication are critical soft skills for safe and efficient flight operations. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure regulatory compliance, flight safety, and successful mission completion in diverse flying conditions.

What are some common challenges a Part 61 pilot might face during flight training or while building hours?

One common challenge for Part 61 Pilots is managing a flexible training schedule, which can be both an advantage and a hurdle when it comes to maintaining consistent progress. Unlike structured Part 141 programs, Part 61 training often requires greater self-motivation and proactive communication with instructors to schedule lessons and track requirements. Additionally, building flight hours may involve creative approaches, such as seeking out time-building partnerships or flying in various weather conditions to gain diverse experience. Staying organized and setting clear goals can help ensure steady advancement toward certifications and ratings.

What is the difference between Part 61 Pilot vs Part 135 Pilot?

AspectPart 61 Pilot
CertificationsRequires a private or commercial pilot certificate, depending on the operation
Work EnvironmentOften self-employed or employed by flight schools, corporate flight departments, or individual owners
OperationsVary from recreational flying to flight instruction and some commercial activities

Part 61 Pilots typically hold basic pilot certificates and operate in diverse environments, including flight training and personal flying. In contrast, Part 135 Pilots are certified for commercial operations like charter flights, often under stricter regulations. The main difference lies in the scope of operations and regulatory requirements, with Part 135 pilots generally performing more commercial and passenger-related flights.

Can I become an airline pilot with a Part 61 Pilot?

A Part 61 pilot certificate allows individuals to fly aircraft for personal or recreational purposes but does not automatically qualify them to become airline pilots. To work as an airline pilot, one typically needs an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which requires additional flight hours, training, and experience beyond a Part 61 license. Many airline pilots start with a Part 61 certificate and then pursue further certifications and hours to meet airline requirements.

Will airlines hire Part 61 pilots?

Airlines typically prefer to hire pilots with a Part 121 or Part 135 certification, which require more extensive training and experience than a Part 61 license. However, some regional and charter operators may hire Part 61 pilots for entry-level or supplemental flying, especially if they have additional qualifications such as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate or flight instructor experience. Building flight hours and experience is essential for advancing to airline employment.

What are popular job titles related to Part 61 Pilot jobs?

For Part 61 Pilot jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Part 61 Pilot job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,916 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Senior UAS Training & Standardization Specialist

Sacramento, CA

KH Aerospace
See more jobs at KH Aerospaceexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Support demonstrations, field missions, customer operations, collaborative experimentation, and equipment testing.

  • Develop, maintain, and standardize operational documentation and mission procedures.

  • Serve as a senior pilot authority for operational standards, flight procedures, and safety compliance.

Job description

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) is an aerospace company specializing in long-endurance unmanned aerial platforms for a wide variety of industries. KHA supports a number of customers to carry out missions involving aerial reconnaissance, survey, communication relay and communications provisioning. Endurance, enabled by effective design, is key to these applications and KHA aircraft utilize cutting-edge aircraft design together with on-board intelligence to deliver value for these customers.

This position reports directly to the Manager of Training and Standardization .

The ideal person for this role possesses a deep operational expertise in (s)UAS flight operations, standardization, curriculum development and project management.What

This role serves as a senior pilot for operational procedures, flight area oversight, and technical integration.

The ideal candidate would be experienced in cross-functional engagement, engineering collaboration, flight test support, procedural standardization, interpersonal communication, fundamentals of instruction, team leadership principals, and in creating safe, compliant, mission-ready, staff and operations.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • UAS Flight Operations Leadership

  • Operational Standardization & Audits

  • Risk Management & Safety Programs

  • Site Management & Flight Area Oversight

  • Engineering & Flight Test Coordination

  • Mission Planning & Briefing

  • Technical Publications Review

  • Knowledge of Emerging UAS Technologies and current market landscape

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following job functions are a basic requirement but are not limited to and may be assigned other duties.

UAS Operations

  • Maintain proficiency and currency with all of KHA's emerging UAS technologies, regulatory changes, and operational best practices.

  • Hold and maintain all required certifications

  • Adhere to FAA regulations and guidelines, ensuring compliance during UAS operations and activities. Including but not limited to FAA Part 107, DOE Orders, restricted airspace protocols, and site procedures.

  • Support demonstrations, field missions, customer operations, collaborative experimentation and equipment testing. Examples of UAS operational duties include. Delivering near real-time aerial intelligence, integrating UAS data into customer systems,  flight operations drills, and emergencies.

  • Assist with flight planning, pre/post-flight checks, risk assessments, and maintaining accurate maintenance and flight logs.

  • Perform routine maintenance, diagnostics, and software updates on UAS platforms and ground control systems.

  • Maintenance of your own personal flight records, active participation in training exercises, and maintain individual currency requirements.

  • Adhere to Integrated Safety Management (including SP 1-3100), attend required meetings, and maintain a clean, organized UAS hangar.

  • Travel up to 70%.

Standardization & Evaluation Support

  • Serve as a senior pilot authority for operational standards, flight procedures, and safety compliance.

  • Conduct periodic audits of flight areas to ensure adherence to company and regulatory requirements.

  • Develop, maintain, and standardize operational documentation and mission procedures.

  • Manage revision control for risk assessments, mission briefs, and operations guidance.

  • Lead or support updates to training content, instructional methods, and delivery standards.

  • Provide data-driven recommendations to the Standardization & Training Manager to enhance operational performance

Subject Matter Expert Support

  • Work cross-departmentally with key stakeholders to stay current on emerging technologies and configuration updates.

  • Act as pilot subject matter expert for engineering, providing operational insight on new technologies and system capabilities.

  • Serve as lead liaison for engineering flight test requests, coordinating operational support and risk mitigation.

  • Collaborate with technical publications teams to assist in accuracy and operational relevance of pilot-facing documentation.

  • Assumes all other responsibilities as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 4 years of directly related experience

  • Deep understanding and proficiency Defense related UAS products

  • Strong attention to detail with strict adherence to operational and safety protocols

  • Experience in conducting demonstrations, field operations, Initial qualification training and evaluations, curriculum development, and equipment testing

  • Knowledge of UAS technology, airspace regulations, and industry best practices

  • Excellent communication and instructional skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex concepts to trainees

  • Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in UAS operations

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Military Experience

  • FAA Part 107 SUAS Remote Pilot

  • FAA Part 61 Pilot

  • 5+ years of directly related experience

  • Secret Clearance (or eligible)

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, Inc. ("Company") collects and uses Personal Information (as defined by the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 ("CCPA")) for human resources, employment, health and safety, and business-related purposes and to be in legal compliance. For more information, please read the full notice.

If you are an EU applicant, by sharing your personal information with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, Inc. you hereby (a) acknowledge and consent to the international transfer of your personal information to the United States, despite the risks associated due to the absence of an adequacy decision and appropriate safeguards, and (b) acknowledge that you have carefully read and understood this notice.

 

EEO Statement

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace is committed to providing Equal Opportunity in Employment, to all applicants and employees regardless of, race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, military status, veteran status, handicap, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.