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Pilot In Command Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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$49.1K

$129.8K

$199.3K

How much do pilot in command jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for pilot in command in Virginia is $129,793.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,100.00 and $153,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Pilot In Command, you need advanced aeronautical knowledge, an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, and significant flight hours. Mastery of avionics systems, flight management computers, and navigation tools is standard, along with recurrent simulator training. Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills are essential for managing crew and ensuring passenger safety. These skills and qualifications are crucial for safe, efficient flight operations and effective handling of in-flight challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by a Pilot In Command during multi-crew operations?

As a Pilot In Command (PIC) in multi-crew operations, one of the main challenges is effective communication and decision-making under time pressure. The PIC must balance delegating tasks while maintaining overall responsibility for flight safety and compliance with regulations. Managing workload, especially during irregular operations or emergencies, requires strong leadership and trust within the crew. Additionally, adapting to varying personalities and experience levels among crew members is essential to ensure smooth collaboration and safe outcomes.

What are Pilot In Command responsibilities?

A Pilot In Command (PIC) is the person legally responsible for the operation and safety of an aircraft during flight. The PIC has final authority over all decisions related to the flight, including navigation, communication, and emergency procedures. This role involves pre-flight planning, ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, and managing the crew and passengers. The PIC must also assess weather conditions, check the aircraft's mechanical status, and coordinate with air traffic control to ensure a safe and efficient flight.

What is the difference between Pilot In Command vs Co-Pilot?

AspectPilot In CommandCo-Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificateCommercial Pilot License (CPL), often with additional type ratings
Work EnvironmentLeads flight operations, makes final decisions, responsible for safetyAssists Pilot In Command, manages navigation and communication tasks
Roles & ResponsibilitiesOverall flight responsibility, decision-making authoritySupports Pilot In Command, shares flying duties

The Pilot In Command holds the primary responsibility for flight safety and decision-making, while the Co-Pilot assists and shares flying duties. Both roles require similar certifications, but the Pilot In Command has ultimate authority and accountability during flights.

What are popular job titles related to Pilot In Command jobs in Virginia? For Pilot In Command jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pilot In Command jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Pilot In Command jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Pilot In Command jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Pilot In Command job openings:
Pilot In Command jobs near you

Pixis Drones - Chief Drone Swarm Pilot

RedPeg Marketing

Alexandria, VA • On-site, Remote

$85K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION
Location: Hybrid / Alexandria, VA - Remote
Title: Chief Pilot
Reports to: Director of Flight Operations
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT:
Pixis Drones crafts awe-inspiring aerial experiences by marrying artistry, engineering, and
storytelling. We design and deliver large-scale drone light shows for brands, live events, and
cultural moments around the globe. We're a nimble, innovative, and entrepreneurial team
passionate about precision, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of aerial entertainment.
THE ROLE:
The Chief Pilot serves as the senior flight authority and steward of operational excellence
for Pixis Drones' aerial shows. This full-time role is responsible for overseeing the overall
health, maintenance, and readiness of the drone fleet; mentoring and managing the pilot
corps; and ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local aviation regulations.
The Chief Pilot partners closely with the Director of Flight Operations and company
leadership to develop and enforce standard operating procedures, safety systems, and
compliance frameworks that uphold Pixis' reputation for safe, spectacular, and technically
flawless shows.
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leadership & Team Management
  • Oversee, mentor, and develop the flight operations team, including all certified Part 107 pilots and co-pilots.
  • Establish and maintain pilot qualification, training, and evaluation programs to ensure consistent proficiency across all personnel.
  • Assign pilots and crews to shows based on skill level, readiness, and project scope.
  • Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning within the flight department.

Fleet & Systems Oversight
  • Maintain full visibility into the operational health of the drone fleet, including airframes, batteries, RTK ground systems, and control software.
  • Direct maintenance, repair, and lifecycle management of all flight hardware; ensure all equipment meets operational and regulatory standards.
  • Manage maintenance logs, RMA tracking, and system readiness documentation.• Collaborate with technical teams to vet and implement new technologies that improve reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance & Airspace Management
  • Serve as the company's primary liaison with the FAA and other relevant regulatory bodies.
  • Submit and manage all flight authorizations, waivers, and NOTAMs required for Pixis shows.
  • Maintain deep knowledge of Part 107, Remote ID, airspace classifications, and evolving regulations relevant to swarm operations and drone light shows.
  • Build and sustain relationships within the FAA and local authorities to advocate for safe, innovative use of drone swarm technology.
  • Monitor upcoming regulatory changes and proactively update company policies and procedures.

Safety Standards & Operational Protocols
  • Set and enforce show safety standards, risk mitigation procedures, and go/no-go criteria.
  • Lead the creation and regular revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Operations Manuals, and Emergency Response Plans.
  • Conduct and document pre-mission safety reviews, site assessments, and crew briefings.
  • Evaluate new show sites and airspace to determine risk levels and develop mitigation plans.
  • Budgeting & Strategic Operations
  • Partner with the Director of Flight Operations to create and manage the flight ops department budget.
  • Oversee procurement decisions related to fleet expansion, maintenance, software, and safety systems.
  • Track expenditures and forecast needs to support strategic growth of Pixis flight capabilities.
  • Field Operations (as needed)
  • Serve as Pilot in Command (PIC) or Co-Pilot for select high-profile or complex shows to maintain firsthand operational awareness.
  • Represent Pixis as a technical authority during on-site operations, client interactions, and regulatory inspections.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate in good standing (required).
  • Proven experience flying and leading large-scale drone light shows (hundreds to 1,000+ drones).
  • Deep understanding of FAA regulations, airspace authorization, waivers, and drone show permitting.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience managing pilot teams and maintaining operational discipline.
  • Proficiency with RTK GNSS, ground control systems, geofencing, and drone show control software (UGCS, PixHawk, etc.).
  • Strong relationships with FAA or other aviation regulatory bodies (preferred).
  • Exceptional organizational and documentation skills.
  • Flexible schedule-willingness to travel (50-75%), including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Background in aviation, aerospace, military, or entertainment technology strongly preferred.

Preferred
  • Proven experience in drone light show operations of 100+ drones - ideally up to swarm sizes in hundreds or more
  • Field leadership experience, including directing team operations and safety briefings
  • Familiarity with show tech ecosystems (timecode sync, audio/visual integration, communication chains)
  • Background in military, robotics, entertainment technology, or aerial systems

HOW WE WORK
At Pixis Drones, precision meets creative spectacle. We engineer safety into every show-
from redundancy in hardware/software to procedural discipline and real-time decision
frameworks. Our creative edge is rooted in reliability and operational rigor. We welcome
people from diverse domains-aviation, robotics, events, media-and provide systems
training and mentorship to help you grow.
PHYSICAL & OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to lift or carry up to ~50 lbs intermittently; comfortable with walking, standing,
and field deployment tasks
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass background / MVR checks
• Calm under pressure and responsive in dynamic settings
NEXT STEPS:
To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter,
resume/portfolio, and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted. It is
the policy of Pixis to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless
of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion,
creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic
information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or anyother characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, Pixis will provide
reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Next Steps:
To apply for this position please respond to this posting with your cover letter, resume and salary requirements. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.
It is the policy of RedPeg to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, RedPeg will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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