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Pilot Transport Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight ... aircraft preparation, transportation, setup, flight operations, and recovery. * Maintain ...

The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight ... aircraft preparation, transportation, setup, flight operations, and recovery. * Maintain ...

Hotel accommodations and ground transportation during the ATP-CTP course will be provided. * Get ... Must have at least a private pilot certificate * Must be a current flight student OR CFI, actively ...

Hotel accommodations and ground transportation during the ATP-CTP course will be provided. * Get ... Must have at least a private pilot certificate * Must be a current flight student OR CFI, actively ...

Hotel accommodations and ground transportation during the ATP-CTP course will be provided. * Get ... Must have at least a private pilot certificate * Must be a current flight student OR CFI, actively ...

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Showing results 1-20

Pilot Transport information

See Washington salary details

$56.1K

$148.3K

$227.7K

How much do pilot transport jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for pilot transport in Washington is $148,275.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $113,300.00 and $175,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pilot transport?

Pilot transport jobs involve operating aircraft to transport passengers or cargo from one location to another. Pilots are responsible for planning flights, conducting pre-flight checks, navigating, monitoring weather conditions, and ensuring the safety of everyone onboard. They may work for commercial airlines, charter services, cargo carriers, or private companies. In addition to flying, pilots must comply with aviation regulations and maintain their skills through regular training. The role requires a commercial pilot’s license and often additional certifications depending on the type of aircraft and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a transport pilot?

To thrive as a Transport Pilot, you need a commercial pilot's license, strong knowledge of aeronautical regulations, and exceptional flight operation skills. Familiarity with advanced avionics systems, flight management computers, and certifications like the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate are typically required. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making, and communication skills are crucial for managing in-flight challenges and ensuring passenger safety. These competencies are vital for safe, efficient flight operations and effective teamwork in dynamic aviation environments.

What are some common challenges faced by pilot transport professionals during long-haul flights?

Pilot transport professionals often encounter challenges such as managing fatigue, adapting to changing weather conditions, and coordinating with air traffic control across different regions. Long-haul flights require careful attention to rest and alertness, as well as strong teamwork with co-pilots and cabin crew to ensure passenger safety and comfort. Additionally, pilots must stay up-to-date with evolving regulations and procedures, making ongoing training and adaptability essential in this dynamic role.

What is the difference between Pilot Transport vs Commercial Pilot?

AspectPilot TransportCommercial Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot Certificate, Second-Class MedicalCommercial Pilot Certificate, Second-Class Medical
Work EnvironmentAirlines, cargo, passenger transportCharter flights, aerial work, cargo
Industry UsagePrimarily airline and scheduled passenger servicesVaried roles including aerial photography, crop dusting

Both Pilot Transport and Commercial Pilots hold similar certifications and often work in aviation. Pilot Transport typically refers to pilots working for airlines or cargo carriers, focusing on scheduled passenger or freight flights. Commercial Pilots have a broader scope, including non-scheduled flights and specialized aerial work. While their certifications overlap, their work environments and roles differ significantly, with Pilot Transport being more airline-focused and Commercial Pilots engaging in diverse aviation services.

How to become a pilot transport?

To become a pilot transport, you typically need to obtain a commercial pilot license (CPL) from the relevant aviation authority, which requires flight training, a minimum number of flight hours, and passing written and practical exams. Additional certifications such as an airline transport pilot license (ATPL) may be required for certain roles, along with strong communication skills and the ability to work irregular hours. Gaining experience through flight hours and maintaining good health with regular medical checkups are also essential steps.

What job categories do people searching Pilot Transport jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Pilot Transport jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Pilot Transport job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $148,275 per year, or $71.3 per hour.

UAS Pilot

Rockville, MD • On-site

Ideal Aerosmith
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Ideal Aerosmith is a leading supplier of precision inertial guidance test systems, flight motion simulators, and a premier provider of aerospace test engineering services, ATE system engineering, and quality contract manufacturing services to the aerospace industry. We're experts and we earn that title everyday with our customers through innovative engineering, manufacturing, and sustainment of world-class motion and electric test solutions and services. 

Here, we don’t just solve complex problems - we redefine what’s possible. Every role at Ideal Aerosmith supports a lean culture through continuous improvement - ongoing, incremental enhancements to products, processes, or services aimed at reducing waste and boosting efficiency, customer service, and performance. With a team of skilled problem solvers and a culture that thrives on tackling challenges head-on, we are dedicated to our clients' success. Enjoy competitive benefits, a supportive work environment, and every other Friday off to recharge.

The UAS Pilot will serve as a pilot and hands-on technical member of Ideal Aerosmith’s UAS flight operations team, supporting developmental flight testing, aircraft production, and customer operations. This position requires demonstrated flight experience with both Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS, including strong manual flight proficiency using RC-style transmitters or equivalent external flight controls.

The UAS Pilot will support the final assembly, integration, functional checkout, and flight-readiness verification of aircraft and associated systems. Flight responsibilities will include functional check flights, internal research and development (R&D) sorties, developmental flight testing, and current and future customer demonstrations.

When not conducting flight operations, the UAS Pilot will work directly alongside engineering and production teams to assemble, inspect, troubleshoot, integrate, and prepare aircraft for flight. The ideal candidate combines professional aviation discipline, advanced fixed-wing UAS piloting skills, and the technical aptitude to contribute directly to aircraft development and production.

Job Responsibilities

  • Serve as a UAS Pilot for Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft, supporting functional check flights, developmental flight testing, internal R&D sorties, and customer demonstrations.
  • Manually operate fixed-wing UAS during launch, recovery, flight test, and abnormal or emergency situations as required.
  • Support final aircraft assembly, system integration, functional checkout, and flight-readiness verification prior to aircraft release for flight operations.
  • Conduct and support aircraft ground checks, pre-flight inspections, functional check flights, post-flight inspections, and discrepancy resolution.
  • Work directly with engineering and production teams to troubleshoot aircraft and subsystem issues and support corrective actions and design improvements.
  • Provide pilot and operational feedback to engineering during aircraft development, integration, and test.
  • Assist with mechanical, electrical, avionics, payload, and flight-control system integration.
  • Support aircraft maintenance, servicing, repairs, modifications, and configuration changes.
  • Participate in flight planning, briefs, debriefs, test-card development, and flight-test documentation.
  • Document discrepancies, maintenance actions, configuration changes, and flight-test observations.
  • Assist with development and refinement of flight procedures, checklists, and operational documentation.
  • Support customer demonstrations and field deployments, including aircraft preparation, transportation, setup, flight operations, and recovery.
  • Maintain professional aviation discipline and comply with company flight operations procedures, safety requirements, and applicable regulatory guidance.

Qualification Requirements 

  • 3+ years of professional UAS, aviation, aerospace, flight-test, or closely related experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated flight experience operating both Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS required.
  • Demonstrated proficiency manually flying Group 2 and Group 3 fixed-wing UAS using RC-style transmitters or equivalent external flight controls required.
  • Experience with launch, recovery, and manual control of large fixed-wing UAS required.
  • Military UAS flight experience involving direct manual control of fixed-wing aircraft using handheld transmitters or equivalent external pilot controls highly desired.
  • Experience with high-performance RC aircraft, turbine-powered RC aircraft, aerial targets, developmental UAS, or similar platforms highly desired.
  • Education or professional experience in an engineering discipline, including aerospace, mechanical, electrical, systems, avionics, or a related field, desired.
  • Experience with aircraft assembly, integration, inspection, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, and functional checkout preferred.
  • Experience supporting developmental flight test, functional check flights, or aircraft acceptance activities highly desired.
  • Experience operating in a disciplined military, aviation, aerospace, or professional flight-test environment strongly preferred.
  • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively across engineering, production, and flight operations teams.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally and obtain a passport.
  • Due to federal contract requirements applicable to this position, candidates must be U.S. citizens.

Skill Requirements 

  • Advanced fixed-wing manual flight skills and strong understanding of fixed-wing aircraft handling and aerodynamics.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on technical skills.
  • Ability to use common hand tools, power tools, and aircraft support equipment safely and effectively.
  • Familiarity with aircraft systems, wiring, electronics, avionics, flight controls, or mechanical assemblies.
  • Ability to follow technical instructions, assembly procedures, flight procedures, and operational checklists.
  • Strong situational awareness, judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate effectively in a developmental flight-test environment.
  • Ability to identify, document, and communicate aircraft discrepancies and provide meaningful operational feedback to engineering teams.
  • Effective communication and teamwork skills.
  • Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office products.

Physical Requirements

  • Must have the ability to lift and/or carry 45 lbs.
  • Ability to work for extended periods at computer workstation/keyboard.
  • Ability to type accurately and efficiently.
  • The position will require walking, standing, squatting, crouching, stooping, lifting, climbing, pulling, pushing, sitting, repetitive motion and kneeling.

Ideal Aerosmith is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our goal is to create a work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion, where all employees feel respected and valued. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and strive to provide equal employment opportunities to everyone.