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Small Aircraft Pilot Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Cracked Engineers

Lowell, MI · On-site

$80K - $200K/yr

... aircraft that become decentralized infrastructure. Orb is a small mission-driven team where your ... Support in Getting your Pilots License and Ratings Support for Continuing Education Annual Customer ...

Cracked Engineers

Lowell, MI · On-site

$850/wk

... aircraft that become decentralized infrastructure. Orb is a small mission-driven team where your ... Support in Getting your Pilots License and Ratings Support for Continuing Education Annual Customer ...

Cracked Engineers

Lowell, MI · On-site

$80K - $200K/yr

... aircraft that become decentralized infrastructure. Orb is a small mission-driven team where your ... Support in Getting your Pilots License and Ratings Support for Continuing Education Annual Customer ...

Small Aircraft Pilot information

See Michigan salary details

$41.8K

$76K

$115.9K

How much do small aircraft pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for small aircraft pilot in Michigan is $75,955.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,900.00 and $88,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a small aircraft pilot?

A Small Aircraft Pilot operates and navigates small planes, typically for personal, business, charter, or instructional purposes. They may transport passengers, cargo, or perform specialized tasks like aerial surveying or photography. Pilots must follow flight plans, monitor weather conditions, and ensure the aircraft's safety and performance. They typically hold a private or commercial pilot license, depending on the type of work they perform.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a small aircraft pilot?

A Small Aircraft Pilot's daily responsibilities often include conducting pre-flight inspections, reviewing weather conditions, filing flight plans, and ensuring payload and weight balance meet safety regulations. Once in flight, pilots navigate the aircraft, communicate with air traffic control, and continuously monitor systems and instruments to maintain a safe flight. After landing, they complete post-flight checks, document flight logs, and may oversee minor aircraft maintenance tasks. Collaboration with ground crew and sometimes passengers or clients is common, making professionalism and clear communication essential in the day-to-day role.

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

To thrive as a Small Aircraft Pilot, you need excellent aeronautical knowledge, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and a valid pilot's license such as a Private or Commercial Pilot Certificate. Familiarity with aviation navigation systems, flight planning software, radio communication tools, and compliance with FAA regulations is essential. Strong situational awareness, effective communication, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are standout soft skills. These abilities ensure safety, efficiency, and professionalism during all stages of flight operations in diverse and often changing environments.

How to become a small aircraft pilot?

To become a small aircraft pilot, you need to obtain a private pilot license (PPL) by completing flight training at a certified flight school, passing written and practical exams, and accumulating a minimum of 40 flight hours. Additional certifications, such as an instrument or commercial pilot license, require further training and flight hours. Maintaining a valid medical certificate from an FAA-approved aviation medical examiner is also essential.

What are the most commonly searched types of Small Aircraft Pilot jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Small Aircraft Pilot jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Small Aircraft Pilot jobs in Michigan?

For Small Aircraft Pilot jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Small Aircraft Pilot job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $75,955 per year, or $36.5 per hour.

Cracked Engineers

Lowell, MI • On-site

$80K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

US Citizen or Permanent Resident 
In-Person 
Starts Immediately 

Join us in returning to a 1940's design cadence, reducing new aircraft development cycle time and reindustrializing the Americas Low Altitude OEM. We're leveraging our region's industrial might and airspace to build aircraft that become decentralized infrastructure. Orb is a small mission-driven team where your initiative, creativity, and dedication will be used to reach every village on the planet with power, air and ground-based logistics, and communications. 
Your Role at Orb
  • Build Better Airplanes Faster
Key Responsibilities:
  • Subdue the Earth 
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
  • Cares more about building great things than being right.
$80,000 - $200,000 a year
+ Options and Incentives
Build cathedrals, put the kingdom first, and play to win at Orb Aerospace

About Orb Aerospace: Orb was started with the mission to bring aviation to the 80% of the world that's never had it; turning autonomous aircraft into tools to decentralize infrastructure, connect continents, protect soldiers, provide for families, and run economies."Less like the flying taxis, more like the flying cowboys," Orb is at the intersection of manned and unmanned aviation, reindustrializing the Midwest, and building the- future we know is possible and want to live in.   

About Node One: Node One is a small team of engineers and operators who have dedicated their lives to solving some of the world's hardest problems through a new kind of aviation - Orb's live-work-fly R&D HQ. Node One is all about reducing the cycle time to design, build, and fly aircraft from years to months and building the systems and platforms we'll use to reach every village on the planet.  

We stand on the shoulders of giants. Their great work allows us to accomplish ours. If you've been a rocket/airplane nerd and have a passion for designing, building, and flying airframes, autopilots, power systems, and embedded systems, or you love to push a new product through new manufacturing methods to a new market, come join the team at Node One and make history. 

Orb Employees Are: 
High Agency and Biased Towards Action 
Have a History of Self-Starting, Pacing, and Finishing Projects 
Thrive with Autonomy to Design New Solutions to Partially Defined Problems 
Are Curious and Continue Learning 
Have Integrity and a Desire to Serve Others 

Standard Benefits Package:  
Orb provides a monthly flat rate towards medical, dental, and vision 
$500 flat rate for individuals; $850 flat rate for married/family 
Medical, Vision, Dental, Short/Long Term Disability, and Group/Voluntary Life Insurance 
Opt-In 401K Options (Pre-Tax or Roth) with a 3% Employer Match 

Perks:  
Support in Getting your Pilots License and Ratings 
Support for Continuing Education 
Annual Customer Demos all over the World 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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