1

Tour Pilot Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and tour all facilities of interest. * Act as a professional representative in dealing with all ... Participate in required corporate meetings, training sessions, organizational pilot programs, and ...

Showing results 21-25

Tour Pilot information

See Virginia salary details

$8

$18

$33

How much do tour pilot jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for tour pilot in Virginia is $18.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.28 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tour pilot?

Tour pilots are professional pilots who operate aircraft, such as helicopters or small planes, to provide sightseeing or charter tours for passengers. They are responsible for safely flying the aircraft along designated routes, offering commentary about landmarks, and ensuring passengers have an enjoyable and safe experience. Tour pilots typically work for tour companies in scenic locations and must hold the required pilot certifications and adhere to all aviation regulations.

What does a tour pilot do?

As a tour pilot, you fly a plane or helicopter to give rides to tourists. You may explain sightseeing opportunities, transport passengers between local destinations, or answer questions about the areas you pass by. For most tours, you follow a predetermined path that begins and ends at the same airport. You may drop passengers off at designated locations, then return to pick them up later. Most tour pilots work with registered tour companies that help advertise flights and find customers, though some work independently. In this career, you may also work as a certified flight instructor (CFI) or provide emergency transportation as needed.

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

To thrive as a Tour Pilot, you need a commercial pilot’s license, strong navigation skills, and thorough knowledge of aviation regulations. Familiarity with flight planning software, GPS navigation systems, and aircraft-specific instrumentation is typically required. Excellent communication, customer service, and situational awareness are essential soft skills for engaging with passengers and ensuring safety. These abilities are crucial to providing a safe, enjoyable, and informative tour experience while maintaining compliance with aviation standards.

What are some common challenges tour pilots face when managing group dynamics during sightseeing flights?

Tour pilots often need to balance providing an engaging, informative experience with ensuring passenger safety and comfort. Managing diverse groups can be challenging, especially when dealing with nervous flyers or guests with varying levels of interest and mobility. Pilots must communicate clearly, anticipate guest needs, and adapt their narration style to suit different audiences, all while maintaining strict adherence to flight protocols. Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism help create a positive atmosphere and foster memorable experiences for guests.

What is the difference between Tour Pilot vs Helicopter Pilot?

AspectTour PilotHelicopter Pilot
CertificationsCommercial Pilot License (CPL), specific to sightseeing flightsCommercial Pilot License (CPL), often with additional type ratings
Work EnvironmentTourist destinations, sightseeing routes, scenic flightsVarious, including charter flights, corporate, and transport
Industry UsagePrimarily in tourism and leisure sectorsBroader, including transportation, emergency services, and tourism

Tour Pilots specialize in providing scenic and sightseeing helicopter flights within the tourism industry, requiring specific certifications for passenger flights. Helicopter Pilots have a broader scope, operating in various sectors beyond tourism, such as transportation and emergency services, with similar licensing requirements. While all Tour Pilots are Helicopter Pilots, not all Helicopter Pilots work in tourism. The key difference lies in their work environment and specialization.

Infographic showing various Tour Pilot job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Part Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,789 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Valiant Integrated Services rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Valiant is looking for a F/A-18 CIP to join our team!
Valiant is seeking an experienced F/A-18E/F Contract Instructor to support Fleet Replacement Squadron training at NAS Oceana. This role delivers simulator, classroom, and systems instruction, evaluates student performance, and supports curriculum and training device improvements for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet platform.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Conduct scheduled instructor-led and instructor-supported simulator, training device, and systems instruction, including briefs and debriefs.
  • Provide classroom instruction, tests, lesson plans, trainee guides, and academic support including CRM and Instrument Ground School.
  • Evaluate student training and mission performance and document results in accordance with established criteria.
  • Provide instruction on F/A-18E/F aircraft systems, mission coordination, and normal and emergency procedures.
  • Provide instruction on training device operation, briefing and debriefing procedures, and grading and assessment standards.
  • Assist with simulator and training device inspections, certifications, mishap recreation, and special projects.
  • Maintain, assess, and recommend improvements to mission scenarios for effectiveness and currency.
  • Review curriculum and recommend improvements based on NATOPS changes, engineering changes, and evolving mission requirements.
  • Support Additional Duties including curriculum maintenance, testing instrument updates, feedback methodology, syllabus reviews, and validation of Maintenance Action Forms.
  • Support Collateral Duties including scheduling coordination, instructor training currency, instructional material management, required reading compliance, grading, attendance documentation, trainer performance evaluation, and instructor certification maintenance.
  • Attend required Government-scheduled meetings including Scheduling, Standardization, Instructor Pilot/Aircrew, Phase Head, and Intelligence Updates.
  • Maintain general cleanliness and housekeeping of assigned spaces and work areas
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Active Secret, TS/SCI preferred
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Must be or have been an F/A-18E/F NATOPS-qualified IP/WSO within the previous five years or have been an F/A-18E/F simulator instructor within the previous five years.
  • Must have a minimum of one Fleet tour.
  • Minimum 800 flying hours in the F/A-18 or similar tactical jet aircraft.
  • Must successfully complete F/A-18E/F NATOPS open-book, closed-book, and oral exams and annually renew qualifications.
  • Must demonstrate understanding of F/A-18E/F mission, crew procedures, tactics, threat systems, syllabus flow, and curriculum change processes.
  • Ability to maintain proficiency with syllabus changes, required reading, and updates to publications.
  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and maintain situational awareness during extended training scenarios.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to walk on uneven surfaces.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
  • Ability to climb two flights of stairs and ladders.
  • Ability to lift, climb, and perform physical tasks as needed.
  • Ability to maintain focus and situational awareness during extended training scenarios.

Valiant Integrated Services is an employer who hires in accordance with applicable state and federal law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in compliance with those laws.

What Valiant Integrated Services employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom