In Flight - Flight Attendant  Airline Flight Attendant

General Information
A flight attendants first and foremost responsibility is the safety of the aircraft cabin and its passengers. Flight attendants must comply with Federal Aviation Regulations. FAR's require flight attendants to be on aircraft for the sole purpose of performing safety-related duties. However, duties also include a wide range of passenger service functions. Flight attendants must be prepared for the unexpected and able to change from their passenger service role to their critical safety role at a moments notice.

Position Description
The flight attendant is the most highly visible employee to passengers of an aircraft. Flight attendants spend more time with passengers than any other airline employee, and tend to a wide variety of needs and requests. The flight attendant must offer the most personalized service possible to each and every passenger for the duration of flights. more >>

The largest number of aviation jobs found within the Federal Government (outside the Department of Defense) is with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the Department of Transportation. The FAA, with a total of approximately 47,000 employees, is charged with the administration and enforcement of all federal air regulations to insure the safety of air transportation. The FAA also promotes, guides and assists the development of a national system of civil airports. The FAA provides pilots with flight information and air traffic control services from flight planning to landing.

Position Description
Aviation safety inspectors develop, administer, and enforce regulations and standards concerning civil aviation safety, including (1) the airworthiness of aircraft and aircraft systems, (2) the competence of pilots, mechanics, and other airmen personnel, and (3) safety aspects of aviation facilities, equipment and procedures. These positions require knowledge and skill in the operation, maintenance or manufacture of aircraft and aircraft systems.

Working Conditions
The jobs require considerable travel, as inspections, consultations and investigations must be made at various facilities and locations or at the scenes of accidents. Forty hours constitute a normal work week. Change of assignment from one duty station to another is required as staffing demands. Inspectors are required to travel frequently and to occasionally work irregular duty hours. more >>

In Flight - Pilot  Flight Engineer or Second Officer
General Information
For many pilots both professional and recreational, the ultimate job is to be an airline captain. Most airline pilots start out as first officer (co-pilot) with a regional carrier. When they join a major airline, their first position may not be as a pilot, but as a flight engineer.

Other piloting jobs include flight instructor, corporate pilot, charter pilot, test pilot, and agricultural pilot. Many people enjoy these kinds of flying - each with its own set of challenges and rewards - and wouldn't think of trading their jobs for that of airline pilot.

While the various kinds of piloting jobs involve a variety of special circumstances, there are a number of conditions that are common to all pilots. All pilots flying for hire have progressed through a flight training program and have earned a commercial pilot's license or an airline transport rating. Most likely they will also have one or more advanced ratings such as instrument, multi-engine or aircraft type ratings depending upon the requirements of their particular flying jobs. more >>

Airport - Safety Personnel  Airport Safety and Security
The airport is one of the most vital elements in our air transportation system. A well equipped airport provides a variety of facilities for the aircraft and for crews and passengers. These include runways and taxiways, which may be lighted for day and night use, a terminal building with lounge areas for passengers, ramp areas and hangars for aircraft storage, maintenance shops for aircraft and avionics, automobile parking lots, and possibly restaurants and shops.

In the United States, there are about 13,000 airports and 4,000 heliports "landing sites for helicopters". About 5,000 of these landing facilities are used by the public. It may surprise you to learn that only about 650 airports are served by airlines; most of the Nation's airports are used by general aviation pilots and their aircraft. The atmosphere at these airports is usually a lot less hectic and pressured than the environment at a major airport facility. more>>

An interesting alternative to working in the private sector is a career in government. Many highly responsible aviation positions are to be found in the FAA and other Federal agencies. In addition, state and local government agencies are involved in aviation. more >>

Aviation offers many varied exciting and rewarding opportunities.

These pages provide information that is useful in making career decisions.

Entry level positions with an airline, cover a wide variety of operations and duties. Most of these positions involve extensive customer service contact requiring strong interpersonal and communication skills. No previous experience is required, although you may be required to work evening or early-morning hours, adhere to a strict physical appearance, and lift heavy objects. Entry level positions such as Pilot, or Mechanic require special licenses issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, and/or specific previous work experience. Specific hiring requirements for these positions may also be obtained by viewing the job posting details or contacting the specific airline.

To eliminate any confusion, all positions are regarded as customer service positions. Every second an airline employee spends with a passenger or potential passenger is critical. Most passengers choose their airline based on the quality of service received. Passengers may never see you, but they will remember their telephone conversation, the comfort of their flight, and the way their baggage arrived; safely, timely at the correct destination. They will thank you by flying your airline over and over again.

Aerospace

Aircraft Manufacturing

Airline

Airport

Federal Government

In Flight

State Government

Research and Explore Aviation Industry Career Options

Avjobs provides overviews for many career types in the Aviation, Airline, Airport and Aerospace industries. After thoroughly researching possible careers/jobs, several options will emerge as most realistic and attractive. These options should become your career or job search goals. At this point, it is useful to get feedback from experts in the field or Avjobs Career Consultants to determine if your assessment is realistic. A telephone call or two with an Avjobs Career Center Consultant is strongly encouraged to discuss your analysis and decisions.