As a pilot, your career is defined not just by where you are, but where you're going next. Contract/freelance work isn’t just for job-hunters or retirees—it’s a powerful tool for career-minded professionals looking to grow, diversify, and future-proof their flying lives.
If you're already flying full-time (or just landed your new full-time pilot job), many private aircraft owners don’t care what you do on your “days off” and hundreds of pilots are picking up extra contract pilot day trips.
And no matter your career stage, odds are you're asking yourself questions or facing challenges like...
- I like the stability of my current role, but I’m not sure it’s actually moving me forward anymore.
- I keep hearing about day rates and flexibility, but I don’t know what’s realistic for someone with my experience.
- I’m confident in the cockpit, but less confident navigating the business side of contracting.
- I don’t want to burn bridges with my current employer, but I also don’t want to look back and regret not exploring options.
- Would contract flying make me more marketable long-term, or distract me from landing the right full-time role?
- I like knowing where my next paycheck is coming from. But I also like the idea of being paid what my time is really worth.
We hear you. These are all valid (and important) questions to be asking. And contracting isn't for everyone.
But if you're considering the jump, and curious to know more about why so many pilots seek out contract jobs, here are a few of the top reasons we hear from contract pilots.
10 reasons why taking on contract jobs isn't just smart, it's essential for career development.
- Increased Income: The most immediate benefit is a substantial boost in your overall earnings. Contract rates, often paid per day or per trip, are typically high and provide a valuable supplement to your full-time salary. Heck, one of our pilots bought their spouse a Porsche on the additional income (true story!).
- Tax Advantages: As an independent contractor, you may be able to deduct eligible business expenses (e.g., certain training, travel costs, and equipment) that you might not be able to as a W-2 employee, potentially lowering your overall taxable income. (Consult a tax professional for specific advice).
- Expanded Network: Contract work exposes you to different flight departments, managers, and corporate flight operations, significantly broadening your professional network. This can lead to future full-time opportunities or higher-paying contract work.
- Exposure to Diverse Aircraft & Aircraft Owners: You'll often get the chance to see & network with owners who operate types of aircraft (e.g., mid-size or heavy jets) that your current employer doesn't operate. This diversifies your network and exposes you to potential future type ratings and experience, making you a more versatile and marketable pilot.
- Skill Sharpness: Flying on contract helps maintain and enhance your proficiency across a wider range of scenarios, destinations, and operational procedures, ensuring your skills remain exceptionally sharp.
- Better Work/Life Balance Control (When Scheduled Wisely): Contract work, by its nature, is temporary. You have the power to accept only the jobs that fit your existing full-time schedule, allowing you to strategically use your off-days or vacation time for lucrative flying. We have also seen some corporate pilots with full-time positions transition to only doing contract work because it can be so lucrative.
- Exposure to Different Operational Philosophies: You get an insider's look at how other corporate flight departments (both good and bad) manage their operations, safety programs, and crew resource management. This knowledge can provide valuable insights you can apply or recommend at your full-time job.
- Honing Soft Skills: Successfully integrating into a new cockpit environment for a short-term contract requires excellent adaptability, communication, and Crew Resource Management (CRM) skills, which are crucial for career progression.
- Career Stability/Safety Net: Having an established contractor relationship provides an immediate fallback option for income and activity should there be unexpected layoffs or changes at your full-time company.
- Pre-Retirement Transition: For pilots nearing the end of their full-time career, contract pilot work offers a perfect, flexible way to transition into part-time employment and maintain active flying status without the stress of full-time corporate demands.
Ready to get started?
If you're looking to land your first (or next) contract gig, or even just curious about how to make it work within your career and lifestyle, we’re more than just a job board. From thousands of hours logged in the cockpit to helping hundreds of businesses find the perfect aviator to join their crew, we’ve been in your shoes and can provide the expertise to help you take the next step through in-person services like…
- Personalized career guidance
- Resume review and feedback
- Salary insights by aircraft and location
- Access to flight departments looking for pilots like you
Interested in learning more? Book your consultation today.
