Becoming a Government Pilot
Government pilots fly for state or federal agencies. They can perform duties that can include law enforcement, meteorology, conservation or search and rescue.
Take a Free Young Eagles Flight
EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Program
-
For youth ages 8-17
-
FREE introductory flight given by a local EAA chapter or individual EAA member in your area
-
Young Eagles are given a pre and post flight review of the interior and exterior of the airplane, safety instructions and an overview of airplane controls and operations
-
A 15-20 minute flight
Find a Young Eagles Flight
YoungEaglesDay.org
Register for a Young Eagles flight using EAA's online registration tool.
AeroEducate Calendar of Events ›
Find a Young Eagles rally or other youth events in your area.
Set Yourself Up For Success
You can start preparing to become a government pilot now:
-
Start talking to your high school guidance counselor as early as your freshman year and let them know that your dream is to become a government pilot. They can help you identify courses you can take to set yourself up for success in your future flying career, as well as helping you to find training, scholarships, or colleges and universities best suited for you.
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You can start working toward your sport or private pilot certificate at any age, although you must be 16 years old to solo and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate.
-
Join or get involved in your local EAA chapter.
-
Actively volunteer with local civic or school organizations.
-
Apply for scholarships to help reduce the cost of flight training or further education.
-
Keep working on AeroEducate badging and new activities to learn more about aviation.
Options for Flight Training
Professional Flight Training
Often the fastest path to becoming a government pilot is through professional flight training. These programs are often intense and require you to follow a strict curriculum. These programs allow you to complete the course and become a pilot on a set schedule at a pre-determined cost.
You can find professional flight training through local certified flight instructors (CFIs), a professional flight training school, or your local vocational or technical college.
You should also check to see if there are any other educational or physical fitness requirements to obtain the government job you are considering.
Post-Secondary Education with Professional Flight Training
If you’re thinking of attending a college or university, start by seeking out and applying for scholarships.
Attending a college or university while working on your pilot certificate can give you top-notch instruction, networking opportunities, life-changing internships, and career placement that you may not otherwise have access to by going through professional flight training alone. You can also attend a college or university that offers an aviation focused degree. These degree programs typically encompass flight training as part of the core curriculum. Upon graduation you will have earned a degree and pilot certificate.
Some government agencies may also seek out or prefer pilots with a degree, as it shows your dedication to learning new things, your well-roundedness, and your perseverance.
Military
Flying in the military is not only a great way to serve your country, it’s also a great way to get your flight training paid for and earn valuable experience.
For more information about military flying options, visit our Military Pilot Pathway page.
Build Time and Ratings
Some government pilots may need an airline transport pilot certificate, which requires 1,500 hours total flight time, though graduates of some universities can qualify with just 1,000 hours. There are many ways to build hours, including right-seat corporate flying, flight instructing, carrying freight, and more.
Career Options
There are just about as many different types of government flying jobs as there are government agencies. You might find yourself transporting elected officials to important meetings, dropping water to help fight fires, or patrolling a major city to keep its citizens safe. Here are just a few examples of some of the opportunities available:
Law Enforcement
Many major city police departments, state and federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, use aircraft for patrol and surveillance, in many cases assisting police officers or federal agents on the ground by providing a birds-eye-view of an incident or situation. It’s important to point out that many law enforcement pilots need to have prior experience as a police officer first.
NOAA
Pilots for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fly a variety of aircraft to study weather and climate and support conservation of coastal and marine resources. From measuring snowfall to flying an airplane full of scientists and sensors into the eye of a hurricane, NOAA pilots fly challenging and scientifically important missions.
U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is responsible for the conservation and administration of the country’s national forests and grasslands. USFS pilots do surveying and patrol work, working closely with firefighters on the ground to deliver supplies and drop water or retardant to help fight forest fires.
These are just a few of the government pilot careers that are out there. If there’s a particular agency you’re interested in, be sure to check their website to learn more about potential careers.
Give Back
After you have accomplished your goals, continue to inspire youth to get involved in aviation by giving back to your aviation community.
Take a Free Young Eagles Flight
EAA’s Young Eagles Flight Program
-
For youth ages 8-17
-
FREE introductory flight given by a local EAA chapter or individual EAA member in your area
-
Young Eagles are given a pre and post flight review of the interior and exterior of the airplane, safety instructions and an overview of airplane controls and operations
-
A 15-20 minute flight
Find a Young Eagles Flight
YoungEaglesDay.org
Register for a Young Eagles flight using EAA's online registration tool.
AeroEducate Calendar of Events ›
Find a Young Eagles rally or other youth events in your area.
Set Yourself Up For Success
You can start preparing to become a government pilot now:
-
Start talking to your high school guidance counselor as early as your freshman year and let them know that your dream is to become a government pilot. They can help you identify courses you can take to set yourself up for success in your future flying career, as well as helping you to find training, scholarships, or colleges and universities best suited for you.
-
You can start working toward your sport or private pilot certificate at any age, although you must be 16 years old to solo and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate.
-
Join or get involved in your local EAA chapter.
-
Actively volunteer with local civic or school organizations.
-
Apply for scholarships to help reduce the cost of flight training or further education.
-
Keep working on AeroEducate badging and new activities to learn more about aviation.
Options for Flight Training
Professional Flight Training
Often the fastest path to becoming a government pilot is through professional flight training. These programs are often intense and require you to follow a strict curriculum. These programs allow you to complete the course and become a pilot on a set schedule at a pre-determined cost.
You can find professional flight training through local certified flight instructors (CFIs), a professional flight training school, or your local vocational or technical college.
You should also check to see if there are any other educational or physical fitness requirements to obtain the government job you are considering.
Post-Secondary Education with Professional Flight Training
If you’re thinking of attending a college or university, start by seeking out and applying for scholarships.
Attending a college or university while working on your pilot certificate can give you top-notch instruction, networking opportunities, life-changing internships, and career placement that you may not otherwise have access to by going through professional flight training alone. You can also attend a college or university that offers an aviation focused degree. These degree programs typically encompass flight training as part of the core curriculum. Upon graduation you will have earned a degree and pilot certificate.
Some government agencies may also seek out or prefer pilots with a degree, as it shows your dedication to learning new things, your well-roundedness, and your perseverance.
Military
Flying in the military is not only a great way to serve your country, it’s also a great way to get your flight training paid for and earn valuable experience.
For more information about military flying options, visit our Military Pilot Pathway page.
Build Time and Ratings
Some government pilots may need an airline transport pilot certificate, which requires 1,500 hours total flight time, though graduates of some universities can qualify with just 1,000 hours. There are many ways to build hours, including right-seat corporate flying, flight instructing, carrying freight, and more.
Career Options
There are just about as many different types of government flying jobs as there are government agencies. You might find yourself transporting elected officials to important meetings, dropping water to help fight fires, or patrolling a major city to keep its citizens safe. Here are just a few examples of some of the opportunities available:
Law Enforcement
Many major city police departments, state and federal agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, use aircraft for patrol and surveillance, in many cases assisting police officers or federal agents on the ground by providing a birds-eye-view of an incident or situation. It’s important to point out that many law enforcement pilots need to have prior experience as a police officer first.
NOAA
Pilots for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fly a variety of aircraft to study weather and climate and support conservation of coastal and marine resources. From measuring snowfall to flying an airplane full of scientists and sensors into the eye of a hurricane, NOAA pilots fly challenging and scientifically important missions.
U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is responsible for the conservation and administration of the country’s national forests and grasslands. USFS pilots do surveying and patrol work, working closely with firefighters on the ground to deliver supplies and drop water or retardant to help fight forest fires.
These are just a few of the government pilot careers that are out there. If there’s a particular agency you’re interested in, be sure to check their website to learn more about potential careers.
Give Back
After you have accomplished your goals, continue to inspire youth to get involved in aviation by giving back to your aviation community.
