Explore careers

Useful experience for aeroplane pilots includes:

• aviation industry work
• aircraft engineer work
• loader/driver work
• work with navigational and radio equipment
• customer service.

Aeroplane pilots may do some or all of the following:

• prepare or check flight plans
• do pre-flight checks of weather forecasts and the plane's load, fuel and equipment
• calculate the amount of fuel needed for flights
• programme flight management systems
• liaise with air traffic control
• navigate and fly the plane to its destination
• write flight reports and keep a flight log
• greet passengers and assist them if necessary.

Agricultural pilots may also:

• consult with customers about chemicals and fertiliser 
• calculate the amount and cost of chemicals or fertiliser
• apply chemicals or fertiliser to farm land and keep records.

Chances are good for experienced pilots

Chances of getting a job as an experienced aeroplane pilot are good due to:

• increased demand for aeroplane pilots
• older pilots retiring.

In early 2023, Air New Zealand, the largest employer of aeroplane pilots, asked qualified and experienced pilots to register their interest in:

• jet pilot work

• first officer work flying turboprop (propellor) planes. First officer is the entry role to becoming a pilot.

According to the Census, 2,580 aeroplane pilots worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Demand for agricultural pilots varies

Demand for agricultural pilots varies depending on the strength of the agriculture, horticulture and forestry economies.

Ways to get your first pilot job

It can be difficult for new aeroplane pilots to secure their first job. A 2018 survey of new pilots found only 43 percent had work as a pilot within one year of getting their Commercial Pilot Licence. Often this was part time.

To gain your first flying job it helps to:

• be prepared to live in different parts of the country
• make contacts who could refer you to employers with vacancies
• gain a Flight Instructor Rating (C Category) and work as a flying instructor
• travel overseas to get flying experience.

Air New Zealand the main employer of aeroplane pilots

Most aeroplane pilots work for Air New Zealand. Others work for:

• Jetstar
• charter companies which offer, for example, sightseeing, air ambulance or land surveying services
• private and corporate (business) air services
• the Royal NZ Air Force
• agricultural flying businesses.

Air New Zealand Academy of Learning

(09) 255 5701 - www.airnzlearning.co.nz/ai/

Aviation New Zealand

(04) 472 2707 - www.aia.org.nz

Newly qualified aeroplane pilots often complete further training to work as flying instructors. This means they can build up enough flying hours to apply for work at an airline.

• Flying instructor job information

Aeroplane pilots can specialise in a number of roles, including:

Agricultural Pilot

Agricultural pilots fly aircraft to apply chemicals or fertiliser to farmland. They may fly fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters.

Charter Pilot

Charter pilots fly tourist or air ambulance services, or provide services such as aerial photography or land surveying.

Aeroplane pilots need to be:

• responsible
• good at planning, thinking logically, and following procedures
• excellent at working under pressure
• able to make quick, sound decisions
• good leaders
• skilled communicators
• able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
• resilient
• good at record-keeping.