Contract Pilot Jobs
Contract pilot jobs are open across commercial aviation, cargo, charter, and corporate flight departments, from entry-level first officers to experienced captains and check airmen, with specializations in fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and instrument-rated operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Valiant is seeking an experienced P‑8A Contract Instructor Pilot (CIP) to support Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training at NAS Jacksonville. This role delivers simulator, classroom, and systems instruction, evaluates student performance, and supports curriculum and training device improvements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct scheduled CI‑led and CI‑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 IGS.
- Evaluate student training and mission performance and document results in accordance with established criteria.
- 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 (MAFs).
- Support Collateral Duties including scheduling coordination, CI training currency, instructional material management, required reading compliance, grading, attendance documentation, trainer performance evaluation, and CI certification maintenance.
- Attend required Government‑scheduled meetings including Scheduling, Standardization, Government Instructor Pilot/Aircrew, Phase Head, and Intelligence Updates.
- Maintain general cleanliness and housekeeping of assigned spaces and work areas.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Active Secret, TS preferred.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be or have been a P‑8A NATOPS‑qualified Patrol Plane Commander within the previous five years.
- Must have a minimum of one Fleet tour in the P‑8A.
- Must have a minimum of one tour as an FRS Instructor Pilot.
- Must successfully complete P‑8A NATOPS open‑book and closed‑book exams, simulator procedural evaluations, and annually renew qualifications with the FRS.
- Must demonstrate understanding of P‑8A mission, aircraft operating systems, and normal/emergency crew procedures.
- Must meet cross‑training requirements as approved by the FRS via the COR, when applicable.
- 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.
Valiant is seeking an experienced P‑8A Contract Instructor Pilot (CIP) to support Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) training at NAS Jacksonville. This role delivers simulator, classroom, and systems instruction, evaluates student performance, and supports curriculum and training device improvements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct scheduled CI‑led and CI‑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 IGS.
- Evaluate student training and mission performance and document results in accordance with established criteria.
- 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 (MAFs).
- Support Collateral Duties including scheduling coordination, CI training currency, instructional material management, required reading compliance, grading, attendance documentation, trainer performance evaluation, and CI certification maintenance.
- Attend required Government‑scheduled meetings including Scheduling, Standardization, Government Instructor Pilot/Aircrew, Phase Head, and Intelligence Updates.
- Maintain general cleanliness and housekeeping of assigned spaces and work areas.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Active Secret, TS preferred.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be or have been a P‑8A NATOPS‑qualified Patrol Plane Commander within the previous five years.
- Must have a minimum of one Fleet tour in the P‑8A.
- Must have a minimum of one tour as an FRS Instructor Pilot.
- Must successfully complete P‑8A NATOPS open‑book and closed‑book exams, simulator procedural evaluations, and annually renew qualifications with the FRS.
- Must demonstrate understanding of P‑8A mission, aircraft operating systems, and normal/emergency crew procedures.
- Must meet cross‑training requirements as approved by the FRS via the COR, when applicable.
- 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.
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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in contract pilot jobs.
- FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with applicable aircraft type ratings
- Minimum total flight hours meeting Part 121 or Part 135 operator thresholds
- Current first- or second-class FAA medical certificate in good standing
- Instrument and multi-engine ratings with demonstrated recent currency
- Clean safety record with no accidents, incidents, or certificate actions on file
- Ability to pass a 10-year background check and DOT drug and alcohol screening
Tips for Your Contract Pilot Job Search
List every type rating you hold
Your resume should call out each aircraft type rating by exact designation, such as B737, CE-525, or Bell 407. Hiring managers scan for specific equipment matches, so burying type ratings in a summary paragraph instead of a dedicated credentials section will cost you interviews.
Quantify your total and PIC hours
Total flight hours, pilot-in-command hours, instrument hours, and multi-engine hours each tell a different story. Break them out as exact figures in a dedicated flight-time table on your resume so a chief pilot can assess your experience at a glance without digging.
Target operators that match your equipment
Charter companies, fractional programs, and Part 135 operators each hire for specific airframes. Filter openings by the aircraft you're current on so you're not applying cold to roles that require a type rating you don't hold, which wastes your time and theirs.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists contract pilot openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your ratings and experience and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for a sim evaluation on short notice
Many contract pilot interviews end with a simulator check, sometimes scheduled within days of the initial call. Know which procedures the operator is likely to test, review your aircraft's emergency checklist flows, and confirm your currency before you send the first application.
Negotiate the day rate before the contract is signed
Contract pilots are typically paid per flight day, per hour, or on a trip guarantee, and the structure varies widely by operator. Ask about guaranteed minimums, deadhead pay, and per diem rates during the offer conversation, not after you've already agreed to come in.
Contract Pilot Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most contract pilots?
Lockheed Martin, CompassData, and Pacifico Energy are hiring the most contract pilots right now, with openings concentrated in Florida, Texas, and Alaska, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to be highest at Part 135 charter operators, fractional ownership programs, and regional cargo carriers.
How do you become a contract pilot?
Start by earning your FAA commercial pilot certificate, then build multi-engine and instrument ratings. Accumulate enough total and pilot-in-command hours to meet Part 135 or Part 121 minimums, then pursue an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Add a type rating on a specific airframe when an operator requires it, pass a simulator evaluation, and clear the operator's background and medical screening.
Can you get hired as a contract pilot with limited experience?
Some operators hire contract pilots at the lower end of the experience range for right-seat or first officer roles in Part 135 single-pilot-exempt or Part 91 operations. Focus on building multi-engine and turbine time, pursue a type rating on a commonly operated airframe such as the Citation Mustang or King Air, and target smaller charter operators who train pilots into contract work.
What does the contract pilot interview process look like?
Most operators start with a phone or video screening focused on your logbook totals, type ratings, and availability. A technical interview follows, covering aircraft systems, emergency procedures, and crew resource management scenarios. The final stage is usually a simulator evaluation in the specific aircraft you'd be flying, graded on checklist discipline, instrument proficiency, and decision-making under abnormal conditions.
Where can I find and apply to contract pilot jobs?
You can find and apply to contract pilot jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from operators across the United States. Find roles that match your type ratings, flight hours, and availability, then apply directly to each listing.
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