OPT Corporate Pilot Jobs
Corporate Pilot jobs on OPT require FAA certification, a valid work authorization period, and an employer willing to sponsor your future visa. Most roles want ATP-certified pilots with turbine time. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, needs to align with hiring timelines at charter operators and flight departments.
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Get Access To All JobsProgram Regional Relief (Stanford Life Flight)
(IFR) H145/EC145
Salary Range: ($91,190 - $102,576) with 160% ACCRA
+ Experience Stipend: Up to $12,000
Off-Duty Housing Available
$15,000 Sign On Bonus
Must live in California
AIR METHODS: GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HERE!
As the leader in the air medical industry, Air Methods seeks exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our communities. We are committed to providing air medical transport resources to our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while providing our pilots with work life balance. Our #1 objective is to ensure safety to/from every time, so come join our growing and high-performing culture, sparked by teammates who deliver on being the best!
Location
Stanford, California blends world-class innovation with natural beauty and a deep sense of history. Home to Stanford University, the area has played a pivotal role in shaping modern technology, research, and entrepreneurship, helping give rise to Silicon Valley itself. Its iconic campus, with sandstone architecture, palm-lined paths, and open green spaces, creates a unique atmosphere that feels both intellectually vibrant and peaceful. Surrounded by rolling foothills and close to the coast, Stanford stands out as a place where ideas, culture, and environment come together in an exceptional way.
Benefits
Air Methods is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package created with the diverse needs of our teammates in mind:
- Health, Dental and Vision
- Competitive 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Account Benefit Plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Full Company-Paid Life Insurance
- AD&D Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Business Travel Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Legal
- Relocation Assistance
- Employee Assistance and Benefit Concierge Service Programs
Job Summary
Responsible to ensure aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy to transport medical crew and patient to receiving hospital within an assigned operational area. Responsible for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), General Operations Manual guidelines (GOM), and thorough knowledge of Air Methods policies and procedures.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following:
- Operates Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
- Completes pre-flight before every flight verifying the aircraft is in an airworthy condition by sign off of Daily Flight Log. Pilots will perform a complete walk around of the aircraft prior to entering the cockpit for flight and upon completion of each flight.
- Final authority with regard to operations of aircraft and for the safety of passengers, cargo and equipment.
- Must be thoroughly familiar with all aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft utilized at operational area and also ensures that the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems.
- Responsible for completion of required documentation.
- Able to conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards.
- Participates regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees and community outreach.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Requirements
Non-Standard Schedule
Subject to applicable laws and Air Method’s policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods’ employment practices and policies.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.
Pay Scale
Based upon flight and EMS experience:
- STEP A: $82,900
- STEP B: $86,216
- STEP C: $89,665
- STEP D: $93,251
ACCRA (Geo-Mod) is not included into base salary
Ex. Step A: 82,900 x 1.6 (ACCRA) = 132,640
Education & Experience
- Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
Operation and Safety Requirements:
As a member of the Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds and shall be less than seventy (70) years old.
Skills
- Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals and the public and strives to maintain a friendly and professional working environment
- Pilots must have flown in category within the previous 24 months
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Program:
- 2500 total flight hours with minimum of 2000 flight hours in category
- 1000 hours PIC in category
- 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time
- 500 hours of cross-country flight time, at least 50 hours of which were at night
- 100 hours unaided night as PIC (50 hours of unaided can be substituted for by 100 hours of NVG time, but cannot be reduced below 50 hours of unaided time)
- 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time at least 50 hours which were in flight in an aircraft including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Instrument rating (for category and class of aircraft) (ATP rating in category meets this requirement)
- Fixed wing multiengine rating is required for twin-engine aircraft
- Commercial single-engine land is required for single-engine aircraft
- First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required.
Internal Bidding Ends: 11/20/2026
Program Regional Relief (Stanford Life Flight)
(IFR) H145/EC145
Salary Range: ($91,190 - $102,576) with 160% ACCRA
+ Experience Stipend: Up to $12,000
Off-Duty Housing Available
$15,000 Sign On Bonus
Must live in California
AIR METHODS: GO ABOVE AND BEYOND HERE!
As the leader in the air medical industry, Air Methods seeks exceptional pilots to partner with us to serve our communities. We are committed to providing air medical transport resources to our communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while providing our pilots with work life balance. Our #1 objective is to ensure safety to/from every time, so come join our growing and high-performing culture, sparked by teammates who deliver on being the best!
Location
Stanford, California blends world-class innovation with natural beauty and a deep sense of history. Home to Stanford University, the area has played a pivotal role in shaping modern technology, research, and entrepreneurship, helping give rise to Silicon Valley itself. Its iconic campus, with sandstone architecture, palm-lined paths, and open green spaces, creates a unique atmosphere that feels both intellectually vibrant and peaceful. Surrounded by rolling foothills and close to the coast, Stanford stands out as a place where ideas, culture, and environment come together in an exceptional way.
Benefits
Air Methods is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package created with the diverse needs of our teammates in mind:
- Health, Dental and Vision
- Competitive 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Flexible Spending Account Benefit Plans
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Full Company-Paid Life Insurance
- AD&D Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Business Travel Accident Insurance
- Voluntary Legal
- Relocation Assistance
- Employee Assistance and Benefit Concierge Service Programs
Job Summary
Responsible to ensure aircraft and weather conditions are airworthy to transport medical crew and patient to receiving hospital within an assigned operational area. Responsible for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), General Operations Manual guidelines (GOM), and thorough knowledge of Air Methods policies and procedures.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following:
- Operates Air Methods aircraft in a safe and legal manner.
- Completes pre-flight before every flight verifying the aircraft is in an airworthy condition by sign off of Daily Flight Log. Pilots will perform a complete walk around of the aircraft prior to entering the cockpit for flight and upon completion of each flight.
- Final authority with regard to operations of aircraft and for the safety of passengers, cargo and equipment.
- Must be thoroughly familiar with all aircraft and medical systems of backup aircraft utilized at operational area and also ensures that the medical flight team is familiar and comfortable with the medical interior and systems.
- Responsible for completion of required documentation.
- Able to conduct detailed flight planning with little notice to exacting standards.
- Participates regularly in Air Methods meetings, activities, projects, committees and community outreach.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Job Requirements
Non-Standard Schedule
Subject to applicable laws and Air Method’s policies, regular attendance is an essential function of the position. All employees must follow Air Methods’ employment practices and policies.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In accordance with applicable laws, Air Methods will provide reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden so disabled employees may perform the essential functions of the position.
Pay Scale
Based upon flight and EMS experience:
- STEP A: $82,900
- STEP B: $86,216
- STEP C: $89,665
- STEP D: $93,251
ACCRA (Geo-Mod) is not included into base salary
Ex. Step A: 82,900 x 1.6 (ACCRA) = 132,640
Education & Experience
- Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school and two to five years’ related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
Operation and Safety Requirements:
As a member of the Flight Crew, any person employed in this position shall maintain a weight not to exceed 250 pounds and shall be less than seventy (70) years old.
Skills
- Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues, EMS representatives, hospitals and the public and strives to maintain a friendly and professional working environment
- Pilots must have flown in category within the previous 24 months
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Program:
- 2500 total flight hours with minimum of 2000 flight hours in category
- 1000 hours PIC in category
- 500 hours of rotor wing turbine time
- 500 hours of cross-country flight time, at least 50 hours of which were at night
- 100 hours unaided night as PIC (50 hours of unaided can be substituted for by 100 hours of NVG time, but cannot be reduced below 50 hours of unaided time)
- 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time at least 50 hours which were in flight in an aircraft including 20 hours in actual instrument conditions in category
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Instrument rating (for category and class of aircraft) (ATP rating in category meets this requirement)
- Fixed wing multiengine rating is required for twin-engine aircraft
- Commercial single-engine land is required for single-engine aircraft
- First OR Second Class FAA Medical certificate required.
Internal Bidding Ends: 11/20/2026
See all 34+ OPT Corporate Pilot Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Corporate Pilot Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Corporate Pilot
Lead with your ATP certificate and flight hours upfront
Corporate flight departments screen on credentials before anything else. List your ATP certificate, total flight hours, turbine PIC time, and aircraft type ratings in the first section of your resume so hiring managers don't have to hunt for them.
Target Part 91 and Part 135 operators over airlines
Private flight departments and charter operators under Part 91 and Part 135 have more hiring flexibility than major airlines. They're more likely to consider OPT candidates and initiate H-1B visa sponsorship when they find the right fit for a long-term seat.
Apply early and track your OPT expiration date carefully
Corporate aviation hiring takes months between interviews, simulator evaluations, and background checks. Apply at least six months before your OPT expires so employers have enough runway to start a sponsorship petition before your authorization lapses.
Highlight type ratings on in-demand business jet platforms
Type ratings on Gulfstream, Bombardier, or Dassault aircraft make you significantly more attractive to flight departments already operating those fleets. If you hold a rating on a commonly operated business jet, feature it prominently in every application.
Address OPT status directly in your cover letter
Don't leave employers guessing about your work authorization. Briefly state your OPT status, your expiration date, and that you're seeking H-1B sponsorship. Operators who have sponsored before will appreciate the transparency and move faster on qualified candidates.
Build relationships with chief pilots and aviation staffing contacts
Many corporate pilot openings never get posted publicly. Chief pilots hire from within their professional networks. Connecting with flight department managers at aviation conferences and through professional associations puts you in consideration before a role is ever advertised.
Corporate Pilot OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Corporate Pilot on OPT?
Yes, if you have a degree in aviation science, aeronautics, or a related field, your OPT authorizes you to work as a corporate pilot in the United States. Your employment must be directly related to your degree program. You'll need a valid EAD card before your start date, and your employer must be a legitimate U.S.-based operator.
Do Corporate Pilot employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Some do, particularly larger corporate flight departments, fractional ownership operators, and well-established Part 135 charter companies. The H-1B route for pilots requires demonstrating that the role meets the specialty occupation standard, which is more straightforward when the position requires an aviation degree. Smaller operators may be unfamiliar with the process, so you'll often need to educate them.
Where can I find Corporate Pilot jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. It's built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsorship, so you're not wasting applications on operators who won't consider international candidates. Browse Corporate Pilot listings on Migrate Mate to find roles that match your authorization timeline and aircraft experience.
Does the 24-month STEM OPT extension apply to aviation degree graduates?
It depends on your specific degree and whether your program is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by DHS. Some aviation programs, particularly those in aviation systems, aeronautical engineering, or aviation science with a STEM classification, do qualify. Check with your DSO to confirm whether your degree CIP code makes you eligible before counting on the extension in your job search timeline.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm furloughed or between contracts as a Corporate Pilot?
OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment for a standard 12-month period and 150 days for STEM extension holders. Contract gaps between charter assignments or seasonal slowdowns count toward that limit. If you're between employers, notify your DSO promptly and document your job search activity. Extended gaps without a new employer can jeopardize your status.