Pilot Jobs for OPT Students
Pilot jobs on OPT are rare but achievable. Most commercial aviation roles require FAA certifications and TSA security clearances that take years to build, so OPT students entering this field typically start with flight instruction, charter operations, or aviation support roles while accumulating hours toward an ATP certificate.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a career-oriented individual for the full-time position of Pilot for Pilatus PC-12NG aircraft based in Long Beach, California. We have been in business 105 years and maintained a Part91 corporate flight department for over 50 years. Quinn Company provides stability and quality of life. The ideal candidate will ensure safe, flexible, and efficient flights for company employees and customers.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What We’re Looking For:
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with IFR Rating
- Endorsements for Complex and High Performance aircraft, plus a valid First Class Medical Certificate
- 2,500 total flight hours, with at least 500 hours in fixed-wing turboprops
- CFI rating is a plus
- Honeywell Primus Apex avionics and High Altitude Endorsement experience a bonus
- Excellent communication and a proven safety record
- Part 91 operational experience
- Ability to work on-call and overnight flights
WHAT WE OFFER
- Comprehensive health insurance
- 401K with company match
- Profit sharing
- 3 weeks paid vacation
- Cell phone reimbursement plan
- Company issued iPad
- Company paid flight physicals
LOCATION
Work Location: Long Beach, California
COMPENSATION
Pilot Pilatus PC12 NG $100,000 - $127,000
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a career-oriented individual for the full-time position of Pilot for Pilatus PC-12NG aircraft based in Long Beach, California. We have been in business 105 years and maintained a Part91 corporate flight department for over 50 years. Quinn Company provides stability and quality of life. The ideal candidate will ensure safe, flexible, and efficient flights for company employees and customers.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What We’re Looking For:
- FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with IFR Rating
- Endorsements for Complex and High Performance aircraft, plus a valid First Class Medical Certificate
- 2,500 total flight hours, with at least 500 hours in fixed-wing turboprops
- CFI rating is a plus
- Honeywell Primus Apex avionics and High Altitude Endorsement experience a bonus
- Excellent communication and a proven safety record
- Part 91 operational experience
- Ability to work on-call and overnight flights
WHAT WE OFFER
- Comprehensive health insurance
- 401K with company match
- Profit sharing
- 3 weeks paid vacation
- Cell phone reimbursement plan
- Company issued iPad
- Company paid flight physicals
LOCATION
Work Location: Long Beach, California
COMPENSATION
Pilot Pilatus PC12 NG $100,000 - $127,000
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Pilot
Prioritize employers with existing visa sponsorship history
Regional airlines and charter operators with prior H-1B or TN sponsorship experience are more likely to understand OPT timelines. Employers who have never sponsored a foreign national will face a steep learning curve during your 12-month window.
Secure all required FAA certifications before job searching
Having your Commercial Pilot License, instrument rating, and applicable medical certificate before applying removes a major employer hesitation. Hiring a pilot who still needs key certifications while on a time-limited work authorization creates compounding risk for operators.
Target flight instruction and Part 135 charter roles first
Flight instructor positions and Part 135 charter operators hire at lower hour minimums than major airlines. These roles let you build flight hours during OPT while making you a more competitive H-1B candidate for regional or major airline sponsorship later.
Document all flight hours and training records meticulously
Employers and immigration attorneys will scrutinize your logbooks during any visa sponsorship process. Accurate, complete records of your flight hours, ratings, and endorsements demonstrate professionalism and make the H-1B or O-1 petition process significantly smoother.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as pilots in the United States?
Yes, F-1 OPT students can work as pilots if their degree field relates to aviation or aerospace and their employer is willing to hire within the OPT authorization window. The work must be directly related to your field of study. TSA security threat assessments and FAA medical clearances are separate federal requirements you must also satisfy before flying commercially.
Do pilot jobs typically offer H-1B sponsorship for OPT students?
Major and regional airlines rarely sponsor H-1B visas for pilots because the occupation historically did not qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a specific bachelor's degree. However, some operators have successfully petitioned for pilots with aerospace engineering or aviation science degrees. The O-1A visa is an alternative for pilots with exceptional records, air show credentials, or significant competitive achievements.
What FAA certifications do I need to be employable as a pilot on OPT?
At minimum, you need a Commercial Pilot License with an instrument rating and a valid FAA Second Class Medical Certificate for most paid flying roles. Flight instructor positions require a Certified Flight Instructor certificate. Airline jobs at regional carriers typically require an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which demands 1,500 flight hours. Building those hours during OPT is the core challenge for international students in aviation.
Where can I find pilot jobs that are open to OPT work authorization?
Migrate Mate lists aviation roles from employers familiar with OPT and international work authorization. Flight schools, Part 135 charter operators, and regional aviation companies are more likely to appear than major airlines, which typically require citizenship or permanent residency for captain positions. Browsing Migrate Mate by job category lets you filter for roles matched to your authorization status.
Does my aviation degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific program's CIP code. Aviation science programs are not automatically STEM-designated, but aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, and some aviation systems technology programs qualify. Check the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List and confirm with your DSO before assuming you qualify. A STEM extension gives you 24 additional months, which is critical for accumulating the flight hours major carriers require.
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