How To Become A Fixed Wing Pilot: What It Is and Career Path

What is a fixed wing pilot and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Fixed-wing pilots require skills like knowledge of necessary failure emergency procedures, single-pilot all-weather fixed wing EMS operations, completed underwater training and first responder training for EMS, and assisted the pilot in command in emergency procedures.

Candidates have to complete a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or aviation to be a fixed-wing pilot. Practical training must apply for this post because it is more important than just the bachelor's degree to perform tasks.

Fixed-wing pilots make around $50.66 an hour on average or $105,365 a year. They need to navigate and fly aircraft, which requires good focus. The work schedule may vary where overnight layovers are common.

ScoreFixed Wing PilotUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $102,889

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.9

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.26%

Asian 2.76%

Black or African American 2.70%

Hispanic or Latino 7.08%

Unknown 5.54%

White 81.66%

Gender

female 6.90%

male 93.10%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

8.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a fixed wing pilot

Explore fixed wing pilot education requirements

Most common fixed wing pilot degrees

Bachelor's

68.4 %

Master's

10.5 %

Associate

10.5 %

Start to develop specific fixed wing pilot skills

Skills	Percentages
EMS	93.07%
Pilot-In-Command	3.71%
Flight Operations	1.37%
Training Programs	1.14%
Instructor Pilot	0.23%

Complete relevant fixed wing pilot training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New fixed wing pilots learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a fixed wing pilot based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real fixed wing pilot resumes.

Research fixed wing pilot duties and responsibilities

Project manage the initial fielding of the RQ-11 tactical UAV system.
Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
Spearhead UAS integration into the national airspace system by facilitating new FAA UAS corridors and tripling available UAS training ranges.
Perform extensive aircrew instruction and evaluation in actual aircraft, simulators and classroom to ensure the fighter wing's operational readiness.

Prepare your fixed wing pilot resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your fixed wing pilot resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a fixed wing pilot resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable fixed wing pilot resume templates

Build a professional fixed wing pilot resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your fixed wing pilot resume.