How to hire a fixed wing pilot

How to hire a fixed wing pilot, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fixed wing pilot hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fixed wing pilot job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fixed wing pilot
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a fixed wing pilot, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect fixed wing pilot also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of fixed wing pilots and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Fixed Wing Pilot	Description	Hourly rate
   Fixed Wing Pilot	Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule... Show more	$37-64
   Aviator	An aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions... Show more	$36-58
   Pilot Instructor	The key role of a Pilot Instructor is to teach students procedures and techniques about how to fly aircraft. They offer instruction for both on the ground and in the sky, prepare lesson plans, and assess and monitor students performance.	$28-63

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • EMS
   • Pilot-In-Command
   • Flight Operations
   • Training Programs
   • Instructor Pilot
   • ATM
   • Aircrew Training
   • Fixed Wing Aircraft
   • Combat

   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.
   • Participate in ATOS, DOD, and IOSA audits
   • Perform all PIC duties on each trip.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fixed wing pilot job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fixed wing pilot can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fixed wing pilots' average salary in minnesota is 38% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fixed wing pilots 42% less than senior-level fixed wing pilots.
   • Certifications. A fixed wing pilot with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fixed wing pilot's salary.

   Average fixed wing pilot salary

   $102,889yearly

   $49.47 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level fixed wing pilot salary

   $78,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing a fixed wing pilot job description

   A good fixed wing pilot job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fixed wing pilot job description:

   Fixed wing pilot job description example

   NOW HIRING - King Air 90/200 Pilots (Gillette, WY)
   
   PILOT INCENTIVES
   
   

   • Earning potential $86100 - $94710
   • $15K sign on bonus (after successful completion of training/checkride)
   • $40K retention bonus (6 month wait period and this is a 3-year program)
   • 2 weeks on/2 weeks off schedule
   • $3K relocation assistance
   • Company paid crewhousing

   
   
   We're hiring a King Air C90 Pilot to provide medical air transportation services to our customers. This pilot will be qualified to fly our King Air planes . Scheduled shifts run 2 weeks on/2 weeks off and service day or night trips. Safety is a key pillar of our services, therefore all of our pilots work on a quality, professional team that are committed to high safety standards for the crew and our customers.
   
   RESPONSIBILITES:
   

   • Pilot will work with a team of medical experts to safely transport customers to and from locations and facilities.
   • Ensure aircraft readiness for flight dispatches as described in the appropriate manuals, including all FAR and company requirements, and aircraft cleanliness duties.
   • Maintain accurate company and regulatory documentation and record keeping for shifts, load manifests, etc.
   • Effectively communicate and collaborate with both air and ground dispatch, flight crews, facilities and partners.
   • Provide shift change info to transitioning pilot and team, and follows protocols for recording company change board details.
   • Pilots are accountable to maintain required certifications and ongoing ground and air training.

   
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:
   

   • ATP Written Certificate
   • Current FAA Class I or II Medical Certificate
   • 2,500 total flight hours
   • 1,000 PIC hours
   • 500 multi-engine hours
   • 100 night hours
   • 75 instrument hours

   
   Why Choose Guardian? As a quality air medical transport service, Guardian Flight is one of Global Medical Response 's (GMR ) family of solutions. Our GMR teams deliver compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency and patient relocation services. View the stories on how our employees provide care to the world at www.AtaMomentsNotice.com . Learn how our values are at the core of our services and vital to how we approach care and check out our comprehensive benefit options at GlobalMedicalResponse.com/Careers .
   
   #pilots
   
   #hiring
   
   #guardianflight
   
   EEO Statement:
   Global Medical Response and its family of companies are an Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes supporting veterans and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with a disability.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right fixed wing pilot for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fixed wing pilot job on Zippia to find and recruit fixed wing pilot candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit fixed wing pilots, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fixed wing pilot

   Once you've found the fixed wing pilot candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new fixed wing pilot. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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