What is Flight Operations?
Flight operations refer to the activities within an airport that entails dispatching, flight planning, flight watch, weather data provision, and facilitating ground-to-air communication. They ensure proper integration of the airport crew, making appropriate schedules, and planning maintenance activities.
How is Flight Operations used?
Zippia reviewed thousands of resumes to understand how flight operations is used in different jobs. Explore the list of common job responsibilities related to flight operations below:
- Contracted to oversee teams for standard-setting government flight operations and acquisition support company.
- Procured all equipment necessary to establish flight operations, passenger and cargo support.
- Coordinated aircraft flight readiness status with pilots and flight operations personnel.
- Created standard operating procedures for the organizations flight operations office.
- Managed budget and analysis for the Flight Operations organization.
- Lead and executed military flight operations while deployed overseas.
Are Flight Operations skills in demand?
Yes, flight operations skills are in demand today. Currently, 1,288 job openings list flight operations skills as a requirement. The job descriptions that most frequently include flight operations skills are flight operations manager, chief pilot, and aircraft dispatcher.
How hard is it to learn Flight Operations?
Based on the average complexity level of the jobs that use flight operations the most: flight operations manager, chief pilot, and aircraft dispatcher. The complexity level of these jobs is intermediate.
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What jobs can you get with Flight Operations skills?
You can get a job as a flight operations manager, chief pilot, and aircraft dispatcher with flight operations skills. After analyzing resumes and job postings, we identified these as the most common job titles for candidates with flight operations skills.
Flight Operations Manager
Job description:
Overseeing the daily operations of any airport is the primary duty of a flight operations manager. They are responsible for making sure that the right aircraft is manned by the right crew and is in the best form possible. They lead operations to ensure that all flights run smoothly, either by managing air traffic or rearranging slots where there are delays. They check for any aircraft defects and recommend repair to the damage. As the manager, they also interview aspiring employees as well as hire and terminate staff.
- Flight Operations
- DOD
- FAA
- Safety Procedures
- OPS
- UAS
Chief Pilot
Job description:
A Chief Pilot assigns and oversees the duties of flight and ground personnel. They ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including federal aviation regulations.
- Flight Operations
- Pilot-In-Command
- PIC
- Operations Specifications
- Training Programs
- ATP
Aircraft Dispatcher
- Flight Operations
- Maintenance Control
- On-The-Job Training
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Air Traffic Control
- Flight Planning System
Flight Engineer
Job description:
A Flight Engineer monitors and controls various aircraft systems, such as airplanes and helicopters. They ensure that all components of the plane are in proper working order, as well as diagnose and rectify problems that may arise.
- FAA
- Flight Operations
- Simulator
- DOD
- Combat
- Technical Problems
Air Force Pilot
Job description:
Primarily, an Air Force pilot flies aircraft such as bombers, transport planes, unmanned aerial vehicles, and tankers in the U.S. The pilots command their crews to complete training, combat, and other missions. They serve as military aviators who are trained to engage in air-to-ground and air-to-air combat. It is important that they master aviation skills, train, and lead flight crews, and perform flight operations. When not flying, they lead and manage the aircraft maintenance department crew.
- FAA
- Flight Operations
- USAF
- DOD
- Safety Procedures
- Combat
Sensor Operator
Job description:
A sensor operator is a crewmember on aerospace systems. They receive and abide by special instructions, air tasking orders, and rules of engagement. They operate airborne sensors, monitor aircraft, study weapon systems, and assist pilots in flying aircraft. They are also responsible for maintaining reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
- ISR
- Flight Operations
- Mission Planning
- Reconnaissance
- DOD
- Syllabus
Pilot
Job description:
A pilot is an individual who works in the aviation industry to operate aircraft and transport passengers and cargos from one location to another. Pilots can fly and navigate different types of aircrafts such as helicopters, large commercial aircraft, or cargo planes. They must perform pre-flight inspections and check flight logs to secure safety for all crews and passengers who are on board. Pilots can also decide to work as flight instructors or establish an aviation school when they have gained enough experience in the aviation industry.
- PIC
- Pilot-In-Command
- Flight Operations
- ATP
- Helicopter
- Federal Aviation
In-Flight Crew Member
- Safety Procedures
- UAS
- Customer Service
- Flight Operations
- Emergency Procedures
- Front Desk
Flight Instructor
Job description:
A Flight Instructor is responsible for teaching students how to fly aircrafts. They prepare lesson plans and evaluate and monitor students performance.
- Aircraft Systems
- Syllabus
- CFI
- Flight Operations
- Training Programs
- PowerPoint
Test Pilot
Job description:
A test pilot operates and evaluates aircraft to determine its quality and safety. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing aircraft data and specifications, assessing the aircraft's features, documenting every procedure, and making a list of recommendations to improve the aircraft's overall quality and performance. They may also evaluate various instruments and systems, performing maintenance checks as necessary. Being a test pilot requires expertise and skills, which is my most test pilots are employed under government agencies and have undergone special training.
- FAA
- Pilot-In-Command
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Logistics
- Flight Operations
- Aircraft Systems
How much can you earn with Flight Operations skills?
You can earn up to $42,558 a year with flight operations skills if you become a flight operations manager, the highest-paying job that requires flight operations skills. Chief pilots can earn the second-highest salary among jobs that use Python, $86,920 a year.
| Job title | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Operations Manager | $42,558 | $20 |
| Chief Pilot | $86,920 | $42 |
| Aircraft Dispatcher | $44,527 | $21 |
| Flight Engineer | $85,035 | $41 |
| Air Force Pilot | $98,196 | $47 |
Companies using Flight Operations in 2025
The top companies that look for employees with flight operations skills are Blue Origin, Integration Innovation, and Boeing. In the millions of job postings we reviewed, these companies mention flight operations skills most frequently.
| Rank | Company | % of all skills | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Origin | 16% | 1,321 |
| 2 | Integration Innovation | 15% | 82 |
| 3 | Boeing | 6% | 3,233 |
| 4 | U.S. Department of Transportation | 6% | 143 |
| 5 | Global Medical Solutions | 5% | 577 |
Departments using Flight Operations
The departments that use flight operations the most are non profit/government, supply chain, and education.
| Department | Average salary |
|---|---|
| Non Profit/Government | $84,996 |
| Supply Chain | $65,293 |
| Education | $62,533 |
| Hospitality/Service | $37,012 |
1 courses for Flight Operations skills
1. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch Course is aviation and airline related course where you will study the most essential aspects of flight planning. My intention is that you understand the core importance of effective flight planning for an airline business and learn how it can reduce airline costs and benefit environment protection. The structure of the course is following: IntroductionFlight plan and Airline operationsAircraft limitations and performanceFlight routingFuel calculationsBasics of Aviation meteorologyYou will learn such topics as Aviation regulations, Flight plan, Operational control, Aircraft Weights and structural limitations, Take off performance calculation, Required runway distances for take off and landing, Aircraft range, Flight distances and routes, Cost index, Minimum required fuel, Fuel tankering, Weather and much more! The objectives of this course for you are to be well oriented in Airline operations and Flight Dispatch and get deep theoretical and practical knowledge on the subject. For better understanding the course contains a lot of graphical information, practical examples, case studies and quizzes after each section. I encourage you to begin this journey to Airline Operations and you will not regret it! If you have any questions during the course feel free to contact me, I will answer as quick as possible! Welcome to the course!...