You love the industry but you want to reduce your flying hours, or completely stop flying altogether. The good news is that there are many Managerial roles available to pilots should you want a career change. If you are thinking of moving to a Managerial position, you’ll need to meet specific criteria and possess a range of skills and qualifications. For example, skills in areas such as training, working with regulatory bodies, instructor and examiner qualifications, computer competency and safety as well as Quality Management courses are all sought after by airlines looking to fill Managerial positions, or even other aviation industry positions.
Flight Research & Training Manager
TRI (Type Rating Instructor), TRE (Type Rating Examiner)
Flight Training Manager
Manager of Crew Training
Manager Regulatory Affairs
Manager Simulator Centre
Regional Fleet Manager
Line Captain / Line Trainer
Technical Director
Chief Advisor
Flight Ops Inspector
Head of Training (HOT)
Holding a valid ATPL with a good amount of total flight hours is generally considered essential for the majority of Managerial positions. However, depending on the role being applied for, an active license may not be mandatory. Also, possessing a good level of English is usually mandatory across the sectors.
Positions such as Safety Pilots, Ground Instructors, Training Captains, Fleet Chiefs are some of the positions where you will still be able to fly, much like a line pilot. Even better is the fact that you’ll also benefit from additional duties that can help you progress down the road later to a managerial position.
Qualifications Required for Flight Operations Inspectors
Typically, a pilot looking to apply for a position of Flight Operations Inspector needs the following qualifications:
Holds a current ATPL with multiple engine type ratings
Has a considerable amount of command experience
Is experienced in air operations and dealing with operator training requirements
Possesses knowledge of regulatory laws and standards
Pilots who have become a Head of Training typically follow a step-by-step path. For example, a Head of Training may have started their career as a line pilot, then progressed to Training Captain and then Chief Pilot on a specific aircraft type such as a Boeing 737. After that, they moved to the position of Deputy Chief Pilot for Training and then finally became the Head of Training. Remember, there are positions out there that want skilled professionals like you. So if you’re interested in taking your career to the next level, consider moving to a managerial position as well as any of the other positions outlined above.
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