Airlines: Most people immediately think of the major passenger airlines when the topic of a career in aviation comes up, but for each of the major airlines, there are 5 to 10 regional airlines, cargo and charter companies, and fractional operators. The major airlines fly the largest airplanes and often get paid the highest salaries, but the path to becoming a pilot in the airlines is a long road filled with uncertainties and hard times. In the past the airlines hired many retired military pilots; today civilian pilots are just as common, if not a greater force, at the airlines.

Cargo: There are many cargo-hauling companies flying in the U.S. The two most well known names are FedEx and UPS, yet each night hundreds of other cargo aircraft take to the sky. The larger cargo companies have hiring requirements and pay scales that match the airlines. Smaller cargo companies range from having a small single pilot, single aircraft to 100 aircraft fleets. Flying cargo has its benefits (the boxes don't complain), but you are flying at night in all kinds of weather which can statistically lead to the most dangerous type of flying.

Corporate: Most large businesses own or lease aircraft. The CEO of McDonald's or Best Buy isn't going to travel on Delta or Southwest; their time is too valuable. Instead, business people use private jets and turboprops to get quickly and easily from point A to point B. This is a segment of aviation that is mostly out of public view, and therefore often not considered equal to the major airlines, yet it is. The airplanes cost just as much, go farther and faster than most airliners, and by transporting passengers worth billions, the pilots must be highly experienced. The employment requirements and pay scales are also on par with the airlines. The one limiting factor in corporate hiring is the good old "who you know" requirement. Flight departments are very small and often will only consider resumes walked in by current employees. One of the biggest downsides to corporate aviation is the direct link to the financial stability of an individual company. If the company starts to falter, usually the corporate jet is one of the first things to go.

Fractional: This is a new segment of aviation that just recently has become popular. Think of it as a time share for an airplane. An individual buys a share (fraction) of an aircraft and in turn gets to use it for a given number of hours each month or year. The planes are managed by a single company that handles maintenance, scheduling and pilot training. The biggest benefit for owners is that they no longer have to deal with all the extra responsibilities of owning a plane on their own, or the entire cost. Fractional aircraft range from helicopters to the fastest business jets.

Charter: Charter aircraft are the taxi cabs of the sky. Often times, corporate aircraft are operated in charter service when the company owning the planes are not using them. Charter service is sporadic because it doesn't operate on any set schedule so many pilots work on an "on call" schedule. Charter aircraft range from small single engine 4 seat airplanes to the Boeing 737.

Flight Instruction: Few people see this as a long-term career. Instructing is usually a stepping stone to bigger and better things; the low pay and stressful work environment are tiring. However, if you enjoy teaching and have the time and skills it takes to build up a name for yourself, flight instructing can be a rewarding long-term career in many ways.

Military: In the past, military training was the most popular way to gain flight experience. Each branch of the military has its own  flight environment and requirements for flight school. The flight time is high quality; the aircraft are complex and fast. The downside is, of course, you give up control of your life to the government. The best idea is to talk with a recruiter, but remember the recruiter's job is to get you into their branch of the military so ask direct questions and take the answers for what they're worth.

Other areas: There are many smaller aviation career avenues, such as flying for the government, banner towing, traffic watch, and fire fighting, just to name a few.

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