Position Details

Optic Air has class dates available for our 2024/2025 season. The minimum requirements are commercially rated ASEL and AMEL instrument-rated pilots with 500 hours of total time and 20 hours of multi-engine time.

We are an aerial survey company flying Piper Aztecs and Cessna 172/182 aircraft throughout the US and Canada. Please note that all pilot positions require long periods away from home and a minimum one-year commitment.

• Fly the contiguous 48 US states and Canadian provinces.
• Well-maintained aircraft
• Company-issued credit card
• Competitive salary guarantee
• Company-paid single-occupancy room
• Company paid transportation while deployed

Core Responsibilities
• Relentless monitoring of weather and other factors or conditions that ensure safe, efficient, and timely flights
• Timely planning of solo pilot aerial survey missions, including some pre-coordination with ATC
• On-time execution of flights
• Precision capture and delivery of quality imagery
• Navigating heavily congested airspace
• Inspection and monitoring of aircraft, powerplant, systems, and equipment
• Organization, neatness, and cleanliness of aircraft and equipment
• On-time scheduling of aircraft maintenance (working with management)
• Cross-country flight planning plus scheduling of lodging and rental cars
• Frequent communications with stakeholders and daily submission of reports
• Comply with company safety standards, company policies & procedures, FARs, and standards applicable to Part 91 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations

Required Qualifications
• Professional, business-minded, disciplined, and self-starter
• Positive, honest with self and others, and coachable
• Possesses a strong business acumen and/or committed to learning business concepts
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to manage life away from home for weeks at a time
• Extremely flexible and able to change plans quickly
• Computer/technical skills including spreadsheet, file management, various apps
• Confidence flying in busy Class C and Class B airspace for extended periods of time
• Class 2 medical (an expired or class 3 medical does not qualify)
• Valid driver’s license
• Clean driving record
• Valid US passport
• Candidates must be 21 years of age or older by their scheduled class date

Additional Qualifications for Cessna Pilots
• ASEL and AMEL commercial rating
• Instrument rating
• 10+ hours in type – recency important
• Preferred – minimum 400 hours TT, 20 hours of ME time, complex and high-performance endorsements

Additional Qualifications for Aztec Pilots
• AMEL and ASEL commercial rating
• Instrument rating
• Minimum 500 hours total time & 20 hours ME time - Recency important
• Preferred - complex and high-performance endorsements