If you love farming and agriculture, but you also have a dream of flying for a living, we’ve got just the career for you--an agricultural pilot! This exciting field combines precision agriculture with low-level aviation to help farmers safely produce an affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber, and biofuels.
The average age of agricultural pilots may surprise you. Most are over the age of 50. It’s a popular choice for older pilots who are ready for a quieter career in aviation.
Requirements and Training
Requirements to become an agricultural pilot include a commercial pilot certificate, a class II medical certificate, and training and testing in agricultural aircraft operations including the FAA knowledge and skills test. Other requirements include state-administered EPA commercial pesticide applicator certification and meeting requirements for insurability in the aircraft and type of flight operations.
Training to become an agricultural pilot begins with basic flight training at a flight school or in a flight training program at a two-year or four-year college. Once you’ve completed your basic flight training, you can begin training at a flight school specializing in agricultural aviation training. Finally, you’ll begin on-the-job training under an experienced aerial application operator.
Salary and Career Outlook
Starting pay for agricultural pilots in their first year on the job is anywhere between $20,000 and $40,000 a year. That pay can increase up to $100,000 per year as your experience grows, depending on where you live.
The United States has 2700 agricultural pilots. The future job outlook for an ag pilot is promising--they serve an industry that will always be needed no matter what! Because the pay is a bit lower than a commercial pilot, a career as an agricultural pilot is popular with pilots who are reaching retirement age and looking to slow their careers down. Being older is not a requirement, however, and anyone who is interested in a career in agricultural aviation can pursue it.
For detailed information on flight schools specializing in agricultural flight training, visit agaviation.org.
