Many pilots, copilots, and flight engineers transport passengers and cargo for regional and major airlines. However, qualified individuals may also find opportunities as commercial pilots dusting crops, spreading seed for reforestation, testing aircraft, flying passengers and cargo to areas not served by regular airlines, directing firefighting efforts, tracking criminals, monitoring traffic, and rescuing and evacuating injured persons.

Most airlines require jobseekers to complete at least some college level courses and many prefer to hire college graduates. An online degree program in aviation typically includes coursework in areas like:

• English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Aeronautical Engineering

All pilots are required to gain licensure by the FAA. Completing classes at a flight school approved by the FAA can reduce the amount of flight experience required for a pilot's license.