THE SKY: Your Future Workplace?
SPACE: Your Career Horizon?
Have you considered a career in aviation/aerospace?
Ready to explore a constellation of career opportunities?
Aerospace is full of possibilities
Commercial Airline Pilot
SALARY: Entry: £48K, Professional: £80-150K+
EDUCATION: 5 GCSEs (A*-C)
TRAINING: £94-115k, 18 months
MUST HAVE: ATPL, 1,500 flight hours, CAA Exam
Helicopter Pilot
SALARY: Entry: £35-45K, Professional: £50-80K
EDUCATION: PPL(H) or CPL(H)
TRAINING: £40-70k, 45+ hours minimum
MUST HAVE: CAA medical, type ratings
Royal Air Force Pilot
SALARY: Entry: £56K, Professional: £87K+
EDUCATION: 2 A-levels, Officer training
TRAINING: Paid training, 2-3 years
MUST HAVE: UK National, Fitness tests, Sec. clearance
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
SALARY: Entry: £30K, Professional: £35-43K
EDUCATION: Level 3 qualifications
TRAINING: £15-30k, 2-3 years
MUST HAVE: CAA Part-66 licensing
Aircraft Licensed Engineer
SALARY: Entry: £29K, Professional: £35-43K
EDUCATION: Part-66 licensing
TRAINING: £20-40k, 3-5 years experience
MUST HAVE: Part-66 license, type ratings
Aerospace Engineer
SALARY: Entry: £25K, Professional: £48-135K
EDUCATION: BEng/MEng Aerospace Engineering
TRAINING: £9,250/year tuition, 3-4 years
MUST HAVE: Strong maths/physics, security clearance
Air Traffic Controller
SALARY: Entry: Training salary, Professional: £40-80K
EDUCATION: 5 GCSEs (A*-C) inc. Maths & English
TRAINING: NATS paid training, 12-18 months
MUST HAVE: CAA medical, selection process
Flight Dispatcher
SALARY: Entry: £29K, Professional: £40-48K
EDUCATION: Dispatch certification
TRAINING: £10-20k, 6-12 months
MUST HAVE: Weather knowledge, decision-making
Flight Attendant/Cabin Crew
SALARY: Entry: £16-25K, Professional: £28-45K
EDUCATION: 5 GCSEs inc. English & Maths
TRAINING: £2-5k or airline-provided, 4-8 weeks
MUST HAVE: Customer service skills, medical clearance
Airport Manager
SALARY: Entry: £34K, Professional: £45-61K
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s in Aviation Management/Business
TRAINING: £9-25k/year, 3-4 years
MUST HAVE: Leadership experience, business acumen
Aviation Manager
SALARY: Entry: £30-40K, Professional: £50-100K
EDUCATION: Relevant degree + industry experience
TRAINING: £9,250/yr+optional MBA £20K+, 3-4 yrs + EXP
MUST HAVE: Management experience, industry knowledge
Aviation Security Officer
SALARY: Entry: £12.52/hour, Professional: £25-35K
EDUCATION: No formal requirements
TRAINING: Employer-provided, 2-4 weeks
MUST HAVE: 5-year employment history, CRC/DBS, fitness
Drone/UAV Pilot
SALARY: Entry: Project-based, Professional: £25-50K
EDUCATION: CAA-approved training
TRAINING: £1-5k, 2-4 days + 40 hours operational
MUST HAVE: Flyer ID, Operator ID, insurance
Urban Air Mobility Specialist
SALARY: Entry: £30-40K, Professional: £50-80K
EDUCATION: Engineering degree + specialized training
TRAINING: £20-40k, 3-4 years + specialization
MUST HAVE: Continuous learning, tech adaptation
Space Systems Engineer
SALARY: Entry: £28-35K, Professional: £45-100K
EDUCATION: MEng Aerospace/Space Engineering
TRAINING: £9,250/year + specialized courses, 4-5 years
MUST HAVE: Security clearance (may be required)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free courses?
Several options exist for free or heavily subsidised flight training in England. The Air Cadets offer free flying experiences and scholarships, while airlines like Jet2.com and British Airways offer fully funded pilot training programs. Additionally, some online courses like the Pathway to Pilot Competence course are free.
If I get an education in aerospace, am I stuck in the sector?
Many people with experience in aviation and aerospace gain valuable skills that are highly transferable to other fields. These skills can open opportunities in multiple sectors: Automotive, Software and hardware development, Leadership and management roles, Entrepreneurship.
Aerospace education and experience often equip individuals with technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and project leadership skills that are in demand across various industries. As a result, you are not limited to the aerospace sector and can successfully transition into many other domains.
Who can help guiding me in aerospace?
There are multiple initiatives in England supported by the Reach of the Sky Programme, including Ascend2Space where you can find a curated network of mentors.
