Low-Time Pilot Jobs in Illinois
Last updated July 3, 2026
A guide to low-time, hour-building pilot jobs in Illinois — the flight schools, drop zones, aerial survey, banner-tow and Part 135 cargo employers FlyTo1500 tracks, what they typically require, and how to find current openings.
Short answer
Illinois has 24 low-time pilot employers in the FlyTo1500 database across flight instructing, skydiving, aerial survey/pipeline patrol, banner towing, and Part 135 cargo. Hiring varies by employer and season, so this page groups potential employers by category and shows how to find current openings.
Illinois snapshot
- Low-time pilot employers tracked
- 24
- Major areas
- Centralia, West Chicago, Murphysboro, Rochelle, Wheaton, Greenville
- Job types
- CFI, jump pilot, survey/patrol, banner tow, cargo
- Typical entry
- Commercial certificate; CFI is the most common first job
- Hours to airlines
- 1,500 (ATP) — 1,000–1,250 with an R-ATP
- Best for
- Newly-certificated pilots building toward 1,500 hours
Counts reflect employers FlyTo1500 tracks. Requirements and hiring vary by employer, aircraft, and season.
Potential low-time pilot employers in Illinois
Below are employers FlyTo1500 tracks in Illinois. Requirements and current openings vary by employer, aircraft, and season — a listing here does not mean an employer is currently hiring.
Flight schools & CFI employers (15)
Airgo INC
Centralia, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Avel Flight School INC
West Chicago, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Board Of Trustees Of Southern Illinois
Murphysboro, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Centralia Airport
Centralia, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
College Of Dupage
Wheaton, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Ideal Aviation
Sauget, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Illinois Aviation Academy
Dekalb, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Illinois Aviation Academy, LLC
Chicago, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Institute Of Aviation At Parkland College
Savoy, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Ja Flight Training
Sugar Grove, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Pwk Satellite
Wheeling, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Quincy Regional Airport
Quincy, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Region Flyers
Lansing, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydiving drop zones (7)
Chicagoland Skydiving Center (CSC)
Rochelle, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Gateway Skydiving Center
Greenville, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Illinois Skydiving Center
Paxton, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Mid-America Sport Parachute Club
Taylorville, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Quad City Skydiving Center
Geneseo, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
SEMO Skydiving
Cairo, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Chicago
Ottawa, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Banner-tow operators (1)
Airspace Aerial Media
IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Part 135 cargo operators (1)
PlaneMasters
West Chicago, IL
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Want current openings, not just employers?
FlyTo1500 tracks live listings and matches them to your logbook.
Unlock Current JobsWhat these jobs in Illinois typically require
- A Commercial Pilot Certificate (CFI/CFII for instructing)
- A current medical certificate
- Category/class and any type or tailwheel experience the role needs
- A clean, current logbook and professional resume
- Flexibility on schedule, location, and season
Most of these roles need a Commercial certificate per § 61.129 and a valid medical per § 61.23; airline hiring generally requires 1,500 hours for the ATP per § 61.159.
How to improve your chances in Illinois
- Add a CFII/MEI to widen your instructing options
- A tailwheel endorsement opens up jump and survey flying
- Any turbine or Caravan time makes you far more competitive
- Apply across categories — flexibility gets you flying sooner
- Set up job alerts so you catch new openings early
Focus on one job type in Illinois
Low-time pilot jobs in other states
Related FlyTo1500 resources
- All low-time pilot job types — CFI, cargo, survey, skydive, banner tow and more
- Flight instructor jobs by location — CFI employers by state and metro
- Best pilot jobs to build flight hours and how to get 1,500 hours
Official sources referenced
FAA rules set baseline certificate and eligibility requirements; individual employers add their own aircraft, insurance, and experience preferences. Always confirm current rules with the FAA and the specific employer.
Frequently asked questions
What low-time pilot jobs are available in Illinois?+
Illinois has 24 employers FlyTo1500 tracks across flight instructing, skydiving, aerial survey/pipeline patrol, banner towing, and Part 135 cargo. Flight instructing is usually the most common first job, but the mix depends on where you are.
How many pilot employers does FlyTo1500 track in Illinois?+
Currently 24 low-time-friendly employers in Illinois, grouped by category on this page. Whether any is hiring depends on the employer, aircraft, and season.
What's the fastest way to build hours in Illinois?+
For most pilots it's flight instructing (steady, year-round), but jump flying and survey/patrol can add turbine and PIC time fast. Compare options in our guide to the best jobs for building flight hours.
Do I need a commercial certificate for these jobs?+
Yes — nearly all paid low-time flying requires at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and instructing also needs a CFI. A current medical is required too.
Can FlyTo1500 help me find pilot jobs in Illinois?+
Yes. FlyTo1500 tracks these employers and current openings and matches them to your hours, certificates, and goals. FlyTo1500 helps you discover and compare jobs — it does not employ pilots.
Want to know which pilot jobs you actually qualify for?
FlyTo1500 helps you compare low-time pilot jobs based on your hours, certificates, ratings, and job goals — so you can focus on openings that actually match your logbook.
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