Low-Time Pilot Jobs in Michigan
Last updated July 3, 2026
A guide to low-time, hour-building pilot jobs in Michigan — 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
Michigan has 22 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.
Michigan snapshot
- Low-time pilot employers tracked
- 22
- Major areas
- Traverse City, Berrien Springs, Fowlerville, Howell, Kingsford, Ypsilanti
- 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 Michigan
Below are employers FlyTo1500 tracks in Michigan. 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 (10)
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Crosswinds Aviation
Howell, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Giving Wings Aviation, LLC
Traverse City, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Great Lakes Air Ventures LLC
Mason, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Ptk Satellite
Waterford, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
School Of Missionary Aviation Technology
Ionia, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Western Michigan University College Of Aviation
Battle Creek, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Yip Satellite
Belleville, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydiving drop zones (10)
Capital City Skydiving
Fowlerville, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Midwest Freefall Sport Parachute Club
Ray MI, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Allegan
Allegan, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Charlevoix
MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Grand Haven
Grand Haven, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Harbor Springs
Harbor Springs, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Holland
Holland, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Owosso
Owosso, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Tecumseh
Jackson, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Wild Wind Skydivers
Saginaw, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Aerial survey & pipeline patrol (1)
45North Aviation
Traverse City, MI
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Part 135 cargo operators (1)
Csa
Kingsford, MI
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 Michigan 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 Michigan
- 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 Michigan
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 Michigan?+
Michigan has 22 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 Michigan?+
Currently 22 low-time-friendly employers in Michigan, 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 Michigan?+
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 Michigan?+
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.
Find Jobs I Qualify ForCancel anytime · Apply directly with employers