Low-Time Pilot Jobs in Minnesota
Last updated July 3, 2026
A guide to low-time, hour-building pilot jobs in Minnesota — 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
Minnesota has 15 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.
Minnesota snapshot
- Low-time pilot employers tracked
- 15
- Major areas
- Bloomington, Forest Lake, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Duluth, Mankato
- 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 Minnesota
Below are employers FlyTo1500 tracks in Minnesota. 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 (12)
Academy College
Bloomington, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Bloomington
Bloomington, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Crystal
Crystal, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Great Planes Aviation
Rochester, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Hummingbird Ventures LLC
Eden Prairie, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Lake Elmo Aero
Lake Elmo, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Lake Superior Helicopters LLC
Duluth, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
North Star Aviation
Mankato, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Rochester Community And Technical College
Rochester, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Thunderbird Aviation INC
Eden Prairie, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Vantage Dlh, LLC
Duluth, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydiving drop zones (2)
Skydive Adventures
Luverne, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Skydive Twin Cities West
Forest Lake, MN
Employer FlyTo1500 tracks
Banner-tow operators (1)
Big Aerial Sign Service
Forest Lake, MN
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
- 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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota?+
Minnesota has 15 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 Minnesota?+
Currently 15 low-time-friendly employers in Minnesota, 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 Minnesota?+
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 Minnesota?+
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