Interesting Careers in Aviation
The aviation industry is a big business which supports about 10 million jobs across the globe and makes a significant contribution to any country’s GDP. Despite its large size, when you ask someone what their preferred career option would be in aviation, most would answer an airline pilot or a flight attendant. However, there are a variety of interesting career options that are not highlighted as much. Today, we take a look at some of them.
Skytyper
This is the spiritual successor of the famous skywriting of the 1920s, where messages were written by daredevil pilots in stunt planes using the exhaust smoke of the plane. While skywriting pilots can still be found and hired today, skytyping has become more prominent. In skytyping, multiple planes move in a straight path and coordinate their smoke release to type a message, which can be seen from the ground. It is popular in many countries.
Birdman
While the job role may sound like a superhero from comics of a bygone era, this position is actually supported by some airports. A birdman is someone who patrols the tarmac and ensures that no birds can come in the way of aircraft engine and cause a serious accident. Their methods involve using fireworks, bright lasers and the good old waving and shouting.
Wingwalker
Wingwalking was at its peak during the forties, where one would climb out of the cockpit of a plane already in flight, strap themselves to the wings of the plane amidst high speeds and pressure, and then would perform acrobatic moves while the plane continued to move in a loop. This is still done at airshows and big corporate events and remains one of the most exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping feats in aviation.
Wildlife Survey Pilot
Wildlife survey pilots engage in low altitude flying as they help in transporting conservationists and biologists. These pilots also assist in gathering data over inaccessible or difficult-to-access terrain, like flying over oceans and tough terrains. This role offers them a spectacular view over deep seas, glaciers, mountains, etc.
Interior Designer
It sure is one big task to ensure that a large flying cylinder with wings looks spacious and comfortable for its passengers. Whether you are travelling economy or going around in a private jet, the interiors of these aircraft are designed by professionals who have intricate knowledge of the design discipline and the machine. The positioning of headrests, reading lights, fabric choice, seat trims, charging points, touchless flushing in lavatories, all these details and more are thought of by the interior designers of the aircraft.
