Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Field Pilot

🎯 Role Definition

A Field Pilot is a mission-focused aviator who conducts manned or optionally unmanned flight operations in a wide range of environments to support aerial survey, remote sensing, testing, logistics, and emergency response missions. This role demands exceptional flight proficiency, regulatory knowledge (FAA/ICAO or local authority), payload and sensor operation experience, meticulous pre/post-flight procedures, and strong communication with ground crews, program managers, and technical teams. Field Pilots are often the face of the organization in remote and high-stakes field operations and must balance safety, data quality, and operational efficiency.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

First Officer / Co-pilot on regional or specialized survey aircraft
UAV/Remote Pilot Technician transitioning to manned operations
Agricultural, aerial photography, or firefighting pilot roles

Advancement To:

Lead Field Pilot / Senior Field Operations Pilot
Flight Operations Manager / Operations Lead
Chief Pilot or Director of Aerial Programs

Lateral Moves:

Flight Test Pilot
Aerial Survey Project Manager
UAS Program Lead / Sensor Integration Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, brief, and execute mission-specific flights (aerial survey, LIDAR, photogrammetry, environmental sampling, test sorties, or search & rescue support) by developing detailed flight plans, route profiles, altitude regimes, and contingency options that maximize data quality while enforcing safety and regulatory compliance.
Serve as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) for all assigned missions, making real-time operational decisions concerning aircraft performance, weather deviations, airspace restrictions, and mission priorities, and assuming full responsibility for flight safety and crew coordination.
Conduct comprehensive pre-flight inspections, weight & balance calculations, and systems checks for airframe, avionics, payload mounts, and mission-specific equipment; document discrepancies and coordinate corrective maintenance with engineering or maintenance teams before flight release.
Integrate, operate, and troubleshoot mission payloads (e.g., multispectral cameras, hyperspectral sensors, LIDAR units, thermal imagers, magnetometers, drop mechanisms) including sensor alignment, timing synchronization, power management, and test data capture to ensure mission objectives are met.
Operate under instrument and visual flight rules (IFR/VFR) as mission demands, utilizing advanced navigation systems, mission computers, autopilot profiles, and ADS-B/TCAS when required to maintain precise flight tracks critical for survey strip overlap and data continuity.
Coordinate flight clearances, NOTAM review, airspace authorizations, and special-use airspace scheduling with ATC, national aviation authorities, and local stakeholders; prepare and submit required operational waivers and flight plans for complex missions.
Perform in-flight data validation checks and quality assurance of collected datasets, immediately identifying and resolving sensor anomalies, GNSS interference, or recording issues to reduce reflight requirements and ensure final deliverables meet client specifications.
Execute complex takeoffs, landings, and low-altitude flight profiles in diverse operational environments, including temporary airstrips, unprepared surfaces, maritime platforms, or confined landing zones while maintaining strict aircraft handling and safety margins.
Conduct mission risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies prior to deployment, including environmental hazard analysis (terrain, wildlife, wires), crew fatigue assessments, emergency procedures, and communications plans to maintain operational continuity and crew safety.
Maintain detailed flight logs, mission reports, sensor calibration records, and incident reports; furnish post-mission debriefs for internal teams and clients that summarize flight performance, data quality, anomalies, and recommended follow-up actions.
Support mission planning with GIS and mapping teams to define ground control points, strip spacing, overlap percentages, and sensor parameters; adjust flight plans dynamically to compensate for changing conditions and client priorities.
Train, mentor, and supervise field crew members, co-pilots, and payload operators on mission procedures, safety protocols, emergency responses, and best practices for data capture and equipment handling.
Liaise with program managers, clients, and engineering teams to translate operational constraints into technical requirements, advise on aircraft/payload selection, and recommend modifications or upgrades that improve mission outcomes and cost efficiency.
Execute emergency procedures, including in-flight system failures, forced landings, and medical emergencies, coordinating with search and rescue, local authorities, and company incident response teams while preserving evidence for post-incident investigation.
Participate in aircraft ferry flights and logistics planning, organizing ground transportation, fuel planning, customs/clearance documentation for international deployments, and temporary base setup for extended field operations.
Conduct environmental and wildlife protection practices during operations to comply with environmental regulations and minimize mission impact on sensitive ecosystems and protected areas.
Validate and enforce safety management system (SMS) policies in the field; report hazards, support root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions to continuously improve operational safety and compliance.
Support procurement and testing of new sensors, mounts, and avionics by providing flight test feedback, performance data, and real-world operating conditions to engineering and vendor partners.
Facilitate client site surveys, stakeholder briefings, and mission demonstrations to articulate operational constraints, expected deliverables, timelines, and safety considerations; build strong client relationships through professional mission execution.
Ensure currency and compliance with all required licenses, type ratings, medical certifications, recurrent training modules, and company SOPs; coordinate recurrent check rides and proficiency flights as scheduled.

Secondary Functions

Support pre-deployment logistics including cargo manifests, hazardous materials handling for sensor batteries, and coordination of local ground support contractors.
Assist data processing teams by supplying metadata, precise flight logs, time stamps, and GNSS/IMU calibration files to accelerate post-processing and quality control workflows.
Participate in operational continuous improvement efforts, contributing lessons learned and SOP updates based on field observations and mission after-action reviews.
Act as a technical point of contact for field sensor calibration, providing hands-on support to calibration technicians and remote engineering staff to resolve time-critical sensor issues.
Represent the flight operations team at client meetings, safety briefings, and regulatory inspections, preparing and maintaining documentation required for audits and certifications.
Provide input to budgeting and resource planning for field campaigns, helping estimate fuel, maintenance, crew accommodation, and equipment transport costs.
Coordinate ad-hoc field requests such as aerial photography, site reconnaissance, or emergency support sorties as directed by operations leadership.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Commercial Pilot Certificate (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) with valid medical certification and relevant aircraft type ratings (single-engine, multi-engine, or rotary-wing as applicable).
Instrument Rating (IFR) and demonstrated proficiency with modern avionics suites (Glass Cockpit, GPS/NAV/FMS) and autopilot mission profiles.
Hands-on experience integrating and operating airborne sensors (LIDAR, multispectral/hyperspectral cameras, thermal imagers) and familiarity with payload interfaces, trigger logic, and data storage solutions.
Strong navigation skills including GNSS/RTK fundamentals, precise track flying for strip overlap, waypoint management, and understanding of georeferencing principles.
UAS/Remote Pilot knowledge (Part 107 or national equivalent) beneficial for mixed manned/unmanned operations and coordinated airspace management.
Flight planning and dispatch proficiency using mission planning tools (e.g., AvPlan, ForeFlight, Mission Planner, Pix4D flight planning), weight and balance software, and fuel planning calculators.
Proficient in aviation safety management systems (SMS), incident reporting, risk assessment matrices, and regulatory compliance processes (FAA, EASA, ICAO, or local authorities).
Basic avionics troubleshooting and familiarity with maintenance release procedures, MELs (Minimum Equipment Lists), and coordination with A&P/maintenance teams.
Experience with data capture QA/QC workflows, metadata collection, GNSS/IMU calibration routines, and an understanding of post-processing needs for photogrammetry and LIDAR.
Radio communication and phraseology skills; comfortable coordinating with ATC, remote airfields, and multiple ground stakeholders under normal and emergency conditions.
Ability to interpret meteorological briefings, surface analyses, and real-time weather hazards that affect low-altitude and mission-critical operations.
Competence with mission documentation tools and Microsoft Office, flight logging software, and basic GIS tools (QGIS/ArcGIS) to communicate geospatial requirements.
Familiarity with international operations, customs/clearance procedures, and cross-border flight regulations for deployed field campaigns.
Basic mechanical aptitude for rigging mounts, performing ground-based sensor checks, and overseeing minor maintenance tasks during field deployments.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and decisive problem-solving under pressure during time-sensitive field operations.
Clear and professional communication skills for interfacing with clients, ground crews, engineers, and air traffic control.
Team leadership and mentoring capability, with experience supervising cross-functional field teams and fostering high-performance operational culture.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills to coordinate multi-day deployments, tight schedules, and complex logistical constraints.
Adaptability and cultural awareness for remote, international, and austere operating environments.
Meticulous attention to detail for pre-flight checklists, calibration records, and mission documentation.
Customer-focused mindset with the ability to translate client requirements into actionable flight plans and deliverables.
Conflict resolution and interpersonal diplomacy when coordinating competing stakeholder priorities in the field.
Continuous learning orientation to adopt new sensor technologies, flight techniques, and regulatory changes.
Ethical judgment and professional integrity in reporting incidents, adhering to regulations, and maintaining safety-first decision-making.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus commercial pilot certification and verifiable flight hours.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aeronautical Engineering, Geomatics, Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation / Aeronautical Science
Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering
Geomatics / Surveying
Remote Sensing / Earth Observation
Geography / GIS
Environmental Science / Natural Resources

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–10+ years of operational flight experience with mission-oriented sorties; at least 500–1,500 hours PIC for specialized field roles, depending on aircraft type and program requirements.

Preferred:

Demonstrated experience performing aerial surveys, LIDAR/photogrammetry missions, or other data-collection sorties.
Prior exposure to remote field deployments, sensor integration, and cross-functional coordination with engineering or data processing teams.
Proven record of regulatory compliance, recurrent training completion, and participation in safety management programs.
Experience with international deployments, customs/clearance logistics, and operations in austere or challenging environments.