Airships, also known as blimps, dirigibles or aerostats, are engine powered, engine-powered, lighter-than-air craft that derive their lifting power from a lifting gas such as helium or hot air. A blimp controls its direction with power and rudders. Because of the limited number of blimps in the sky, jobs are also limited. The privileged aviators commanding blimps are highly trained professionals, earning a lucrative income.
Income
The United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 reports that in May 2008, the median annual income of commercial pilots, co-pilots and flight engineers was $65,340. Wage earners in the lowest 10 percent earned $32,340 or less. Aviators in the highest 10 percent earned in excess of $129,580. Commercial pilots typically receive benefits packages that might include medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. Per diem, holiday and overtime pay, flight-hour bonuses, 401(k) plans, uniform allowances and medical leave might be included in contract negotiations. Although the major companies that hire blimp pilots do not publicize their rate of pay, qualifications include no less than 1000 hours of commercial, multi-engine flight time as pilot-in-command. Blimp or airship aviators are in the top 10 percent of commercial pilots and earn in excess of $129,580 per year.
Blimp Description
Blimps are the most common type of airship in use today. Non-ridge blimps are basically large gas balloons. Shape is maintained by internal overpressure. The only solid part of a blimp is the gondola (passenger car) and the tail fins. (Ridge-frame airships, such as Zepplins, have internal frames.) Commercial blimps are flown for publicity and advertising purposes. In the United States, the Metlife Blimp, Budweiser Blimp and Goodyear Blimp are featured at sporting events and publicity-seeking events. The Fuji Blimp is often featured at public events throughout Europe. If you are lucky enough to obtain employment as a blimp pilot, salary will be dependent on the number of airship flight hours, overall flight experience, education, reputation and geographical location.
Employment opportunities are scare for a blimp pilot as there are so very few airships in service around the world. Although it is extremely difficult to obtain employment as a blimp pilot, if you are a licensed commercial pilot, Airship Ventures of San Fransisco, California offers an opportunity to take the controls of a Zeppelin. Special one or two day orientation and flight classes are available. Established in November of 2008, Airship Ventures operates flights for flight training, advertising, corporate events, scientific missions and daily sight seeing flights of the San Francisco Bay and California coastline. Flights operate from Moffett Field, Sonoma County and North Oakland airports.
Qualifications
Before you can ever hope to make an income flying a blimp, you must be a trained and licensed commercial pilot with a valid and current medical card and a minimum of 500 hours of commercial flight time. A commercial blimp pilot must pass a strict physical. 20/20 vision (with or without corrective lens) and excellent reflexes, coordination and hearing are required. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral are integral to a pilots duties. Extensive travel time is required. Goodyear blimp pilots travel away from home over 180 days each year. (Ref. 4) Because blimps are primarily used for advertising and promotion, blimp pilots also serve as company spokesmen. A blimp pilot should be personable, engaging and able to work as the commander of a multi-person team. Opportunities for income producing employment are listed on aviation online job boards. Employers seek licensed fixed-wing pilots with commercial instrument and multi-engine ratings, certified flight instructors license, extensive flight hours and “Lighter-Than-Air-Certification”.
Many commercial pilots obtain training and experience while serving the United States Armed Forces. Others attend private Federal Aviation Administration approved flight schools. The majority of pilots have a bachelors or masters degree in flight engineering, aviation or aviation management. To obtain a license as a blimp pilot, pilots first earn an instrument rated commercial license and attend a flight school that offers “Lighter-Than-Air Certification. Over 500 hours of flight time in a airship are required prior to taking the licensure examination. Experienced blimp pilots, operating worldwide, have opportunities to earn a higher than average commercial pilot’s salary.
Resources
‘NPR; Blimp Pilot Saves Passengers; June 23, 2011; Mark Memmott ‘¨http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/06/13/137155702/blimp-pilot-saved-passengers-died-in-fiery-crash-witnesses-say
ESPN Outside The Lines; Blimp Pilots Get Into The Games, Too; January 2, 2010; Elizabeth Merrill Ԭhttp://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=4785868
AV Jobs; Aviation Career Profile; Working On The Goodyear Blimp Ԭhttp://www.avjobs.com/avjobsweekly/newsletters/Working-On-The-Goodyear-Blimp.aspLightships: Employment Opportunities Ԭhttp://www.lightships.com/employment.php?category=pilot
Northrop Grumman: Airship Pilot Ԭhttps://ngc.taleo.net/careersection/ngc_pro/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job;=95559&src;=JB-10200
Airship Ventures: Airship Line Pilot'”Zeppelin NT ‘¨http://www.airshipventures.com/openjob_plt.php
Goodyear; Blimp; Personnel and Equipment Ԭhttp://www.goodyearblimp.com/basics/crew.html
References
Airbum; Blimp Pilot Report; Air Progress; January 1971; Bud Davisson Ԭhttp://airbum.com/pireps/PirepBlimp.html
My Airship: Airship FAQs Ԭhttp://www.myairship.com/faq/index.html United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-11 Edition; Pilots and Flight Engineers Ԭhttp://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos107.htm
