Also called: Tow Pilot, Soaring Tow Pilot
Flies the small plane that tows gliders into the sky and releases them to soar.
On a sunny soaring day, a tow pilot launches over and over, pulling gliders to 3,000 feet on a rope, releasing them, and diving back down to land for the next tow. It is a classic way for new pilots to build hours.
Usually paid per tow; often part-time.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Private or commercial pilot certificate with a tailwheel endorsement.
Ways in: Certification. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Aviation.
Growing about average. Mostly part-time and seasonal at soaring clubs.
Low risk for 10 years. Tow flights are simple but done mostly by part-timers and volunteers; little push to automate.
Classes: Physics, Algebra I.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.