2181 - Aircraft Operation Series

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This series includes all positions primarily involved in: (1) piloting or copiloting of aircraft to carry out various programs and functions of Federal agencies; (2) providing ground and flight instruction and in-flight evaluation in the piloting of aircraft; (3) flight testing of developmental and modified aircraft and components; (4) in-flight inspection and evaluation of air navigation facilities and the environmental conditions affecting instrument flight procedures; and (5) performing staff work concerned with planning, analyzing, or administering agency aviation programs, where the work requires primarily the application of pilot knowledge and skills.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the TRANSPORTATION GROUP, click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

  • 2101 - Transportation Specialist Series
  • 2102 - Transportation Clerk and Assistant
  • 2110 - Transportation Industry Analysis Series
  • 2121 - Railroad Safety Series
  • 2123 - Motor Carrier Safety Series
  • 2125 - Highway Safety Series
  • 2130 - Traffic Management Series
  • 2131 - Freight Rate Series
  • 2135 - Transportation Loss and Damage Claims Examining Series
  • 2144 - Cargo Scheduling Series
  • 2150 - Transportation Operations
  • 2151 - Dispatching
  • 2152 - Air Traffic Control Series
  • 2154 - Air Traffic Assistance Series
  • 2161 - Marine Cargo Series
  • 2183 - Air Navigation Series
  • 2185 - Aircrew Technician Series
  • 2199 - Transportation Student Trainee Series

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
Quality Auditor Certification (CQA) In DemandIs In Demand American Society for Quality (ASQ) otherOther GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) In DemandIs In Demand American Society for Quality (ASQ) otherOther GI BillGI Bill  
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mostMost GI BillGI Bill  
Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Is Not In Demand National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Remote Pilot Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) someSome    
Commercial Pilot, Helicopter Rating Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mostMost    
Commercial Pilot, Airplane Single Engine (ASE) Rating Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mostMost    
Commercial Pilot, Airplane Multi-Engine (AME) Rating Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mostMost    
Private Pilot, Helicopter Rating Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mostMost    
Private Pilot, Airplane Single Engine (ASE) Rating Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) otherOther    
Private Pilot, Airplane Multi Engine (AME) Rating Is Not In Demand Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mostMost    

State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 2181 - Aircraft Operation Series. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Aerospace Engineers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Airfield Operations Specialists someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers mostMost     find local salaryfind local salary
Aviation Inspectors mostMost     find local salaryfind local salary
Commercial Pilots mostMost     find local salaryfind local salary
Top
This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 36 months

The NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program is for mid- to entry-level professionals interested in pursuing a career leading flight departments and companies that use business aircraft. Individuals who are CAM certified have job titles such as Maintenance Manager, Aviation Director, Operations Director, and others. Through CAM certification, the candidate demonstrates an expert-level of commitment to the aviation industry.

Click here to go to Remote Pilot COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Remote Pilot credential is an intermediate-level credential for individuals who fly remote drones. Remote Pilots operate small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); a small UAS includes small unmanned aircraft, weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft. Candidates for the FAA Remote Pilot must be at least 16 years old, able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language, and not have a physical or psychological condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small UAS. Additionally, FAA Remote Pilot candidates are required to pass an exam.

Click here to go to Commercial Pilot, Helicopter Rating COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Commercial Pilot, Airplane Single Engine (ASE) Rating COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Commercial Pilot, Airplane Multi-Engine (AME) Rating COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Private Pilot, Helicopter Rating COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Private Pilot, Airplane Multi Engine (AME) Rating COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Aerospace Engineers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Aerospace Engineers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Airfield Operations Specialists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Airfield Operations Specialists
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Aviation Inspectors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Aviation Inspectors
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Commercial Pilots
Click here for the external link to: My Next Move salary info for Commercial Pilots