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Flying is a rewarding career, both financially and in terms of job satisfaction, making an airline pilot career highly desirable. There is a wide range of opportunities available in aviation careers, offering various pathways for growth and advancement.
In “Dream Job Pilot?” Part 1 of this series (Chapters 22 to 37) is a variety of pilot positions explained in detail. Positions such as Test Pilots, Cargo Pilots, Survey Pilots, Rescue Pilots, Ferry Pilots, Arial Photo Pilots, Military Pilots, or Bush Pilots.
In Part 3 of this three-book series, pilots will learn — among other things — about:
Pilot career considerations and career steps
How and where to find open pilot positions
Where to find the “hidden” pilot jobs
How important are networks in aviation?
Differences between airline and corporate flight positions
How to prepare and meet the requirements of airlines or corporate jet companies
How to submit a perfect cover letter, CV, and all the necessary attachments
Your personal presentation at interviews
Hundreds of job addresses, airlines, and flight departments are included in this valuable pilot position search guide.
What Airlines Look for in Pilots:
Exceed minimum qualifications: Aim to surpass the basic requirements set by airlines.
Demonstrate leadership: Effective communication and leadership skills are essential on the flight deck.
Passion for flying: Airlines look for candidates who are truly passionate about aviation.
Maintain professionalism: Your reputation, including your social media presence, can impact your chances.
Networking
In a small industry, your reputation precedes you. Networking allows you to build a reputation as a safe, reliable, and professional pilot before you even apply for a job. If a company shuts down or pilots are furloughed, a solid network ensures you have connections at other companies to turn to for new opportunities.
Connect with CFIs: Your flight instructors are your first industry contact; keeping in touch with them can lead to future job opportunities.
Work at an FBO: Working at a Fixed Base Operator (fueling planes, etc.) is a great way to meet corporate pilots and charter operators.
Attend Industry Events: Conferences and airshows (AOPA, NBAA, EAA) are prime opportunities to meet industry leaders.
Utilize LinkedIn: A professional LinkedIn profile is invaluable for staying connected with peers.
Be Professional with Everyone: Treat flight instructors, mechanics, and maintenance crews with respect; they are key connectors.
Research Airlines and Flight Departments: Be proactive in your research. Look at the latest airline orders — which airlines are expanding, and when are they expecting to take delivery of their new aircraft?
Important: Network and Build Pilot Contacts
The aviation industry is a small world. You never know who you are going to bump into again throughout your career and who might be able to help you out on the way. Regardless of your training background, stay in contact with the fellow aviators you meet and old class friends.
Keep track of which airlines they are applying/interviewing/working for, as they might be able to provide you with valuable information or even recommend you for a job a few years down the line. Speak to them on a regular basis — working together and sharing information increases everyone’s chances. Stay in Touch!
Writers Residencies, Writing Competitions, Freelance Writing, Relief Funds, and More in this Newsletter:May — the month of spring and beauty! There is no denying we all need a strong injection of hope and optimism during this time. If you are one of those people who always said they would write a novel if only they had the time — this is your moment!
WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants
This program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need who are creating in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts, and choreography. Deadline May 12
Ragdale Residencies A fellowship award includes an 18-day fee-waived residency for individuals and a stipend of at least $1000. Applicants may be awarded a residency without a fellowship award. For written work: 20 pages (in up to 8 files) along with the application. Location: Lake Forest, IL. Deadline May 14
It is the premier arts organization at the Southernmost Point of the United States. They offer a residency program for emerging and established visual artists, writers, composers, musicians, media artists, performers, and interdisciplinary artists. Deadline May 15
supports emerging and established artists and writers. During each of our 2-week and 4-week programs throughout the year, a cohort of 5 artists and 5 writers immerse themselves in small-town life at the edge of Maine’s North Woods and focus on their work. Private studio, private bedroom in shared housing, all meals, and $500 stipend ($250 for 2-week programs). Deadline May 15
The Foundation’s Library, Gardens, and Landscape are incredible resources for practitioners who are serious about developing their work in new and meaningful ways. Four annual fellowships include a $10,000 individual grant. Applicants can also choose to be considered for interdisciplinary residency programs with a smaller individual grant. Location Upperville, VA. Deadline May 31 https://www.osgf.org/fellowships
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Alan Andres Writer-in-Residence Program — Boston Provide an emerging children’s writer with the financial support, editorial assistance, and office space needed to complete one literary work for children or young adults. A total stipend of $70,000, paid in monthly instalments over one year. The opportunity to request up to $2,500 to be paid to an expert of your choice for coaching, editorial assistance, or a critical reading of your manuscript. A private office in the Boston Public Library in Copley Square from October 2026 to September 2027. Deadline June 5
Chicken Soup: Humorous Stories We are looking for true stories about something that happened to you in your life — in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, a pet, at work, or at home — that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. All submissions need to be true — we do not publish fiction. Stories should be no longer than 1,200 words. Please write in the first person. Pays $250 and 10 free copies of your book. Deadline August 31 http://www.chickensoup.com
PAID CONTENT
Southwest Contemporary We seek writers based in or closely connected to the North American Southwest for our Fall-Winter 2026–27 issue, Volume 14: Alien. Pitches should focus on contemporary artists working in the region who are grappling with political, social, psychic, and cosmic dimensions of the alien. The fee will be agreed upon at the time of commission, and typically ranges from $100 to $500. Deadline May 8
National Forest Foundation The National Forest Foundation is looking for story pitches for its Winter/Spring 2026 issue of Light & Seed magazine, which will focus on how technology and innovation intersect with National Forests and Grasslands in the U.S. Send pitches to Erin at erinvriley@gmail.com by Wednesday, May 28.
For 1,000 words pays $1,000. First drafts due Monday, June 16.
True stories and poems. “We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words that highlight the unique personalities that cats have. Celebrate your cat, or a cat you know, with a wonderful story about what he or she does. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both.” Payment: $200.
The Pattis Family Foundation Creative Arts Book Award
Works of fiction or nonfiction. Prize: $25,000. The award-winner will participate in a 2–3 day residency at Interlochen Center for the Arts in April 2027. Deadline: May 15
Women and transgender poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area who have been creating art for social change for five or more years. Writers who have lived for at least two years in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties, who are at least 18 years of age, and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Award: $15,000. Deadline: May 15 https://www.leeway.org/lta
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Dear Aliens Contest
A written document from humanity to aliens. Prize: $2,000 USD to the best submission. Second and third place get $250 each. Deadline: May 15
Short stories: 1,001–7,500 words. Poetry: up to three pages per poem. Creative Nonfiction: up to 6,500 words. Flash fiction: up to 1,000 words per piece. Accepts work written in English from anywhere in the world — regardless of genre, style, or origin — and welcomes speculative writing and experimental literature. Creative nonfiction first prize is $1,000.
Open to Canadian women. Creative nonfiction. Prize: $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution in the U.S. or Canada. DeadlineMay 30
Silent River Poetry Prize First prize is $1,000. Open to authors residing in the United States who have not yet published a full-length poetry collection. Authors with previously published chapbooks or books in other genres are eligible. Self-published poets are also eligible, provided they have not published more than one full-length poetry collection. Manuscripts must be 50–70 pages in length.
We all have lots to celebrate in May: Mother’s Day, Victoria Day or Memorial Day, leisurely BBQs, long sunny days — and certainly new books. Let these helpful tips for publishers and authors assist you this month.
An understatement, as the whole city of Victoria, BC, looks almost like a botanical garden.
Spring starts here in February, and snow is very rare. This winter, not even a single flake. Blooming cherry trees can be admired without large crowds, unlike in Japan.
Every year, I spend the early spring weeks between February and April here to enjoy the blooms, while in other parts of North America, snow covers the soil, and it often takes until May before the first blooms appear.
Victoria is called the Garden City because of its unique climate.
The city is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Salish Sea, and protected by mountains. This gives it the mildest climate in all of Canada. All the photos in this article were taken in March of this year.
The garden cities' nickname has roots going back to the early 1900s, tied closely to the city’s British heritage. Early settlers brought their love of English gardens, and over time, that love turned into a full-on obsession with flowers and greenery. Generations later, that same spirit lives on in parks, in neighbourhoods, and even in how homes and public spaces are designed.
Several small botanical gardens, such as the Botanical Gardens at HCP on Quayle Road in Victoria, invite visitors.
But there are free public gardens where Azaleas, Rhododendron, Cherry and Plum trees, Daffodils and Tulips are blooming too:
Beacon Hill Park on Cook Street,
Governor's House Garden on Rockland Ave
Finnerty Gardens on Cedar Hill Cross Rd, near Uni of Victoria,
Abkhazi Garden on Beach Dr
These are among the best gardens in the city.
However, walking through the Rockland area, east of the Craigdarroch Castle, especially on Pemberton and St. Charles St, one can admire beautiful gardens next to posh villas.
Flower Baskets All Over Downtown
Over 1,000 baskets go up each year, filled with bright blooms that add colour and charm to every street in the downtown area and beyond.
Garden Tours
Explore nine stunning private gardens on Mother’s Day across Greater Victoria, each alive with spring blooms and featuring live performances by talented students and faculty from the Victoria Conservatory. https://vcm.bc.ca/support/garden-tour/
Another option is the garden tour on June 14, which will feature 10-12 unique gardens clustered throughout the Braefoot, University Heights, Tattersall, and Jubilee neighbourhoods, plus a few bonus stops along the way.
Victoria is called the Garden City for many good reasons. Its mild climate, world-famous gardens, and beautiful public spaces - all make it a city filled with flowers, trees, and green beauty. The name isn’t just a nickname; it’s a way of life and a paradise for plant lovers. .
