Best summer job for a teenager aspiring to be a commercial pilot.

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Big_Marzipan_405@reddit

i worked at an FBO in high school as a line guy.

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naritakaze@reddit

Those days are long gone. Even po-dunk backwoods airports need a drivers license and a background check these days.

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Honestly, if he's serious about finding a job in aviation, take the post down and repost it without the picture of them leaning on the prop. It looks harmless or innocuous but it's been drilled into me to stay clear of a prop and get used to staying clear of a prop even when it's parked like this.

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

I appreciate your passion and dedication to safety. We weren’t informed by the pilots or instructors who took the picture not to be within the prop arc even when stationary.

I will use this lesson as a teaching moment and hope other beginners will learn from it too.

The key to making mistakes isn’t to hide them by pretending they didn’t happen, it’s to learn from them so that they don’t happen again. I learned something today and I will pass that inflammation on to my kids, and hopefully someone else reading this thread who doesn’t know better will learn something as well.

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Mila_Mon@reddit

Lmao way to ask AI to write this for you as the apology

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

Nope. Four years of Catholic school and four years at a Big Ten University taught me to write relatively well.

Thanks Mr. Hall!

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zarmril@reddit

u/Mila_Mon's comment history suggests they have nothing better to do in their day.

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zarmril@reddit

At 17, I walked into the FBO at my Part 139 airport and asked for a job. I didn't get it until I showed up a month later and made my case again. I spent the rest of my time at home before college as a lineman.

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O5_13_Epsilon@reddit

Careful with your wording there, you can’t have a “job” as a pilot if your aspiring to be a commercial pilot :)

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Vast-Negotiation9068@reddit

Clean the greasy bottom of planes.

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bddgfx@reddit

Good time to teach kiddo in the black shirt to always treat the prop like it’s hot. ;)

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80000000D@reddit

Whole family tho

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ConversationAny7163@reddit

Well that’s not entirely true if this is a Rotax engine and you have to rotate the prop to check the oil capacity. This looks like a P92 which has a Rotax 912.

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bddgfx@reddit

“aCkTchUaLlY…”

Don’t pet a dog you don’t know. Just because it’s safe on that particular occasion doesn’t mean it’s a good habit to get into, especially not for a student aviator.

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Upper_Appointment378@reddit

Better safe than sorry. Plus, it’s essential to teach all young aviators to treat propellers like they could start spinning unless you know for a fact they cannot to promote safety culture.

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

Thank you for teaching me something today. It seems insanely obvious looking at it now, but at the time, the pilot / instructor took the photo and didn’t say anything about that.

I will be more careful in the future.

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bddgfx@reddit

Very good. Complacency is often the first step in the chain of events that leads to an accident. Everyone’s gotta learn sometime! Carry on and good luck to your sons with all their future endeavors. 😎

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EricP51@reddit

Yep, it’s the aviation equivalency of muzzle discipline with firearms. Good lesson to learn early

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Lazypilot306@reddit

Thank you. The old CFI in me was over here about to have a godamn stroke lol

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Nearby-Medicine9484@reddit

Same here. Rule #1 - respect the prop arc!

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Worldx22@reddit

My first thought!

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drrhythm2@reddit

Prop it like it’s hot, prop it like it’s hot…

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HerbEverstanks@reddit

Yeah, may not want to stand there. Especially after you see what happens when you stand in the wrong area.

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stackedmilitaryparts@reddit

If you're aiming to become a commercial pilot, a summer job that builds responsibility and communication skills can really help—think airport ground staff, customer service roles, or even working at a travel agency. Anything that puts you around aviation or helps you understand how people and systems move is a great start. Bonus if you can save up for flying lessons too!

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Katana_DV20@reddit

Fantastic, onward and upward. My advice for the future pilot to focus deep on math, physics and geography whilst in school. Practice mental math and be comfortable with trigonometry. Also see these neat aviation ROT:

https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/checkride/mental-math-descent-planning/

Dont mean to sound like a damp squid but that second pic of all of you near prop made me worry. Beware props and tail rotors.

All the very best to your sons🎶✈️✈️😊

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Grand_Health3358@reddit

See if any local flight schools need a receptionist! The flight school I worked at had a full time receptionist position but on the weekends left it open to students to fill!

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greasyspider@reddit

Is he paying for the flight training or is someone else? If he is paying himself he’ll need to look at selling crack or international arms sales or something. Otherwise, waiting tables outta be fine.

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

I have funds saved up in the form of 529s and Coverdell ESAs. I am in the process of transferring them to a Roth IRA so that he can use those funds for flight hours.

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StageMajestic613@reddit

Totally off base, but I didn’t think you could convert Coverdell to a Roth; the 529 conversion is something new for 2026. Then using a Roth would nail you will a penalty. The Coverdell itself should be fine for flight training expenses.

I only ask as I have Coverdell for my kids and the HS junior looking at a part 141 school for fall ‘27. He is working in PPL now but we are just cash flowing it.

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

The conversion is 529 to Roth. They have about $90k in 529s, $50k in Coverdell ESAs.

It has to be open for 15 years, and the contributions limits are still capped by total earned income.

Most of the Coverdell will go toward high school at the local Catholic high school.

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StageMajestic613@reddit

https://www.summitflightacademy.com/blog/529-plan-flight-training-eligibility-2025/

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TxAggieMike@reddit

It doesn’t have to be aviation oriented.

But something that reinforces responsibility, respect, and maturity would benefit him greatly.

And summer reading should be a personal financial responsibility book such as those from Dave Ramsey or Sam Peterson. Pump the right info into him before the snakes with credit cards brainwash him into irresponsible debt.

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

I’m a big fan of “The Simple Path To Wealth” by J.L. Collins myself. I’m not familiar with Sam Peterson. I will look into him

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TxAggieMike@reddit

My hope is you can equip him well now to live within a budget and take advantage of 40-50 years of compound interest.

And not sell his soul for a frisbee (like I did during freshman year at college).

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

I sold mine for a free 2 liter of soda and a t-shirt.

It taught me hard lessons and inspired a passion for financial literacy that still burns today.

My boys are set up pretty well. Roth IRAs, Coverdell ESAs, and 529s.

No one cares (or SHOULD care) about your finances than you should.

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clarkmueller@reddit

This isn’t a job, but one thing you could do is to get involved with your local EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) chapter. There is almost certainly someone (or several) at a local airfield building an airplane that would welcome some occasional help. You’ll pick up tons of skills that apply to being a mechanic, and it’s a good way to start networking your way to rides and jobs.

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ThrowRA_11728291@reddit

I sure do hope those mags aren’t live 🫣

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VileInventor@reddit

How about not resting your face on a propellor. Go have them volunteer at an aviation museum or other such thing. It’s good experience and good connections. Got me into university.

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Particular-Rip-4928@reddit

Pipistrel alpha trainer?

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Akland23@reddit

He should work somewhere that will teach him responsibility but he's also still a kid who should enjoy his summers. I'd focus on getting a paycheck and building people skills. A server at a restaurant sounds like a good choice.

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Sml132@reddit

I started as a mechanic at 15 as a summer job and I've been doing it since. Ask around (or have him) at smaller GA shops in the area, I'm sure you'll find someone to take at least one of them on. Imo it would be beneficial to get the one who wants to fly a job as a mechanic for a bit (summer job) as well. My experience is in southern wi.

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nonoohnoohno@reddit

Totally a side note, but I trained on those planes (GX and G3). Possibly at that same airport (KARR), though I know the flight school is under different ownership now.

They're so much more fun to fly, with incredible visibility. Especially if you take the doors off. Even if they're just doing a discovery flight, Lucky!

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_TangoLima@reddit

I was in the same boat as your kids. I had to wait until I was 18 before I could do anything in aviation. I worked as a lifeguard, first aid instructor, and at a fast food place. Before I got my first job as a aircraft refueler at 18.

In the meantime take a look at these programs. Also I’m an aircraft mechanic based in Chicago if you have any questions regarding schooling and opportunities.

EAA chapters

Civil Air Patrol

ORD Airport Watch

Lewis University (Visit days)

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

We joined CAP a few months ago.

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Due_Implement3783@reddit

I agree, Perfect age for Civil Air Patrol. Great way to make connections and get a little bit of flight time.

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Flaky-Caregiver-2071@reddit (OP)

I agree that being within the circle of the prop movement is inherently unsafe.

I will leave the photo up as a lesson for others. I just now - while reading the comment - realized that it’s the equivalent of looking down the barrel of a gun you don’t own. Hopefully, the person who is an expert did the right thing, but sometimes people make mistakes, and it’s possible to get hurt.

I will encourage my 16 year old to work at a restaurant and be a server so that he can make tips. There are a few restaurants close by.

Also, both of my sons just joined the Civil Air Patrol in the last two months. The 16 year old is very excited to try to earn his Mitchell Award before he graduates high school in 25 months. I know it might not be possible, but he wants to try.

I will also ask if there are any jobs at the restaurant near the airport near us. That would be the perfect job. Fly once a week, and work on those days. The airport is kind of far to commute to, but no worse than the pool he used to work at.

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dopexile@reddit

I would recommend getting a ramp job at a flight school or an FBO. They'll be around a lot of people in aviation and make a lot of connections. It will open doors for them and potentially create a CFI job for them later. They'll also learn a lot working on airplanes; they could potentially help out the mechanics.

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hutthuttindabutt@reddit

Is this a question?

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GeoHawk32550@reddit

FBO kid that becomes the go-to guy.

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Elios000@reddit

this. they should look for jobs at the FBO

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Elios000@reddit

have they both tried to get jobs as rampers for the GA terminals?

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keenly_disinterested@reddit

What is the job?

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abrams2pilot@reddit

I got my PPL last year in a Remos. Very fun to fly!!

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FLASHGORDON3000@reddit

Find an FBO to work at.

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penngei@reddit

Almost any FBO will not hire anybody under 18

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AlexJamesFitz@reddit

At that age, the best job is the one that pays the most so they can save up for lessons. A tipped restaurant gig can be good money for a kid who saves wisely and solid life experience in general.

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Party-Durian-1102@reddit

Shoutout marist highschool

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patrickAMDG7509@reddit

Not a job but he could volunteer with the Commemorative Air Force. There are some wonderful opportunities for young people to get hands on with old planes there. The retirees that usually man the place will teach them a lot, and they’ll get hand on experience with old planes. I helped restore a couple over the summer one year. The crew was mostly retired military pilots, many of whom had also flown commercial (and had some fantastic stories). Former Air Force One pilot too.

Hanging out with those guys and gals would be a great experience for both of them, I bet they’d learn a lot they could carry into a career.

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Worldx22@reddit

Aircraft detailing? Decent money and he'll meet slme cool people. He won't get a legit job at an airport due to insurance reasons.

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Puzzleheaded-Leg5064@reddit

When they're a little older, see if a local FBO is hiring. An excellent way to learn the industry, meet professionals, network, etc.

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PhilRubdiez@reddit

https://www.dupageairport.gov/airport-authority/administration/employment/

Check out the DuPage FBO. I always enjoyed going through there as a freight dog. They have a pretty nice FBO. Most pilots would make time for the kid if he had questions. Plus, it’s towered, so he could get a tour if he asked nicely.

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Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit

A bit far for being south of midway. Probably closest to IGQ or C56.

Honestly I also thought if my AP/IA had a shop helper willing to detail my airplane after they were done it'd be an easy 200 bucks to add to an annual.

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PhilRubdiez@reddit

Admittedly, I’m not super familiar with that area. Just flew there a lot and my sister lives in Palatine. I was just throwing it out there.

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Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit

Drive through palatine all the time. Wauconda here

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Affectionate_Aspect4@reddit

Gliders.

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YeehawOaktree@reddit

Who let that kid stand next to that propeller that way??

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Fun_Job_3633@reddit

Be a server at the airfield restaurant. They'll actually hire a teenager with limited (no?) job experience and he'll make half decent money.

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Skynet_lives@reddit

Unfortunately due to insurance requirements a lot of places won’t let someone that young work with airplanes at all.

You could find your local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter and ask them if someone could use some help.

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Sea_Transition4188@reddit

hell i got my first internship (key word internship) at a flight school at 14, put in the good work and you'll learn a lot, you might even get discounted flights, free flights, learning, and mentors out of it. i'm typing this from the lounge of this very same company after being hired now

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TheWestCoast@reddit

For the love of god please don’t stand next to a propeller like that.

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LightPilotLifeguard@reddit

A lot of glider clubs have youth programs. Might be worth checking if there are any near you

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ssheisty@reddit

Kid is 100% gonna be a cirrus pilot🤣

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

My sons are 16 and 14 and are aspiring to be a commercial airline pilot and an aviation mechanic, respectively .

My 16 year old had issues returning to his lifeguard summer job.

He wants to apply to a grocery store. I’m sure that there are better options for summer work between sophomore and junior year. He won’t have his Drivers license until late August.

We live about 20 minutes south of Midway airport in Chicago. The closest private/training airport is probably half an hour away by car.

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