Benefits:

Bonus based on performance
Company parties
Competitive salary
Employee discounts
Opportunity for advancement
Training & development

Benefits/Perks

Career advancement opportunities in aviation
Meaningful flight time in real-world Cessna jump operations
Competitive per-load compensation with scheduled-day minimums
Hands-on aircraft operations experience
Coastal airport environment at Watsonville Airport
Team-focused, safety-first skydiving operation
Opportunity to grow into a trusted lead pilot role

Job Summary

Skydive Surf City, dba Skydive Santa Cruz, is looking for a dependable, safety-minded Lead Jump Pilot / Aircraft Operations Lead to join our Cessna skydiving operation at Watsonville Airport.

This role involves flying our Cessna 182 Supercharged and Cessna U206 in support of skydiving and parachuting operations. We are looking for someone who wants to build meaningful flight time, sharpen real-world decision-making, and become a key part of a respected coastal aviation team.

Our pilot is one of the most visible and important people in the day’s flow. Crew, customers, students, participants, spectators, airport personnel, and other tenants all look to the pilot as a leader. We are proud of our reputation at Watsonville Airport and are looking for someone who represents the aircraft, the dropzone, and the skydiving community with professionalism and care.

Schedule

Primary commitment is Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Our airport schedule allows us to fly from 8:00 AM until sunset, though the actual rhythm varies by day, weather, and season. Typically we begin around 11:00 AM and conclude flight ops within 4-6 hours.
Fridays and Mondays often begin closer to midday. Saturdays and Sundays tend to be fuller flying days as the season builds.

Compensation

Compensation is structured as:

$35/per completed jump flight/load.
Additional approved aircraft operations, aircraft care, or maintenance-support duties may be paid hourly when arranged in advance

The scheduled-day is intended for active operational support. If flying is delayed due to weather, volume, or operational needs, the pilot may be assigned aircraft operations duties such as aircraft washing, hangar organization, fuel checks, log updates, squawk tracking, or maintenance-readiness tasks.

Responsibilities

Fly Cessna jump operations safely, smoothly, and efficiently
Support safe, timely, and professional jump operations
Complete aircraft preflight and postflight inspections
Fuel aircraft and help manage fuel readiness
Keep aircraft clean, organized, and professionally presented
Log tach time and daily flight records accurately and 100-hour inspection tracking
Provide excellent customer service and professional acknowledgment to crew, customers, jumpers, spectators, and airport personnel
Build positive working relationships with Watsonville Airport staff, tenants, and aviation neighbors

Qualifications

FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate required
Instrument rating preferred
High-performance endorsement required or ability to obtain before operating applicable aircraft
Current FAA Medical Certificate required
Cessna 182 and/or Cessna 206 experience preferred
Jump pilot experience preferred but not required for the right candidate
Strong communication skills required
Safety-first mindset required
Reliable Friday through Monday availability strongly preferred
Willingness to support aircraft care, fuel systems, hangar organization, and daily operational readiness

About Us

Skydive Surf City, dba Skydive Santa Cruz, has proudly operated at Watsonville Airport since 2015. We are a coastal skydiving operation focused on safety, professionalism, customer experience, and strong relationships within the airport community.

We are looking for a pilot who wants to be more than just a seat filler. This is a hands-on aviation role with real responsibility, meaningful flight time, and the opportunity to become trusted in a unique and exciting corner of aviation.

If you are safe, coachable, reliable, proud of the aircraft, good with people, and excited to help keep a skydiving operation moving, we would love to hear from you.

SKYDIVE SURFCITY - SANTA CRUZ

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