Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 47

ADVANCED PILOT CAREER SPOTLIGHT
BY JULIE SUMMERS WALKER
PIPELINE PATROL
AERIAL INSPECTORS CHECK FOR
DAMAGE, LEAKS, AND BROKEN PIPE
UNLESS YOU LIVE IN TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, OR LOUISIANA, YOU'VE
probably never thought of how many miles of natural gas pipelines there
are in the country. Pipeline patrol pilots know how many-more than
305,000 miles (58,600 in Texas alone!).
Pipeline patrol jobs involve surveying a pipeline system by flight,
monitoring both the pipeline and the surrounding area for damage,
defect, or disturbance. The positions are specialized and generally
may comprise a pilot and flight crew, or the pilot is on their own. As a
pipeline patrol pilot, your responsibilities include piloting an aircraft
over a specific route with visibility of a pipeline to inspect the area for
any possible damage, leaks, or safety hazards. After identifying any
abnormalities, like erosion or dead vegetation near a pipeline, you relay
the information to ground-level workers. Your crew could contain
photographers or videographers who document the environment.
Pipeline patrol pilots usually work for an operator who contracts
with an oil pipeline or electric power company to furnish aerial patrol
service. Flight training requirements vary depending on the aircraft
(both fixed-wing and helicopters). Pipeline patrol pilots fly wherever
electrical power transmission lines or oil and gas pipelines exist. Power
transmission lines often run through mountainous regions where water
sources and dams produce electrical power.
Aerial patrol of pipelines is an effective means of rapidly covering
large areas of pipeline assets. The focus on any patrol is tailored
to address a company's specific needs because of environmental
circumstances or regulatory changes. Specifically pipeline patrol pilots
are looking for leaks, land erosion, exposed and/or broken pipe. It
QUALIFICATIONS: Commercial pilot
certificate, often with instrument rating;
certified by NCCER (National Center for
Construction Education and Research)
FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: Great
way to build time, employ crew resource
management working with aerial
photographers and videographers
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB:
Low-level flying, challenging weather
conditions
PAY: Starting at $45,000
is a day out/day in job that begins early in the
morning and finishes when the inspection report
is delivered to the site manager. FT
julie.walker@aopa.org
FLIGHT TRAINING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
47

Flight Training - November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - November/December 2023

Contents
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - Intro
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - Cover1
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - Cover2
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - Contents
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 2
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 3
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 4
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 5
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 6
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 7
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 8
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 9
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 10
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 11
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 12
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 13
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 14
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Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 18
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 19
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 20
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 21
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - 22
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Flight Training - November/December 2023 - Cover3
Flight Training - November/December 2023 - Cover4
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