Best Side Hustles for Pilots in 2025

Being a pilot can mean weeks away flying long trips, followed by stretches at home with little to do. I've known plenty of pilots who turn that downtime into reliable extra income—and honestly, there are lots of options that work.

I’ve pulled together these side hustle ideas because they’re realistic, flexible, and let you use your experience without committing to a second job you can't manage. 

Teach Ground School

This is a real classic for pilots, and one of the most rewarding ways to use your time on the ground. You’ll be helping the next generation of aviators understand the theory, stay safe, and pass their exams.

Most local aviation schools, like those you'll find through AOPA, offer part-time or contract teaching that you can fit around your roster without too much hassle.

Beyond the money, it's also just a great way to stay sharp on regs and procedures. If you like mentoring and explaining things, this can be a really satisfying side gig that feels worthwhile.

• Keeps your own knowledge fresh while helping new pilots
• Genuinely rewarding work

Start Paid Mobile Gaming on Freecash

This is honestly one of the easiest, lowest-commitment ways to make a bit of extra cash on the side, especially if you're stuck in hotel rooms all the time.

Freecash pays you for simple online tasks like surveys, testing apps, or playing games. And you can cash out via bank transfer or PayPal without much fuss.

It won't make you rich, but it's perfect for filling downtime between flights without any real commitment. 

• Instant, free sign-up 
• Perfect for killing time during layovers 

Run Flight Sim Classes

Another go-to option, especially if you enjoy teaching. Running simulator sessions is a solid way to use your real-world knowledge to walk students through maneuvers and emergencies in a safe environment. 

Places like FlightSafety International and local FBOs often hire instructors on flexible, hourly contracts.

It’s typically well-paid, fits nicely around your airline roster, and lets you stay engaged with aviation even on days off. Plus, you'll get the satisfaction of seeing students improve.

• Meaningful work with young pilots
• Very decent pay per hour 

Invest in Real Estate

For those willing to plan ahead and put in some effort upfront, real estate can become a solid source of passive income.

 Plenty of pilots use their home time to manage Airbnb rentals or traditional long-term tenants via Realtor.com or Zillow. 

Obviously this isn't an overnight win, it takes cash upfront and planning, but once it’s running, it can keep earning while you’re flying. For pilots who want to build wealth over time, it’s one of the best moves out there.

• Long-term passive income 
• Makes use of the property if you're away half the time

Offer Aviation Consulting

If you've got solid industry experience, consulting is one of the most flexible and potentially well-paid side hustles you can do.

It can mean helping operators improve safety management systems, or even writing for industry sites like Boldmethod. 

The best part? You can do much of it remotely. I've known pilots who pick up projects via networking or platforms like Upwork or Freelancer.

If you're happy writing reports or sharing your expertise, it's a fantastic way to stay involved when you get older, too. 

• Fully remote work that fits around flying schedules
• Builds your professional network 

Rent Out Your Vehicle with Turo

When you're away for trips, your car is probably sitting unused at home or the airport. Turo makes it easy to rent your vehicle, so others can rent it while you're gone. You can check out Turo to see how it works.

Many hosts report earning over $10,000 per year with just one car. It's not a job, exactly, but it's one of those simple, passive income tricks that makes sense for airline schedules.

• Earn money from a car you'd leave idle anyway
• Perfect for pilots away for days at a time

Do Cycling Delivery in the City

If you’re based in an urban area, consider doing cycling deliveries with DoorDash or Grubhub on your days off.

It's not going to match your pilot salary, obviously, but it can be surprisingly enjoyable.

It’s flexible, humbling, and healthy, and gives you a reason to get outside and move, which is great after long-haul trips where you’ve been sitting for hours. I loved it, personally. 

• Great for staying fit 
• Pick your own hours

Overview Table

At the end of the day, there’s no single right answer. Pick one, give it a try, and see what fits best. Good luck!