First Officer Pilot Opportunity at Horizon Air

Horizon Air is actively seeking highly qualified and motivated candidates for the role of First Officer. This is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring and experienced pilots committed to safety, operational excellence, and professional growth within a leading regional airline. Successful applicants will join a dynamic team based across key locations in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Minimum Professional and Flight Time Requirements

Prospective First Officers must meet rigorous FAA flight time standards and licensing requirements. All flight time will be meticulously verified in pilot logbooks by the System Chief Pilot and/or the Director of Operations during the interview process.

Total Flight Time: A minimum of 1,465 hours of total flight time is required, or the applicant must be R-ATP qualified.
Pilot-In-Command (PIC) Time: 250 total hours of flight time as Pilot-in-Command, which must include:
- 100 hours of cross-country flight time.
- 25 hours of night flight time.
Multi-Engine Time: A minimum of 25 hours of multi-engine flight time.
Instrument Flight Time: 75 hours of instrument flight time (in actual or simulated instrument conditions).
Cross-Country Time: 500 hours of cross-country flight time, or 200 hours if R-ATP or military qualified.
Night Flight Time: 100 hours of night flight time.
Type Rating: Not required; comprehensive aircraft-specific training is provided by Horizon Air.

Prior Qualifying Time (PQT) Requirement

Candidates must possess 200 hours of FAA-approved Prior Qualifying Time (PQT) to serve as Pilot in Command in part 121 operations, as defined by FAR § 121.436(a)(3). Applicants must be able to provide verifiable proof of obtaining this flight time requirement through one of the following criteria:

200 hours as Second in Command at a Part 121 carrier (per FAR § 121.436(a)(3)); or
200 hours as Pilot in Command at a Part 91 carrier flying a multi-engine turbine-powered fixed-wing or powered-lift aircraft with an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license and an applicable type rating (per FAR § 91.1053(a)(2)(i)); or
200 hours as Pilot in Command at a Part 135 carrier in passenger-carrying operations of a turbojet airplane with a passenger-seat configuration, excluding crewmember seats, of 10 seats or more (per FAR § 135.243(a)(1)); or
200 hours as Pilot in Command at a Part 135 carrier in commuter passenger-carrying operations of a multiengine airplane (per FAR § 135.243(a)(1)); or
200 hours as Pilot in Command at a Part 135 carrier holding an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and, if required, the appropriate type rating for that airplane (per FAR § 135.243(a)(1)); or
200 hours of military flight time obtained as Pilot in Command of a multiengine turbine-powered, fixed-wing airplane or powered-lift aircraft in an operation requiring more than one pilot (per FAR § 121.436(c)).

Preferred Qualifications

While the following are not mandatory, they significantly enhance a candidate's profile:

100 hours of multi-engine flight time.
100 hours of flight time accumulated within the last 12 months.
A four-year degree from an accredited university.

Licensing, Certifications, and General Requirements

Candidates must ensure they meet all regulatory and operational standards prior to application:

Required License: Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certificate.
Licensing Body: Must be open to FAA license holders.
Medical Certificate: Current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
FCC Permit: Must possess a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit issued by the FCC.
Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (Visa sponsorship is not provided).
Travel Documents: Must have and maintain a valid passport allowing unrestricted international travel (without a Travel Restriction Permit - TRP) to and from the U.S.
Driver's License: Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
Language Proficiency: Ability to communicate proficiently in English.
Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SIDA Badge: Employees will be required to obtain and maintain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) badge provided by the airport authority.

Candidate Attributes and Operational Expectations

Horizon Air seeks professionals demonstrating the highest levels of judgment and leadership:

The ideal candidate exhibits excellent judgment, strong leadership skills, demonstrated command ability and maturity.
Candidates must be willing to accept a base assignment in one of the following locations, based on company operational need: Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Spokane, WA; Boise, ID; Medford, OR; Anchorage, AK; or Everett, WA.
The position requires the flexibility to work a varied schedule, including weekends and holidays, and involves working multiple days away from home without restrictions.