Directory · Government & law enforcement
Texas Department of Public Safety, Aircraft Operations Division: pilot minimums, pay and hiring
| Type | State police aviation (helicopter and airplane), Texas |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas (Texas DPS) |
| Bases | 12 air stations listed by DPS: Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Amarillo, Lubbock, Del Rio, Laredo, Edinburg, Houston, Alpine, El Paso, Midland (Central, North, Northwest, South, Southeast and West Texas regions) |
| Aircraft | 14 Airbus AS350 helicopters (3 hoist-equipped), 1 Airbus EC145, 4 Cessna 206, 2 Cessna 208 Caravan, 2 Pilatus PC-12, 1 King Air 350 (per DPS) |
| Published pilot minimums | Lieutenant (commissioned) pilot track per DPS: DPS commissioned officer at Trooper II or above with one year of continuous service, FAA private pilot license (commercial before line status; instrument rating for fixed-wing PIC), Texas Basic Law Enforcement Certificate, FAA medical (second class once selected) |
| Published pay | Not published (on the DPS pages checked) |
| Hiring status | Not published on the DPS pages checked; state job postings are on the Texas CAPPS system |
| Texas presence | Statewide; Central Texas Region air stations in Austin and San Antonio. All Texas listings |
| Careers | www.dps.texas.gov/section/aircraft-operations-division/lieutenant-pilot-requirements |
DPS says the division has 50 police pilots, 25 tactical flight officers and 5 support staff, and that all DPS pilots hold at least a commercial certificate with an instrument rating.
Source / last checked: www.dps.texas.gov/section/aircraft-operations-division, www.dps.texas.gov/section/aircraft-operations-division/air-stations, www.dps.texas.gov/section/aircraft-operations-division/lieutenant-pilo · checked Nov 2, 2026. Fields marked "Not published" were not stated on the official source when we checked. Always confirm on the operator's site before applying.
FAQ
What are Texas Department of Public Safety, Aircraft Operations Division's pilot minimums?
Lieutenant (commissioned) pilot track per DPS: DPS commissioned officer at Trooper II or above with one year of continuous service, FAA private pilot license (commercial before line status; instrument rating for fixed-wing PIC), Texas Basic Law Enforcement Certificate, FAA medical (second class once selected)
How much does Texas Department of Public Safety, Aircraft Operations Division pay pilots?
Not published (on the DPS pages checked)
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