Late nights. Early mornings. Long shifts spent cooped up in a cockpit, next to a jet engine’s blast, or shivering on the tarmac. Budget cuts, staff cuts, and contract negotiations. The smell of jet fuel in the morning. Why would anyone choose a career in aviation?

It turns out there are plenty of reasons why. Whether you want to work towards being an airline pilot or an aircraft technician, here are five perfectly good reasons to work in aviation.

You Crave Variety: In the air or on the ground, careers in aviation are never the same-old, same-old. Pilots get to travel the world and see amazing views. They also have the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped their passengers see their loved ones, have the vacation of a lifetime, or make the big meeting.

Technicians and mechanics get to work on different machines, learn new tools, and have the satisfaction of knowing they keep air travel safe.

You Love Solving Problems: If you’re technically-minded and enjoy figuring things out, aviation is for you. Entering an aviation career requires rigorous study of aeronautics, mechanics, and scientific principles. Once you’re on the job, you’ll have the opportunity to put your skills and knowledge to work every day.

Whether it’s the pilot who needs to make a course correction or the avionics technician testing a faulty radar, careers in aviation offer plenty of puzzles.

You Want a Stable Income: The aviation industry is one of the most resilient economic sectors. According to Boeing, the market for air travel has been growing at an average annual rate of 5% since 1964 -- nearly fifty years of continuous expansion.

What’s more, this growth trend shows no sign of stopping, especially with rising demand for air travel in China, India, and many African nations. While nothing is guaranteed in life, choosing to make your career in this industry is a smart bet.

You Want Options: Training in an aviation-related field doesn’t mean you need to get a job at a big-city airport. Pilots can opt to fly for sightseeing tours, gain instructor certification, work for cargo companies, fly planes for aerial surveys, or participate in search, rescue, and recovery operations.

Mechanics can take jobs in repair shops, work towards inspector certification, or even open their own maintenance companies. In fact, mechanics and technicians have skills that can transfer to industries other than aviation. Many go on to work in other transport sectors, heavy industry, or even for amusement parks.

You Actually Love the Smell of Jet Fuel in the Morning: Or any time at all! Many adventurous souls are drawn to careers in flight or aviation. If you’re one of them, it’s likely there’s almost nothing that will stop you pursuing your dream. Some people are just burning to fly.

Whether you want to become a pilot or maintain and repair aircraft, make sure you choose an FAA-approved training program. Work hard, put your hours in, and watch your career take flight.