Pilot's Job Profile
The airlines requires two pilots who are responsible for flying an airplane, that is, the captain and the co pilot who can also be called the first officer. The pilot has the duty of examining the plane before the flight, examining the control equipment of the airplane as well as checking each and every item of the airplane on the checklist.
After determining the flight and weather conditions, the captain of the airplane gets the approval for the flight plans by the traffic controllers. Before the time the plane takes off till the time it lands, the responsibility for the passengers and other cargo that is carried along is the responsibility of the captain and co pilot.
The airline pilot is held responsible for the flying the aircraft safely. The safety has to be ensured in and out of the runway. The airline pilots have to command the other crew members that include the co-pilot and also the flight attendants.
The captain has the overall responsibility of the efficient and safe operation of the aircraft that also includes the crew. Pilots have to study the flight plans and also ensure the controls of the aircraft for operating in an effective and efficient manner. The pilots are the ones who are responsible for keeping on the weather conditions and also having a liaison with the air traffic controllers.
There are ample opportunities for the pilots available as they can recruited to the different areas such as passenger scheduled services, charter services, business aviation and also the freight services.
The primary task that has to be fulfilled by each pilot is to undertake the operations of the aircraft economically and safely. There are a large number of tasks that have to be carried out by the pilots.
Training and Qualifications
It is essential for the airline pilot to have an FAA certification along with the other certifications that largely depends upon the type of the aircraft that is assigned to the pilot. It is essential for the airline pilot to possess the basic skills of mathematics, communication and physics. There is no essential requirement for the pilot to have an engineering degree. There are certain medical standards that have to be met by the pilots that can vary upon the licenses that are held by them.
You first need to join a flight school and work towards attaining a private pilot certificate. The minimum flight time of FAA is 40 hours. You will also need a First Class medical certificate from a Federal Aviation Administration medical examiner. Also, every flying job needs you to attain an associate degree and almost every airline pilot job requires a bachelor's degree. It does not matter if the degree is not related to aviation. Once you get a private pilot license, next you can concentrate towards your instrument rating and commercial certificate. You also need to complete your certified flight instructor (CFI) rating. Once you have good ratings and a minimum of 500-1000 hours of flight time, you become eligible to apply for a pilot's job in various airlines.
Set Skills Required
The pilots are highly responsible before the take off till the landing of the flight. Checking the plane is the responsibility of the pilot and it must be done efficiently so that there are no threats faced by the passengers and the crew members during the time of flight.
The route that has to be taken for reaching the destination, conditions of the various equipments, height that needs to be maintained, checking the air pressure as well as the temperature in the aircraft are all some of the essential skills that have to be possessed by the pilots without which things cannot work properly.
The pilot has to stay alert at all times during the flight for ensuring that the contacts are maintained with the air traffic controllers, cabin crew at the time of flight and also there are mechanical snags.
Job Prospects and Salary
There is large scope for the pilots in the aviation industry and it is expected to grow in the coming years. For those who are seeking a career in the aviation industry can have the chance to earn handsome salary and also a respectable position.
The salary of the pilots is decided in accordance with the size, type and also the speed of the air plane. Along with this, the time that is taken for flying the place is also one of the deciding factors for the salary that has to be paid to the pilot. The median salary that is paid to the pilots is $76,000 to $129,250 on an annual basis. If you are ready to put in hours of hard work, have the determination to succeed and love the thought of flying through the skies, you can get into this career.