Airline and Commercial Pilots

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Duties

A typical pilot's routine:

• Inspect the plane before and after each flight.
• Balancing and weight control.
• Ascertain the availability of fuel and the weather.
• Plan and report your flight route to air traffic control.
• Make radio contact with the aircraft's tower.
• Control planes along predetermined routes and during takeoffs and landings.
• Keep an eye on the plane's engines, fuel, and other systems.
• Prepare for unexpected events like severe weather or other crises (for example, a mechanical malfunction)
• Operate the plane's controls.

A pilot prepares for a trip by checking the plane's condition, cargo, and weather. Pilots give flight plans to air traffic controllers, who may alter them due to weather or other factors.

Taking off and landing can be stressful. Pilot, copilot, flight engineer, air traffic controllers, and ground personnel must work closely together. After takeoff, the first officer can fly the plane, but the captain is still in charge. Pilots must complete logbooks after each flight to ensure aircraft safety.

Simulators and dual-controlled planes can help students learn to fly.

Pilots are classified as follows:

Most airline pilots work for scheduled airlines that transport people and goods on a set schedule. The captain, or pilot in command, is ultimately responsible for the plane's safe and successful landing. A copilot is a pilot who shares flight duties with a captain, known as a first officer or second in command. To keep an eye on instruments and run the flight deck's systems, an older plane may need a third pilot. Modern aircraft no longer require flight engineers due to technological advancements.

Commercial pilots perform unscheduled flying operations such as aerial applications, charter flights, and tours. Commercial pilots may be required to do more than just fly. Some commercial pilots do their own flight planning, maintenance, and luggage loading. Corporate pilots, who fly executives from one company to another, greet their passengers before boarding.

Aside from flying the planes, agricultural plane pilots frequently use pesticides and other agricultural techniques. The pilots of low-flying aircraft, such as helicopters, are constantly scanning for potential hazards.

If trained, airline pilots can be deputized as federal law enforcement officers and issued guns to guard the cockpit.

Education

Airlines pilots frequently need a bachelor's degree in transportation, engineering, or business. They learn to fly with the help of FAA-certified flight instructors or institutions that offer flight training.

Commercial pilots frequently receive flight training, and some employers require or prefer that they have a college diploma.

The FAA accredits civilian flight schools ranging from small FBOs to state colleges (FAA). Several colleges and universities offer student pilot training as part of their aviation degrees.

Training

Federal regulations require new airline and commercial pilots to receive on-the-job training. Ground school and flight training can take weeks. Employer-sponsored training for specific aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 or the Cessna Citation, is common.

Pilots must also keep practicing their routine moves. For this criterion, pilots must perform a set number of maneuvers and procedures in a set time. Pilots must also undergo annual or biannual training and medical exams.

Work Experience in Related Fields

Many airlines require commercial or military flight experience.

Pilots working for large or regional airlines must have flight experience. Some pilots use jobs as flight instructors or on-demand charter pilots, which require less experience than airline pilot jobs, to gain flight hours.

Military pilots can transition to civilian aviation and apply directly to airlines.

Certification and Licensing

The FAA has set standards for aspiring pilots. The FAA's certifications and ratings are normally obtained in this order:

• Student pilot's license.
• Small plane pilot's license.
• This is a score.
• Commercial pilot's license.
• Several engines rated.
• A commercial airline pilot's license.

A pilot's license requires passing a written exam and a flight test in a suitable aircraft, both of which are called "check rides." Following their commercial pilot certification, many commercial pilots seek certification as flight instructors. The flight instructor certificate can help you gain more flight time and experience.

Commercial pilot's license to be eligible for a commercial pilot certificate, applicants must meet certain age and flight-hour requirements. Student pilots keep logbooks that must be signed off by an instructor. Federal laws require pilots to have a certain level of flight experience and expertise.

To become a commercial pilot, one must pass a medical exam, meet all flight experience and knowledge requirements, and pass a written and practical exam. The pilot's eyesight can be corrected to 20/20 and he or she has no physical or mental issues that could affect performance, according to the medical check.

Instrument ratings are required for commercial pilots flying over 50 miles or at night.

Instrument rating If a pilot has an instrument rating, he or she can fly in low visibility conditions known as IMC. To qualify for this rating, you must have at least 40 hours of instrument flying and 50 hours of cross-country flying as the pilot in command.

A pilot's license for air travel. All commercial pilots must have an ATP certificate. Applicants for the ATP must meet federal requirements, including age, flight hours, and written and practical tests. An ATP requires a commercial pilot's license. Aviation-related ratings allow airline pilots to fly a variety of aircraft types that require specialized training.

Before flying commercially, an airline pilot must pass a series of physical and flight tests.

Advancement

Commercial pilots can become airline pilots after completing the required flight hours and passing the ATP exam.

Pilots advance according to a seniority system outlined in collective bargaining agreements.

Important traits

Communication ability Pilots must communicate effectively with air traffic controllers and other crew members. It's also vital that they follow directions.

The ability to focus. Pilots constantly check displays, gauges, and dials to ensure proper operation. They must also watch out for other planes or obstacles. Pilots must have excellent color vision and peripheral vision.

Thinking outside the box. Pilots must be able to identify and resolve complex issues. When a plane encounters turbulence, aeronautical engineers assess the weather and request a route or altitude change.

Thinking speed. Pilots must react quickly and wisely to any potential hazard.

Pay

Pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in the airline industry made an average of $160,970 in yearly salaries in May 2020. If half of the people in a profession make more than the median wage, and half earn less, we say that the median wage is too high or too low. The 10 percent with the lowest incomes earned less than $80,920, while the 10 percent with the highest incomes earned more than $208,000.

Job Projections

A 13% increase in airline and commercial pilot jobs is expected between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average growth rate for all vocations.