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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Occupation Detailed Description

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

The main tasks and work activities of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are to pilot aircraft, respond to transportation emergencies, notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards, report vehicle or equipment malfunctions. In general, for the Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, active Listening, monitoring and other 17 skills are required.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related ExperienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
ExampleMany of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers jobs. 1.79% of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 17.82% of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
1.79%
Post-Secondary Certificate
17.82%
Some College Courses
3.74%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3.74%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
72.91%

Tasks and Work Activities of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
  • Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
  • Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Pilot aircraft.
  • Respond to transportation emergencies.
  • Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
  • Report vehicle or equipment malfunctions.
  • Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
  • Monitor equipment gauges or displays to ensure proper operation.
  • Inspect aircraft or aircraft components.
  • Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.
  • Monitor engine operation or functioning.
  • Coordinate flight control or management activities.
  • Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.
  • Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
  • Meet with coworkers to communicate work orders or plans.
  • Record operational details of travel.
  • Provide transportation information to passengers or customers.
  • Maintain locomotives or other rail equipment in good working condition.
  • Arrange maintenance activities.
  • Train transportation or material moving personnel.
  • Test performance of aircraft equipment.
  • Evaluate performance of applicants, trainees, or employees.

Skills and Abilities for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Response OrientationThe ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Spatial OrientationThe ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Aircraft steering controlse.g. Aileron trim switches
  • Aircraft warning systemse.g. Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS
  • Flight computer systemse.g. Aircraft data loaders
  • Aircraft anti skid controlse.g. Anti-skid control systems
  • Aircraft guidance systemse.g. Attitude heading reference systems AHRS
  • Aircraft braking systemse.g. Autobrakes
  • Aircraft guidance systemse.g. Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems
  • Aircraft steering controlse.g. Automatic landing systems
  • Flight computer systemse.g. Autopilot systems
  • Aircraft braking systemse.g. Brake management systems
  • Aircraft drag chutese.g. Brake pedals
  • Aircraft guidance systemse.g. Cockpit displays of traffic information CDTI
  • Aircraft oxygen equipmente.g. Continuous flow emergency oxygen systems
  • Flight computer systemse.g. Control display units CDU
  • Aircraft steering controlse.g. Control wheels
  • Flight computer systemse.g. Data load selectors
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Aircraft communication systemse.g. Digital communications display units DCDU
  • Aircraft oxygen equipmente.g. Diluter demand emergency oxygen systems
  • Aircraft guidance systemse.g. Distance measuring equipment DME
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • GeographyKnowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • PsychologyKnowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • TelecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.