Commercial Pilots Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Commercial Pilots

The main tasks and work activities of Commercial Pilots are to inspect aircraft or aircraft components, communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement, pilot aircraft, monitor engine operation or functioning. In general, for the Commercial Pilots, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, monitoring, critical Thinking and other 14 skills are required.

Commercial Pilots Job Description
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Commercial Pilots jobs. 23.00% of Commercial Pilots have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 25.30% of Commercial Pilots have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

23.00%

Post-Secondary Certificate

25.30%

Some College Courses

2.29%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

17.05%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

32.36%

Tasks and Work Activities of Commercial Pilots

Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.
Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots.
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations.
File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
Rescue and evacuate injured persons.
Supervise other crew members.

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.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Inspect aircraft or aircraft components.
Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
Pilot aircraft.
Monitor engine operation or functioning.
Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.
Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
Plan flight operations.
Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured.
Coordinate flight control or management activities.
Record operational details of travel.
Train transportation or material moving personnel.
Test performance of aircraft equipment.
Assist others during emergencies.
Direct passenger or freight transport activities.
Maintain vehicles in good working condition.
Arrange maintenance activities.
Evaluate performance of applicants, trainees, or employees.

Skills and Abilities for Commercial Pilots

Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
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.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.

Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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).
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
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.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Spatial OrientationThe ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

Aircraft environment regulatorse.g. Air conditioning systems
Flight computer systemse.g. Air data computers
Aircraft environment controllerse.g. Air pressurization systems
Aircraft warning systemse.g. Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS
Aircraft anti skid controlse.g. Anti-skid systems
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
Locking plierse.g. Channel lock pliers
Aircraft guidance systemse.g. Cockpit displays of traffic information CDTI
Aircraft oxygen equipmente.g. Continuous flow emergency oxygen systems
Aircraft deicing equipmente.g. De-icing equipment
Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
Aircraft communication systemse.g. Digital communications display units DCDU
Multimeterse.g. Digital multimeters
Aircraft guidance systemse.g. Distance measuring equipment DME
Aircraft hydraulic systemse.g. Electro-hydraulic control systems
Aerospace cockpit display panelse.g. Electronic flight instrument systems EFIS
Aircraft escape or ejection systemse.g. Emergency exit slides

TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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.
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.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Commercial Pilots Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Commercial Pilots

Skills and Abilities for Commercial Pilots