How to Become an Airline Pilot
Introduction of Airline Pilot
As an airline pilot soars through the skies, he links the dots on the world map. Qualified Airline Pilots not only give wings to their dreams by safely navigating and flying commercial aircraft, but they also bring thousands of people closer to realising theirs.
Similar Job Titles
- Aviator
- Captain
- Pilot in Command
- Copilot
- First Officer
- Second in Command
Typical Job Responsibilities
What do Airline Pilots do?
An Airline Pilot would typically need to:
- On a regular basis, operate commercial aviation vehicles such as aeroplanes, helicopters, gyroplanes, balloons, and airships to securely transport people and freight to their destinations.
- Create a thorough flight plan based on the aircraft, route, weather, passengers, and departure/arrival times.
- Ensure that all equipment and safety systems are examined and working properly by qualified personnel.
- Check that the aircraft is balanced, that the cargo is properly loaded, and that the cargo weight does not exceed the aircraft restrictions.
- Before briefing the cabin crew, ensure that the weather conditions are suitable for performing pre-flight checks on instruments, engines, and fuel.
- Follow air traffic control’s airport approach and landing instructions.
- Navigate the aircraft, monitor fuel usage, and ensure that all aircraft systems function properly throughout the flight.
- When faced with changing situations such as weather events or flight emergencies such as a mechanical malfunction, think and respond properly.
- Communicate with passengers on a regular basis during the flight and adjust plans, speed, and altitude as needed to ensure a safe trip.
- Work closely with flight attendants throughout the flight to verify that all passengers follow all safety requirements.
- Maintain flight schedules and notify ground personnel of potential delays and their causes.
- After landing, update the aircraft logbook with important flight facts, technical difficulties, and deviations from the original flight plan.
Standard Work Environment
An airline pilot spends a significant amount of time in the aircraft, depending on the length of the journey. Depending on aircraft routes and schedules, overnight layovers many times per week or lengthier hotel stays in other cities and countries may be required.
Airlines typically offer hotel accommodations, airport transportation, meal allowances, and other expenditures to pilots on duty away from home. Airline pilots dress in company-specific uniforms.
Work Schedule
Most pilots must adhere to government laws regarding maximum work hours and minimum rest periods between flights. Airline pilots have erratic schedules that include multiple consecutive working days followed by several days off.
According to research, airline pilots should rest for at least 10 hours between flights. Their average monthly flying time is 75 hours, with another 150 hours devoted to things like route planning and weather monitoring. Reporting time is at least four to five hours before intended departure, with documentation time at arrival being two to three hours.
The typical working day lasts 10 to 12 hours. Working hours are often determined by the aircraft’s schedule and destination. Senior pilots who have been with a company for a long time, on the other hand, get preferred routes and schedules, but fresher pilots may not.
Employers
The sector is competitive, and it might take a while for airline pilots to find their first employment. Networking with people who are already in the field will help you find relevant opportunities. Specialist aviation recruitment firms, specific airline websites, adverts in trade periodicals, and flight training institutions may also be useful.
Newly qualified pilots may need to look outside their country to find work.
Airline Pilots are generally employed by:
- Scheduled Airlines
- Chartered Airlines
- Freight Airlines
- Flying Schools
- Companies Operating Own Aircraft
Unions / Professional Organizations
Professional groups and organisations are an important resource for airline pilots who want to further their professional development or interact with other professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more of these organisations looks great on your CV and helps to strengthen your credentials and qualifications as an airline pilot.
Workplace Challenges
- Physical and mental fatigue due to jet lag and concentrated attention on flying the aircraft safely
- The feeling of loneliness due to time spent away from family and friends
- Turbulent weather during flight
- Long flights in sealed decks, in small teams
Suggested Work Experience
Commercial Pilots are the most common starting point for airline pilots. To acquire a position with a regional or big airline, applicants typically have thousands of hours of flight experience as Commercial Pilots or in the military. While some airlines and organisations support persons to become Trainee Pilots, such programmes are highly competitive.
Candidates with sufficient flying hours as Flight Instructors, Charter Pilots, or Commercial Pilots can apply for careers as airline pilots. Regional airline recruits must have around 1500 hours of flight experience.
Recommended Qualifications
The minimum prerequisite is a high school diploma or equivalent with good grades, particularly in the sciences. Mathematics, English, geography, current languages, and ICT (Information and Communications Technology) would all be advantageous.
There are several ways to become an airline pilot, but competition is tough. Graduates in mathematics, physics, computing, and engineering, in particular, can train in a civil aviation authority-approved school. Qualified pilots from the military forces who have fulfilled their minimum term can enrol in a conversion school to become airline pilots.
Some institutions offer programmes that combine pilot study and training with a related degree like aviation engineering or air transport. Several passenger airlines provide pilot training programmes that allow you to train with the firm to obtain your licence.
Some sponsorship programmes cover your training fees, which you must repay once you have graduated. Others may need you to sign a bond upfront, committing you to fly with them for a set amount of time.
Certifications, Licenses and Registration
Airlines with Great Potential Pilots often obtain the following licences and ratings in the following order: student pilot certificate, private pilot licence (PPL), instrument rating (IR), commercial pilot licence (CPL), multi-engine rating (MEP), airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, and multi-crew pilot licence (MPL). Each certificate and rating requires pilots to complete a written ground exam as well as a practical flying exam, known as a check ride, in an appropriate aircraft.
After receiving their commercial certificate, many airline pilots obtain a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) rating in addition to these licences. The CFI rating allows them to get flight time and experience fast and at a lower personal cost.
Projected Career Map
Airline Pilots typically begin as Commercial Pilots or work for the military to gain adequate flight experience before seeking employment with regional or big airlines. With enough experience, you can advance to the position of Flight Training Instructor or Operations Manager.
Collective bargaining agreements specify seniority-based advancement. Flight Engineers typically require one to five years to advance to First Officer. Promotion from First Officer to Captain might take up to 15 years, depending on the employee’s experience and employment. Future opportunities include becoming a Flight Instructor, a Senior Manager, an Inspector with local civil aviation authorities, or even an entrepreneur in the aviation industry.
Job Prospects
The airline industry forecasts a future global shortage of airline pilots, which should improve your job prospects. However, there may not always be a steady supply of jobs in the airline business – airlines would rather not recruit at all than recruit someone who is unsuitable.
Regional airlines, which have fewer entry-level qualifications and often less rivalry among candidates, may have better job chances than major airlines, which tend to attract many more applications than job opportunities.
Beneficial Professional Development
In accordance with local aviation authority rules, several firms provide newly hired airline pilots with on-the-job training, including six to eight weeks of ground school. Commercial pilots can obtain specialised aircraft ratings through employer-based training.
Companies that offer apprenticeship programmes for fully trained airline pilots seeking their first job may pay for additional training while offering lesser pay. Other companies may provide a larger starting salary, but more training may necessitate self-funding.
All airline pilots must keep their experience in particular manoeuvres up to date by doing them in the quantities and times prescribed. Training and medical exams are required on a biannual, annual, or biennial basis.
Conclusion of Airline Pilot
As an airline pilot, you will soar over the skies, assisting passengers and goods to reach their destinations safely. You will take part in the fascinating and ongoing challenges of technology innovation, which aspires to link people and places while also being responsible and sustainable.
Advice from the Wise
You begin with a bag full of good fortune and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to empty the bag of luck before you empty the bag of experience.
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