General

A Complete Guide To The Pilot Job

Do you want to be a pilot but don't know what it takes? Pilots hold one of the most critical roles in aviation, maybe even the most famous one. They work in a fast and complicated environment where conditions are always changing. This guide provides an overview of the pilots' profession, and if you dream of becoming a pilot, this guide is an excellent starting point.

What does a Pilot do?

First of all, it is not only about taking off and landing aeroplanes. Flight duties typically begin with thorough pre-flight planning, which includes reviewing flight routes and relevant weather data. Arriving at the aircraft, pilots perform outside checks to make sure there are no apparent damages and set up the flight systems inside the flight deck. After a departure briefing and once passenger boarding or cargo loading is complete, the pilots are ready for take-off. Once airborne, flight crews will adapt to changing flight conditions, other traffic, route changes, or weather along their route by communicating with air traffic control. Monitoring the autopilot and flight systems rounds up the wide range of tasks that require focus and adaptability.

Responsibilities

1. Flight Preparation: This includes analysing flight plans, checking forecasted weather to ensure fuel adequacy and setting up the aircraft for technical readiness.
2. Flight Operations: Taxi at complex airport layouts, takeoff, manage the cruise phase, maintain contact with air traffic control, and land safely in challenging weather conditions while following standard operation procedures ensuring a safe and efficient flight.
3. Communication: Communicate with air traffic controllers and cabin crew, collaborating as a team.
4. Post-Flight Duties: Complete flight logs, inform airplane engineers to address any technical issues, and conduct a debriefing with the crew.

Types of Pilots

1. Commercial Airline Pilots: Operate scheduled passenger or cargo flights.
2. Charter and Corporate Pilots: Fly private piston or jet aircraft for private clients or businesses.
3. Specialised Pilots: Perform unique missions such as aerial firefighting, banner towing, surveying, or medical transports.
4. Military Pilots: Operate military aircraft or fighter jets on behalf of the national air force.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

1. Salaries vary according to experience, region, and type of operation. Pilots are among the highest earners in the aviation industry. New pilots can start with an annual salary of 60,000 euros, whereas senior captains' salaries can exceed 300,000 euros per year.

Worldwide Travel

1. Pilots travel the world and visit new destinations. During layovers, they have the opportunity to explore cultures, cities, and culinary experiences, creating a work and travel experience.

Career Development

1. Pilots must engage in continuous learning to maintain their proficiency. Within an airline, there are numerous opportunities for career progression and personal development. Due to the ongoing demand for new pilots, there is long-term stability and opportunities for advancement.

Professional Recognition

1. The pilot profession is still very highly regarded worldwide, which comes with leadership and expertise. This results in a mutual respect that is widely acknowledged.

Dynamic Work Environment

1. No working day is the same, and each will bring a unique set of challenges. Pilots must adapt to changing weather conditions, new destinations, people, and technical issues, which makes the job both exciting and highly sought after.

Challenges

Flight Training

1. Pilot training is challenging and costly. Trainees must obtain several licenses, starting with the Private Pilot License (PPL), followed by the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). This process requires extensive studying and hundreds of hours of flight training and classroom instruction. After gaining sufficient flight experience, the highest license available is the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).

Irregular Hours

1. Flight duties can be lengthy and unpredictable, requiring pilots to be flexible, with varying duty times impacting sleep patterns and daily routines. Overnight flights and working on weekends and public holidays like Christmas can make balancing work and personal life challenging but manageable.

Health Requirements

1. Physical and mental fitness are fundamental to becoming a pilot. Therefore, regular medical evaluations ensure that all pilots meet the strict health standards required for a safe operation. A healthy lifestyle is beneficial to cope with the physical demands of the job.

High Responsibility

1. Pilots have a significant responsibility for the safety of passengers and crew, which demands a high level of professionalism and focus during flight duties. Decision-making under pressure is an essential skill for pilots, and aspiring pilots can develop this by familiarising themselves with the relevant procedures.

Requirements

Education

1. A high school diploma is typically a basic requirement, though some flight schools or airlines may prefer candidates with a degree in aviation or a related field.

Medical Certification

1. All pilots must pass medical exams assessing their physical as well as mental health. These medical examinations include vision tests, cardiovascular evaluations, and checks for neurological conditions.

Language Skills

1. A good command of English, the universal language of aviation, is mandatory.

Licensing

1. Successful completion of flight training and obtaining licenses and qualifications like the PPL, CPL, and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) is essential to secure a pilot job. Each license comes with specific training and flight-hour requirements.

Soft Skills

1. Pilots must possess excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, which are essential for success in the cockpit and beyond.

For a more detailed view of requirements, have a look at our requirements article.

Outlook on the future

Expansion

1. Air Travel is growing fast even after recent recessions like the Covid-19 pandemic. Especially regions like Asia and the Middle East are expanding with a high demand for pilots. Airlines worldwide are expanding their fleets as passenger numbers rise, creating new opportunities for pilots worldwide.

Technology

1. With the research and development of new technologies, pilots are required to continuously learn and integrate technical knowledge with basic flying skills. Future pilots will face even more advanced systems which require in-depth knowledge.

Diversity

1. Like most industries, diversity plays a big role in aviation and is gaining momentum. Programs aiming to especially encourage women and underrepresented groups are helping to make the pilot job available to more people around the world.