Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers

Also Called: Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, First Officer, Pilot

What Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers do

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Industry Areas:

Transportation

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  • Contact With Others
  • Frequency of Decision Making
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

Tools

  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Flight computer systems
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment
  • Aircraft hydraulic systems

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Data base user interface and query software
AirSmith FlightPrompt
CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring

Knowledge

Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Math and Science
geography
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics

Education

  • 61% Bachelor's degree
  • 18% Post-secondary certificate
  • 12% Master's degree

Experience

A 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.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Investigative (Thinker)
  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Leadership
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control
  • Achievement/Effort

Values

  • Independence
  • Support
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Controlled Movement
  • Attention
  • Vision
  • Visual Understanding

This is what Airline Pilots, Copilots, & Flight Engineers across the country typically make.

$48.90 / hour
$101,710 /year

Entry Level

$105.36 / hour
$219,140 /year

Median Level

$115.00 / hour
$239,200 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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