Airlines will have their own pay structures and employment policies. Salaries vary depending on the employer you fly for, as well as what size craft you fly and how much experience you have. Depending on the company there are several options for promotion: Substantial flying and aircraftĮxperience is necessary for promotion. Most airlines have structured career progression. May be required to relocate to an overseas base. They are also required to spend time away from base (overnights) and time on call. Working hours: required to work irregular work patterns and unsociable hours, including weekends and bank holidays. Travel: including overseas is a normal part of the working day, with absence from home overnight frequent on long haul flights. Writing flight reports after landing, highlighting any problems with the aircraft or the flight path. Reacting quickly and making vital decisions in a changing situation. Interpreting complex data, exercising hand-eye co-ordination and situational awareness. Monitoring aircraft conditions and passenger needs. Monitoring in-flight data and making adjustments to deal with changing weather patterns. Liaising with engineers, dispatchers, cabin crew and controllers.īriefing cabin crew, following air traffic control instructions and keeping passengers informed about progress. Duties are usually shared with a co-pilot.Īfter landing, when the aircraft has been taxied to its final position, the Pilot shuts down the engines and writes a flight report, noting any problems or technical difficulties.Ĭarrying out pre-flight checks of aircraft systems and making sure the aircraft insurance certificates and other legal paperwork is up to date.Īcquiring information about the route, weather, passengers and aircraft to calculate best fuel quantity required.

They conduct checks on controls, instruments and engines.īetween take-off and landing the crew operates and navigates the aircraft, communicates with air traffic control, listens to weather reports, monitors engines and systems, checks fuel consumption, and advises passengers on the progress of their flight.

They liaise with operations control staff, engineers and cabin crew and check that the aircraft and its systems are prepared for departure. Pilots are responsible for pre-flight preparation, filing the flight plan and calculating fuel required, taking into consideration meteorological information and passenger and cargo loads. Their job is in no way routine and demands unconventional hours in a very complex workplace. They make sure that the controls of the aircraft are working properly, check weather conditions and liaise with air traffic control. An airline pilot is responsible for the safe and economic operation and management of aircraft carrying passengers and/or freight.

Part time pilot