Career Details :: Commercial Pilots
Description
Pilot and navigate the flight of small fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft, primarily for the transport of cargo and passengers. Requires commercial rating.
Experience
A minimum of two to four years 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.
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Tasks
- Logs information, such as flight time, altitude flown, and fuel consumption.
- Holds commercial pilot's license issued by Federal Aviation Administration.
- Plans and formulates flight activities and test schedules and prepares flight evaluation reports.
- Orders changes in fuel supply, load, route, or schedule to ensure safety of flight.
- Operates radio equipment and contacts control tower for takeoff, clearance, arrival instructions, and other information.
- Conducts in-flight tests and evaluations, at specified altitudes, in all types of weather to determine receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
- Plots flight pattern and files flight plan with appropriate officials.
- Gives training and instruction in aircraft operations for students and other pilots.
- Coordinates flight activities with ground-crew and air-traffic control, and informs crewmembers of flight and test procedures.
- Conducts preflight checks and reads gauges to verify that fluids and pressure are at prescribed levels.
- Obtains and reviews data, such as load weight, fuel supply, weather conditions, and flight schedule.
- Starts engines, operates controls, and pilots airplane to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plan and regulations and procedures.
Related Careers
- Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
- Locomotive Engineers
- Mates, Ship, Boat, and Barge
- Pilots, Ship
- Ship and Boat Captains
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Operating Vehicles or Equipment
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Getting Information Needed to Do the Job
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, Material
Important Skills
Frequent Work Context
- Consequence of Error
- Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Degree of Automation
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Aeronautical Science/Professional Pilot |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.