________________________________ Realistic Occupations: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersEducation and Training Programs: Airframe
Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/
Te c h n i c i a n ; A i r c r a f t Po w e r p l a nt Te c h n o l o g y/ Te c h -
nician; Avionics Maintenance Technology/Tech-
nician. Related Knowledge/Courses: Mechanical
Devices; Design; Chemistry; Public Safety and Secu-
rity; Production and Processing.
Work Env ironment : More often indoors than out-
doors; hazardous equipment; standing; using hands
on objects, tools, or controls; repetitive motions.Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
! Personality Code: RCI! Education/Training Required: Bachelor’s
degree
! Annual Earnings: More than $145,600
! Beginning Wage: $56,540
! Earnings Growth Potential: Cannot be
calculated
! Growth: 12.9%
! Annual Job Openings: 4,073
! Self-Employed: 2.5%
! Part-Time: 14.2%
Pilot and navigate the fl ight of multi-engine air-
craft in regularly scheduled service for the trans-
port of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal
Air Transport rating and certifi cation in specifi c
aircraft type used. Use instrumentation to guide
fl ights when visibility is poor. Respond to and report
in-fl ight emergencies and malfunctions. Work as part
of a fl ight team with other crew members, especially
during takeoff s and landings. Contact control tow-
ers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and
other information, using radio equipment. Steer
aircraft along planned routes with the assistance of
autopilot and fl ight management computers. Mon-
itor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to
verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine
speed. Start engines, operate controls, and pilot air-
planes to transport passengers, mail, or freight whileadhering to fl ight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions accord-
ing to pre-fl ight checklists. Check passenger and
cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that
weight and balance specifi cations are met. Monitor
engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning
of aircraft systems during fl ights. Confer with fl ight
dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast
of fl ight conditions. Coordinate fl ight activities with
ground crews and air-traffi c control and inform
crew members of fl ight and test procedures. Order
changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules
to ensure safety of fl ights. Choose routes, altitudes,
and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and
smoothest fl ights. Direct activities of aircraft crews
during fl ights. Brief crews about fl ight details such as
destinations, duties, and responsibilities. Record in
logbooks information such as fl ight times, distances
fl own, and fuel consumption. Make announcements
regarding fl ights, using public address systems. File
instrument fl ight plans with air traffi c control to
ensure that fl ights are coordinated with other air
traffi c. Perform minor maintenance work or arrange
for major maintenance. Instruct other pilots and
student pilots in aircraft operations and the princi-
ples of fl ight. Conduct in-fl ight tests and evaluations
at specifi ed altitudes and in all types of weather to
determine the receptivity and other characteristics of
equipment and systems.
GOE—Interest Area/Cluster: 16. Tra nsportation,
Distribution, and Logistics. Work Group: 16.02.
Air Vehicle Operation. Other Jobs in! is Work
Group: Commercial Pilots.
Skills: Operation Monitoring; Operation and Con-
trol; Systems Analysis; Judgment and Decision Mak-
ing; Troubleshooting; Science; Systems Evaluation;
Monitoring.
Education and Training Programs: Airline/Com-
mercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew Training;
Flight Instruction. Related Knowledge/Courses:
Tr a n spor t at ion; G e og r aphy ; Phy sic s; Publ ic Sa fe t y
and Security; Psychology; Law and Government.Realistic–
A