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Job Description: Civilian airplane pilots generally work for passenger airlines and air cargo businesses. They are also called commercial airline pilots or aircraft pilots. Many of them are former military pilots who received their flight training in the services. Other civilian pilots may work as flight instructors at local airports, as crop dusters, or as pilots transporting business executives in company planes. Although there are many female pilots in the military, specialties involving duty in combat airplanes are open only to males. Because all Marine Corps planes are combat planes, there are no female pilots in the Marines.

Duties: Civilian airplane pilots may perform some or all of the following duties:

• Review status of load weight, fuel supply, weather conditions, flight route, and schedule prior to each flight
• Check oil, hydraulic fluid, fuel, and cabin pressure prior to starting engines
• Start engine and taxi airplane to appropriate runway for takeoff
• Contact air traffic controller to obtain clearance for takeoff
• Pilot airplane to the destination following the flight plan
• Log information into computer system
• Command the flight crew

For detailed information on tasks, knowledge, skills, abilities, work activities, work contexts, job zones, interests, work styles, work values, and related occupations visit the O*Net Online, a division of the National Center for Occupational Information.

Military airplane pilots fly the thousands of jet and propeller airplanes operated by the services. Pilots in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Check weather reports to learn about flying conditions
• Develop flight plans showing air routes and schedules
• Contact air traffic controllers to obtain takeoff, flying, and landing instructions
• Fly airplanes by controlling engines, rudders, elevators, and other controls
• Monitor gauges and dials located on cockpit control panels
• Perform combat maneuvers, take photographs, transport equipment, and patrol areas to carry out flight missions

Working Conditions: By law, airplane pilots cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year. Most pilots fly an average of 75 hours a month and work an additional 75 hours performing nonflight duties. Many pilots spend a considerable amount of time away from home since the majority of flights involve overnight layovers.

Military airplane pilots are stationed at air bases located around the world, and fly in all types of weather conditions. Military pilots take off and land on airport runways and aircraft carrier landing decks.

Educational Requirements: All pilots who are paid to transport passengers or cargo must have a commercial pilot's license with an instrument rating issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have 250 hours or more of flying experience. They must pass a practical flight test, two written tests, and a medical examination. Minimum educational requirements for most airlines are high school graduation or two years of college; however, most pilots hired by large commercial airlines have had four years or more of college. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.

In the military a 4-year college degree is generally required to enter this occupation. Military pilot training is a two-year program covering one year each in initial and advanced training. Initial training includes time spent in flight simulators, classroom training, officer training, and basic flight training. Course content typically includes: aircraft aerodynamics, jet and propeller engine operation, operation of aircraft navigation systems, foul weather flying, and FAA regulations. Advanced training begins when pilots successfully complete initial training and are awarded their "wings". Advanced training consists of specialized instruction in flying a particular type of aircraft.

Outlook: Advancement in airlines usually depends upon flight experience and length of service. More and more airlines are looking for college graduates who have attended a flying school before or after graduation. Many graduates of the Air Force Academy go on to complete pilot training while serving as military officers. The estimated number of airplane pilots, copilots, and flight engineers in Tennessee is 100. It is projected there will be an increase of 10 percent in this occupation through the year 2012 with only 5 job openings annually. The estimated number of commercial pilots in Tennessee is 400. It is projected there will be an increase of 12 percent in this occupation through the year 2012 with 15 job openings annually. For additional information on this occupation, visit the nationally recognized Occupational Outlook Handbook online.

The military services have about 16,000 pilots. On average, they need about 200 new pilots each year. For more information for Officers in Transportation Careers visit Today's Military online.

Military service: Military airplane pilots serve as officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard.

Salary

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website

For an explanation of salary data please visit acinet.org

Last updated on: January 23, 2008