Career: Aircraft Pilots
Imagine a job where, on any given day, you could find yourself in Paris, Tokyo, or New Delhi. Now imagine yourself in command of one top-notch, state-of-the-art piece of machinery -- a 747, for example, which can cruise through the clouds at 570 miles per hour.
Of course, sitting in the cockpit isn’t all fun and games. It’s serious stuff. Pilots are responsible for taking people from point A to point B -- safely. That’s why piloting is a profession requiring exceptional skill and lots of training.
Aircraft pilots fly for commercial airlines, but they also deliver cargo, dust crops, spread seed for reforestation, give skydivers a lift, and pull advertising streamers. They might also test aircraft, direct fire-fighting efforts, monitor traffic, or even track criminals.
Did You Know?
- You can train to fly in the military or at one of six hundred FAA-approved U.S. civilian flying schools.
Are You Ready To...?
- Take responsibility for the lives of many
- Check weather conditions
- Create flight plans
- Coordinate flight plans with air-traffic controllers
- File flight reports with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Read instrument panels
It Helps to Be...
A detail-oriented, decisive, conscientious, and highly organized person. It also helps to have good eyesight (with or without glasses) and composure under pressure.
Make High School Count
- Take full advantage of math classes. As an aircraft pilot, you’ll need to be able to understand distances and measurements at a moment's notice.
- Build solid speaking skills. Pilots must communicate with passengers, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, and other pilots. Their directions must be clear and easy to understand.
- Master the computer. Aircraft pilots need to be familiar with computer programs and automated instruments.
- Sign up for college-prep classes. Most airlines prefer college grads.
Did You Know?
- Most airline pilots fly an average of seventy-five hours a month and work on the ground for another seventy-five hours.
Outlook
Government economists predict that jobs for aircraft pilots will grow as fast as the average for all careers through 2016. But competition for these popular jobs will be tough, especially for jobs at major airlines. You’ll find more openings at regional and low-cost airlines.
Keep in mind that employment of pilots is sensitive to swings in the economy. During recessions and downturns, when there is less demand for air travel, airlines may lay off some pilots.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly earnings of aircraft pilots, co-pilots, and flight engineers in 2008 were $119,750.
Pilots are awarded many perks in addition to salary, such as free or reduced-fare air travel for themselves and their families. Typically, they also receive an allowance to pay for food and other expenses when traveling for work.
