Commercial Airline Pilot

Overview

Who is Commercial Airline Pilot?

Simply put, commercial airline pilots are tasked with safely transporting the aeroplane passengers to their destination. They aim to provide on-time delivery via air while maintaining the safety of the passengers, cargo, and aircraft. They are highly skilled professionals who are authorised to fly aircrafts such as aeroplanes and helicopters for business purposes. Apart from transporting passengers and cargo, they can also be involved in emergency rescue operations, aircraft testing, charter flights, and firefighting. They undergo extensive academic and practical training as they shall be primarily responsible for the safety of others. They undergo tests at regular intervals to ensure they are physically fit to withstand the strenuous work conditions. This also includes periodic training and skills checks throughout their career to ensure they are competent to operate an aircraft responsibly. Additional certifications of instrument ratings and multi-engine rating are required for a commercial airline pilot to expand their scope of work.

Typical day at work

What does Commercial Airline Pilot do?

Pilots for airlines and commercial airlines fly planes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Pilots for airlines that transport people and freight on a set schedule are known as airline pilots. Commercial pilots fly aircraft for other reasons, such as charter flights, rescue operations, firefighting, aerial photography and aerial application of agricultural materials.

• Monitor information regarding the weather conditions, fuel consumption, and the airline engines during the flight
• Adhere to the flight plans and procedures and the safety regulations
• Ensure the safety through a thorough check of the functioning of the engines, hydraulics, aircraft systems as well as the cargo loads and fuel supplies before takeoff
• Coordinate with the ground crew, crew members, and air traffic control staff during taking off and landing process
• Create flight plans taking into account the altitude, routes, speed and fuel consumption
• Making crucial decisions to accommodate for changes in the planned procedures or in-flight issues as necessary
• Recording details of any deviations from flight plans and generating reports of the same
• Communicating to the passengers about the details of the journey
• Ensure that the aircraft is properly balanced

Abilities & aptitude needed

What are the skills, abilities & aptitude needed to become Commercial Airline Pilot?

Extensive training and knowledge are needed in order to responsibly function as a commercial airline pilot. They must be highly observant of details to accurately anticipate and identify changes in the weather, the aircraft, or any other conditions that call for a deviation from the flight plan. Those aspiring to be commercial airline pilots must be equipped with excellent spatial abilities as well as hand dexterity to effectively handle the responsibilities of this role.

They should possess the ability to understand and employ technical information that is necessary for the data analysis that is required on the job. They must be highly skilled in working under pressure, with the ability to make quick, responsible, and confident decisions in time-sensitive situations. This necessitates excellent problem solving and reasoning skills. One must be physically fit, particularly with regards to hearing and vision in order to carry out the tasks of a commercial airline pilot. Strong communication abilities and people management skills are also required for effectively coordinating with their co-pilots, cabin crew, ground crew, and communication tower crew.

Courses

Which course I can pursue?