About Airline Pilots
Airline pilots are among the most romanticized of all career people. In the eyes of the public, airline pilots have a dream career. They travel all over the world, get to fly airplanes, stay in hotels and make a lot of money.
The truth is far less romantic than the image. Airline pilots spend many years training for their positions, compete in a very tight job market and work odd schedules that often take them away from their families for days at a time.
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Misconceptions
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The popular image of airline pilots is one of happy-go-lucky globe-trotters who live a glamorous lifestyle and are highly paid for it. In truth, the law tightly restricts the number of hours a pilot can spend in the air each week and month. Because of this, many pilots log a lot of their hours doing on-the-ground work for their employers or work in a second career along with their career as airline pilots. Far from being glamorous, the long hours and uneven schedules are grueling and leave pilots little time to enjoy the cities they visit in their work.
Types
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While most people think of major airlines when they think of airline pilots, there are many other kinds of jobs that airline pilots may have. Some pilots work for local and regional airlines rather than major national and international carriers. Some pilots fly only cargo flights with a minimal crew and no passengers. There are many positions for pilots in the military, where many commercial pilots get their training. In addition, pilots may work for private industries or fly planes that carry medical supplies and organs from one city to another. If you are considering a career as a pilot, be sure to research all the possibilities and learn the requirements for the kind of pilot you most want to be.
Function
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Airline pilots do more than just fly planes. The pilots on the plane are responsible for the safe and economic operation of the plane and the safety of all passengers. The captain of the plane is in command of the crew, which also includes a co-pilot, at least one flight engineer and the cabin crew. The captain and the co-pilot generally share the following duties between them:
Informing themselves about the route, weather, aircraft and passengers
Designing the flight plan
Calculating how much fuel to take on
Supervising the fueling and loading of the aircraft
Briefing the cabin crew
Doing standard pre-flight safety checks on all airplane systems
Maintaining communication with aircraft control throughout the flight
Communicating with passengers and cabin crew throughout the flight
Reacting to changes in environment quickly and appropriately
Writing a flight report at the end of each flight
Considerations
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A career as an airline pilot requires long-term dedication and commitment. Most employers require that pilots have at least an Associate's degree, and many require a 4-year college degree to consider a hire.While requirements vary from airline to airline, the following are typical requirements for entry-level jobs as an airline pilot.
In the U.S., an FAA Pilot's Certificate, 2,500 hours of flight time, including 1,000 or more hours' experience flying a turbine plane, an FAA medical certificate and at least 200 hours' current flight experience. Training and certifications for a career as a pilot cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.
In addition, airline pilots must meet certain physical requirements. You must also be at least 23 years old, in excellent health with hearing, vision and color vision within the normal ranges. Pilots are required to pass a rigorous physical examination at least once a year. Failing the exam can end your career.
Since you will be in command of a crew and responsible for communicating with the aircraft control crew on the ground, excellent communication skills are essential, as is the ability to give orders clearly and directly.
Finally, pilots must keep current on all certifications and take ongoing career training throughout their careers. They must pass flight exams annually and are required by law to retire at age 60.
Benefits
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Most airline pilots will tell you that they don't fly for the money, but the money is certainly a draw. A pilot with a regional airline can be earning in six figures by the time he has 10 years' experience. In addition, full-time pilots can expect excellent benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance. While schedules can be rigorous early in a pilot's career, seniority brings with it the opportunity to bid on far more flexible assignments and schedules. Other benefits that come with a career as an airline pilot include traveling to exotic places and free travel for your family.
Expert Insight
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Many pilots receive their training in the military, which has always been and continues to be a major route into a career as an airline pilot. However, many pilots begin their careers with training in an FAA-certified flight school, then build their flight hours by working as flight instructors. The career path may include working as a charter pilot or taking a job with a small air transport or air taxi company before applying for a job with a regional airline.
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