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Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Pilot and navigate the flight of multi-engine aircraft in regularly scheduled service for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport rating and certification in specific aircraft type used.

Other names for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: Facilities Flight Check Pilot, Fighter Pilot, First Officer, Flight Inspector, Jet Pilot, Military Pilot, Navigator, Navy Fighter Pilot, Pilot, Air Force Pilot, Aircraft Pilot, Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Airline Transport Pilot, Airplane Pilot, Army Helicopter Pilot, Astronaut, Check Airman, Co Pilot, Co-Pilot, Commercial Airline Pilot, Commuter Pilot, Executive Pilot,

What do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers do?

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Steer aircraft along planned routes with the assistance of autopilot and flight management computers.
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, while adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts, to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air-traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
  • Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
  • Brief crews about flight details such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
  • Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
  • Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather, in order to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
  • Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
  • Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules, and prepare flight evaluation reports.

Do you enjoy these?

  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Aircraft warning systems
  • Flight computer systems
  • Aircraft anti skid controls
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft braking systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Flight computer systems
  • Aircraft braking systems
  • Aircraft drag chutes
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment
  • Flight computer systems
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Flight computer systems
  • Desktop computers
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Aerospace cockpit display panels
  • Aircraft escape or ejection systems
  • Aircraft escape or ejection systems
  • Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems
  • Aircraft cooling fans
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Aircraft fire control or extinguishing systems
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Flight computer systems
  • Aircraft fuel management systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft warning systems
  • Aerospace head up display HUDs
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Aircraft hydraulic systems
  • Aircraft hydraulic systems
  • Aircraft hydraulic systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Landing gear assemblies
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Calculators or accessories
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft navigation beacons
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Notebook computers
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
  • Pneumatic aircraft accumulators
  • Point plotting recorders
  • Aircraft power supply units
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment
  • Aircraft environment controllers
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft environment controllers
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems
  • Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems
  • Aircraft steering controls

Technology used

  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Data base reporting software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Information retrieval or search software
  • Route navigation software
  • Analytical or scientific software