SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Airbus Captain
  • Airline Captain
  • Airline Pilot
  • Captain
  • Check Airman
  • Co-Pilot
  • Commercial Airline Pilot
  • First Officer
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What do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers do?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are highly trained aviation professionals responsible for operating aircraft to transport passengers and cargo. Airline pilots are the primary individuals in charge of flying the aircraft, making key decisions regarding navigation, flight safety, and communication with air traffic control. They are responsible for preparing flight plans, conducting pre-flight inspections, and ensuring that all flight operations are conducted safely and efficiently. Copilots, also known as first officers, assist the pilot in operating the aircraft, sharing responsibilities such as monitoring instruments, communicating with air traffic control, and performing checklists. Flight Engineers, while less common in modern aviation due to advanced cockpit technology, are responsible for monitoring and controlling the aircraft's mechanical systems during the flight. These aviation professionals work in high-pressure environments and must maintain a high level of focus and professionalism to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

What the work actually is

  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

  • Response Orientation The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Far Vision The ability to see details at a distance.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Transportation Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Geography Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Data base user interface and query software Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC · AirSmith FlightPrompt · CoPilot Flight Planning & E6B · Skylog Services Skylog Pro
  • Route navigation software IFT-Pro · Navzilla
  • Information retrieval or search software AeroPlanner · Notam Development Group Airport Insight

Tools

  • Aircraft guidance systems Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems · Distance measuring equipment DME · Satellite-based navigation and guidance systems
  • Aircraft communication systems Digital communications display units DCDU · High-frequency HF radio communication systems · On-board intercom systems
  • Flight computer systems Aircraft data loaders · Autopilot systems · Data load selectors
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment Continuous flow emergency oxygen systems · Diluter demand emergency oxygen systems · Passenger oxygen control systems
  • Aircraft hydraulic systems Hydraulic actuators · Hydraulic control systems · Hydraulic pressure regulators

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

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Questions people ask

How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers earn in South Africa?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

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

Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor, Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures and Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.