Commercial Pilots
What is a Commercial Pilot?
A commercial pilot is a skilled professional who is licensed to operate aircraft for compensation or hire. This role involves flying for airlines, cargo companies, charter services, and other aviation-related businesses. Commercial pilots must undergo extensive training and education, obtaining a commercial pilot's license that requires a minimum number of flight hours, successful completion of written and practical exams, and adherence to health and safety regulations. They are responsible for navigating flights, managing in-flight operations, and ensuring passenger and crew safety. In addition to flying, commercial pilots often interact with air traffic control, conduct pre-flight inspections, and comply with federal regulations that govern aviation. Many commercial pilots begin their careers as flight instructors or in other entry-level positions to gain experience and flight hours necessary for advancing to larger aircraft and more complex commercial operations.
Tasks
- Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
- Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
- Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
- Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
- Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Technology Skills
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Graphics or photo imaging software
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
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Analytical or scientific software
- Calibration software
- Litchi
- Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance
- Pix4D Pix4Dmapper
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Data base user interface and query software
- Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Log PPC
- AirSmith FlightPrompt
- RMS Technology Flitesoft
- Skylog Services Skylog Pro
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Map creation software
- ESRI Site Scan for ArcGIS
- OpenDroneMap
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Information retrieval or search software
- AeroPlanner
- Notam Development Group Airport Insight
Tools Used
- Aircraft guidance systems
- Aircraft warning systems
- Aircraft communication systems
- Flight computer systems
- Aircraft braking systems
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
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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.
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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.
Skills
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Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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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.
Abilities
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Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Perceptual Speed
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
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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.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Some college, no degree
Work Activities
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
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Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
- Pilot aircraft.
- Inspect aircraft or aircraft components.
- Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
- Monitor engine operation or functioning.
- Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.
Work Interests
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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.
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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.
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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.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.