Commercial Pilots :: Job Description

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Commercial Pilots

Careers / Commercial Pilots

Summary Description


	Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-winged aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Aerial Advertiser

2.	Aerial Crop Duster

3.	Aerial Hurricane Hunter

4.	Aerial Sprayer

5.	Agricultural Pilot

6.	Airplane Patroller

7.	Airplane Pilot

8.	Astronaut

9.	Aviator

10.	Balloon Pilot

11.	Balloonist

12.	Captain

13.	Charter Pilot

14.	Charter Pilot (Commercial Pilot Certificate Required)

15.	Charter Pilot (Commercial)

16.	Check Airman

17.	Chief Pilot

18.	Chopper Operator

19.	Commercial Airplane Pilot

20.	Commercial Helicopter Pilot

21.	Commercial Pilot

22.	Crop Duster

23.	EMS Helicopter Pilot (Emergency Medical Service Helicopter Pilot)

24.	Executive Pilot

25.	First Officer

26.	Flight Instructor (Commercial Pilots)

27.	Flyer

28.	Flying Instructor

29.	Forestry Pilot

30.	Helicopter Pilot

31.	Line Pilot

32.	Mapping Pilot

33.	Photogrammetry Airplane Pilot

34.	Pilot

35.	Private Pilot

36.	Rotor Pilot

37.	Spray Pilot

38.	Test Pilot

39.	Transport Pilot

Job Tasks

	Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor. Pilot aircraft.

	Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures. Pilot aircraft.

	Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights. Monitor engine operation or functioning.

	Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly. Inspect aircraft or aircraft components.

	Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne. Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.

	Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment. Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

	Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes. Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.

	File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic. Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

	Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly. Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured.

	Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights. Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.

	Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments. Plan flight operations.

	Rescue and evacuate injured persons. Assist others during emergencies.

	Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights. Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.

	Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties as required. Pilot aircraft.

	Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures. Coordinate flight control or management activities.

	Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate. Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.

	Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption. Record operational details of travel.

	Supervise other crew members. Direct passenger or freight transport activities.

	Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations. Train transportation or material moving personnel.

	Teach company regulations and procedures to other pilots. Train transportation or material moving personnel.

	Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency. Evaluate performance of applicants, trainees, or employees.

	Perform minor aircraft maintenance and repair work, or arrange for major maintenance. Arrange maintenance activities. Maintain vehicles in good working condition.

	Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems. Test performance of aircraft equipment.

	Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports. Plan flight operations. Record operational details of travel.

	Pilot airplanes or helicopters over farmlands at low altitudes to dust or spray fields with fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides. Pilot aircraft.

	Check the flight performance of new and experimental planes. Test performance of aircraft equipment.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Airline and Commercial Pilots
	Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Airline pilots fly for airlines that transport people and cargo on a fixed schedule. Commercial pilots fly aircraft for other purposes, such as charter flights, rescue operations, firefighting, aerial photography, and aerial application, also known as crop dusting.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Airline and Commercial Pilots
	Pilots work primarily in aircraft. They may spend a considerable amount of time away from home because of overnight layovers. Many pilots have variable schedules.

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Interesting Fact

The U.S. industry whose workers experience the greatest rate of illness (or sick days) is Air Transportation.

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