Career overview
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
O*NET-SOC 53-2011.00
Median pay / yr$226,600
OutlookAverage
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
What it takes
The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers.
Skills employers look for
- Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Operations MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Active ListeningGiving 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 ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Knowledge areas
- TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
- GeographyKnowledge 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.
- MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge 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.
Certifications that help you get hired
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