Pilot Career Description
Pilots are highly trained professionals who fly aircraft, performing a multitude of tasks. Most pilots are employed in the commercial and military aviation fields.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
There are great differences between the types of aircraft used in the private, commercial or military aviation field. The nature of pilots' work will therefore largely depend on the type of aircraft they fly and the mission of the flight. Pilots can be divided into two categories, namely private and professional pilots.
Private pilots enter the aviation field purely as "amateurs" in the sport world, and they may not offer their services in exchange for reward. They fly merely for pleasure (flying competitions) or, if they are businessmen, they may apply their flying abilities in the service of their business.
Civilian pilots
Professional pilots either hold a Commercial pilot's licence or an Airline Transport pilot's licence. Pilots who fly for an airline join as first-officers (co-pilot) and possess the minimum entry qualifications.
They will then be trained to qualify as co-pilots. Here they form part of the two- and three-man crews who fly these aircraft on the company routes, carrying passengers and/or freight.
Military pilot
Military pilots perform a variety of tasks namely transport, reconnaissance and aerial combat operation.
In the combat role pilots use the fighter aircraft as a weapon platform. In the reconnaissance field, high flying photographically equipped aircraft is used.
In the transport field pilots transport military cargo and passengers.
In the commercial airline world most passenger aircraft require a minimum of two pilots for operation. On longhaul flights between continents it is not uncommon to find multi-crews, consisting of up to four pilots and two flight engineer officers.
Captains are overall in command of the flight and "manage" their aircraft in the transport system. The crew functions as an integrated unit, all performing specific tasks, such as navigation, communication and assisting with the flying of the aircraft.
Another group of pilots is required to help in the training of flight crew in the airline. They qualify and re-qualify all the pilots in the airline for flying duties. Although aviation does not involve much physical effort, the nature of the work demands high levels of medical fitness, as well as skill and discipline, odd working hours, and involves flying in all kinds of weather. Time changes can be very tiring. However, the work is challenging and enjoyable.
The working life of airline pilots is highly regulated by flight and duty regulations. They may be allowed to fly only a specific number of flying hours in anyone month. Throughout their career they will be evaluated and reevaluated. Pilots undergo a regular medical examination and flying tests.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Prospective pilots must be physically fit and in excellent health, since the medical test is exceptionally strict. Good eye-sight and good hearing is essential. Colour-blind and deaf people cannot become pilots. Intelligence and emotional stability are necessary, because they have to think and act fast in
emergencies. Leadership and tact are also essential qualities. Pilots must be able to carry the responsibility of being in charge of sophisticated and very expensive aircraft and the lives of crew and passengers.
Where can I work?
The type of license and the amount of experience have much to do with employment prospects, which will also vary with the state of the aviation industry. However, the recent growth in airline passenger and cargo traffic has created a need for more aircraft and pilots to fly them.
Apart from the national and commuter airlines, opportunities exist for employment as instructors in flying schools, as crop spraying pilots engaged in agricultural operations, or as pilots in charter organisations.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
There are not many opportunities for self-employment in this hi-tech industry.
However, qualified professional pilots can offer their services on a free-lance basis to charter. companies, and, if they obtain an instructor's rating, they can work at flying schools full time or on an ad hoc basis.
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