Airline Pilot

Airline pilots are responsible for flying aircraft, and their passengers and cargo safely and efficiently all around the world. There are currently over 10000 pilots working in the UK employed by scheduled, chartered and freight airlines.

A pilot doesn’t just operate an aircraft, but also has to plan ahead before each flight and keep in touch with air traffic control and his crew both before and during the flight.

A pilot’s duties include:
- checking routes and flight plans as well as flight equipment
- briefing the crew and keeping in contact with them during the flight
- maintaining contact with air traffic control to ensure that they take off, fly and land safely
- keeping passengers up to date with flight progress
- monitoring data and keeping records

Pilots start out in the position of co-pilot, usually flying on short haul flights, and can work their way up to the role of captain. On short-haul flights there is usually a captain and a co-pilot. On long-haul flights there is usually a captain and two co-pilots. The captain has overall responsibility for the aircraft, crew and passengers.

As a pilot you could also work in other areas of aviation such as crop spraying, flight testing and pilot training.

Commercial airline pilots can earn from around £21000 as a new recruit up to £75000, or in some cases more, as a captain.Go Back

Working environment

Airline pilots work shifts. Their working hours are strictly controlled, but include nights, weekends and public holidays. Pilots spend long hours sitting in flight decks, which are usually comfortable but very confined.

The amount of time spent away from home will vary. On short-haul routes, a pilot may return home every evening after making several flights and never even leaving the aircraft. On long-haul flights, pilots might make one long flight and will have to spend the night away from home. They may also often fly across several time zones, so tiredness and jetlag can be a problem. In long-haul aircraft, their may be rest areas for pilots, where they are able to lie down or recline and sleep.

Pilots are required to wear a uniform and have a presentable appearance. They must carry their company identification card at all times.
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Skills and interests

Pilots must have an interest in aircraft and aviation, and also in travel.

The skills required by an airline pilot include:

•    ability to work well under pressure and remain calm in any emergency situations
•    confidence in using technology
•    ability to closely follow instructions and directions
•    excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination and spatial awareness
•    ability to process data and information quickly and accurately
•    good communication skills, with a clear speaking voice
•    self-confidence, with leadership qualities.
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Entry into the role

To fly a commercial aircraft, a pilot must have at least a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). The licence is known as frozen until the pilot has completed enough flying hours to apply for a full ATPL. Obtaining the full ATPL qualifies the pilot to work towards becoming a captain.

To start learning to fly, a pilot has to be at least 16 years of age (with a minimum age of 17 to obtain a Private Pilot’s Licence), although there is a minimum age of 21 to hold the full ATPL.

There are different routes towards obtaining an ATPL licence:

•    Full-time integrated training with a specialist flying school - entry is normally with at least three GCSEs at grades A-C in English, maths and a science. The minimum age for entry varies from 17 to 18 years, and applicants do not need to have had any previous flying experience. This method of training takes from one to two years and costs at least £60,000.

•    Modular training - the first step towards modular pilot training is to gain a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). Many flying schools in the UK offer PPL training. Costs are normally over £8,000 just for this licence. Pilots then need to gain 150 hours’ flying experience before they can train for their frozen ATPL. Modular training normally costs well over £25,000 and requires the pilot to complete more hours of flying and to undertake required ground studies, as well as to pass a flight skills test.

•    Some universities offer degree courses that can include pilot training to frozen ATPL or commercial pilot level. Students usually have to pay extra for the flying element of their course.

•    It is also possible to join the Armed Forces as a trainee pilot. This route requires commitment not just to becoming a pilot, but also to serving in the Armed Forces for a set period of time. Armed Forces pilots have to do a conversion course before being awarded an ATPL licence to fly civilian aircraft.

Most pilots pay for their own training. Sponsorships, which involve a company paying for training, are now only offered by a few airlines and flying schools. There are also a limited number of flying scholarships and bursaries available from organisations such as the Air League and the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN).

British airlines insist that applicants have the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK and EU, and are eligible for an unrestricted world passport. There may also be height restrictions, however these can vary from airline to airline. All pilots must also undergo medical checks every year.

Vacancies are advertised on airline websites, on specialist sites such as the Professional Pilots’ Job Network (www.ppjn.com) and in some trade magazines such as Flight International and Flyer. Pilot training schools are also often notified of vacancies.
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Opportunities

Airline pilots start work as co-pilots on short-haul flights. After about five years’ experience they can apply to be a co-pilot on long-haul flights. Promotion to captain usually requires at least 5,000 flying hours, which can usually take more than seven years to achieve.

Pilots have to take refresher training and tests on a regular basis throughout their career. They also undertake training as new aircraft and instruments are introduced.

Pilots may take on training or managerial roles alongside their flying duties. They can also transfer to ground-based management and may reach senior positions within an airline. There are also opportunities to move into flying instruction.
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Useful links

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Case Studies

AVIATION - pilot
See an interview with Liam Smith, first officer for Air Southwest (links to Jobs4U careers database)
View case study (external website)

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