Airline Pilot / Flight Engineer

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Airbus Captain; Airline Captain; Airline Pilot; Captain; Check Airman; Co-Pilot; Commercial Airline Pilot; First Officer (FO); Line Pilot; Pilot

Tasks

• Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
• Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
• Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
• Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
• Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
• Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
• Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
• Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
• Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
• Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
• Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
• Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
• Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
• Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
• Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.

Knowledge

• Transportation
• English Language
• Mechanical
• Geography
• Public Safety and Security
• Computers and Electronics
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Law and Government
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Mathematics
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Response Orientation
• Problem Sensitivity
• Control Precision
• Reaction Time
• Near Vision
• Far Vision
• Deductive Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Rate Control
• Depth Perception
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Flexibility of Closure
• Spatial Orientation
• Selective Attention
• Time Sharing
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Multilimb Coordination
• Peripheral Vision
• Hearing Sensitivity
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Glare Sensitivity
• Manual Dexterity
• Speed of Closure
• Visualization
• Night Vision
• Number Facility
• Auditory Attention
• Written Expression
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Memorization
• Finger Dexterity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Category Flexibility