Aviation Careers Information
Becoming a pilot requires years of training and dedication, but the rewards are great, and the view can’t be beat. Most pilots fly planes or helicopters carrying passengers or cargo, but about 20% work in areas such as agriculture (such as crop dusting) or health care (such as medical transport).
Responsibilities on a flight, depending on whether it’s a large commercial plane or a smaller private aircraft, may include watching the instruments, steering the plane, communicating with air traffic control, checking the aircraft, selecting the fastest and safest route and altitude, and filing a flight plan. Since many controls have become automated, many flights now routinely carry only two pilots, the less experienced of which is called the first officer.
Aviation Careers Compatible Personality Traits
Good eyesight, in good physical shape, can handle stress, patient, detail oriented, good communicator, multi-tasker, flexible schedule, adaptive
Aviation Careers Path
Any pilot who is paid to carry passengers or cargo must obtain a commercial pilot’s license, issued by the FAA. You must be at least 18 years old, and have at least 250 hours of flight experience, although completing certain approved flight school classes can reduce the experience needed. To fly as an airline pilot, you need to be 23 and have at least 1500 hours of experience. The U.S. Armed Forces is a large provider of pilots, since military pilots build up vast experience over their service. However, most airlines prefer to hire people with at least two years of college.
Aviation Careers Salary Expectations
Over 50% of pilots belong to a union. Earnings for pilots can differ greatly, depending on whether you fly for an airline or as a commercial pilot, the amount you’ve flown, and the specifications of the aircraft. The median salary for airline pilots is $80,868 and for commercial pilots is $60,651.
1-4 years=$45,488
5-9 years=$59,034
Aviation Careers Job Outlook
Opportunities in the field are expected to increase 9-17% by 2014. Air travel had a severe drop-off after the September 11 attacks, but has rebounded slowly since that time. Regional airlines and low-fare carriers are growing faster than the major airlines, and the higher security around shipping freight should result in a greater need for cargo pilots.
Slightly off the Footpath
Flight instructor
Flight engineer
Private pilot
Air Traffic Controller
Sight-seeing pilot
Government pilot
