Student Aid on the Web Skip Navigation

Career Details : Commercial Pilots

   << Back    Add Career to MyFSA

Description

Pilot and navigate the flight of small fixed- or rotary-winged aircraft, primarily for the transport of cargo and passengers. Requires commercial rating.

Experience

A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Tasks

  • Logs information, such as flight time, altitude flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Holds commercial pilot's license issued by Federal Aviation Administration.
  • Plans and formulates flight activities and test schedules and prepares flight evaluation reports.
  • Orders changes in fuel supply, load, route, or schedule to ensure safety of flight.
  • Operates radio equipment and contacts control tower for takeoff, clearance, arrival instructions, and other information.
  • Conducts in-flight tests and evaluations, at specified altitudes, in all types of weather to determine receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
  • Plots flight pattern and files flight plan with appropriate officials.
  • Gives training and instruction in aircraft operations for students and other pilots.
  • Coordinates flight activities with ground-crew and air-traffic control, and informs crewmembers of flight and test procedures.
  • Conducts preflight checks and reads gauges to verify that fluids and pressure are at prescribed levels.
  • Obtains and reviews data, such as load weight, fuel supply, weather conditions, and flight schedule.
  • Starts engines, operates controls, and pilots airplane to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plan and regulations and procedures.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Consequence of Error
    • Responsible for Others' Health & Safety
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Degree of Automation
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Aeronautical Science/Professional Pilotadd Aeronautical Science/Professional Pilot to MyFSA
       TOP    

    • End of Page