GETTING TO KNOW YOUR PILOT JOB

Tasks

Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.

Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.

Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.

Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.

Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.

Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.

Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.

Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.

Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor. Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Aircraft communication systems — High frequency HF radio communication systems; On-board intercom systems; Ultra high frequency UHF radio communication systems; Very high frequency VHF radio communication systemsAircraft guidance systems — Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems; Distance measuring equipment DME; Local area augmentation system LAAS receivers; Microwave landing system MLS receiversAircraft steering controls — Automatic landing systems; Mechanical nose wheel steering systems; Yaw damper systemsAircraft warning systems — Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS; Ground proximity warning systems GPWS; Portable collision avoidance systems PCAS; Traffic alert and collision avoidance system TCASFlight computer systems — Air data computers; Autopilot systems; Flight director FD systems; Stability augmentation systems SAS

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance

Calendar and scheduling software — SBS International Maestro SuiteData base user interface and query software — Airline Pilots Daily Aviation Logs PPC; AirSmith FlightPrompt; AV8 software; Polaris Microsystems CharterLogInformation retrieval or search software — AeroPlanner; Notam Development Group Airport InsightRoute navigation software — Navzilla

Knowledge

Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.Geography — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Skills

Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Abilities

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.Response Orientation — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Work Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Work Context

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — How do the decisions an

employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?Time Pressure — How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?Physical Proximity — To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

Job Zone

Title Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Related Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Job Zone Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

SVP Range (6.0 to < 7.0)

Interests

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages (2009) $65,840 annualEmployment (2008) 39,000 employeesProjected growth (2008-2018) Faster than average (14% to 19%)

Projected job openings (2008-2018) 20,600

Top industries (2008) Transportation and WarehousingSelf-Employed