My squadron currently gets deployed on missions all over the world, so I don't really have a typical day. We could do air drops, air medical evacuations, hurricane relief, human remains missions for fallen soldiers, cargo transport, humanitarian relief, and much more. Each mission comes with its own requirements and challenges.
CAREER
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$160,970
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+2.8% (slower than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Bachelor's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Do
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.
Other Job Titles Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers May Have
Airbus Captain, Airline Captain, Airline Pilot, Captain, Check Airman, Co-Pilot, Commercial Airline Pilot, First Officer, Line Pilot, Pilot
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
At 5:20 a.m., I check in with dispatch. I fill in paperwork, verify aircraft, check weather, and flight safety, I fly the plane to test it. I check the flight inside and out. Wait for cargo when done. Monitor cargo, making sure everything entering the plane is allowed. Using a specific balancing system to balance materials on board to then safely take them to their destination. If done, I go to the hotel at 5 p.m. If not, I restart process. Process can repeat up until 7 p.m. Mon-Fri or Mon-Sat.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (57%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Aviation Management
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
You have to have grit. No matter what branch of the military you join, you are going to experience hard times and you have to be able to stick it out. Don't be afraid to lean on the people around you for support. Take criticism to heart and use that to learn from your mistakes and better yourself.
To love studying and note-taking. There is non-stop testing. To be a better pilot, you need to study to ensure you are working hard to be the best and safest pilot you can be. Being accustomed to changes, resilience, open to change, not too serious or personal to change.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
If you have ambitions of going to a military college, start preparing early because it takes a long time to go through the admissions process. Join ROTC or do some volunteering with a military-based organization. This will get you valuable experience and also inform you as to whether the military is a career path you would be interested in pursuing.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
