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Date: 08/03/2025

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

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.

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  • Work Activities
  • Skills
  • WorkKeys®
  • Abilities
  • Knowledge
  • Career Video
  • Pay
  • Ohio Employment Trends
  • Typical Education
  • Personality
  • Tools
  • Technology
  • Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
  • Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
  • Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • 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.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
  • Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
  • Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
  • Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.

Work Activities

Work Activities

  • Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.
  • Evaluate other pilots or pilot-license applicants for proficiency.
  • Record in log books information, such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • 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.
  • Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
  • Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Conduct in-flight tests and evaluations at specified altitudes and in all types of weather to determine the receptivity and other characteristics of equipment and systems.
  • Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
  • Perform minor maintenance work, or arrange for major maintenance.
  • Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
  • Make announcements regarding flights, using public address systems.
  • Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
  • Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
  • Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
  • Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
  • Direct activities of aircraft crews during flights.
  • Check passenger and cargo distributions and fuel amounts to ensure that weight and balance specifications are met.
  • Steer aircraft along planned routes, using autopilot and flight management computers.
  • Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.
  • Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • File instrument flight plans with air traffic control to ensure that flights are coordinated with other air traffic.
  • Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.

Skills

  • Repairing

    Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.

  • Systems Evaluation

    Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

  • Negotiation

    Bringing people together to solve differences.

  • Management of Material Resources

    Managing equipment and materials.

  • Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • Science

    Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.

  • Critical Thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • Instructing

    Teaching people how to do something.

  • Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.

  • Operations Analysis

    Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.

  • Installation

    Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.

  • Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • Mathematics

    Using math to solve problems.

  • Management of Financial Resources

    Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.

  • Troubleshooting

    Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.

  • Time Management

    Managing your time and the time of other people.

  • Operations Monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.

  • Equipment Maintenance

    Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.

  • Quality Control Analysis

    Testing how well a product or service works.

  • Programming

    Writing computer programs.

  • Complex Problem Solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • Management of Personnel Resources

    Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

  • Technology Design

    Making equipment and technology useful for customers.

  • Active Listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • Operation and Control

    Using equipment or systems.

  • Active Learning

    Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Understanding people's reactions.

  • Coordination

    Changing what is done based on other people's actions.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

  • Systems Analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

  • Service Orientation

    Looking for ways to help people.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Reading work-related information.

  • Equipment Selection

    Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.

  • Learning Strategies

    Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.

WorkKeys®

Applied Math
4
Workplace Documents
5
Graphic Literacy
4

Abilities

  • Wrist-Finger Speed

    Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.

  • Problem Sensitivity

    Noticing when problems happen.

  • Deductive Reasoning

    Using rules to solve problems.

  • Extent Flexibility

    Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • Written Expression

    Communicating by writing.

  • Static Strength

    Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.

  • Category Flexibility

    Grouping things in different ways.

  • Sound Localization

    Noticing the direction that a sound came from.

  • Rate Control

    Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

  • Number Facility

    Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

  • Time Sharing

    Doing two or more things at the same time.

  • Inductive Reasoning

    Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.

  • Glare Sensitivity

    Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.

  • Dynamic Strength

    Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

  • Night Vision

    Seeing at night or under low light.

  • Perceptual Speed

    Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • Originality

    Creating new and original ideas.

  • Oral Expression

    Communicating by speaking.

  • Flexibility of Closure

    Seeing hidden patterns.

  • Information Ordering

    Ordering or arranging things.

  • Dynamic Flexibility

    Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • Visual Color Discrimination

    Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.

  • Selective Attention

    Paying attention to something without being distracted.

  • Manual Dexterity

    Holding or moving items with your hands.

  • Mathematical Reasoning

    Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.

  • Response Orientation

    Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.

  • Depth Perception

    Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.

  • Speech Clarity

    Speaking clearly.

  • Trunk Strength

    Using your lower back and stomach.

  • Near Vision

    Seeing details up close.

  • Memorization

    Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.

  • Explosive Strength

    Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.

  • Spatial Orientation

    Knowing where things are around you.

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Keeping your arm or hand steady.

  • Reaction Time

    Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.

  • Written Comprehension

    Reading and understanding what is written.

  • Speed of Closure

    Quickly knowing what you are looking at.

  • Stamina

    Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.

  • Hearing Sensitivity

    Telling the difference between sounds.

  • Auditory Attention

    Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.

  • Gross Body Coordination

    Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.

  • Fluency of Ideas

    Coming up with lots of ideas.

  • Multilimb Coordination

    Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • Visualization

    Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • Peripheral Vision

    Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.

  • Gross Body Equilibrium

    Keeping your balance or staying upright.

  • Speech Recognition

    Recognizing spoken words.

  • Control Precision

    Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • Speed of Limb Movement

    Quickly moving your arms and legs.

  • Oral Comprehension

    Listening and understanding what people say.

  • Far Vision

    Seeing details that are far away.

  • Finger Dexterity

    Putting together small parts with your fingers.

Knowledge

  • Chemistry

    Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

  • Mechanical

    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • Mathematics

    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

  • Law and Government

    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

  • Food Production

    Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

  • 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.

  • Production and Processing

    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

  • Transportation

    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

  • Sales and Marketing

    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • Biology

    Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

  • Education and Training

    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 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.

  • Telecommunications

    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • Foreign Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

  • Sociology and Anthropology

    Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

  • Communications and Media

    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

  • Engineering and Technology

    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

  • Design

    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • History and Archeology

    Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

  • Administration and Management

    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

  • Economics and Accounting

    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

  • Personnel and Human Resources

    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

  • Administrative

    Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

  • 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.

  • Building and Construction

    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

  • 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.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Fine Arts

    Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • Philosophy and Theology

    Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

  • 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.

  • Therapy and Counseling

    Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Career Video

Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop

Pay

  • Typical Salary
  • $208,000
    $208,000
    $162,570
    Ohio
    US
    $208,000
    $226,600
    $98,560

Ohio Employment Trends

  • Currently Employed 750
  • Yearly Projected Openings 80

Typical Education

Personality

Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity

Tools

  • Aerospace cockpit display panels
  • Aerospace head up display HUDs
  • Aircraft anti skid controls
  • Aircraft braking systems
  • Aircraft communication systems
  • Aircraft cooling fans
  • Aircraft drag chutes
  • Aircraft environment controllers
  • Aircraft escape or ejection systems
  • Aircraft fire control or extinguishing systems
  • Aircraft fuel management systems
  • Aircraft guidance systems
  • Aircraft hydraulic systems
  • Aircraft navigation beacons
  • Aircraft onboard defrosting or defogging systems
  • Aircraft oxygen equipment
  • Aircraft power supply units
  • Aircraft steering controls
  • Aircraft warning systems
  • Desktop computers
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Flight computer systems
  • Landing gear assemblies
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
  • Pneumatic aircraft accumulators
  • Point plotting recorders

Technology

  • Analytical or scientific software
  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Data base user interface and query software
  • Electronic mail software
  • Information retrieval or search software
  • Object or component oriented development software
  • Office suite software
  • Presentation software
  • Process mapping and design software
  • Route navigation software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Word processing software
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