Airline Pilot

Airline pilots are responsible for flying aircraft and their passengers and cargo safely and efficiently around the world for business and leisure purposes.

A pilot’s duties typically begin at least an hour before the aeroplane takes off. Before the flight, the pilot:

checks the details of the route, flight plans and weather patterns/forecasts
carries out safety and security checks
checks that the navigation and operating systems are working properly
briefs the cabin crew
supervises the refuelling and loading of the plane
contacts air traffic control, obtaining a start-up time and gaining clearance for pushback, taxiing and take-off.

Throughout the flight, the pilot:

keeps in regular contact with air traffic control to ensure safety at all times
checks data on the plane’s instruments and monitors progress using a computer
maintains contact with the cabin crew to make sure that the passengers are comfortable
makes announcements to keep passengers informed.

At the end of the flight, the pilot brings the plane in to land with the help of air traffic control, taxies the plane to its final position, shuts down the engines and writes a flight report, noting any problems during the flight.

Pilots fly on short-haul and long-haul flights. The captain has overall responsibility for the aircraft, crew and passengers. On short-haul flights there is usually a captain and a co-pilot. On long-haul flights there is usually a captain and two co-pilots.

Pilots also work in other areas of aviation such as crop spraying, flight testing and pilot training.

Hours and environment

Airline pilots work shifts. Their working hours are strictly controlled, but include nights, weekends and public holidays. Flight delays can mean long, irregular working hours. Pilots spend long hours sitting in flight decks which are usually comfortable but very confined.

The amount of time spent away from home varies. On short-haul routes a pilot may return home every evening. On long-haul flights pilots spend nights away from home and may fly across several time zones, so tiredness and jetlag can be a problem.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer, the type of aircraft flown and where people live.

Starting salaries may be between €25,000 and €30,000 a year.
Experienced pilots can earn in excess of €100,000 after a number of years experience.

Skills and personal qualities

An airline pilot needs to:

work well under pressure and remain calm in any emergency situations
be able to closely follow instructions and directions
have the ability to process data and information quickly and accurately
be confident using technology
be able to interpret maps and 3D displays
have excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination and spatial awareness
have good communication skills, with a clear speaking voice
be self-confident, with leadership qualities
be a good team worker.

Interests

Airline pilots should have:

an interest in planes and aviation
enthusiasm for travel.

Entry routes

To become a co-pilot a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) is needed. The licence is frozen until the pilot has completed enough flying hours to apply for a full ATPL. Obtaining the full ATPL qualifies the pilot to become a captain.

To start learning to fly, it is necessary to be at least 16 years old (with a minimum age of 17 to obtain a Private Pilot’s Licence). There is a minimum age of 21 to hold the full ATPL.

Further information can be found on the Irish Aviation Authority website Irish Aviation Authority