Airline Pilot

Airline pilots fly aircraft on scheduled and chartered flights, transporting passengers and cargo. There are usually two or four pilots, depending on the type of aircraft and length of journey. The most senior is the captain, who has full responsibility for the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, aided by the first officer/s and cabin crew. Pilots are employed in one of four areas: passenger scheduled services, passenger charter services, freight services and business aviation.

Before take-off, the work involves acquiring information about the route, weather, passengers and aircraft, working out a flight plan (the route, flying height, how much fuel to take), supervising the loading and fuelling of the aircraft, carrying out pre-flight checks on the navigation and operating systems, and communicating with air traffic control.

During the flight, pilots make regular checks on the aircraft's technical performance, position, weather conditions and air traffic, communicate with passengers and crew, and react promptly to environmental changes and emergencies. Finally, they land the aircraft safely, under instruction from air traffic control, and write a report on the flight, including any problems experienced.

Entry level
Because of the very high cost of pilot training, over £50,000, you might want to seek full or partial sponsorship by an airline. Schemes vary but you could normally expect to repay up to half of your training costs once you start working. The money would be deducted in instalments from your salary.

Sponsors usually look for at least two A levels/three H grades, or the equivalent, preferably in maths and physics, and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3. You might also need a good honours degree.

You must be at least 18 to begin training, and the maximum age varies between 24 and 28. You should be physically fit, with good hearing, eyesight (wearing glasses is sometimes acceptable) and normal colour vision. There may also be height and weight restrictions, and you must pass a medical examination. Airlines are very selective and you must prove that you are highly motivated. You may have to take a computerised flying aptitude test. National airlines tend to limit their sponsored training schemes to nationals of their particular country.

Qualified pilots from the armed forces, or with similar flying experience, can take a conversion course for a commercial pilot's licence. Competition for pilot training in the forces is intense, and pilots must serve for a minimum of 12 years before they can take up employment with an airline.

Making the grade
On a sponsored scheme, you would begin training at one of the residential pilot training schools approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. Subjects studied would include avionics, aerodynamics, navigation, meteorology and aviation law. You would also fly simulators and real aircraft.

The training can take up to two years, although the British Airways scheme lasts 70 weeks. During the first 56 weeks, you would learn basic flying skills and work towards a Commercial Pilot's Licence with Instrument Rating and Airline Transport Pilot's Licence. Then there is a month on a jet orientation course. At the end of the course, you could be offered employment. You would then join a jet conversion course to qualify to fly a specific type of aircraft.

You would start work as a co-pilot, alongside a training captain, on short-haul flights to give you maximum experience of take-offs and landings. Eventually, you would become a fully qualified first officer. After about five years' experience, you can apply to be a co-pilot on long-haul flights. Promotion to captain usually requires at least 5,000 flying hours, which takes around seven to ten years to achieve.

To work for international airlines, you would usually need a passport allowing unrestricted worldwide travel, and must be entitled to live and work in the EU without time restriction.

Personal qualities
As a pilot, you would need excellent spatial awareness, allowing you to interpret maps and three-dimensional displays. You should be calm and able to take charge if an emergency arises, and you must be able to give clear, confident instructions to crew members and passengers. You would also need a high level of numeracy for making mathematical calculations.

Looking ahead
If you have benefited from sponsored training with a particular airline, it is usual to stay with that airline for several years - at least until you have paid back the cost of your training.

The airline industry has undergone considerable change in recent years, with market conditions favouring new, low-cost companies rather than the traditional 'flag carriers.' Job prospects should, however, remain positive - despite terrorist attacks - as services continue to expand, new airports are constructed and more people choose to fly.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include air traffic controller, armed services pilot or RAF officer.

Take-home pay
The basic salary starts at around £30,000 to £33,000, rising to £70,000 to £100,000 for a captain. Remember that your salary could be reduced during the first seven years or so of employment in order to repay your training costs.

Effects
Being a pilot is not a nine-to-five job. For safety reasons, working hours are strictly controlled, but you would regularly work unsocial hours including nights, weekends, and public holidays.

The amount of time away from home would vary, depending on whether you fly domestic or long-haul routes.

Sources of information
British Airline Pilots Association: www.balpa.org.uk
British Airways Recruitment: www.britishairwaysjobs.com
Cabair Group: www.cabair.com
Oxford Aviation Training: www.oxfordaviation.net
Royal Aeronautical Society: www.aerosociety.com

CRCI: WA