What You Need to Know About Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Occupation Description Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport Pilot certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, National, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer Responsibilities

• Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
• Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
• Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
• Brief crews about flight details, such as destinations, duties, and responsibilities.
• Test and evaluate the performance of new aircraft.
• Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.

What an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer Should Know

These are the skills Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Commercial Pilot
• Pilot (Captain)
• Jet Pilot
• Pilot Captain
• Airline Captain

Job Outlook for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

There were about 84,000 jobs for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.4% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,900 new jobs for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers by 2026. There will be an estimated 8,100 positions for Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers are Georgia, Florida, and California.

Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, West Virginia, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer Salary

The typical yearly salary for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers is somewhere between $65,690 and $208,000. The median salary is $140,340.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Washington	$237,150
Michigan	$233,550
Nevada	$220,400
Oregon	$205,660
California	$205,520
Texas	$200,320
Colorado	$196,670
Illinois	$193,600
Florida	$188,400
New Mexico	$163,030
Pennsylvania	$151,390
Alaska	$148,820
Arizona	$132,250
Indiana	$124,270
Missouri	$123,820
New Hampshire	$122,810
Ohio	$119,320
Iowa	$118,700
Connecticut	$116,930
New York	$108,420
Oklahoma	$107,960
Nebraska	$106,480
Wisconsin	$106,240
North Dakota	$104,660
Utah	$104,230
Minnesota	$103,930
Alabama	$103,750
South Carolina	$102,990
North Carolina	$102,660
Kansas	$102,190
Louisiana	$101,010
Arkansas	$96,690
Mississippi	$94,760
Tennessee	$85,550
West Virginia	$85,490

Tools & Technologies Used by Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word

How do I Become an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer?

Are there Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer education requirements?

How Long Does it Take to Become Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer?

Who Employs Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons