Career Choice: Pilot

What do Pilots do?

Pilots fly airplanes and helicopters to do many jobs. Most pilots fly people and cargo from place to place. Some pilots test new planes, fight fires, do police work, or rescue people who are hurt or in danger.

Before they take off, pilots plan their flight carefully. They check their plane to make sure that it is working properly. They also make sure that baggage or cargo has been loaded correctly. They check the weather forecast to see if they will run into any bad weather on their trip. They then decide what route they should take, and how high and fast they should fly.

Takeoff and landing are the hardest parts. Pilots must be especially careful during those times. The rest of the flight is fairly easy, if the weather is good. Planes have computers and other machines to tell pilots if their trip is going according to plan. These machines show whether there is enough fuel, whether the weather is changing, and whether the plane is on course. Pilots must check these machines often during the trip to be sure that all is going well. If problems come up, the pilots take steps to solve them.

When they are flying, airline pilots must very often stay away from home overnight. Airlines have flights at all hours of the day and night. This means that airline pilots often are asked to work odd hours.

Pilots who do not work for the airlines can have unusual work schedules, too. For example, they may fly 30 hours one month and 90 hours the next. Most of them do not have to stay away from home overnight, but they may have to work odd hours.

Pilots who fly very long distances may have "jet lag." This is fatigue caused by moving through different time zones. The work of pilots who test new planes may be dangerous. Pilots who work on farms or who help police and firefighters also might get hurt on their jobs.

Flying does not involve much hard physical work. Pilots can feel a lot of stress because they know that they are responsible for the safety of their passengers. They must be careful and quick to react if something goes wrong.

How do I prepare to become a Pilot?

Many pilots learn how to fly in the military. Others become pilots by going to flight schools. Most companies want the pilots they hire to have some education. In fact, most people who enter this occupation have a university degree.

What are the earning potentials?

Weekly Earnings (full time and before tax)

• $1230 - All Ages
• $646 - Ages 20-24

Source: ABS Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, August 2003.

What are the Job prospects for Pilots?

• Very Good
• Good
• Average < Pilot
• Below Average
• Limited