What does an airplane pilot do?
Airplane pilot responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real airplane pilot resumes:
- Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
- Assist with all aspects of administration, logistics and equipment inventory, ensuring successful financial execution.
- Conduct pilot proficiency and standardization evaluations in both A320 aircraft and simulator.
Airplane pilot skills and personality traits
We calculated that 67% of Airplane Pilots are proficient in FAA, DOD, and HRS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Problem-solving skills, and Quick reaction time.
We break down the percentage of Airplane Pilots that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- FAA, 67%
Trained pilots in Part 135 multiengine airplane air ambulance operations and prepared them for FAA check rides.
- DOD, 25%
Provided rapid worldwide in-flight air refueling and airlift capability to support AF, DOD and allied operations.
- HRS, 4%
Total By Category of Aircraft * PIC 1761.4 Hrs.
- Aircraft Maintenance, 4%
Created aircraft maintenance plan in collaboration with maintenance director to ensure availability of aircraft for trips.
Most airplane pilots use their skills in "faa," "dod," and "hrs" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential airplane pilot responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an airplane pilot to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "pilots must speak clearly when conveying information to air traffic controllers and other crew members." Airplane pilots often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed communication methods to enable students to complete maneuvers to the prescribed faa practical test standards. "
Problem-solving skills. Many airplane pilot duties rely on problem-solving skills. "pilots must be able to identify complex problems and figure out appropriate solutions," so an airplane pilot will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways airplane pilot responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "resolved regulatory compliance issues between company personnel, faa inspectors and operational authorities thru negotiation and problem solving skills. "
Quick reaction time. airplane pilots are also known for quick reaction time, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to airplane pilot responsibilities, because "pilots must respond quickly, and with good judgment, to any impending danger." An airplane pilot resume example shows how quick reaction time is used in the workplace: "developed tactical and strategic knowledge in a wide range of maritime patrol reconnaissance missions. "
The three companies that hire the most airplane pilots are:
- Spectrum Health2 airplane pilots jobs
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Compare different airplane pilots
Airplane pilot vs. Aviator
An aviator, also known as a pilot, operates aircraft for commercial or private use. Although their duties vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually entails performing regular inspections before and after every flight, coordinating with staff, maintaining an active communication line with air traffic controller, determining routes and schedules, analyzing flight plans, and monitoring the weather conditions. Moreover, as an aviator, it is essential to be proactive and professional in dealing with issues and concerns.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, airplane pilot responsibilities require skills like "faa," "hrs," "gs-13," and "dot." Meanwhile a typical aviator has skills in areas such as "aircraft systems," "flight safety," "flight training," and "fixed wing aircraft." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that aviators earn slightly differ from airplane pilots. In particular, aviators are 12.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an airplane pilot. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Airplane pilot vs. Captain/check airman
The key role of a Pilot Instructor is to teach students procedures and techniques about how to fly aircraft. They offer instruction for both on the ground and in the sky, prepare lesson plans, and assess and monitor students performance.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real airplane pilot resumes. While airplane pilot responsibilities can utilize skills like "dod," "dec," "hrs," and "aircraft maintenance," captain/check airmen use skills like "passenger safety," "line checks," "pic," and "flight training."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Captain/check airmen tend to reach lower levels of education than airplane pilots. In fact, they're 10.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Airplane pilot vs. Pilot instructor
A pilot captain is an experienced pilot who is primarily responsible for the flight, passengers, and crew. As the pilot with the highest authority in an aircraft, they are in charge of ensuring that all necessary procedures and safety checks are carried out before, during, and after flights. It is also their duty to conduct weather and flight plan checks, coordinate with air-traffic controllers and airport personnel while working together with co-pilots, and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from airplane pilot resumes include skills like "dec," "hrs," "aircraft maintenance," and "gs-13," whereas a pilot instructor is more likely to list skills in "simulator," "instructor pilot," "aircraft systems," and "pilot-in-command. "
When it comes to education, pilot instructors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to airplane pilots. In fact, they're 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Airplane pilot vs. Pilot captain
Even though a few skill sets overlap between airplane pilots and pilot captains, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an airplane pilot might have more use for skills like "dod," "dec," "hrs," and "aircraft maintenance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of pilot captains require skills like "pic," "ifr," "icao," and "flight safety. "
Pilot captains reach lower levels of education compared to airplane pilots, in general. The difference is that they're 9.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of airplane pilot
Updated January 8, 2025
