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Fixed wing pilot vs plane captain

The differences between fixed wing pilots and plane captains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a fixed wing pilot and a plane captain. Additionally, a fixed wing pilot has an average salary of $102,889, which is higher than the $51,391 average annual salary of a plane captain.

The top three skills for a fixed wing pilot include EMS, pilot-in-command and flight operations. The most important skills for a plane captain are hand tools, cleanliness, and maintenance manuals.

Fixed wing pilot vs plane captain overview

Fixed Wing PilotPlane Captain
Yearly salary$102,889$51,391
Hourly rate$49.47$24.71
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,9892,555
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Fixed wing pilot vs plane captain salary

Fixed wing pilots and plane captains have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fixed Wing PilotPlane Captain
Average salary$102,889$51,391
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $134,000Between $33,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between fixed wing pilot and plane captain education

There are a few differences between a fixed wing pilot and a plane captain in terms of educational background:

Fixed Wing PilotPlane Captain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorAviationAviation
Most common collegeStanford UniversitySUNY Farmingdale

Fixed wing pilot vs plane captain demographics

Here are the differences between fixed wing pilots' and plane captains' demographics:

Fixed Wing PilotPlane Captain
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 81.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 82.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between fixed wing pilot and plane captain duties and responsibilities

Fixed wing pilot example responsibilities.

  • Project manage the initial fielding of the RQ-11 tactical UAV system.
  • Serve as a professional pilot managing a flight crew and ensuring safe transportation of VIP's internationally.
  • Spearhead UAS integration into the national airspace system by facilitating new FAA UAS corridors and tripling available UAS training ranges.
  • Perform extensive aircrew instruction and evaluation in actual aircraft, simulators and classroom to ensure the fighter wing's operational readiness.
  • Participate in ATOS, DOD, and IOSA audits
  • Perform all PIC duties on each trip.
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Plane captain example responsibilities.

  • Train, direct, and manage firefighting crews, fire-rescue teams, and damage-control parties.
  • Lead a platoon that earn numerous awards for jamming opposition force artillery nets and conducting counterattacks on opposition electronic warfare platoons.
  • Experience operation of FMS, HGS, EFIS & GPS.
  • Clean exterior or interior of aircraft, using portable platform ladders, brushes, rags, water hose, and vacuum.
  • Experience in HAZMAT handling and storage.
  • Conduct FOD inspections of assign aircraft and surrounding areas
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Fixed wing pilot vs plane captain skills

Common fixed wing pilot skills
  • EMS, 93%
  • Pilot-In-Command, 4%
  • Flight Operations, 1%
  • Training Programs, 1%
  • Instructor Pilot, 0%
  • ATM, 0%
Common plane captain skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Cleanliness, 11%
  • Maintenance Manuals, 7%
  • FOD, 7%
  • Hydraulic Systems, 7%
  • Engine Oil, 6%

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