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Life As an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer

Career 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

Plan and formulate flight activities and test schedules and prepare flight evaluation reports.
Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
Load smaller aircraft, handling passenger luggage and supervising refueling.
Instruct other pilots and student pilots in aircraft operations and the principles of flight.
Record in log books information such as flight times, distances flown, and fuel consumption.
Confer with flight dispatchers and weather forecasters to keep abreast of flight conditions.

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Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer Required Skills

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

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.

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.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Other Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer Job Titles

Executive Pilot
Co Pilot
Commercial Airline Pilot
Fighter Pilot
Military Pilot

Is There Job Demand for Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers?

In the United States, there were 84,000 jobs for Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 3.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,900 new jobs for Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer by 2026. The BLS estimates 8,100 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer are Florida, New Jersey, and Georgia. 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.

How Much Does an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer Make?

The average yearly salary of an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer ranges between $65,690 and $208,000.

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers who work in Michigan, Nevada, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.

How much do Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers make in different U.S. states?

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

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

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Office
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Visio
SBS International Maestro Suite
AirSmith FlightPrompt
Electronic aircraft information databases
MJICCS PilotLog
Nimblefeet Technologies Captain’s Keeper
Polaris Microsystems AeroLog Pro
Polaris Microsystems CharterLog
RMS Technology Flitesoft
Skylog Services Skylog Pro
doXstor Flight Level Logbook
AeroPlanner
Notam Development Group Airport Insight
Navzilla
Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance

Becoming an Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer

What kind of Airline Pilot, Copilot, or Flight Engineer requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers employed by various industries.

References:

Image Credit: Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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