Aeroplane Pilot - Tasks and specialisations
Kaiwhakarere
Tasks & duties
Aeroplane pilots may do some or all of the following:
- prepare or check flight plans
- check weather forecasts for flights and destination airports
- check what facilities are operating at destination airports
- check the load, fuel and equipment including the oils, hydraulic fluids and the general state of the aircraft
- calculate the amount of fuel needed for flights
- check what repairs have recently been made to the aircraft
- check the outside of the aircraft
- program flight management systems that help to plan flights and fly the aircraft
- greet passengers, give them assistance and ensure they are seated
- prepare the aircraft for take-off
- get clearance from air traffic control to taxi (move along) onto the runway
- taxi the plane onto the runway
- fly the plane to its destination
- manage the flight crew
- report flight progress to air traffic control
- get clearance to land and be told by air traffic control where to park the aircraft
- land the aircraft
- taxi the aircraft to a parking place
- write reports and keep a flight log
- help clean the aircraft.
An aeroplane pilot reading a flight plan
Pilots need to check the exterior of the aircraft before each flight
Specialisations
Charter Pilot
Charter pilots fly smaller aircraft for a variety of purposes. Some fly tourists, others provide air ambulance services or provide services as needed by the client, such as aerial photography or land surveying. Charter pilots often work irregular hours.
Updated
September 2009
