Aeroplane Pilot - Working conditions
Kaiwhakarere
Working Conditions
Aeroplane pilots fly domestic, Tasman-Pacific or international routes. Depending on the type of aircraft, they may fly in all weather conditions, so some flights may be rough and bumpy.
The cockpit is a small and enclosed place to work in, and conditions are often noisy due to aircraft engine noise and radio communications.
Ryan Neylon and Blair O'Brien checking the weather forecast
Aeroplane pilots need to work together
Equipment
Equipment aeroplane pilots use includes:
- aircraft
- civil aviation publications
- navigation and flight instruments
- computers
- radios
- maps and charts.
Passengers being welcomed onto the plane
Single-engine aeroplane used for charter work
Hours
For safety reasons, there are restrictions on the amount of time aeroplane pilots are allowed to fly.
Charter pilots often work irregular hours and are sometimes on call. Pilots who work for regional or national airlines work to rostered schedules, but may also have to work on short notice. Most pilots are required to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.
"Working as a charter pilot is different from working as an airline pilot. We don't have scheduled services, and we aren't rostered on. It can be difficult to fit in being on call for flights with your lifestyle."
Sheryl Jones - Aeroplane Pilot
Contact with people
Aeroplane pilots fly independently or as part of a crew. They have contact with air traffic control staff, cabin crew, and other pilots and passengers during the flight. On the ground, they have contact with airport security staff, aircraft refuellers, loaders and cleaners, airline ground staff and flight operations staff.
"You have to have a fairly open and well-rounded personality. You could fly with a different person every day of the week for a long time before you run into the same person again."
Blair O'Brien - Aeroplane Pilot
Updated
September 2009
