The Allure of Being an Airline Pilot

Being a pilot is a job which commands a lot of respect and power. In the early days of aviation, it was considered as one of the most prestigious jobs in the world. Even today being a pilot elevates the status of the person, and they are assured to be treated with a lot of respect for the places they go to. As with any job and anyone who has ever had any dream about this occupation, it all starts with a fascination with planes and flight. Reading about planes, learning and dreaming about them is how the enthusiasm first begins.

Starting the career

It all starts with small steps, with learning how to fly small planes and then learning about different aircraft. It is a rather steep ladder to climb, and the process can be painstakingly long. If you are in it purely for the pleasure of flight, each day of work will feel like bliss. Flying takes you to some of the most beautiful places on earth, and that is just a small incentive compared to the big prize of being able to explore the whole planet. Places like the Asia Pacific is one of the fastest growing in the world, and the demand for pilots in the region is only set to skyrocket over the next few years. 

The sheer amount of travelling involved

Airline pilots have to routinely jet across destinations almost every single day. From crossing the Pacific and landing on two completely different sides of the cultural spectrum; to going through turbulent weather across the South East Asian region. The wide range of conditions and places that one experiences on a day to day basis is quite the endeavour for a traveller. The excitement of flying through the world and soaking in the experiences is something which every child dreams of and fulfilling this can enrich the soul of the person.  

How can you start this journey?

Commercial airline pilot training begins with a simple step, and that is to enrol in a course, which will teach you the basics. In the southern hemisphere, this can be easy to find, with a significant number of institutions offering beginners courses. The institutes can also help one find their groove and complete many courses, learning about many kinds of aircraft. They can also help out with interviews and set you on the path to the journey. 

The same institutes can help you get accredited for commercial flight. They have a whole list of courses which can help one get acquainted with the requirements of flying for an airline company. Institutes, like Learn to Fly, which is a tremendous commercial airline pilot school; can help you groom your skills and polish them, to ready for various scenarios one may encounter while flying. 

The life can sometimes be gruelling, and it can test whether you are made for the job or not. But if the joys and the fun part in flying still appeals to you, then it should be a breeze. After all, no job in the world comes easy, and flying indeed is no ordinary job. 

Careers In Aviation – Are You Up for It?

An aircraft pilot is someone who controls the flight of an aeroplane by operating its flight controls. Pilots are broadly classified into airline pilots and commercial pilots. Airline pilots work for airline companies transporting passengers and cargo according to a fixed schedule. The pilot in command oversees the rest of the crew members and is in charge of the entire flight. The co-pilot shares responsibility for the flight with the chief pilot. Commercial pilots engage in unscheduled flights such as charter flights and aerial tours. Commercial pilots may also have other non-flight duties. Some pilots also take up the job of an instructor and teach students to fly.

A pilot is responsible for safe take-off, journey and landing of the flight. The lives of everyone on the flight depend on him. He exercises various duties and some of them are:

• They check the complete condition of the plane before and after each flight.

• They make sure that the aircraft is below its weight limit and balanced.

• They ensure that the fuel supply is adequate for the journey.

• They make sure that the weather conditions are safe to fly in.

• They communicate with air traffic control over the radio system.

• They are in charge of the aircraft’s flight controls.

As fun as this all may sound, the job of a pilot can be very stressful and risky. Pilots allotted with long-distance routes are likely to experience fatigue and jetlag. Harsh weather conditions may cause turbulence, calling for a change in the flying altitude. The duration of a flight can be very long depending on the distance. High concentration levels are necessary to fly an aircraft. Also, just the mental stress of carrying such a huge responsibility on one’s shoulders can be overwhelming. Pilots are required to be highly alert and must have quick decision-making skills as anything can go wrong. 

Flight training is a must for becoming a pilot. It’s a mix of practical and theoretical study when learning to pilot an aircraft. Flight training comprises a combination of flight lessons given in the plane or a simulator along with theory lessons for the written exams.

Usually, airline pilots kick-start their careers as commercial pilots. Commercial pilots need a diploma or an equivalent. Airline pilots must have a bachelor's degree in aircraft operations, aeronautical engineering or aviation. All pilots must have at least a commercial pilot's license. A commercial pilot license allows the license-holder to act as a pilot of an aircraft in return for paid work. This license is valid internationally. There are some conditions to be met to obtain a pilot license. You must:

• Be capable of reading, writing, and understand English.

• Hold a private pilot license.

• Have had training in the field of commercial piloting.

• Have successfully completed the related exams.

You must also obtain first-class medical certification.

There are many ways to get a commercial pilot licence in Australia, so if you are thinking about a career in aviation, then take the next steps and start researching what you need to get enrolled in an institute today.