Tasks

• Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls,

instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
• Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and
other information, using radio equipment.
• Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport
passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and
procedures.
• Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft
systems during flights.
• Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind
speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
• Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure
safety of flights.
• Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather
conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify
needed changes.
• Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using
aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
• Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
• Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.

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Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Aircraft communication systems — High frequency HF radio communication

systems; On-board intercom systems; Ultra high frequency UHF radio
communication systems; Very high frequency VHF radio communication systems
Aircraft guidance systems — Automatic direction finder ADF radio systems;
Distance measuring equipment DME; Local area augmentation system LAAS
receivers; Microwave landing system MLS receivers
Aircraft steering controls — Automatic landing systems; Mechanical nose wheel
steering systems; Yaw damper systems
Aircraft warning systems — Airborne collision avoidance systems ACAS;
Ground proximity warning systems GPWS; Portable collision avoidance systems
PCAS; Traffic alert and collision avoidance system TCAS
Flight computer systems — Air data computers; Autopilot systems; Flight
director FD systems; Stability augmentation systems SAS
Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Pilot Navigator Software Load Balance

Calendar and scheduling software — SBS International Maestro Suite
Data base user interface and query software — Airline Pilots Daily Aviation
Logs PPC; AirSmith FlightPrompt; AV8 software; Polaris Microsystems
CharterLog
Information retrieval or search software — AeroPlanner; Notam Development
Group Airport Insight
Route navigation software — Navzilla

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Knowledge

Transportation — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or

goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for
providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs
assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer
satisfaction.
Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies,
procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security
operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics,
and their applications.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English
language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and
grammar.
Geography — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features
of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations,
interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses,
repair, and maintenance.
Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures,
precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the
democratic political process.
Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their
interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and
atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic
structures and processes.
Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual
differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation;
psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral
and affective disorders.

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Skills

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.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and
weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits
of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing
related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or
organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both
current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in
work related documents.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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Abilities

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a
machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the
observer).
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and
ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to
go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a
problem.
Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or
farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
Response Orientation — The ability to choose quickly between two or more
movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand,
foot, or other body part.
Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for
example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or
lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in
motion.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking
so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to
produce answers that make sense.

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Work Activities

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running,

maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as
forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information
from all relevant sources.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing
information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess
problems.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or
direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers
or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment,
structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or
defects.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and
evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using
relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or
processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically
and applying new knowledge to your job.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating,
tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by
categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting
changes in circumstances or events.

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Work Context

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or
Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control,
or feel objects, tools or controls?
Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without
supervision, does the job offer?
Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to
make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image
and reputation of the organization?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — How often does this job require
working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working
outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — How do the
decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the
company?
Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face
discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or
highly accurate in performing this job?
Time Pressure — How often does this job require the worker to meet strict
deadlines?
Physical Proximity — To what extent does this job require the worker to perform
job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

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Job Zone

Title Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Education Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational
schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required
Experience for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have
 completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years
of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing
exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years
of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal
training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship
program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone These occupations usually involve using communication and
Examples organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train
others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service
managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries,
interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
SVP Range (6.0 to < 7.0)

There is 1 recognized apprenticeable specialty associated with this

occupation:
Air Transport Pilot

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S.

Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with

business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

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Education

Percentage of
Respondents Education Level Required
46 Some college, no degree

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Interests

Interest code: RIE

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include

practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals,
and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations
require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely
with others.
Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas,
and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve
searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and
carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making
many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

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Work Styles

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and

fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in
completing work tasks.
Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check,
controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult
situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or
negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and
effectively with high stress situations.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to
address work-related issues and problems.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions
and direction.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying
a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

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Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management
that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies,
Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to
work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity,
Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement,
potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding
needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

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53-5021.02 Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge
53-5021.03 Pilots, Ship

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Wages & Employment Trends

National
Median wages (2009) $65,840 annual
Employment (2008) 39,000 employees
Projected growth (2008- Faster than average (14% to 19%)
2018)
Projected job openings 20,600
(2008-2018)
Top industries (2008) Transportation and Warehousing
Self-Employed