Pilots fly passengers and cargo for private corporations and commercial or charter airlines. Usually, two pilots, a captain and cocaptain or pilot and copilot, share the responsibilities in larger, jet-propelled aircraft. The pilot and copilot check the aircraft, including controls, engines, instruments, tires, and luggage and cargo loading to assure that all systems are operating properly. The pilot checks with the weather service to determine the fastest, safest, and smoothest flight path and files a flight plan.
Pilots monitor the instruments and various systems during the flight and keep in touch with the air traffic or flight coordinator throughout the flight to accurately maintain the flight’s course, altitude, and speed. They file a flight report with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airline upon completion of the flight.
Corporate pilots have the same responsibilities but also may be responsible for loading the luggage, supervising the fueling, and assuring that aircraft maintenance is up-to-date, either by doing it themselves or by making sure reliable maintenance personnel do it. Upon completion of the flight, the pilot must file a flight report with the FAA. Pilots are limited to 100 hours per month and 1,000 hours per year of actual flying time. FAA regulations require airline pilots to have a minimum of eight hours of uninterrupted rest during the 24 hours before they complete the next day’s flying. Flying time may be during the daytime or at night.
Pilots with more seniority are usually assigned to more desirable flight schedules, including international flights. Pilots with less seniority may be assigned to shorter commuter flights. Many trips for commercial airlines and corporations include overnight stays away from home. The company usually pays for hotel rooms, meals, connecting transportation, and other direct expenses.
Airline pilots are paid according to the size and type of aircraft flown, with higher salaries going to those who fly jets than for those who fly turboprops. Additional pay may be earned for international or night flights. While the average pilot earns nearly US Dollars115,000 a year, salaries with commercial airlines can range from US Dollars36,000 to a high of US Dollars235,000, each plus per diem. Corporate pilots can earn from US Dollars12,000 to US Dollars84,000.
Generally, health and life insurance and retirement plans are included, along with vacation and sick pay. Commercial airline pilots and their immediate families are eligible for reduced-cost or free air transportation on their own airline and other airlines. Sometimes this is on a stand-by or space-available basis.
Our website is not responsible for the information contained by this article. Articleinput.com is a free articles resource thus practically any visitor can submit an article. However if you notice any copyrighted material, please contact us and we will remove the article(s) in discussion right away.
Note: This article was sent to us by: Brandon H. Porter at 09292010
1. Relationships and trust consolidate businesses
All articles are property of their respective authors. Please read our Privacy Policy!
© 2009 ArticleInput.com.
Partners: Damenmode