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Engineering ServicesISCO 3153

Airline transport pilot

Airline transport pilots fly large aircrafts with a maximum take-off weight of more than 5700 kilograms, to transport passengers, mail, or freight on long or short-haul flights for leisure, business or commercial purposes. They have the overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of aircrafts and the safety of crew and passengers.

Check your gapsCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 49/100 (moderate risk)

Check yourself in a minute: airline transport pilot

Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate radio equipment

use meteorological information

ensure ongoing compliance with regulations

operate radio navigation instruments

read maps

About airline transport pilot

As an airline transport pilot, you will command large commercial aircraft with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 5,700 kilograms, responsible for transporting passengers, mail, and cargo on regional, national, and international routes. You hold the highest certification in aviation and bear ultimate responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft and the welfare of all crew members and passengers on board. Your responsibilities include advanced flight planning, crew management, complex decision-making in challenging weather conditions, and adherence to rigorous regulatory requirements. You will work closely with air traffic control, meteorologists, and ground operations to ensure seamless flights. With extensive experience and specialized training, airline transport pilots enjoy prestigious careers with excellent compensation, opportunities for international travel, and the satisfaction of commanding modern aviation technology while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a airline transport pilot.

1

Command and Leadership

  • Exercise overall responsibility for safe and efficient aircraft operation
  • Manage flight crew and ensure team coordination during all phases of flight
  • Make critical decisions regarding flight continuation, diversions, or emergency procedures
2

Advanced Flight Operations

  • Plan complex flight routes for heavy aircraft exceeding 5,700 kg maximum take-off weight
  • Perform take-off and landing procedures on various runway configurations and conditions
  • Execute advanced flight manoeuvres and manage aircraft in challenging weather conditions
3

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Management

  • Ensure compliance with civil aviation regulations, air transport law, and aerodrome manual specifications
  • Use meteorological information to assess weather impacts on flight operations
  • Comply with air traffic control operations and implement airside safety procedures
4

Cargo and Weight Management

  • Balance transportation cargo to ensure proper aircraft center of gravity
  • Verify cargo documentation and weight calculations prior to flight

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (32)

aircraft flight control systemsaircraft flight control systemsThe setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems such as flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction...air transport lawair transport lawThe rules and regulations governing air transport, including international law.air traffic control operationsair traffic control operationsThe procedures for organising air traffic, preventing collisions and ensuring smooth operations during flights, and the tasks performed by air traffic controllers, including Interaction and effective ...civil aviation regulationscivil aviation regulationsThe body of regulations, rules and signals that apply to the field of civil aviation, including marshalling signals.operate radio equipmentoperate radio equipmentSet up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in ...use meteorological informationuse meteorological informationUse and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.ensure ongoing compliance with regulationsensure ongoing compliance with regulationsConduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.operate radio navigation instrumentsoperate radio navigation instrumentsOperate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.read mapsread mapsRead maps effectively.implement airside safety proceduresimplement airside safety proceduresApply a series of airfield safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for airport crew.have spatial awarenesshave spatial awarenessBe aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.follow airport safety proceduresfollow airport safety proceduresComply with airport safety procedures, policies and legislation to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, and to ensure the safety of passengers.undertake procedures to meet requirements for flying aircraft heavier than 5,700 kgundertake procedures to meet requirements for flying aircraft heavier than 5,700 kgEnsure that operation certificates are valid, validate that take-off mass is a minimum of 5,700 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to flight needs and regulations, ensure that the ...operate cockpit control panelsoperate cockpit control panelsOperates control panels in the cockpit or flight deck according to the needs of the flight. Manage on-board electronic systems to ensure a smooth flight.perform flight manoeuvresperform flight manoeuvresPerform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated ‘upset’ manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.read 3D displaysread 3D displaysRead 3D-displays and understand the information they provide on positions, distances, and other parameters.comply with air traffic control operationscomply with air traffic control operationsAct in compliance with instruction provided by air traffic controllers.balance transportation cargobalance transportation cargoMaintain balance and mass distribution inside the means of transport (vessel, aircraft, train, road vehicles, etc). Ensure that passengers and cargo distribution do not hinder the mobility of the mode...perform take off and landingperform take off and landingPerform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.supervise crewsupervise crewSupervise and observe the behaviour of employees.analyse weather forecastanalyse weather forecastAnalyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maint...ensure aircraft compliance with regulationensure aircraft compliance with regulationEnsure that every aircraft complies with applicable regulation and all components and equipment have officially valid components.operate radar equipmentoperate radar equipmentOperate radar screens and other radar equipment. Ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.inspect aircraftinspect aircraftConduct inspections of aircraft and aircraft components, their parts, appliances, and equipment, to identify malfunctions such as fuel leaks or flaws in electrical and pressurisation systems.undertake procedures to meet aircraft flight requirementsundertake procedures to meet aircraft flight requirementsEnsure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that the config...perform routine flight operations checksperform routine flight operations checksPerform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.analyse work-related written reportsanalyse work-related written reportsRead and comprehend job-related reports, analyse the content of reports and apply findings to daily work operations.geographic areasgeographic areasThe detailed knowledge of a geographical area where different organisations carry out operations.visual flight rulesvisual flight rulesTypes of flight rules which are a compilation of regulations that allow pilots to fly aircrafts in clear as well as unclear weather conditions whereby it is declared that outside visual reference to t...manage financial riskmanage financial riskPredict and manage financial risks, and identify procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.common aviation safety regulationscommon aviation safety regulationsThe body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels.
Optional (10) — show
communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.give instructions to staffgive instructions to staffGive instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...handle customer complaintshandle customer complaintsAdminister complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.carry out navigational calculationscarry out navigational calculationsSolve mathematical problems to achieve safe navigation.make independent operating decisionsmake independent operating decisionsMake immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best...write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...respond to changing navigation circumstancesrespond to changing navigation circumstancesRespond decisively and in sufficient time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations while navigating.respond to customers' inquiriesrespond to customers' inquiriesAnswer customers' questions about itineraries, rates and reservations in person, by mail, by e-mail and on the phone.

Related Occupations

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Frequently asked questions

What does an airline transport pilot do?

Airline transport pilots fly large aircrafts with a maximum take-off weight of more than 5700 kilograms, to transport passengers, mail, or freight on long or short-haul flights for leisure, business or commercial purposes. They have the overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of aircrafts and the safety of crew and passengers.

What skills does an airline transport pilot need?

An airline transport pilot needs 32 essential skills, including aircraft flight control systems, air transport law, air traffic control operations, civil aviation regulations, operate radio equipment.

Will AI replace airline transport pilot jobs?

The AI disruption score for airline transport pilot is 49/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: carry out navigational calculations, write work-related reports, respond to customers' inquiries. Most resilient: perform flight manoeuvres, perform routine flight operations checks, have spatial awareness.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills32

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