Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Flight Analyst
💰 $60,000 - $90,000
AviationData AnalysisOperationsFlight Planning
🎯 Role Definition
The Flight Analyst monitors, evaluates, and interprets flight operations data to support airline efficiency, safety, and compliance. This role analyzes flight schedules, operational metrics, and regulatory requirements, providing insights and recommendations to flight operations teams, pilots, and management to optimize performance and minimize risk.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Operations Analyst
- Aviation Coordinator
- Flight Scheduler
Advancement To:
- Senior Flight Analyst
- Flight Operations Manager
- Director of Flight Operations
Lateral Moves:
- Airline Performance Analyst
- Aviation Safety Analyst
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Collect, monitor, and analyze flight operations data, including flight plans, fuel usage, delays, and air traffic information.
- Evaluate airline schedules and operational performance to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
- Collaborate with pilots, dispatchers, and ground operations to ensure compliance with flight regulations and safety procedures.
- Prepare detailed reports, dashboards, and presentations on flight performance metrics for management review.
- Investigate flight disruptions, delays, and operational incidents to provide root cause analysis and recommendations.
- Support route planning and optimization initiatives by analyzing historical flight data and weather patterns.
- Conduct risk assessments to identify safety, operational, or regulatory concerns.
- Monitor adherence to FAA, EASA, and other international aviation regulations and reporting requirements.
- Assist in implementing flight operations policies and procedures to improve efficiency and compliance.
- Track aircraft utilization, turnaround times, and maintenance schedules to ensure optimal fleet performance.
- Collaborate with scheduling teams to manage crew assignments and flight rotations efficiently.
- Evaluate fuel consumption trends and recommend strategies to reduce operational costs.
- Identify patterns in flight delays or cancellations and propose corrective action plans.
- Conduct data validation and quality checks to ensure accuracy of flight records and operational databases.
- Assist in the preparation of audits, compliance reports, and regulatory submissions.
- Maintain communication with air traffic control and operational teams to ensure real-time situational awareness.
- Support the development and implementation of aviation software tools and analytics platforms.
- Participate in cross-functional projects involving safety, scheduling, and operational efficiency.
- Stay updated on emerging aviation trends, technologies, and regulatory changes.
- Provide actionable insights to management to inform strategic operational decisions.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
- Contribute to the organization’s operational strategy and flight performance roadmap.
- Collaborate with engineering and IT teams to enhance flight data systems.
- Participate in project planning and cross-departmental meetings related to flight operations.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Flight operations analysis and monitoring
- Aviation regulations compliance (FAA, EASA)
- Flight scheduling and route optimization
- Data analysis and reporting (Excel, SQL, or Python)
- Dashboard creation and visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)
- Risk assessment and incident investigation
- Aircraft performance and utilization analysis
- Aviation operations software proficiency (Flight planning tools, ERP systems)
- Metrics tracking and KPI analysis
- Fleet operations and turnaround monitoring
Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Effective communication with pilots, operations teams, and management
- Attention to detail and accuracy in data handling
- Problem-solving and decision-making under time-sensitive conditions
- Teamwork and collaboration across operational departments
- Organizational and time management skills
- Adaptability to dynamic operational environments
- Strategic thinking for operational efficiency improvements
- Ability to present complex data in a clear and actionable manner
- Initiative and proactivity in identifying operational challenges
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s Degree
Preferred Education:
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Aviation Management
- Aerospace Engineering
- Data Analytics
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
2–5 years in flight operations, aviation analytics, or airline operations
Preferred:
Experience in airline flight planning, scheduling, or aviation safety and performance analysis