Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Pilot

🎯 Role Definition

Professional Pilot responsible for safe and efficient operation of aircraft in scheduled, charter, corporate, or cargo operations. Primary accountabilities include comprehensive flight planning and execution, adherence to regulatory and airline standard operating procedures (SOPs), continuous monitoring and management of aircraft systems and crew performance, and decisive action during abnormal or emergency conditions. The Pilot represents the airline/operator in customer interactions, demonstrates leadership in the flight deck, and contributes to a strong safety culture through accurate reporting and participation in safety management system (SMS) activities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Flight Instructor (CFI) transitioning to regional/charter operations after accumulating PIC and multi-engine time.
Military pilot converting military experience and type-qualifications to a civil airline career.
Commercial Pilot transitioning from corporate/charter flying to scheduled airline operations.

Advancement To:

Captain (Aircraft Commander) leading multi-crew flight operations and serving as the final authority for safe aircraft operation.
Check/Training Pilot or Training Captain responsible for crew training, line checks, and standards oversight.
Director of Flight Operations or Chief Pilot overseeing operational control, scheduling, and regulatory compliance.

Lateral Moves:

Flight Operations/Dispatch Management
Safety Officer / SMS Coordinator
Line Training Instructor or Simulator Instructor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive pre-flight planning including route selection, fuel planning, weight and balance calculations, NOTAM and weather briefings, alternate airports and fuel contingency planning to ensure compliance with company SOPs and regulatory requirements (FAA/EASA/CAA).
Execute safe aircraft operation as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) or Second-in-Command (SIC), following standard operating procedures, checklists, and sterile cockpit protocols for all flight phases (preflight, taxi, takeoff, cruise, descent, approach, landing, and postflight).
Perform detailed aircraft system checks and continuously monitor flight instruments, engines, avionics, fuel systems, hydraulic and electrical systems, responding to system failures and abnormal indications per the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) and MEL procedures.
Apply instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) knowledge, manage flight management system (FMS)/flight guidance computers (FMC), autopilot, and navigation radios to maintain desired flight path, altitude, and speed while complying with ATC clearances.
Make timely, safety-focused aeronautical decisions during rapidly changing operational conditions, including adverse weather, turbulence, wind shear, unplanned diversions, or other in-flight contingencies, and propose safe alternatives to operations control when necessary.
Conduct briefings with cabin crew and complete crew resource management (CRM) information exchange before departure, ensuring clear role definitions, emergency procedures, and passenger handling protocols.
Deliver precise takeoff and landing performance calculations, including V-speeds, runway performance, and required obstacle clearance, and adjust performance when environmental or runway conditions change.
Coordinate with Air Traffic Control (ATC), dispatch, maintenance, and ground operations to manage flight deviations, operational delays, and technical irregularities while prioritizing safety and regulatory compliance.
Lead and mentor junior flight crew members and first officers through in-flight coaching, line training, and formal debriefs to enhance proficiency, professionalism, and adherence to SOPs.
Execute standard and non-standard emergency procedures (engine failures, depressurization, fire, system malfunctions) using established checklists, while maintaining command presence and passenger safety.
Maintain and accurately complete all required operational logs: flight logs, Journey/Flight Duty Records, maintenance discrepancy reports, and post-flight paperwork to support regulatory audits and maintenance troubleshooting.
Participate in line checks, proficiency checks, and simulator-based recurrent training including upset recovery, multi-crew coordination, and type-specific emergency scenarios to sustain currency and qualification.
Enforce and promote a safety-first culture by actively participating in the Safety Management System (SMS), submitting safety reports, attending safety meetings, and following company safety policies and risk mitigation practices.
Ensure regulatory compliance with pilot licensing, currency and qualification requirements (medical certificates, type ratings, instrument currency), and coordinate timely renewals for licenses, medicals, and operator-specific training.
Monitor and manage crew duty time and flight time limitations, making decisions to prevent fatigue-related safety risks and reporting duty-time irregularities to operations control when required.
Conduct post-flight evaluations to capture operational lessons learned, submit discrepancy reports for aircraft systems or procedures, and collaborate with maintenance to expedite rectification for safe return to service.
Execute passenger and cargo security procedures, verify hazardous materials declarations, and ensure secure carriage of restricted items according to company and national security policies.
Apply knowledge of performance-based navigation (PBN), Required Navigation Performance (RNP), and other modern navigation procedures when conducting advanced RNAV/STAR/SID operations.
Assist in operational planning for extended-range operations (ETOPS) or long-haul flights when applicable, including diversion planning, ETOPS alternates, and fuel reserve calculations.
Liaise with customer service and ground operations during irregular operations (IROPS) to manage passenger re-accommodation, facilitate information flow, and maintain a professional passenger experience.
Maintain current knowledge of regulatory and procedural changes, company manuals, AFM/POH revisions, and service bulletins that affect aircraft operation and performance.
Act as an ambassador for the airline/operator, delivering high standards of professionalism in passenger interactions, stakeholder communications, and representing the company during community or regulatory engagements.

Secondary Functions

Participate in cross-functional safety committees and operational improvement initiatives, providing front-line insight to reduce risk and improve on-time performance.
Support crew pairing and rostering feedback by advising operations on feasible duty patterns and practicality of schedules from a flight crew perspective.
Contribute to the development and revision of SOPs, checklist improvements, and training syllabi based on real-world observations and recurrent flight experience.
Assist with simulator validation events and the assessment of new operational procedures, aircraft modifications, or avionics upgrades.
Provide mentoring, interview, and recruitment support by participating in pilot selection panels and evaluating candidate flying skills and CRM fit.
Help maintain the operator’s training records by verifying completion of recurrent modules, type ratings, and regulatory checks with training department.
Support post-incident investigations by writing clear, factual narratives for safety reports and cooperating with internal and external investigators.
Deliver classroom or simulator-based training sessions on operational best practices, human factors, fatigue management, and safety culture when assigned by training department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Instrument Rating (IR) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) issued by a recognized aviation authority (FAA, EASA, Transport Canada, etc.).
Multi-Engine Rating and relevant type rating(s) for the aircraft operated (e.g., Boeing 737, Airbus A320 family, Gulfstream series) or ability to obtain type rating.
Proven competency in IFR flight planning, RNAV/RNP operations, approach and departure procedures, and use of flight management systems (FMS/FMC).
Strong knowledge of aircraft systems (engines, electrical, hydraulic, environmental, flight controls) and the ability to interpret AFM/POH performance charts and limitations.
Proficiency with avionics suites (glass cockpit, GPS, TCAS, weather radar, Flight Director) and electronic flight bag (EFB) applications for charts, performance tools, and operational documents.
Demonstrated experience with airline SOPs, MEL/CDL procedures, Minimum Equipment List considerations, and dispatch/operational control interfaces.
Competency in performance calculation tools, weight and balance software, and fuel planning methodologies for dispatch against company and regulatory minima.
Experience with CRM principles, threat and error management (TEM), and multi-crew communication and coordination techniques.
Ability to perform QRH, abnormal, and emergency checklist flows calmly and accurately under pressure.
Familiarity with Safety Management Systems (SMS), incident/accident reporting processes, and participation in safety audits or safety promotion activities.
Radio telephony skills for clear and concise ATC communications, including standard phraseology and readback/clarification techniques.
Knowledge of international operations, overflight/landing permits, customs/immigration protocol, and dangerous goods regulations where applicable.

Soft Skills

Excellent situational awareness and decision-making under stress with the ability to prioritize safety-critical tasks.
Strong leadership and command presence to assert authority, coordinate multi-crew operations, and maintain cockpit discipline.
Clear communication skills for crew briefings, ATC interactions, and passenger updates; able to de-escalate and deliver difficult messages professionally.
Teamwork and collaboration across flight, cabin, maintenance, and operations teams to ensure smooth, compliant flight operations.
High level of professionalism, integrity, and adherence to confidentiality and regulatory standards.
Adaptability and resilience to manage schedule changes, operational disruptions, and irregular flight duties.
Attention to detail for accurate logkeeping, maintenance discrepancy reporting, and checklist discipline.
Problem-solving orientation with a proactive approach to identifying operational improvements and contributing to safety culture.
Time management and organizational skills to meet tight pre-flight timelines and regulatory paperwork completion.
Cultural sensitivity and customer service orientation for interactions with diverse passengers and international stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; completion of an accredited flight training program and issuance of required pilot licenses and ratings.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aeronautical Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related field; military flight academy graduates welcomed and valued.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aviation / Aeronautical Science
Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Air Traffic Management
Professional Flight

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1,500 – 8,000+ total flight hours depending on operation (regional vs. major airline vs. corporate); minimum PIC and multi-engine experience per operator policy.
Recent experience in multi-crew airline or charter operations with documented hours in type or similar category aircraft.

Preferred:

Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) or equivalent, with 3,000+ total flight hours and 500+ multi-crew time.
Prior experience as a First Officer or Captain on turbine-powered, multi-engine aircraft; previous simulator/instructor experience is a plus.
Demonstrated regulatory compliance history, no hazardous event history, and strong references from prior flight operations supervisors.