Work activities
Your duties would typically include:
carrying out pre-flight checks of instruments, engines and fuel
making sure that all safety systems are working properly
working out the best route based on weather reports and other information from air traffic control
following airport approach and landing instructions from air traffic control
checking flight data and making adjustments to suit weather changes
keeping passengers and crew informed about journey progress
writing flight reports after landing, including about any aircraft or flight path problems
on small planes helping to load and unload luggage or cargo.
On flights taking a short amount of time (short haul flights), you would normally work in a two-person team, as pilot (captain) or co-pilot (first officer). On long haul flights, you would often have a flight engineer on board, who would check the instruments.
You might also work in other areas of aviation, such as crop spraying, flight testing and flight training.
Working hours and conditions
Your working hours would be linked to flight destinations and could include nights, weekends and public holidays. Working hours are strictly regulated for safety reasons.
The amount of time you spend away from home would vary. On UK and European routes, you may be able to return home each day. Flights further afield would often involve overnight stays or longer. Where this happens, your employer would provide you with accommodation.