AIRCRAFT PILOTS California Occupational Guide Number 290 Interest Area 5-A 1995
THE JOB
AIRCRAFT PILOTS are trained professionals who fly airplanes for the transportation of passengers, cargo, and mail. Some pilots dust crops or take photographs of the earth.
Commercial Airline Pilots transport passengers and cargo, normally on fixed routes and schedules. Generally, two professional pilots are needed to operate the aircraft. The most experienced pilot (called captain) is in command and supervises other crew members. The copilot (or first officer) assists and relieves the captain. A flight engineer (second officer) is rarely used except in older aircraft, because new technology eliminates the need for many of the flight tasks they previously performed.
Agricultural Pilots fly airplanes or helicopters over farmlands at low altitude to dust or spray fields with fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides. Agricultural Pilots also plant small fish in streams or lakes, fight forest fires and spread seeds over fields. Precision seeding by these pilots contributes greatly to higher crop yields.
Photogrammetry Pilots are aerial photographers who fly at specified altitudes and speed, photographing areas of the earth's surface for mapping and other photogrammetric purposes.
Pilots plan their flights carefully. Before departure they check to be sure that all equipment is in working order. Airline Pilots confer with company flight dispatchers and weather forecasters. They choose a suitable route, altitude, and speed, then check flight plans and have them approved by the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) air traffic control personnel. Takeoffs and landings are the most difficult parts of the flight. The actual flight is relatively easy unless the weather is bad. Most of the time when the plane is in the air, it is being flown by automatic pilot.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Piloting a plane rarely requires much physical effort. However, the stress of being constantly alert and ready to handle emergencies can be very tiring. Irregular eating and sleeping patterns due to frequent schedule changes also may contribute to mental and physical fatigue. When business is slow, Airline Pilots with low seniority may be temporarily laid off. During these periods they may not be able to find another flying job. Agricultural Pilots may travel to other parts of the country to extend their work year.
Most flying done by Agricultural Pilots is in highly maneuverable aircraft at slow speeds. Spraying must be done within a few feet of the plants or trees and only when wind velocity is low. Often the Agricultural Pilots sit in an open cockpit, vulnerable to both summer heat and winter cold and sometimes to toxic chemicals.
Most Airline Pilots are members of the Airline Pilots Association, International. Others join the Allied Pilots Association or the Flight Engineers' International Association.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Estimated number of workers in 1990 7,960 Estimated number of workers 2005 8,450 Projected Growth Percentage 6% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 3,440
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
These employment figures are for California only; Aircraft Pilots have a national and global job market. U.S. airlines will need more than 10,000 new pilots by the middle of the decade and will have almost nowhere to find them, says Dr. Steven Sliwa, president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Atlanta, Georgia. Pilots who survive industry downsizing are likely to have the most seniority and are nearing the mandatory federal retirement age of 60 for commercial airline pilots.
To fill the gap, major airlines are beginning to offer internships to undergraduates that will lead to flight positions.
The outlook varies for different types of pilots. Employment of business pilots is expected to grow more slowly than in the past, while demand for helicopter pilots will increase. Opportunities for Photogrammetry Pilots are limited.
Employment of Agricultural Pilots is dropping sharply in California. There are currently about 500 (including owner-operators), down more than half over the last decade. Career newcomers are discouraged by increased regulation of agricultural aviation, the high cost of insurance, and technological advances that allow one pilot to do the work that in past years required three pilots.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Earnings are determined by the union agreement (if any), pilot classification and seniority, type and size of the plane, kind of company, and hours and distance flown. The Future Aviation Professionals of America (FAPA) salary survey of 1993-94 shows that major airlines paid a beginning average salary of $2,413 monthly; the monthly average after five years is $3,293, and $5,340 after ten years. The maximum average annual paid by major airlines was $130,201. Global airline pilots earned a maximum annual average salary of $187,065.
Smaller airlines paid an average beginning salary of $1,757 monthly. After five years, pilots earned an average monthly salary of $3,293 which increased to $5,340 in ten years. The average maximum annual pay was $89,383 a year for pilots flying for smaller airlines.
Pilots working for the federal government currently start at the GS-9 level of $29,839 per year and can advance through the levels to GS-15, earning $74,243 or higher. Military pilots earn regular pay for their rank plus monthly incentive pay.
The average annual salary for beginning Agricultural Pilots is $35,000. Those with excellent experience who work year round make from $50,000 to $75,000. Some may make over $100,000.
By federal law Airline Pilots cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or 1,000 hours a year. Most pilots average 80 flying hours a month; however, total duty hours, including time for preflight and postflight duties, repairs, and terminal delays can exceed 150 hours a month. The work hours of Agricultural Pilots, on the other hand, vary during the year according to seasons, weather, cycles of insects and weeds, the number of daylight hours and wind velocity. Pilots who seed small grains fly from early morning until dusk seven days a week for periods of several weeks or months. Pilots dusting crops with hazardous chemicals normally fly the first two or three daylight hours each morning. Some pilots have equipped their aircraft with lights and work at night.
Usual benefits include medical and dental insurance, retirement programs, paid vacations, and free or reduced rates on personal and family airline travel. Many Agricultural Pilots get sick leave and health insurance but seldom receive paid vacations.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
All pilots paid to fly passengers or cargo must have a commercial pilot's certificate with instrument ratings from the FAA. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have 250 hours or more of flying experience. They must pass a practical flight test, two written tests, and a medical examination. Captains must have an airline transport pilot's certificate. Agricultural Pilots must pass a written test given by the State Department of Food and Agriculture to obtain needed State licenses. They must also serve a minimum of one year as an apprentice. Additional requirements exist for Photogrammetry Pilots. Certificates and ratings for all pilots are valid as long as they continue to pass periodic checks of their physical condition and flying skills.
Minimum educational requirements for most commercial airlines are high school graduation or two years of college. However, 95 percent of pilots hired by large commercial airlines during 1991 had four years or more of college. Pilot training is done in military or civilian flight schools. Cal Ag Aero, Inc. in Tulare, California is the only organization in the state that offers agricultural aviation pilot training courses.
ADVANCEMENT
Advancement for Airline Pilots may involve moving from a small airline to a major carrier. Advancement within the same company depends largely on seniority. Flight engineers may become copilots within 2 to 7 years and captains within 5 to 15 years. Some pilots become check pilots, chief pilots, or self employed. A few pilots transfer to managerial jobs. Experienced pilots move up the seniority list and become eligible to bid for larger aircraft, more desirable schedules, routes, or their own home base. Promotional opportunities for Agricultural Pilots include advancing to managerial positions or purchasing their own aircraft to become independent contractors or pest control operators.
FINDING THE JOB
Most pilots find employment by contacting employers directly. FAPA provides employment information and a computerized central application file to subscribers for an annual fee. The California Agricultural Aircraft Association aids Agricultural Pilots in finding employment.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Future Aviation Professionals of America 4959 Massachusetts Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30337 (800)JET-JOBS (538-5627) Ext. 190
Airline Pilots Association, International 1625 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20036 (703)689-2270
California Agricultural Aircraft Association 2100 Flightline Dr., Suite 3 Lincoln, CA 95648 (916) 645-9747
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Air Traffic Controller No. 230 Aircraft Mechanic No. 339
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed. Rev 1)
Agricultural Aircraft Pilot 196.263-010 Airline Pilot, Commercial 196.263-014 Ailplane Pilot, Photogrammetry 196.263-018
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers 977020
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Service Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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