subject: The Education Of A Pilot [print this page] Have you wondered about the idea of becoming a pilot? You'll find a entire array of organizations that offer the instructions to qualify anybody become a pilot. Pilots are highly trained experts who either fly airplanes or helicopters to carry out a wide range of jobs. With the exception of small aircraft, two pilots generally comprise the cockpit team.
The captain is usually the most skilled pilot and is in charge of all other members of the crew. The pilot and co-pilot, usually called the first officer, share flying and other duties. These jobs also entail coordinating with air traffic controllers and monitoring instruments for faults or issues.
Now, since new engineering on aircraft can execute numerous jobs that a 3rd pilot was once employed to complete, additional pilots are no longer needed.
Prior to actual flight, pilots program their flights carefully. They also ensure that baggage or cargo is being loaded properly. Takeoff and landing are some of the most complicated parts of the job and need close coordination among the pilot and first officer with the rest of the crew.
The flight is almost always programmed into the computer unless the weather is bad. Also, to avoid fatigue and insure alertness, the two pilots alternate during legs of the trip.
With autopilot supporting them, the plane travels a pre-defined path and is monitored by air traffic control as it passes through monitoring zones.
While flying may not be as physical as many other jobs, the mental stress of being responsible for any risk-free flight can be tiring. Pilots must be alert and ready to respond if an issue arises, especially during takeoff and landing. Navigating security and the terminal is also something that can be a drain on pilots and passengers alike.
Pilots have to have an airline transport pilot's license. Applicants for this license must be at least twenty three years of age and have minimum fifteen-hundred hours of flying experience, which includes flying at night.
