Expert: D. Norkus - 2/27/2004

Question
Mrs. Dottie Norkus,
Hello, My name is Tasha and I have to interview some kind of pilot for school. I would appreciate it if you would please answer the following questions for me.
1.What is a typical day like as a pilot?
2.What are the educational/training requirements?
3.What skills, abilities, and qualifications are needed besides eduacational requirements?
4.What do you like about your work?
5.What do you dislike about your work?
6.How do you get started in this field?
7.What interests relate to this field?
8.Is this a growth industry, or is it stable/declining?
9.What career paths are available in this field?
10.What is your favorite thing about your work?

Answer
1.What is a typical day like as a pilot?
A 'typical' day varies greatly depending on who one works for and what kind of tenure a pilot has with the company. Airline pilot schedules are based on seniority or tenure at the airline. The most senior pilots get the best schedules, while the most junior may hardly fly at all having been assigned 'reserve' duty. This is when you must be on call to cover flights because of sick calls or when crews become delayed, ect. If there is nothing to cover, you don't fly. Regional airline schedules are more intense than major airlines. The regionals may have one fly 5, 6 or seven flights per day (not to exceed 8 hours flying time, with a total on duty day of not more than 14 hours per the FAA). Since I am very junior, I am on 'reserve' every day. I do not know when or if I will even get called to work. Lately though, I have been getting one round trip per day on reserve. All our flights are within California to major cities out of and returning to Los Angeles. I am on reserve for 5 days a week and off for two, and one week a month I get a 4 day block of days off. Reserve periods are 14 hours long and you must be available and able to report to work with in 2 hours of being notified you are scheduled to fly. More senior pilots can bid set schedules and usually fly 4-6 flights per day with 4-5 days working with three off between each scheduled trip sequence. Pilots who with the major airlines may fly only one flight per day on transcontinental or trans-oceanic flight schedules. They may also have 1, 2 or even 3 days off before their return trip home from foreign destinations. A far cry from the schedule I have presently!

2.What are the educational/training requirements?
Any applicants to the airlines must have a degree. A two year minimum at the regionals & a 4 year or better to apply with the US major carriers. One must also posses the pilot certifications required by the airline to which they are applying. The regionals require a Commercial license, with an Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. They also generally require 1,000 hours of flight experience. The majors usually require at least twice as much flight time plus the applicant must have an "Airline Transport Pilot" rating. Applicants to the regionals do not needs to have this, as it is only mandatory for Captains to have it per the FAA.    

3.What skills, abilities, and qualifications are needed besides eduacational requirements?
It helps to be able to do two things at once and be good at multi-tasking. The cockpit environment can get busy between radio navigation, talking and doing checklists. Of course being a 'good stick' or having skill as a pilot also helps. Just like car drivers, some pilots are better than others!

4.What do you like about your work?
I like the travel and the constant changing of scenery. I especially like the flying aircraft themselves~ Aviating! Each aircraft has a complex array of systems, so one must be a manager as well as a pilot & navigator. This kind of multi tasking is challenging and fun. :O)

5.What do you dislike about your work?
I hate being on reserve so much and making entry level pilot wages.

6.How do you get started in this field?
One must get their licenses & ratings. Then they need to fly smaller jobs like banner towing, flight instruction, skydiving, or traffic watch until they build up enough time to meet airline hiring requirements. The details of a career path progression can be found on my site mentioned below.

7.What interests relate to this field?
Some say math & science are musts for any future pilot. Not so, even though of all others they may be most helpful. Personally, I am not that good in math but like music, reading and computers.

8.Is this a growth industry, or is it stable/declining?
The airline business is a cyclical insudtry. It is very affected by the economy, as the decline of the airlines post 9/11 showed. When the economy is good and people are travelling, things are good. When it is down, the airlines cut back and even lay off employees until business pickes up again. It seems every 15 years or so a big decline in the industry occurs, followed by a resurgance a few years later. Almost 7% of all airline pilots are still laid off because of 9/11. In addition, many major carriers are in financial distress. Because of this they have cut service. In their place many regionals have stepped in to fill the void with smaller, more cost efficient aircraft (and employee payscales). Hence, while the majors are still hurting, many regionals are now seeing expansive growth and are hiring.

9.What career paths are available in this field?
Aside of airline pilots, one can also find work as an aviator with freight, aero-medical, charter, & aerial photography operators or business with their own corporate flight department.

10.What is your favorite thing about your work?
Getting to make the landing!

To read all about how to become a pilot and airline flying careers, please check out my site:

www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

It addresses all the frequently asked questions aspiring pilots have. In additon, visit this very informative page on the same subject:

www.jetcareers.com


Dottie