Flight Aviation School Training:

Pilots usually start with smaller commuter and regional airlines to

acquire the experience needed to qualify for higher paying jobs with

national airlines.
 

Most pilots traditionally have learned to fly in the military, but growing

numbers have college degrees with flight training from civilian flying

schools that are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA).

Pilots are highly trained professionals who fly airplanes and

helicopters to carry out a wide variety of tasks. Most are airline pilots,

copilots, and flight engineers who transport passengers and cargo, but

1 out of 5 pilots is a commercial pilot involved in more unusual tasks,

such as dusting crops, spreading seed for reforestation, testing

aircraft, flying passengers and cargo to areas not served by regular

airlines, directing firefighting efforts, tracking criminals, monitoring

traffic, and rescuing and evacuating injured persons.

Except on small aircraft, two pilots usually make up the cockpit crew.

Generally, the most experienced pilot, the captain, is in command and

supervises all other crew members.

Before departure, pilots plan their flights carefully. They thoroughly

check their aircraft to make sure that the engines, controls,

instruments, and other systems are functioning properly. They also

make sure that baggage or cargo has been loaded correctly.

Takeoff and landing are the most difficult parts of the flight, and

require close coordination between the pilot and first officer. For

example, as the plane accelerates for takeoff, the pilot concentrates

on the runway while the first officer scans the instrument panel. To

calculate the speed they must attain to become airborne, pilots

consider the altitude of the airport, outside temperature, weight of the

plane, and speed and direction of the wind. The moment the plane

reaches takeoff speed, the first officer informs the pilot, who then pulls

back on the controls to raise the nose of the plane.
 

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