
A
pilot career is one of those professions that is dreamed of by many from an early age. However, many do not realise that pilot jobs are some of the most demanding positions and are not to be entered into lightly. There is also lots of training involved before being able to take
pilots jobs. See the following guide for entry information to a
pilot career.
Qualifications
Pilot airline jobs are extremely competitive and having a degree of an HND can be advantageous. However, this is not a requirement. Those wishing for a pilot career are normally required to have at least 5 A-C grades at GCSE level in subjects including maths and a science such as physics. At least 2 A Levels are preferred in maths and physics too. Certain airlines may require higher qualifications.
Pilot Career Skills
Candidates must be able to show the following skills and traits:
• Excellent communication
• Calmness and ability to make decisions under pressure
• Rapid mental calculation skills
• Problem-solving
• Self-confidence
• Coordination and physical fitness
• Fluent English
• Able to motivate and direct others
Routes into a Pilot Career
There are a few different entry routes towards successfully getting
pilot jobs:
• Train with the Armed Forces and then take a conversion course later on. You must be aged between 17 and 24 to learn this way and be prepared to take on other responsibilities within the forces.
• Get a scholarship with an airline or training school and become a trainee commercial pilot. However, this is quite hard to find.
• Get a PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence) and then move onto the CPL (Commercial Pilot’s Licence). These qualifications are subject to medical examinations, examinations and skills tests. They are also very costly.
Airline pilot jobs are responsible for flying passengers and cargo nationally and internationally for leisure or business purposes. Typically, the aircraft will be operated by a team of up to 4 pilots according to the type and length of the flight. Captain
pilots jobs are in charge of all staff on board. See the following guide to pilot
airline jobs for more information if you are interested in a
pilot career.
Pilot Career
Pilot jobs are very rewarding for those trained in the profession, both in terms of job satisfaction and financially. This is the type of work that is dreamed of by many, but in reality is only realised by a few. This is because a pilot career is a great deal more demanding than most think it is. Lots of time is spent away from home and training is tested twice a year.
Pilots Jobs Activities
The task of pilot
airline jobs is to make sure that aircraft are operated both safely and economically. This is done by carrying out a range of tasks including:
• Making sure that everything to do with the route, weather, aircraft and its passengers is alright
• Checking that the flight plan details are accurate
• Figuring out exactly how much fuel is needed
• Ensuring that all safety elements and systems are in good working order
• Briefing cabin crew before a flight
• Maintaining communication with air traffic control from take-off, during the flight and when landing
• Understanding the data from a range of controls
• Checking the performance of the aircraft as well as the weather during the flight
• Having quick reactions to changes in the environment and emergency situations in flight
• Addressing passengers with a PA system
• Filling out all necessary paperwork and reports after landing

Of all the
airline jobs, it’s hard to think of one with the glamour and the reputation of an
airline pilot. Of all the
pilot career opportunities,
airline jobs are undoubtedly some of the most lucrative in terms of earnings and working conditions. To find out more about
pilot jobs, read on.
Airline Pilot Career Info
- The job of an airline pilot is to fly cargo and passenger planes around the world alongside a co-pilot, which is one of the junior pilot jobs available. There is much more to pilot jobs however though than simply flying the aeroplane.
- A successful pilot career will involve year’s worth of training and experience to be able to fly a range of aeroplanes. A pilot job will involve knowing how to fly several different aeroplanes, how to carry out all pre-flight checks and briefings, how to understand the weather and also how to interact with air traffic control and other pilots.
- Although many people view airline jobs as very glamorous, the reality is that an airline pilot career demands large amounts commitment, self sacrifice responsibility and unsociable hours. To be able to get a pilot job, you will have to undergo thousands of hours of flight training, be very physically and mentally healthy as well as having a good grasp of maths and science. Pilot jobs require continual re-examination to prove the individual is still capable of the job.
- The general tasks of pilot jobs can be quite numerous including making sure all the information about the route, the weather and the aeroplane are correct, checking the flight plan, checking all safety systems and briefing the cabin crew. During the flight, an individual with a pilot career will need to interact with air traffic control, understand data from various instruments and check these against the flight plan as well as fill in the flight logbook throughout the flight.
- Those with pilot jobs can earn vastly different amounts of money depending on the amount of experience they have, their job role and the airline they work for. For instance, long distance pilots for companies like British Airways can easily earn over £100k per year but a newly qualified pilot may only earn in the region of £30k. You can begin your search for a pilot career here on Airline Pilots.
Of all the airline jobs, it’s hard to think of one with the glamour and the reputation of an airline pilot. Of all the pilot career opportunities, airline jobs are undoubtedly some of the most lucrative in terms of earnings and working conditions. To find out more about pilot jobs, read on.
Airline Pilot Career Info
- The job of an airline pilot is to fly cargo and passenger planes around the world alongside a co-pilot, which is one of the junior pilot jobs available. There is much more to pilot jobs however though than simply flying the aeroplane.
- A successful pilot career will involve year’s worth of training and experience to be able to fly a range of aeroplanes. A pilot job will involve knowing how to fly several different aeroplanes, how to carry out all pre-flight checks and briefings, how to understand the weather and also how to interact with air traffic control and other pilots.
- Although many people view airline jobs as very glamorous, the reality is that an airline pilot career demands large amounts commitment, self sacrifice responsibility and unsociable hours. To be able to get a pilot job, you will have to undergo thousands of hours of flight training, be very physically and mentally healthy as well as having a good grasp of maths and science. Pilot jobs require continual re-examination to prove the individual is still capable of the job.
- The general tasks of pilot jobs can be quite numerous including making sure all the information about the route, the weather and the aeroplane are correct, checking the flight plan, checking all safety systems and briefing the cabin crew. During the flight, an individual with a pilot career will need to interact with air traffic control, understand data from various instruments and check these against the flight plan as well as fill in the flight logbook throughout the flight.
- Those with pilot jobs can earn vastly different amounts of money depending on the amount of experience they have, their job role and the airline they work for. For instance, long distance pilots for companies like British Airways can easily earn over £100k per year but a newly qualified pilot may only earn in the region of £30k. You can begin your search for a pilot career here on Airline Pilots.

A
pilot career can be very rewarding, both financially and emotionally.
Pilot jobs require thousands of hours of training and financial commitment but those that are willing to put in the effort to start a
pilot career can reap the benefits. Starting a
pilot career can be quite tricky and confusing so if you are thinking of starting a
pilot job, read on.
Starting a Pilot Job
- When a lot of people think of a pilot career, two things will come into their head, either airline jobs or military pilot jobs and although these are arguably the most prominent types of pilot job, there are others. Unless you have been in the military, you will need to start your pilot career by getting your private pilot license at a flight school.
- Once you have completed your pilot training and got your first license, you will need to get a commercial pilot license which can be very expensive. The commercial pilot license can cost anywhere between £40k and £50k to obtain so this is obviously a huge financial outlay.
- Once you have achieved these licenses you can then apply for airline jobs and the training will continue and you will gain more flying experience and qualifications until you are ready to become a full blown pilot. To qualify as an airline pilot you will need achieve first officer status and undertake roughly 1500 hours of flight time.
- The military is one of the most well known and arguably the best routes of starting a pilot career. You will receive some of the best training in the world for a pilot job and will also get paid at the same time. Of course, by it’s very nature, the military is dangerous and if you undertake a pilot career in this method, you will have to sign up for a minimum service time and there is also a very high chance of you putting yourself in harms way.
- Regardless of which method you choose for pilot jobs, you will need to be physically fit and healthy as well as having good eyesight and hearing. To start a pilot career, you need to be extremely highly motivated, committed and driven to be able to complete the training as it can take several years to become a trained pilot.
- The wages received for a pilot career can be hugely financially beneficial and top airline pilots can easily earn in excess of £100k per year. Of course, other pilot jobs include that of a flying instructor, the aforementioned military pilots and private pilot jobs. You can search for your start to a pilot career here on Airline Pilots.
Helicopter pilot jobs can vary a lot according to the purpose of flight, the organisation worked for and the type of helicopter flown.
Aviation jobs as helicopter pilots are highly rewarding both in terms of job satisfaction and financially. See the following guide to the different pilot
helicopter jobs.
Once qualified to fly, there are a number of different services you can work for. These include:
• Air ambulance
• Working for oil companies and transporting employees to and from oil rigs
• Helicopter tour companies at tourist destinations
• Coastguard helicopter jobs
• Working for news companies to capture birds-eye footage of a story
• Commercial travel companies that charter private flights
• Many more
Depending on what purpose your flights have, a different set of skills and temperament will be required for all
helicopter pilot jobs. For instance, flying an air ambulance often needs a little bit of basic medical knowledge so that paramedics and pilots can understand each other’s work and get jobs done without time wasted explaining certain situations.
Privately, helicopters can be used for a whole host of purposes. These can include transporting VIPs to a number of locations. Many pilots learn their trade in the military as it is a great way of training without the costs.
Helicopter pilot jobs can be considered among the most satisfying and rewarding careers there are. These aviation jobs are sought after by many who have dreamed to fly for their profession.
Helicopter jobs like this can vary greatly depending on the purpose of flight. For more facts about this sort of pilot work, see the following guide.
Aviation Jobs – The Task
No two helicopter pilot jobs are the same given the wide variety of purposes for flights. Helicopters are used for many different reasons, so different skills, experience, and temperaments will be required according to the position. For instance, there is a large difference between helicopter jobs transporting commercial passengers and pilots needed for air ambulance work. There are strict legal regulations as to how many hours a pilot is allowed to fly a helicopter in a month. This means a lot of time is spent not flying.
Types of Helicopter Pilot Jobs
As mentioned above, there are plenty of different purposes for helicopter pilots. These include:
• Working for oil companies and transporting employees to and from oil rigs
• Working for news companies to capture birds-eye footage of a story
• Commercial travel companies that charter private flights
• Helicopter tour companies at tourist destinations
• Air ambulance
• Coastguard helicopter jobs
• Many more
Entry and Progress
Most
helicopter pilot jobs start as co-pilots, which gets them accustomed to the job without being in charge. After time and experience is built up in this position, they will progress to becoming the main pilot of the aircraft. After this, it is common for pilots to set up their own private companies.
Aviation jobs with helicopters can be much more varied that flying aeroplanes due to the range of purposes involved.
Helicopter pilot jobs require flying single or multi-engined helicopters for leisure, business and emergency use. Working alone or within a team, these helicopter jobs
have an aim of safely and efficiently carrying passengers and cargo from place to place. See the following guide to
helicopter pilot jobs if this is the career that you are after.
Aviation Jobs – Helicopter Flights
Prior to a flight, pilots must ensure that the conditions are right so that they can successfully request clearance for take-off from air traffic controllers. This means:
• Checking the weather conditions on the route
• Checking any airspace restrictions
• Filing flight plans
• Calculating how much fuel will be needed
• Figuring out the maximum load
• Checking instruments and equipment
During the flight itself,
helicopter pilot jobs require the use of a variety of equipment in order to safely navigate the aircraft. Pilots must control the height and speed of the helicopter whilst maintaining communication with air traffic control. After the flight has landed, these aviation jobs then entail filling out all post-flight documents.
Helicopter Jobs – The Working Environment
Depending on the purpose of the work, certain helicopter pilot jobs can have extremely varied hours including days, nights, weekends and short overnight stays away from home. Long periods of time are spent sitting in noisy and cramped conditions and survival suits could need to be worn.
Helicopter Pilot Jobs Skills
These aviation jobs require the following skills:
• Responsibility for the machine and passengers
• Good judgment and even temperament
• Concentration
• Ability to remain calm in crises
• Make decisions under pressure
• Excellent communication (verbally and written)
• Teamwork

For many people, being a
flying instructor is a dream and although expensive, it can be reached with time and effort. There is currently a general shortage in the UK of these
helicopter jobs which means it is a good time to be a
flying instructor and
helicopter pilot jobs are attracting good wages. To find out more about these helicopter jobs, read on.
Finding Helicopter Jobs
- To be able to teach people how to fly, you need to first have plenty of experience in helicopter pilot jobs. A Personal Pilot’s license will be required as may be a commercial pilot’s license. You will need at least 155 flying hours to get your commercial license and will pick up another 40 or so while training to be a flying instructor.
- The test to become a flying instructor often consists of briefing the examiner and then taking them into the sky and teaching them like they are a student. Once you have this qualification, a whole new world of helicopter jobs will have opened up for you.
- These helicopter pilot jobs can be hugely rewarding as you take your experience of helicopter pilot jobs and pass it on to someone else. There are a number of key skills required however to be a flying instructor (besides proving you are a good pilot yourself). These helicopter jobs require the individual to be able to place themselves in their student’s shoes and understand why common mistakes are made and how to move on etc.
- Similarly, these helicopter pilot jobs will require the person to be able to teach a lecture to the student and then take them up into the sky as a flying instructor and ensure that the information has been understood. Eventually this will be second nature.
- The flying instructor also needs to be able to teach complex theory such as weather patterns, how the mechanical equipment works and the science itself behind how a helicopter flies in a way that the student can understand.
By far the best place to try and find these helicopter pilot jobs will be to apply at various helicopter flight schools which are usually based on or near airfields. You can search for these
helicopter pilot jobs here on Airline Pilots.
Helicopter pilot jobs for the
coastguard can be very varied and interesting but they are not easy to get into. The UK coastguard forms part of the Marine and Coastguard agency that is responsible for all civilian and government actions in UK waters.
Helicopter pilot jobs in the
coastguard can include search and rescue, preventing smuggling/illegal immigration and backing up any land or surface
coastguard units. To find out more about
coastguard helicopter pilot jobs, read on.
About Coastguard Helicopter Jobs
- Coastguard helicopter jobs can be extremely hard to come by and almost all of the people with these helicopter pilot jobs have found the way into it through active service with the other forces of the UK. The RAF and the Navy are the most common services to get the relevant experience in but the Army will also provide the relevant experience for helicopter jobs in the coastguard.
- Helicopter pilot jobs in the coastguard will require exceptional piloting skills as a pilot may be called on to rescue people out of the water or off a boat in severe storms and harsh conditions. Taking off and landing on ships in poor conditions is also a common part of helicopter pilot jobs in the coastguard, something which needs considerable talent and skill.
- Helicopter pilot jobs in the coastguard will require thousands of hours of flying experience to even be considered. To obtain these helicopter pilot jobs in the coastguard, you will have to pass a medical exam as well as ensuring that you are physically fit to be able to fly for potentially long periods of time.
- Helicopter pilot jobs in the coastguard look excellent on pilot’s CV and may well open doors to lots of other helicopter jobs because of the nature of the coastguard and the skills required to do the job.
You can search for a wide variety of
helicopter pilot jobs here on Airline Pilots.

An
air ambulance is any aircraft that is used for the purposes of moving and treating injured people. An
air ambulance can be either a helicopter or an aeroplane but in the UK, a helicopter
air ambulance is usually more common. Like all
helicopter pilot jobs,
air ambulance helicopter jobs require plenty of flying experience and qualifications. To find out more about
helicopter pilot jobs in an
air ambulance, read on.
About Helicopter Pilot Jobs in an Air Ambulance
- These helicopter pilot jobs require great skill which can only be acquired with plenty of flying experience. An air ambulance is often used because an area is inaccessible to a regular ambulance and landing can prove to be a challenge for helicopter pilots. An air ambulance may to have to land on a road, in a built up area or on the side of a mountain.
- Those with helicopter pilot jobs in an air ambulance can find their way into these helicopter jobs in a number of different ways. An obvious way to get the required training and experience is through the military. Many air ambulance pilots served the first part of their career flying military helicopters. Another way of getting into these helicopter pilot jobs is by undertaking the necessary private training and graduating from there.
- The work of an air ambulance can be hugely varied and those with helicopter pilot jobs can be called to attend a motorway pile up one day and the next day be tasked to rescuing someone who is injured up a mountain. Generally, summer shifts will last much longer than winter shifts due to the darker weather. Summer shifts may last for up to 12 hours.
- Generally, newly qualified pilots will not get air ambulance or search and rescue etc helicopter pilot jobs as huge amounts of experience and flying hours are required. Many of the air ambulance helicopters also use turbine engines, which newly qualified pilots will probably not have flown before.
You can search for a wide range of
helicopter pilot jobs here on Airline Pilots.