O*NET-SOC 53-2011.00

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, national, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Operation and Control2.B.3.h4.8808/2021
Operations Monitoring2.B.3.g4.6208/2021
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.1208/2021
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.1208/2021
Monitoring2.A.2.d4.1208/2021
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e4.008/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Response Orientation1.A.2.b.34.8808/2021
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.7508/2021
Control Precision1.A.2.b.14.6208/2021
Far Vision1.A.4.a.24.2508/2021
Near Vision1.A.4.a.14.2508/2021
Reaction Time1.A.2.c.14.2508/2021

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.Core7508/2021
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.Core7508/2021
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.Core7508/2021
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.Core7508/2021
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.Core7508/2021

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic4.7411/2023
Conventional4.6911/2023
Enterprising3.7911/2023
Investigative3.1711/2023
Social2.4911/2023
Artistic1.4311/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.