Did you know...? KLM is the world's oldest airline, established in 1919, and Qantas is the second-oldest (1920). Additionally, pilots and co-pilots are required to eat different meals to avoid both being affected by potential food poisoning. Moreover, the maximum speed of a Boeing 747 is 955 km/h! If flying and excitement take you to cloud nine and you're not intimidated by responsibility, why not consider a career as a pilot?
The Job of a Pilot
A pilot's job is to fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Their duties include checking the overall condition of the aircraft before and after every flight; communicating with air traffic control over the aircraft's radio system; operating and controlling the aircraft along planned routes and during takeoffs and landings; and monitoring engines, fuel consumption, and other aircraft systems during flight.
In general, there are four categories of pilots:
- Airline pilots – Commercial pilots who work primarily for airlines, transporting passengers and cargo on fixed schedules to destinations worldwide.
- Corporate pilots – Pilots who fly for companies with private fleets, transporting passengers such as company executives.
- Commercial pilots – Pilots involved in unscheduled flight activities, including rescue operations, charter flights, firefighting, crop dusting, aerial photography, and aerial tours.
- Flight instructors – Commercial pilots who use simulators and dual-controlled aircraft to teach students how to fly.
Is this Job for You?
If you're considering a career as a pilot, you'll need excellent teamwork skills, strong concentration, and good hand-eye coordination. Additionally, you must remain calm when navigating challenging weather conditions.
The interest code for this career is RIE (Realistic, Investigative, and Enterprising):
- Realistic: Realistic occupations often involve practical, hands-on activities and problem-solving. These roles may focus on real-world materials like tools, machinery, plants, or animals. Many require working outdoors and involve minimal paperwork or close collaboration with others.
- Investigative: Investigative roles involve working with ideas and require extensive thinking. These occupations include searching for facts and solving problems mentally.
- Enterprising: Enterprising careers often involve initiating and leading projects, making decisions, and sometimes taking risks. They frequently intersect with business and leadership activities.
Work Styles
To become an airline pilot, you must be able to follow spoken instructions from air traffic control and give clear, confident instructions to crew members and passengers. Teamwork skills are essential, as are strong written communication skills. You should be comfortable working with technology and proficient in reading maps and interpreting 3D displays. The ability to remain calm when dealing with challenging situations, such as changing weather conditions, is crucial.
Work Values
Pilots value independence in their work and appreciate having the autonomy to make decisions. At the same time, support from management is important to them, along with recognition for a job well done.
Work Environment
Pilots flying across time zones must cope with fatigue and jetlag. Flights can be long, and flight decks are often sealed, requiring pilots to work in small teams for extended periods in close quarters.
For safety reasons, pilots' working hours are strictly regulated. However, they must be prepared to work non-standard hours, including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
Places of Employment
Pilots can find employment with passenger and cargo airlines, commercial sectors such as agriculture, broadcasting, tourism, and medical and rescue services, as well as corporate companies and flight schools. They may also work for the military or government.
Job Entry Requirement
Whether you want to fly a small aircraft on the weekends or command a Boeing 737 for a passenger airline, the path to becoming a qualified pilot follows a step-by-step process. You begin by earning a private pilot’s license, then progress to a commercial pilot’s license, and ultimately work toward becoming an airline transport pilot. After this, you can pursue further certifications and specializations, depending on your career goals.
- Private Pilot License (PPL) — you can fly throughout Malaysia and carry non-paying passengers; you are not allowed to charge for your services.
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) — you can work as a pilot commercially, fly large aircraft and earn an attractive salary.
To obtain a pilot's license, the candidate needs to pass a medical examination – class 2 for a PPL and class 1 for CPL.
Education and Training Qualifications
For more information, read this useful guide by Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) on 'How to Become a Pilot'.
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), previously known as the Department of Civil Aviation, is a government agency that was formed under the Ministry of Transport Malaysia in 1969. Effectively on 19th February 2018, DCA was incorporated into a statutory body known as CAAM.
Here are some names of aviation flying training organisations in Malaysia:
- Asia Pacific Flight Training
- HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd
- International Aero Training Academy (IATAC), based at Melaka International Airport
- KIST Aviation Academy (KISTAA)
- Malaysia Flying Academy Sdn Bhd
- Asia Aeronautical Training Academy (AATA), located at Senai International Airport.
What's life like as a pilot? Watch Nursyafiqah's story here.
Watch this! A montage of life as a student pilot at Asia Pacific Flight Training.
Sources of this article include:
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Career Options
- My Next Move
- National Careers Service
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
- Image by 穿着拖鞋一路小跑 from Pixabay
