With Helen Richey as the first woman pilot hired by a regularly scheduled airline in 1934 and Beverly Burns as the first woman to captain a civilian B-747 cross country in 1984, women have a few dynamic role models to look up to in the aviation business. Although it has taken a long time, women are finally becoming more and more common in the cockpit.
Responsibilities and Duties: The captain is responsible for the aircraft, the crew and the passengers and cargo. The ultimate responsibility is to make sure the flight is performed in a safe manner, which includes checking the airworthiness of the aircraft, its weight and balance, the fuel, the flight plan and the weather. The captain is responsible for following all company procedures and federal aviation regulations.
Training Required: To become a professional pilot, you need to attain your Commercial Pilot License, which usually means going through a flight school - ground school and 200-300 hours of flight training. At least a commercial certificate for a single engine and multi engine airplane with an instrument rating is necessary. Receiving a Flight Instructorıs Certificate is also recommended for anyone thinking of flying professionally as it helps you gain experience, both in flying and in dealing with different personality types. Any additional training, including taking a Crew Resource Management Class, is considered a definite "plus"!
Working Conditions: The captain works very close (the cockpit is a very small "office") with the co-pilot and can spend hours together without getting a break. The captain works odd hours, sometimes 14-16 hours straight and it can, at times, get very stressful. In general, it is a male-dominated environment.
Personality: As a captain, you need to be secure in your abilities to manage your airplane, passengers and crew in a safe and positive way. You need a strong, confidant personality with a flexibility and ability to cooperate. You fly with different people almost everyday and that incorporates dealing with many different personality types.
Average Salary: This depends on the company, as well as the pilot, experience level, job description and responsibilities. The starting salary at a small airline will be approximately $15,000 a year for a first officer and around $35,000 a year for a captain. The bigger the airline, the bigger the paycheck. A senior captain with a major airline makes approximately $200,000 a year.
Employment Possibilities: There are several types of jobs for a commercial pilot, including flight instructor, corporate pilot, freight pilot, airline pilot, crop-dusting pilot, medical evacuation pilot, fire-fighting pilot and helicopter pilot. The Best and Worst Aspects of the Job: The unpredictable schedule of a captain seems to be the worst aspect of an otherwise exciting career. Even that isnıt so bad, for once you gain experience and seniority, your schedule often becomes more steady. One captain of a small airline explains her passion, "I have a job where I combine my hobby with my professional career. I get to travel a lot and meet a lot of interesting people. And my 'office' has the best view in the world!"
Special thanks to Gunilla and Rebecca for all their help!!