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Is being an airline pilot a good fit for you?

Flies and navigates large passenger and cargo planes on regular airline routes.

What the work involves

  • Uses instruments to guide flights when visibility is poor.
  • Starts engines, operates controls and flies planes carrying passengers, mail or freight, following flight plans.
  • Works as part of a flight team with other crew, especially during takeoffs and landings.
  • Responds to and reports emergencies and faults during flight.

The interests that suit it

People in this work tend to be hands-on and organising. Here is how much each of the six kinds of interest comes into it.

Hands-onSome. Building, fixing, and working with tools, machines, animals or the outdoors.
CuriousLow. Finding things out, solving problems, and working with ideas and data.
CreativeLow. Making things: art, writing, music, design and performance.
HelpingLow. Teaching, caring for and supporting people.
PersuadingSome. Leading, selling, and making the calls.
OrganisingSome. Keeping things in order: records, numbers and systems.

What it tends to reward

Compared with other work, this job stands out for:

  • Independence. Trusted to decide how the work gets done.

How much training it needs

Degree required. Usually a degree, sometimes more study after. Rules differ from country to country, so check locally before you commit.

Find out if it fits you

Answer quick questions about what you like doing and what keeps you going. We match you with roles from over 900 kinds of work, and you can see if an airline pilot is one of yours.

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