Commercial Pilots
On the Job
Commercial Pilots fly or navigate aircraft on unscheduled routes. They may fly charter flights, or air ambulance flights. They do not fly passenger airplanes on regular flights.
Physical Demands 
This career requires good eyesight.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Pilot aircraft.
- Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
- Inspect aircraft or aircraft components.
- Test performance of aircraft equipment.
- Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
- Inspect cargo to ensure it is properly loaded or secured.
- Monitor engine operation or functioning.
- Communicate with others to coordinate vehicle movement.
- Plan flight operations.
- Record operational details of travel.
Typical Working Conditions
- Frequent contact with others.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Making decisions that impact co-workers or company results.
- Working in a closed vehicle or equipment.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- Working with a group or team.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- High levels of competition.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
