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Employment
Civilian aircraft pilots and flight engineers held about 106,000 jobs in 2004. About 84,000 worked as airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers. The remainder were commercial pilots who worked as flight instructors at local airports or for large businesses that fly company cargo and executives in their own airplanes or helicopters. Some commercial pilots flew small planes for air-taxi companies, usually to or from lightly traveled airports not served by major airlines. Others worked for a variety of businesses, performing tasks such as dusting crops, inspecting pipelines, or conducting sightseeing trips. Federal, State, and local governments also employed pilots. A few pilots were self-employed. Pilots are located across the country, but airline pilots usually are based near major metropolitan airports or airports operating as hubs for the major airlines.
Earnings
Earnings of aircraft pilots and flight engineers vary greatly depending whether they work as airline or commercial pilots. Earnings of airline pilots are among the highest in the Nation, and depend on factors such as the type, size, and maximum speed of the plane and the number of hours and miles flown. For example, pilots who fly jet aircraft usually earn higher salaries than do pilots who fly turboprops. Airline pilots and flight engineers may earn extra pay for night and international flights. In May 2004, median annual earnings of airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers were $129,250. Median annual earnings of commercial pilots were $53,870 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,170 and $79,390. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $110,070. Airline pilots usually are eligible for life and health insurance plans. They also receive retirement benefits and, if they fail the FAA physical examination at some point in their careers, they get disability payments. In addition, pilots receive an expense allowance, or "per diem," for every hour they are away from home. Some airlines also provide allowances to pilots for purchasing and cleaning their uniforms. As an additional benefit, pilots and their immediate families usually are entitled to free or reduced-fare transportation on their own and other airlines. More than half of all aircraft pilots are members of unions. Most of the pilots who fly for the major airlines are members of the Airline Pilots Association, International, but those employed by one major airline are members of the Allied Pilots Association. Some flight engineers are members of the Flight Engineers' International Association.
Related Occupations
Although they are not in the cockpit, air traffic controllers and airfield operation specialists also play an important role in making sure flights are safe and on schedule, and participate in many of the decisions that pilots must make.
Common Lay Titles
Air Force Pilot
Airline Captain
Airline Pilot
Airline Transport Pilot
Airplane Pilot
Army Helicopter Pilot
Astronaut
Check Airman
Co Pilot
Co-Pilot
Commercial Airline Pilot
Commuter Pilot
Executive Pilot
Facilities Flight Check Pilot
Fighter Pilot
First Officer
Inspector, Flight
Jet Pilot
Military Pilot
Navigator
Navy Fighter Pilot
Pilot
Pilot, Aircraft
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Schools Offering Degrees for
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers |
 | Wyotech | Campus | Bedford, MA 01730 | | Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology | Campus | Flushing, NY 11369 | | Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics | Campus | West Mifflin, PA 15122 | | University of Maryland | Campus | Baltimore, MD 21250 | | Embry Riddle Aeronautical University | Campus | Daytona Beach, FL 32114 | | Everglades University | Campus | Orlando, FL 32807 | | Everglades University | Campus | Boca Raton, FL 33431 | | National Aviation Academy A & P School | Campus | Clearwater, FL 33760 | | Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics | Campus | Vienna, OH 44473 | | Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology | Campus | Belleville, MI 48111 | | Mountain Air Helicopters | Campus | Logan, UT 84321 | | San Joaquin Valley College - Fresno Aviation Campus | Campus | Fresno, CA 93727 | | Ohlone College | Campus | Fremont, CA 94539 | | Wyotech | Campus | Oakland, CA 94621 |
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Career
Assessment
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