The profession of a pilot is the dream of many people, although it is not easy to achieve because flying and driving an airplane requires a certification or license through an official exam. To become a pilot you have to go to flight school and have high discipline.
But you know, Job opportunities as pilots will always be open, because more than 620,000 new pilots are needed who can fly commercial aircraft in the next 15-20 years.
This is due to the growth of the national and international aviation industry which causes the need for pilots for domestic and international airlines to continue to increase in line with route expansion and an increase in the number of aircraft. So, Realize your goals immediately, but first know about the following ins and outs of the profession. Check these out!
Pilot as a term for a person who drives an airplane. A pilot is responsible for flight security and safety, he has the authority to take various actions to prevent flight security and safety disturbances.
On a flight the pilot will drive the plane according to his flight plan . In his duties in the cockpit of the aircraft, the pilot will be assisted by a co-pilot, and during the flight from the time the door is closed for take off until the first door is opened after landing , the pilot and co-pilot will follow the flight paths that have been registered and programmed through aircraft navigation system assistance as well as information provided by traffic control towers at airports and air traffic service officers along the way.
In a double-manned aircraft, a clear division of tasks must be determined regarding who is the pilot flying and who is the pilot monitoring . The synergy of task division and work coordination between the two will then result in better, safer and more efficient flights.
On a commercial flight, the pilot and co-pilot are in charge of driving the plane while flight attendants and stewardess are in charge of ensuring the safety, security and comfort of passengers on the flight. Pilots, co-pilots, and flight attendants or stewards (flight attendants) are referred to as flight crew (aircrew) . Conversations conducted by the pilot, co-pilot with traffic service officers and almost all parameters of the existing system are recorded by the black box (flight data recorder).
This book with the title Civil Aviation Traffic Management contains management and regulation in controlling air traffic and air space dynamically and integrated through the provision of seamless facilities and services. This book will be very important and useful for flight personnel related to aircraft operational activities, especially ATC personnel (ATCO) and pilots as ATCO partners.
How to Become a Pilot
The main requirement to become a pilot is to take pilot education first. Anyone can take this education as long as they meet the requirements and have passed the selection. In order to get into a pilot school, there are high requirements, including:
- Minimum body 160 cm
- Have a healthy physical condition
- Not color blind, and various other requirements.
- Have good English skills.
Majors that can be taken to pursue this profession include Aviation Engineering , Aviation Safety, and Aviation Management . Complete information about the Aviation department can be seen in the Aviation Department.
As a profession that demands expertise or skills in piloting an airplane, a pilot must first take an official written exam and a flight test held by an aviation school and aviation authority.
If passed the test, a pilot will receive a flying certificate or pilot license , which is a letter acknowledging the pilot’s ability (competency to fly an aircraft of a certain type or size. The license itself consists of various types and has different levels. The flight licenses consist of PPL, CPL, ATPL, and ME, Sinaumed’s.
Pilots Duties
The pilot’s duties include:
- Flying an
Airplane Aircraft safety is the responsibility of a pilot because it is his duty to be able to fly an airplane professionally by paying attention to the weather and flight techniques. - Keeping Passengers Safe
Not only proficient in flying planes, but a pilot is also required to be responsible and guarantee that all passengers boarding the plane will arrive at their destination safely. This task is actually devoted to commercial pilots – pilots who work for airlines and fly planes for pay. Not only that, the pilot must also ensure that the passengers are also very comfortable on the way. - Maintaining Good Personal Health
Almost all professions engaged in the service sector have the greatest responsibility for consumers. However, even so a pilot also must not forget about his own health. It is everyone’s responsibility, including pilots, to take care of their own health. This is because when on duty the pilot’s body condition must be in a fit condition, because if he is not in a healthy condition it can affect the flight and also the safety of passengers. - Fully understands his abilities and the limits of his own expertise and also understands the limits of the capabilities of the aircraft he flies
Pilot Profession Provisions
Indonesia has implemented flight hours limits for pilots, which are contained in the Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 28 of 2013. In the appendix to this regulation, it is stated that a pilot and co-pilot are prohibited from flying more than 9 hours in one day consecutively. Not only that, the limit of overtime protection for a pilot. Airlines must also pay attention to the variable duration of pilot work in other periods of time. The variable is not more than 1,050 hours in a calendar year, more than 110 hours in a calendar month and more than 30 hours in 7 consecutive days.
Pilots can work for airlines or commercial aircraft, helicopters for the distribution of goods and information, or small aircraft. Unlike the drivers of other modes of transportation, pilots are bound by more specific rules. Pilot fitness conditions are even regulated in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council and implemented in International Standards and Recommended Practices or what are commonly referred to as SARPs. ICAO emphasizes the importance of the condition of the pilot or pilot who is free from fatigue.
Pilot Career Path
Aircraft pilot is one of the most coveted job processes in society. A Pilot’s Career Path starts from:
- Second Officer – For novice pilots who have just graduated from pilot school, the experience they have is of course still very minimal. Airlines will not immediately give excessive flight hours to new graduates because they do not want to take risks that might occur. Usually, second officers are only allowed to carry small planes which will be accompanied by a captain.
- First Officer – A first officer is allowed to pilot the aircraft accompanied by a captain. Typically, they assist the captain in controlling the aircraft’s flight in terms of navigation. Sometimes, he also replaces the captain’s position when the captain is absent. The requirements that a first officer must have include having an ATPL and ME license first
- Captain – Captain is the highest career level for a pilot. The pilot captain is in charge of supervising the FO when flying the plane. The captain is also responsible for everything that happens during the flight
Pilot Passcode
After knowing the duties of a pilot, as a pilot candidate you must also know the passwords or codes that pilots often use in their work. What do you think? Here are some of them:
- Doors To Arrival : This first code code is a critical or emergency instruction addressed to stewards or flight attendants to get ready because the plane will be landing soon. The purpose of this password is for cabin crew to immediately deactivate the emergency slide system attached to the door. To prevent it from expanding at the gate. This is because if the emergency slide system is not deactivated, it will automatically inflate when the door is opened.
- Crosscheck : A term used by pilots and cabin crew to mean that they must check the duties of other colleagues. Inside the cabin, stewards or flight attendants check with each other whether tasks have been carried out. For example, to ensure the emergency exit is activated or deactivated as needed.
- All-Call : A direct request to each cabin crew to report via intercom from their respective posts.
- Flight Deck: Synonym of the cockpit or cabin where the pilot and copilot are located.
- Final Approach: Final approach while approaching the runway for landing, when reaching a straight section of the landing strip, or parallel to the runway centerline which does not require additional maneuvering.
- Direct Flight : Airline pilot’s job function. The meaning of direct flight or direct flight is not the same as a non-stop flight which does not stop at all, from takeoff to the final destination. A direct flight means a flight with a route that doesn’t change, but there is a possibility that the plane will stop to transit passengers.
This is information about the duties assigned to a pilot and the codes normally used in the world of aviation. So, if you want to become a pilot, make sure you are mentally prepared, Sinaumed’s.
This book will be very much needed and useful for aviation personnel who are related to the regulation, guidance and control of air space, both civil and military circles, especially for the aviation community, namely pilots, technicians and flight operations officers.
Source: from various sources