Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

SOC 53-2011.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the full operational and leadership spectrum of commercial airline flight operations, from supervised training flights through executive-level safety leadership and fleet standards governance.

Sources:O*NET v30.2 SkillsCrosswalk

Emerging

Entry / Apprentice

Pre-flight checklists — complete systematically to identify aircraft defects and malfunctions under the direct supervision of a senior pilot before scheduled departures.
Radio communication protocols — apply to contact control towers for takeoff clearances and arrival instructions under instructor oversight at a regional airport.
Basic flight instrumentation — interpret and use to maintain heading, altitude, and airspeed during supervised training flights in visual meteorological conditions.
Engine startup procedures — execute in correct sequence according to aircraft operating manuals under the direction of a certified flight instructor.
Flight plan parameters — read and follow to support navigation and fuel planning during supervised cross-country training operations.
Crew coordination fundamentals — practice active listening and verbal confirmation techniques with other crew members during training takeoffs and landings.
Engine gauges and warning devices — monitor and report abnormal readings to the supervising pilot during routine flight segments.
Emergency checklists — locate and reference to identify appropriate initial responses to simulated in-flight malfunctions in a training environment.
Meteorological briefings and NOTAMs — retrieve using information retrieval software and summarize relevant weather hazards prior to supervised flights.
Aviation regulations and standard operating procedures — read and demonstrate comprehension by applying them to straightforward flight scenarios under instructor guidance.

Developing

Mid-level / Established

Instrument flight procedures — execute independently to guide aircraft safely through low-visibility conditions in accordance with IFR flight plans and ATC instructions.
Aircraft systems monitoring — track engine operation, fuel consumption, and flight system performance throughout en-route phases of scheduled commercial or cargo flights.
Takeoff and landing sequences — perform as an active crew team member, coordinating callouts and control inputs with the captain during standard and non-standard operations.
ATC radio exchanges — manage with clarity and accuracy to receive departure, en-route, and approach instructions while maintaining situational awareness in busy airspace.
In-flight malfunctions — assess using systems analysis and critical thinking to select and apply the appropriate non-normal checklist without direct supervisor involvement.
Fuel burn calculations and route adjustments — compute and apply using onboard avionics and route navigation software to optimize flight efficiency during recurring routes.
Crew resource management principles — apply social perceptiveness and coordination skills to share information and resolve discrepancies across the flight deck during routine operations.
Pre-flight aircraft inspection — conduct independently according to approved checklists and log discrepancies accurately in maintenance records before flight release.
Control panel and warning system data — evaluate continuously against normal operating parameters to regulate engine speed and confirm aircraft performance throughout flight.
Aviation regulations and company SOPs — apply reading comprehension and deductive reasoning to resolve procedural questions encountered during day-to-day line operations.

Proficient

Senior / Expert IC

Complex instrument approaches — execute autonomously to CAT II/III minimums using advanced avionics and precision control inputs in adverse weather at high-traffic airports.
Full-scope flight operations — pilot passenger, mail, or freight aircraft across all flight phases, managing deviations from flight plans and adapting to changing ATC requirements without oversight.
Non-routine in-flight emergencies — diagnose and manage using systems evaluation and judgment to protect passenger safety, coordinate with cabin crew, and report to company operations.
Aircraft performance limitations — analyze under abnormal loading, weather, or mechanical conditions using mathematics and physics knowledge to make safe go/no-go decisions.
Multi-crew communication — lead structured briefings and facilitate precise information exchange with co-pilots, flight engineers, and ATC across complex or high-workload flight scenarios.
Route and systems data — integrate from navigation software, weather feeds, and aircraft sensors to adapt flight profiles in real time during long-haul or transoceanic operations.
Quality control analysis of flight data — review aircraft performance metrics and fuel consumption trends post-flight to identify anomalies and initiate maintenance referrals.
Regulatory compliance across jurisdictions — interpret and apply international aviation law and government requirements to flight planning and operations in foreign airspace.
Time-critical decision making — apply reaction time and deductive reasoning to sequence multiple competing priorities during simultaneous system failures or airspace conflicts.
Mentorship of developing crew members — provide structured feedback on instrument scanning, communication, and checklist discipline during line operations alongside junior first officers.

Advanced

Lead / Principal / Executive

Fleet-wide operational standards — set and maintain by developing standard operating procedures, integrating regulatory changes, and aligning pilot performance benchmarks across an airline's flight operations division.
Organizational safety culture — lead by designing and championing safety management system initiatives that reduce risk exposure across all flight crew ranks and base stations.
Training curriculum and check standards — design for advanced simulator programs covering emergency decision making, CRM, and instrument procedures, ensuring alignment with regulatory authority requirements.
Line check and proficiency evaluation programs — oversee as a Check Airman or Training Captain, assessing pilot competency to organizational and regulatory standards across multiple aircraft types.
Cross-functional crisis response — direct airline-wide coordination during declared in-flight emergencies, liaising with dispatch, maintenance, airport operations, and regulatory bodies to protect safety outcomes.
Technology adoption strategy — evaluate and lead implementation of new avionics, route navigation software, and electronic flight bag systems, establishing training pathways and change management plans for the pilot workforce.
Regulatory relationship management — represent the organization before aviation authorities to negotiate rule interpretations, present safety data, and shape compliance frameworks governing flight operations.
Pilot resource and staffing strategy — advise senior leadership on crew scheduling, fatigue risk management, and workforce planning to ensure operational continuity and regulatory compliance at scale.
Performance analytics and systems evaluation — apply enterprise-level flight data monitoring and quality assurance analysis to identify systemic skill gaps and drive continuous improvement across the pilot group.
Organizational knowledge transfer — synthesize decades of operational expertise into mentorship programs, leadership development pipelines, and institutional knowledge repositories that sustain flight operations excellence.

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Advanced

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Related titles

Air Force Pilot · Airbus Captain · Aircraft Captain · Aircraft Pilot · Airline Captain · Airline Pilot · Airline Pilot Flight Instructor · Airline Transport Pilot · Airplane Pilot · Army Helicopter Pilot · Captain · Check Airman

RAPIDS apprenticeships

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O*NET skills

Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringActive ListeningMonitoringCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive LearningCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisWritingMathematicsTroubleshootingInstructingLearning Strategies

Knowledge domains

TransportationEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityGeographyMechanicalMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsPhysicsLaw and GovernmentAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities

Response OrientationProblem SensitivityControl PrecisionFar VisionReaction TimeNear VisionDepth PerceptionDeductive ReasoningRate ControlPerceptual Speed

Work styles

CautiousnessAttention to DetailSelf-ControlDependabilityStress ToleranceSelf-Confidence

Technology

Information retrieval or search softwareData base user interface and query softwareObject or component oriented development softwareRoute navigation softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareProcess mapping and design softwareWord processing software

Tasks · seed anchors for statements

Use instrumentation to guide flights when visibility is poor.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight, adhering to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Work as part of a flight team with other crew members, especially during takeoffs and landings.
Respond to and report in-flight emergencies and malfunctions.
Inspect aircraft for defects and malfunctions, according to pre-flight checklists.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Monitor gauges, warning devices, and control panels to verify aircraft performance and to regulate engine speed.

CIP education codes

49.010249.0108