Commercial Pilots

SOC 53-2012.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers commercial pilot competency from supervised entry-level co-pilot duties through autonomous pilot-in-command operations to organizational leadership in flight safety, training, and regulatory compliance within Part 135 and Part 121 commercial aviation environments.

Sources:O*NET v30.2 SkillsCrosswalk

Emerging

Entry / Apprentice

Pre-flight inspection checklist — complete systematically under direct supervision to verify engine, control, and instrument readiness on light commercial aircraft.
Radio communication protocols — apply to contact control towers for takeoff clearance and arrival instructions under the guidance of a senior pilot.
Aeronautical charts and navigation instruments — interpret with instructor oversight to support basic flight planning on short-haul routes.
Airspeed calculations — perform using airport altitude, temperature, and weight data with assistance from a flight instructor or captain.
Engine operation and fuel consumption gauges — monitor during flight and report anomalies to the pilot-in-command in a structured training environment.
Co-pilot duties — assist the captain with defined tasks including altitude holds and heading changes on routine scheduled flights.
Visual flight rules — follow to maintain safe separation and situational awareness during clear-weather operations on familiar routes.
Government and company flight regulations — recognize and reference when planning or conducting flights under direct pilot-in-command supervision.
Aviation ground support software — use with guidance to retrieve weather briefings and NOTAMs before departure.
Emergency procedure checklists — locate and read aloud correctly during simulated emergency drills conducted in a training environment.

Developing

Mid-level / Established

Pre-flight systems checks — conduct independently across multiple aircraft systems, documenting discrepancies and coordinating corrective action before departure.
Instrument flight rules operations — pilot aircraft safely using cockpit instrumentation when visibility is reduced, with minimal oversight from the captain.
Takeoff performance calculations — derive independently by integrating airport elevation, ambient temperature, aircraft gross weight, and current wind data for each departure.
Air traffic control communications — manage routine radio exchanges for departure, en-route, and arrival phases on regional commercial routes.
Fuel load and consumption monitoring — track against flight plan throughout the route and recommend adjustments to maintain adequate reserves.
Flight plan preparation — develop using aeronautical charting software and navigation instruments in compliance with FAA regulations and company standard operating procedures.
Co-pilot responsibilities — fulfill reliably across the full flight cycle, including takeoff, cruise, descent, and landing, on regularly operated aircraft types.
Abnormal system indications — identify during flight monitoring and execute the appropriate checklist response with limited direction from the captain.
Route and schedule modifications — propose to dispatch when weather, mechanical, or load factors require changes to ensure safe flight operations.
Customer and crew communications — conduct professionally during routine delays or diversions, conveying accurate information with appropriate confidence and clarity.

Proficient

Senior / Expert IC

Pilot-in-command authority — exercise across the full scope of commercial flight operations including complex weather encounters, diversions, and unscheduled maintenance events.
Instrument approach procedures — execute autonomously in low-visibility conditions using flight control software and onboard avionics to maintain precision and safety standards.
Weight-and-balance and performance analysis — perform independently for each flight, integrating passenger loads, cargo configurations, fuel quantities, and environmental factors.
Non-routine in-flight emergencies — assess, prioritize, and resolve using systematic critical thinking and established emergency checklists without external guidance.
Multi-leg flight operations — plan and manage using aeronautical charts, weather data, and analytical software to optimize routing, fuel efficiency, and schedule compliance.
Systems analysis during abnormal operations — diagnose complex aircraft system interactions in flight and determine the safest course of action to protect crew and passengers.
Regulatory compliance oversight — interpret and apply FAA regulations, airline operations specifications, and government airspace requirements across all phases of flight.
Crew resource management — lead cockpit coordination with first officers and cabin crew, ensuring clear communication and shared situational awareness throughout flight.
Air traffic control negotiations — manage complex re-routes and holding instructions during airspace congestion or weather deviations with confident, precise radio technique.
Post-flight debriefing and reporting — document technical discrepancies, safety observations, and operational irregularities accurately using company reporting systems and office suite software.

Advanced

Lead / Principal / Executive

Airline operational standards — establish and refine standard operating procedures for flight departments to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency at scale.
Check airman and line training programs — design and conduct to evaluate pilot competency, mentor developing crew members, and maintain fleet qualification standards.
Safety management system leadership — drive proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation initiatives across flight operations using data from aviation safety reporting tools.
Regulatory liaison and policy advocacy — represent the organization in communications with FAA and government bodies to interpret rulemaking and shape compliance strategies.
Pilot performance evaluation — assess captain and first officer proficiency during line checks and simulator sessions, providing structured developmental feedback aligned to company standards.
Operational risk governance — lead go/no-go decision frameworks at the organizational level, integrating meteorological, mechanical, and scheduling risk factors to protect systemic safety.
Fleet transition and qualification planning — oversee pilot type rating programs and training curricula when new aircraft types are introduced into commercial service.
Emergency response command — coordinate organizational response to in-flight incidents and accidents, liaising with operations control, maintenance, and regulatory authorities in real time.
Cross-functional operational strategy — collaborate with dispatch, maintenance, and executive leadership to develop scheduling, routing, and fuel policies that optimize safety and efficiency.
Industry knowledge dissemination — author guidance materials, deliver safety briefings, and mentor junior pilots to elevate organizational aviation knowledge and professional standards.

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RAPIDS apprenticeships

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O*NET skills

Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationLearning StrategiesTroubleshootingSystems AnalysisWritingSocial PerceptivenessInstructingSystems EvaluationTime Management

Knowledge domains

Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageTransportationGeographyPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsPhysics

Abilities

Problem SensitivityControl PrecisionNear VisionPerceptual SpeedSelective AttentionInformation OrderingDepth PerceptionReaction TimeResponse OrientationFar Vision

Work styles

CautiousnessSelf-ControlDependabilityAttention to DetailStress ToleranceSelf-Confidence

Technology

Graphics or photo imaging softwareCharting softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareProject management softwareData base user interface and query softwareAviation ground support softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareMap creation softwareFlight control softwareOffice suite software

Tasks · seed anchors for statements

Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties, as required.
Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.

CIP education codes

49.010249.0108