In the beginning pilots will usually start their careers as co-pilots before working their way up to becoming fully-qualified pilots themselves. This is usually achieved over a period of time once the co-pilot has built up their experience, flying time and developed a number of key skills. Pilots will initially start off with smaller air craft often on short haul flights to help them build up their experience. Usually after about 5 years they will apply to become co-pilots on long haul flights and make the gradual progress to pilot. Promotion to the position of captain usually requires at least 2,400 flying hours but this is dependant on each individual and salaries can range from around £25,000 to £80,000 or more a year.

The minimum qualification required for an airline pilot is a 'frozen' Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). This involves passing written examinations for the ATPL and doing 200 hours of flight training, including flight tests. Commercial pilots are put in charge of a machine that is literally worth millions of pounds and therefore to become a pilot you need to develop a number of key skills. Although this job has a number of benefits, their is also a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the pilot as they are responsible for all the people on board. They must ensure they arrive at their destination safely.

Pilots will communicate with and follow the instructions of air traffic controllers via radio equipment throughout their flights, particularly during takeoff and landing. As an aircraft progresses along a flight route and moves into airspace handled by different air traffic control centres, communication will be transferred to a new controller for each particular sector of airspace.

The pilot is the captain of the aircraft and he must therefore demonstrate leadership qualities by directing his crew and ensuring that they all fulfil their duties before, during and after the plane has taken off.

If you feel that you would not be able to handle the responsibility that the job of a pilot brings with it then it is recommended that you do not apply for this role. This is often a part of the job that many applicants do not consider and it can hinder them in their application.

The main role of an airline pilot is to fly people from destination A to destination B in a safe, smooth manner. Airline pilots will typically work on a shift basis and many get to travel to all parts of the world. One of the great advantages of becoming an airline pilot is that each day is different, exciting and brings with it new challenges and new people.