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Pick A Pilot
When most people think of pilots, their images are of airline pilots flying passengers to and from holiday and business destinations, or the 'Maverick' military pilots in action films. But if flying turns your propeller, you might also consider being a cargo, survey, charter, spotter, agricultural, or helicopter pilot or even a flight instructor.
A charter pilot is a pilot for hire, who carries people and materials to and from selected destinations, including mining sites. They are also engaged by people carrying out aerial photography, surveying or taking people on sightseeing tours. A cargo pilot, on the other hand, delivers anything from fresh food to mail on regular routes.
Spotter pilots are the eyes for a group on the ground - directing fire crews to remote forest fires or tour boats to whale sharks off Exmouth. Agricultural pilots fly crop dusting planes that spray crops with pesticides and fertilisers. Military pilots fly fighter, bomber, maritime patrol and transport aircraft, as well as helicopters for the Air Force, Army and Navy.
''There are career opportunities for the young school leaver right through to the person who decides to make a career change in their middle years,'' says Andrew Baumanis, formerly of the WA Aviation College in Jandakot.
''We have had students who have made mid-life career changes just to become flying instructors. They love flying that much.''
Pilots, 77% of whom are men, work throughout the State with about 30% working in the regional areas, flying float planes in the Kimberleys and mining charter flights in the South East.
It's a popular and high profile career, characterised by very competitive entry, a high degree of responsibility and the need to maintain high standards of competence and fitness not just to cope with emergencies but to remain focused and alert for long periods of time.
Keeping It Grounded
The work of a pilot begins long before they get in the air. Pilots spend a lot of time before each flight carefully planning the flight route, examining the weather reports, balancing the cargo and passenger load, calculating the fuel required and inspecting the aircraft.
They are ultimately responsible for the safey of their passengers, crew and cargo and every precaution is taken before the plane leaves the ground. Often those flying smaller charters are also responsible for loading and unloading passengers and cargo.
Pilots are required to fly during both night and day and in a variety of weather conditions and climates. Be prepared to work irregular hours and to be away from home a lot, including weekends and holidays. However, since pilots are limited in the number of hours they are permitted to fly, they may also spend lengthy periods at home.
Training is costly and pilots frequently change jobs and localities in the earlier parts of their careers while they gain experience.
Preparing For Take Off
Pilots start by applying for their Student Pilot Licence which includes passing a medical examination. The first stage is then the General Flying Progress Test which allows them to carry passengers in the area close to the aerodrome. After navigation training and exams, they qualify for the Private Pilot Licence.
The next step is the Commercial Pilot Licence, which permits pilots to fly for hire or reward. With this licence, you can become a flying instructor, charter, air ambulance, aerial survey, corporate, or coastwatch pilot.
For most full-time flying jobs, experience is the key, so getting as much practice as possible and in a variety of aircraft is helpful in increasing your employment opportunities.
To become an airline captain, you'll need the Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), which requires further study and accumulating 1,500 hours of flight experience. With an ATPL, the sky is literally the limit.
While military pilots can also find employment with commercial companies, entry via this route is also highly competitive. They receive excellent training and are required to remain in military service for at least 11.5 years after graduation.
The good news is that there are now better employment opportunities for experienced pilots in Australia. Despite the pandemonium linked to events such as September 11 and the SARS outbreak, the aviation industry now appears to be on the upswing.
Starting salaries for full-time pilots new to the industry can be as low as $30,000. Quite often, however, new entrants to this industry have to supplement their flying income, which is often casual-based and can hover more around the $10,000 mark. Salaries are around $35,000 for full-time general aviation pilots who usually fly with small commercial or charter companies where the work is subject to demand. Full-time airline pilots are a different story. According to the Australian Federation of Air Pilots, the top end of the pay scale is $250,000!
For more information regarding these high-flyers' salaries, you could contact an airline, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority or the Australian Defence Force directly.
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