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Description
Serve as pilot in command of scheduled air carrier flights, leading the flight crew and making final decisions to ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Airline Transport Pilot certificate and aircraft type rating; operates domestic and international routes.
  • • Exercise pilot-in-command authority and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
  • • Make go/no-go, route, altitude, and speed decisions to optimize safety and efficiency.
  • • Review and sign dispatch releases; coordinate with flight dispatch and maintenance control.
  • • Plan flights using weather, NOTAMs, aircraft status, alternates, and performance data.
  • • Approve fuel loads, payload, and weight-and-balance limits.
  • • Conduct and oversee preflight inspections; address discrepancies before departure.
  • • Brief flight deck and cabin crews on flight details, threats, and security procedures.
  • • Use instruments, FMS, and autopilot to navigate and manage the flight.
  • • Hand-fly as required and conduct takeoffs and landings.
  • • Communicate with ATC for clearances, instructions, and amendments.
  • • Monitor aircraft systems, engine parameters, and fuel state.
  • • Manage abnormalities and in-flight emergencies; execute checklists and procedures.
  • • Coordinate with cabin crew and make passenger announcements.
  • • Lead adherence to SOPs and checklists; delegate duties to the first officer.
  • • Coordinate ground operations with ramp, gate, fueling, and deicing teams.
  • • Order changes to fuel, routes, altitudes, or speeds as conditions warrant.
  • • Ensure compliance with company policies, MEL procedures, and security requirements.
  • • File or verify IFR flight plans and revisions.
  • • Maintain flight logs and required operational documentation.
  • • Arrange for maintenance actions and document write-ups post-flight.
  • • Mentor first officers and, when qualified, conduct line checks or evaluations.
  • • Oversee cockpit access and security protocols.
  • • Conduct post-flight debriefs and review crew performance.
  • • Manage diversions, irregular operations, and contingency plans.
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Source
Tasks & skills: O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge). Learn more
Sources & Standards: This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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