Description
Pilot and navigate fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters on nonscheduled commercial operations such as charter, air ambulance, or air tours. Requires a Commercial Pilot certificate and compliance with FAA and company regulations. Excludes scheduled airline operations.
- • Preflight the aircraft to verify engines, controls, instruments, and systems are serviceable.
- • Communicate with air traffic control for clearances, instructions, and advisories.
- • Start engines, operate controls, and fly to transport passengers, cargo, or mail per flight plans and regulations.
- • Monitor engines, fuel, and aircraft systems in flight.
- • Calculate performance considering field elevation, temperature, weight, wind, and runway conditions.
- • Adjust fuel loads, payload, routes, or schedules to ensure flight safety.
- • Review weight and balance, fuel, weather, NOTAMs, and schedules to develop and adjust flight plans.
- • Plan flights per FAA and company rules using aeronautical charts, EFBs, and navigation systems.
- • Fly by instruments when required (e.g., IMC or night).
- • Verify baggage and cargo are secured, balanced, and within limits.
- • Request altitude, speed, or route changes as conditions warrant.
- • Select routes, altitudes, and speeds for safe, efficient, and comfortable flights.
- • Coordinate with ground crews and ATC, and brief crew and passengers on procedures and safety.
- • Maintain flight logs and operational records, including times, altitudes, and fuel.
- • Provide training on company procedures to other pilots, as assigned.
- • Instruct pilots or students in aircraft operations when qualified.
- • File VFR/IFR flight plans and obtain releases as required.
- • Conduct in-flight checks and evaluations of aircraft systems and equipment as required.
- • Support air ambulance or rescue operations, including patient transport and evacuation, when assigned.
- • Supervise and coordinate other crewmembers.
- • Perform basic aircraft servicing and coordinate maintenance discrepancies.
- • Conduct proficiency checks or observation flights when designated.
- • Plan flight activities and prepare evaluation or post-flight reports.
- • Serve as pilot in command or second in command as assigned.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Supply Chain & Transportation
View
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
