I’m a flight safety expert, which is why pilots are so much more than ‘bus drivers in the sky’

It’s a job summary that all pilots are familiar with – that they’re just ‘bus drivers in the air’.

But it’s one that Joji Waites, head of flight safety at pilot union Balpastates is a myth.

Here he explains why the profession of pilot is ‘much more than just flying the plane’.

PILOT NAVIGATOR

As advanced electronic flight management systems were developed, the position navigator was discontinued. Nowadays, every pilot must be able to get the plane from A to B. That means planning the route… checking the weather along the way, knowing what detours there are and how to get there. You must also be able to program and monitor the aircraft’s onboard navigation systems and have a good understanding of how to navigate if they fail.

PILOT ENGINEER

Like the navigator role, this position is also included in that of the pilot.

In modern aircraft, when a malfunction, abnormality or emergency occurs, it is displayed on an electronic display panel and action must be taken to correct the abnormal condition. However, despite automation, pilots still need an extensive knowledge of aircraft systems to deal with problems that may arise and sometimes to think ‘out of the box’.

PILOT COMPUTER TECHNICIAN

Modern aviation is all about computers. Fewer people in the cockpit means more technology on board. But all this technology needs to be programmed and controlled and that’s where humans come in. Pilots today must understand a variety of computer systems that help control, navigate and communicate with the aircraft. When you’re flying through autopilot, you never want to hear the phrase “what’s it doing now?” You must be ahead of the aircraft and automation at all times.

WITH OFFICER

Do you know what haboobs are? Or how do you recognize a cumulonimbus cloud? Your pilot will. (FYI: Haboobs are violent and oppressive winds that blow in the summer in Sudan and elsewhere, bringing sand from the desert. A cumulonimbus cloud is a dense towering vertical cloud associated with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability.)

The weather has a major influence on flights. Pilots need to know whether to de-ice the aircraft before takeoff, carry extra fuel to allow for diversions around thunderstorms, or expect turbulence in a sector. Part of the extensive training includes understanding meteorology and it is a skill that pilots always use to keep flights safe.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

“When you’re flying through autopilot, you never want to hear the phrase ‘what’s it doing now?’ says Joji Waites of Balpa. ‘[Pilots] must be ahead of the aircraft and automation at all times’

On a typical day, pilots deal with other flight attendants, ground crew, cabin crew, air traffic control and passengers to name a few. A pilot must be able to communicate well, not only in aviation terms (for example, using the radio to talk to ATC), but also on an interpersonal level.

For starters, pilots fly with so many different crews that they should be able to easily bond with other flight and cabin crew. They must be able to clearly exchange information with people they have not met before. A pilot must also pass on information to passengers. And that’s where the next part of the job specification comes in.

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

A pilot’s first concern is always the safety of the flight. But pilots pride themselves on providing their passengers with the best possible service. Explain a technical issue that caused a delay, notify them of the weather at their destination, or point out the possibility of seeing a famous landmark like [they] flying by can all contribute to a passenger’s experience of a flight.

PROBLEM SOLVER

A captain is not only responsible for his passengers, but also has final responsibility for all crew members on board. Understanding their needs, flight time restrictions, rest requirements, industry agreements and supporting them in their dealings with passengers is an essential part of the job. Pilots can be away from home for extended periods of time and sometimes people need personal support.

Not to mention pilots can suddenly find themselves very close to terrorist attacks, military coups and natural disasters! Along with senior cabin crew members, this is another part of the role in directing and caring for all crew members.

ADMINISTRATOR

The masses of paper pilots used to have to deal with are rapidly diminishing with the introduction of electronic flight bags and iPads. However, the same information and requirements are there, only more in electronic form. Pilots must ensure that they have all correct and relevant flight documentation and that all required reports from the flight are properly written and filed in a timely manner.

In general, being a pilot is a job that Balpa members find interesting and varied. The skilled pilot is part of an intricate safety system that mitigates risk and keeps passengers safe. Pilots are much more than just aircraft operators – they are skilled professionals who are part of a vital safety system that ensures passengers, crew and cargo arrive safely at their destination. As pressure mounts from some parts of the industry for operations with further crew reductions – eventually leading to fully autonomous operations – the recognition of these skills and the safety added value of a multi-crew cockpit is more important than ever.

The above is excerpted from a blog post Joji wrote for Balpa. Click here to read it. For more information about Balpa visit www.balpa.org.