A Pilot

by Ludmila Nahorniak

A pilot is highly educated person. Compulsory knowledge of English is necessary for this job. He is sporty and well fit. He doesn't have any annoying habits. Due to the serious rules and all sorts of demands to stay healthy he lives a healthy life. Accuracy (tidiness) is also one of the aspects in this job.

The pilot usually takes turns to fly the plane to avoid fatigue, with one operating the controls while the other speaks to air traffic control and completes the paperwork.
The captain has the overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft and the safety of crew and passengers.
The job of a pilot comes with heavy responsibility and personal commitment.
Prior to the flight, pilot checks flight plans, ensures that the aircraft's controls are operating efficiently and calculates the required fuel for the flight.

Pilot checks all information on the route, weather, passengers and aircraft.
He uses that information to create a flight plan, which details the altitude for the flight. He ensures the fuel levels balance safety with economy and supervises the loading and fuelling of the aircraft.
He briefs cabin crew before the flight and maintaining regular contact throughout the flight.
He carries out pre-flight checks on the navigation and operating systems,communicates with air traffic control before taking-off and during flight and landing.

He makes regular checks on the aircraft's technical performance and position, on weather conditions and air traffic during flight.
He communicates with passengers using the public address system.
Pilot reacts quickly and appropriately to environmental changes and emergencies.
He updates the aircraft logbook and writes a report at the end of the flight noting any incidents or problems with the aircraft.

Pilot 'signs in' at least an hour before the flight. He stops in operations (an office with computers and a bunch of mailboxes) to check for any revisions to our manuals, prints out depictions of weather along our route of flight.

The co-pilot does the walk-around, looks at the tire pressures and condition, checks the status of the oxygen bottles for the cockpit, inspects the wear on the brakes to see if they're within tolerances, looks over the engine fan blades for any nicks and eyes, the entire airplane for fuel, oil or hydraulic leaks.

Inside, pilot programs the flight plan into a computer much like a GPS, sets a few markers or 'bugs' on the airspeed indicator denoting the speed. Pilot tests their oxygen masks, and the co-pilotlooks over the other emergency equipment and inspects all the electrical circuit breakers to be sure they're in place. Pilot is accurate not only with their work (job) but also in his outlook.He is ready to make quick maybe tough decisions. Hundreds of lives depend on the professional quality of a pilot. Pilot is ready to work in a team and has qualities of a leader. This is very interesting and responsible profession.

Follow-up questions:

1. Is a pilot highlya educated person?

2. Is a compulsory knowledge of English necessary for this job?

3. Is he sporty/ well fit?

4. Does he live a healthy life?

5. Is the accuracy one of the aspects in this job?

6. Whatdepends on the professional quality of a pilot?

7. Does a pilot work in a team?

8. Has he qualities of a leader?

9. When does a pilot check flight plans?

10. When does he calculate the required fuel?

11. What checks does the pilot carry out in a pre-flight?

12. How does the pilot communicate with passengers?

13. When does he update the aircraft logbook?

14. Why does the pilot update the aircraft logbook?

15.Does he check the status of the oxygen bottles for the cockpit?

16.Why does the pilot check the emergency equipment?

17. How much time before a flight do you need to be at the airport?