Commercial Pilots

• Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
• Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
• Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
• Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.
• Contact control towers for takeoff clearances, arrival instructions, and other information, using radio equipment.
• Obtain and review data such as load weights, fuel supplies, weather conditions, and flight schedules to determine flight plans and identify needed changes.
• File instrument flight plans with air traffic control so that flights can be coordinated with other air traffic.
• Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.
• Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
• Plan flights according to government and company regulations, using aeronautical charts and navigation instruments.
• Choose routes, altitudes, and speeds that will provide the fastest, safest, and smoothest flights.
• Co-pilot aircraft or perform captain's duties as required.
• Coordinate flight activities with ground crews and air traffic control, and inform crew members of flight and test procedures.
• Request changes in altitudes or routes as circumstances dictate.
• Write specified information in flight records, such as flight times, altitudes flown, and fuel consumption.
• Supervise other crew members.
• Fly with other pilots or pilot-license applicants to evaluate their proficiency.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Commercial Pilots.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Commercial Pilots.