Top 4:12
Jobs with airlines are typically glamourised among the youth today.
Pilots fly planes and helicopters to provide air transportation. Flight engineers (second officers) monitor the functioning of aircraft during flight and may assist in flying the aircraft. Flying instructors teach flying techniques and procedures to students and to update licensed pilots. Air pilots, flight engineers and flight instructors are employed by airline and air freight companies, flying schools, the armed forces and other public and private sector aircraft operators.
Air traffic controllers direct air traffic within assigned airspace and control moving aircraft and service vehicles at airports. Flight dispatchers authorise airline flights over assigned routes. Flight service specialists provide pilots with flight information essential to aviation safety. Air traffic controllers, flight service specialists and flight dispatchers are employed by the federal government, including the armed forces. Flight dispatchers are also employed by airline and air services companies.
Cabin crew, flight stewards and stewardesses ensure that the passengers' journey is comfortable.
However, a career in an airline is not as rosy as is generally perceived. It involves a lot of sweat and toil.
Top The work that ground crew, flight attendants and pilots do is very diverse.
Pilots and flight engineers fly aircraft to transport passengers and cargo.
Before the flight, pilots plan their route, altitude and speed. They calculate the takeoff speed based on weather, type of plane, and weight. Pilots check the weather forecast for the route and their destination. They also check that all systems are functioning properly. Pilots check that the cargo was loaded properly.
During takeoff and landing, the pilot focuses on the runway while the first officer watches the instrument panel. When the plane reaches takeoff speed, the first officer informs the pilot who pulls back on the controls to raise the nose of the plane.
During the flight, pilots use the autopilot and flight management computer to steer the plane along the route. They continue to check the instrument panels to be sure that all systems are working properly. If the weather is bad, pilots rely completely on their instruments to guide them.
After the flight, pilots write a report of the trip. Small airlines may have pilots help with the luggage, supervise refueling, and participate in non-flight activities, such as scheduling flights and maintenance.
Helicopter pilots often transport passengers and sometimes move freight. Helicopters are used for short trips at relatively low altitudes. Thus pilots must be on the lookout for trees, bridges, power lines, and other obstacles. Regardless of the type of aircraft, pilots must monitor warning systems that detect sudden shifts in the wind.
Most flights involve an overnight stay. The airline pays for the hotel, transportation to the hotel, and for some other expenses. Work schedules can be irregular because airlines fly all hours of the day and night. Flight assignments are based on seniority.
Pilots who do not work for the airlines also have irregular schedules. They spend more time than airline pilots on non-flight duties and have less free time. Most of these pilots do not stay away overnight, although they may work early morning or late evening hours. Pilots who work as instructors often work evenings or weekends.
Airline pilots are occasionally exposed to the weather and to very loud noise. Pilots, especially those who fly to other countries, often suffer jet lag. This is fatigue that is caused by flying through different time zones. Moving mechanical parts, such as engine blades, could injure pilots.
Test pilots, who fly new or experimental planes, are exposed to danger. Those who do crop dusting may be exposed to chemicals as well as the danger of not having a regular landing strip. Helicopter pilots who fly for the police face the danger of being shot.
Although flying an airplane is not physically demanding, it is mentally demanding. The mental stress of being responsible for a safe flight can be tiring. During takeoff and landing, pilots must be especially alert.
Airline ground crew workers clean the plane during flights and prepare it for the next flight. Some workers help passengers with their tickets and other needs.
Airline ground crew work both indoors and outdoors. Those who work outdoors are exposed to all kinds of weather. In addition, the work area can be very noisy so they wear ear protection.
Ground crew workers may be exposed to fumes from aircraft. They are occasionally exposed to injury from moving mechanical parts. Most ground crew workers wear uniforms. All must carry identification for security purposes. Schedules may include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some ground crew workers work part time.
It is the duty of the cabin crew to carry out a pre-flight check of emergency equipment, first aid kits, and check that the aircraft and toilets are tidy and seat pocket information is in place.
They have to check that meals and beverages have been provided on board by the flight kitchen. Greeting passengers on the aircraft, managing their seating and storage of hand baggage, giving instructions/demonstrations for the use of emergency equipment and serving food and beverages during the flight are routine duties.
They are trained in dealing with ill health of passengers, as also flight emergencies, which is, in fact, the real test of their courage and responsibility. After each flight, the cabin crew submit a report on medication administered, cabin equipment and stocks, account of duty free items sold, etc.
Duty hours often extend into the night, holidays and weekends, as flights operate round the clock. The in-flight working hours are approximately 75-85 hours per month and ground duty hours spent in preparing for the flight or waiting for delayed flights may vary, but could be almost the same.
There is no doubt that the job of crew member is interesting, but it is also extremely demanding, both physically and emotionally. Duties are long and work pressure immense. There may be passengers on board whose demands need to be handled with professional tact and integrity.
Top Airlines personnel consist of ground staff, the pilot and co-pilot, airhostesses and the rest of the cabin crew.
Most pilots transport passengers and cargo. However, some pilots test aircraft or teach flying to students, or patrol forests.
Except on small aircraft, two pilots usually make up the cockpit crew. The captain is in charge and supervises the other crewmembers. The first officer helps the captain communicate with the tower, monitor flight instruments, and operate controls.
Large airplanes may have a third pilot, the flight engineer. The duties of the flight engineer include preflight checks and monitoring the mechanical and electrical systems.
There are several types of airline ground crew. Some work with the passengers while others work on the plane.
Skycaps, ground attendants, ticket agents, and passenger service agents all work with passengers.
Skycaps help passengers with their luggage. They may check in baggage at the terminal entrance or help passengers bring their luggage into the terminal.
Ground attendants answer questions about fares, help locate lost baggage, and explain missed connections. They also help passengers who are ill or in need of a wheelchair.
Ticket agents work at the airport ticket counter where they check in passengers. They examine passengers' tickets, answer questions, and check in the baggage. Ticket agents also sell tickets to passengers who come to the airport or who order tickets over the phone.
Passenger service agents work with passengers who missed their connections or were bumped off over-sold flights. These agents perform many of the same duties as ticket agents. However, the passengers they deal with may be angry, upset, or hurried. In addition, passenger service agents may help with the boarding or deplaning of passengers. Ticket agents and passenger service agents use computers to check in passengers and to locate flight information.
Ground crew workers who work on the plane are sometimes called ramp service personnel. There are several types of these workers. Cabin service workers clean the airplane and cockpit during flights. Thus they vacuum the floor, pick up trash, wash the kitchen and restrooms, and fold blankets. They also replace the headrest covers, refill seats with magazines and safety information, and clean the cockpit windows. Other workers take care of the outside of the plane. They wash, polish, and touch up the paint.
Baggage and air cargo handlers load and unload baggage, mail, air express, and air cargo shipments. They operate baggage tugs, conveyors, forklifts, and other baggage handling equipment.
Aircraft fuellers operate the fueling equipment. They drive a fuel truck and pump the fuel into the plane.
Other ramp personnel drive food trucks, mobile stairs, and conveyors.
Linepeople use flashlights and arm motions to guide planes to parking spots.
Air freight agents do not work on the plane or work with the passengers. Instead, they keep track of the air freight as it arrives and is loaded and unloaded. They also handle contacts with air freight customers. Air freight agents use phones to contact customers and computers to keep track of the freight.
Cabin crew include flight stewards and stewardesses, also known as air hostesses. It is the duty of the cabin crew to carry out a pre-flight check of emergency equipment, first aid kits, and check that the aircraft and toilets are tidy and seat pocket information is in place.
They have to check that meals and beverages have been provided on board by the flight kitchen.
Greeting passengers on the aircraft, managing their seating and storage of hand baggage, giving instructions/demonstrations for the use of emergency equipment and serving food and beverages during the flight are routine duties.
Top The folllowing are some general requirements for pilots:
Good ability to coordinate the movement of eyes, hands, and feet when moving pedals and levers
Good ability to understand and use words when talking to others
Good ability to understand the relationship between aircraft controls and their functions
Good ability to work with numbers
Ability to coordinate the movement of eyes and hands or fingers, as when operating flight controls
Ability to make decisions and solve problems
Ability to listen to spoken instructions and gather the needed information
Ability to move hands easily and skillfully
Ability to operate aircraft with precision
Ability to see detail in pictures, such as a radar screen
Willingness to cope with stressful situations
Willingness to perform a variety of tasks
Pilots also need to
Frequently see the difference between colours
Frequently see nearby objects clearly, such as when reading a flight schedule
Frequently see distant objects clearly, such as the landing strip
Frequently judge the distance between objects, such as other planes
Frequently observe a large area while focusing on one point; for example, focusing on the landing point but still watching for other planes in the area
Frequently use arms and hands to reach for and handle objects, such as flight controls
Frequently talk and listen to others
Frequently use fingers to make fine movements, such as push buttons
Occasionally climb, stoop, and kneel while working
Occasionally lift and move objects that weigh up to 20 pounds
Some small airlines will hire pilots who have a high school diploma. However, most airlines require at least two years of college and prefer that applicants have a college degree.
But whatever the relaxation with academic qualifications, the minimum technical qualification is a commercial pilot's licence. Employers prefer that applicants have experience flying the type of aircraft they will be flying.
For ground crew, most employers require that employees have a high school diploma. Some specialities require a driver's license and a good driving record. Skills are learned on the job. However, experience operating forklifts and handling freight is helpful. Employees can work up from lower-paying jobs as cabin cleaners to higher-paying jobs as baggage handlers, drivers, and aircraft fuelers.
An ideal cabin attendant is sociable with a naturally warm and pleasant personality and someone who can meet passenger needs through sincere yet professional service.
Agility, stamina and good health are vital to attend to the stressful duties for long hours. The job demands accountability, hence, people who are responsible, calm and hardworking will find work rewarding.
Crew members are expected to be of a polite, tactful and confident disposition. The work on board an aircraft demands an ability to work as part of a team, clear speech, good conversational skills and fluency in English, Hindi, a regional language and a foreign language.
Good language ability and proficiency in English, Hindi, a regional language and, at least, one foreign language are essential requirements for in-flight crew members working for national or international carriers.
Preference is given to degree or diploma holders in hotel management/tourism. Female candidates from a Home Science background, fulfilling other requirements, are also preferred.
Some foreign airlines give weightage to previous customer service experience. They also give preference to candidates who are fluent in the language of the region for which they are recruiting. For example, an airline operating in the South-East Asian region would prefer a candidate with knowledge of regional language.
As for physical requirements, for air hostesses, a minimum height of 157.5 cms and for flight pursers, a minimum height of 163 cms is necessary. Proportionate weight is desirable. Normal eyesight without glasses or a minimum of uncorrected distant vision of 6.4 is acceptable.
After the requisite training, aspirants may find openings in either the national carriers - Indian Airlines and Air India, and now Alliance Airways - or with the private airlines like Jet Airways, Damania Airways or Sahara Airlines.
Apart from this, international airlines also offer jobs based on their routes.
Careers in the airline industry usually last upto age 58.
The national air carriers, Air India and Indian Airlines recruit graduates from all subject streams in the 19-25 age group, for training as air hostesses and flight pursuers.
Some private airlines, however, select applicants after 10+2 from the age group of 18-21.
International airlines recruit airhostesses from the age group of 18-35. Recruitment of flight pursuers from India has only been initiated recently by some international carriers.
While most airlines maintain databanks of prospective candidates suitable for recruitment as cabin crew, vacancies are generally advertised from time to time.
The Armed Forces are one source of training for pilots. Air Force pilots gain experience on jet aircraft and helicopters which makes them attractive to employers.
Flying schools are another option. There are numerous flying clubs scattered all over the country, government aided as well as private. A government-aided flying club is definitely cheaper, charging about Rs 1,800-2,500 per hour.
However, at these clubs, instruction is slow and logging in 40 hours can take eight months to a year and 250 hours, about three years.
The best know government-aided flying club, The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Akademi, better known as IGRUA, is a good option. Situated in Rae Barreilly, Uttar Pradesh, this is a government-aided flying academy and candidates are chosen from all over India.
The admissions are difficult and the prospective candidate must have a PPL with 60 hours of flying apart from clearing an entrance examination.
Short-listed candidates are subjected to the Pilot's Aptitude Test and an interview. On clearing the test and the interview, 20 students are admitted to the academy. IGRUA advertises in all the national newspapers as and when they are ready admit new entrants. The fee is very reasonable.
Scholarships at IGRUA
Amongst the short-listed students, the ones who secure a place within the first 10 pay Rs 5 lakhs for their training. Those who secure a place in the next 10 pay Rs 10 lakhs. There are a lot of scholarships and grants available on merit and need. The Air India scholarship offers money up to Rs 8 lakhs that covers the entire fees of two deserving candidates. The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation offers 6 lakhs especially for deserving women students. There are various other scholarships like the Indian Airlines scholarships that help with part of the fees.
There are also some good government flying clubs, such as the Madhya Pradesh flying club (MPFC) in Bhopal, Delhi flying club (DFC) in New Delhi, Jamshedpur flying club in Jamshedpur and Andhra Pradesh flying club (APFC) in Hyderabad.
In a private flying club, the expenses are quite high - each flying hour costs nearly Rs 3,500-4,000. However, one can log in hours much faster here (60 hours in three months). There are also lodging arrangements for outstation students and the instructors are very competent.
Amongst private flying clubs, Ahmedabad Aviation Academy (AAA) in Ahmedabad is reputed to be the best.Carver Aviation in Belgaum is another private club that has done quite well. In all, expenditure towards getting a commercial pilot's licence can be almost Rs 8 to 10 lakhs.
There is no formal training required for cabin crew, including air hostesses and flight pursors for applying for a job. All the training will be given at the cost of the airline after one is selected. It is advisable to avoid schools purporting to be qualified to train one for such jobs.
The process of selection for cabin crew followed by national carriers is slightly different from that of international carriers. The former, after careful scrutiny of applications, call candidates for a written test comprising of general knowledge, mental ability and verbal ability. This is followed by an interview and group discussion.
International airlines on the other hand conduct a preliminary interview, during which the height and weight of the applicants is also checked. The candidates have to then take a written test which is a test of general knowledge, mental ability, language ability (including vocabulary, listening, reading, speaking tests for Hindi and English). This is followed by the main interview. During this the candidate's language fluency, diction, voice, communication skill, personality and crises management skills are assessed.
Candidates are expected to have a good knowledge of the aviation industry.
Selected candidates are trained by the airline. Each airline has a training schedule for the freshly recruited in-flight staff and this is carried out at their exclusive training centres or by agencies appointed by them.
Air India trains its cabin crew at Mumbai, while Indian Airlines has a training centre at Hyderabad.
International airlines send the recruited candidates to their headquarters where the training is carried out over a span of few weeks. During the training, recruits are taught technical, safety and interpersonal skills. They are familiarised with the aviation technicalities, as well as about the destinations they are expected to be flying to.
Food and beverage service, emergency management and first aid comprise the practical training. Most of the practical training, including flight safety exercises are carried out in mock aircraft cabins.
The training generally lasts for six to seven weeks, after which flight trainees are assigned to work in the economy class, during which time they also participate in progressive training and development to enhance their in-flight skills.