Aeroplane Pilot | Kaiwhakahaere Waka Rererangi

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Aeroplane pilots fly planes that transport people and goods, or spread fertiliser or bait.

Pay

Aeroplane pilots usually earn

$96K-$283K per year

Aeroplane pilots can earn

$62K-$392K per year

Source : TEC research

Job opportunities

Chances of getting a job as an aeroplane pilot are good for experienced pilots due to demand for their services

Pay for aeroplane pilots varies depending on experience, qualifications, location and what type of plane they fly.

New pilots' work may be irregular and part time. They may need to rely on a supplementary job to make a living, until they have enough flying experience to apply for work at an airline.

Aeroplane pilots usually earn $96,000 to $283,000 per year.

Aeroplane pilots can earn $62,000 to $392,000 per year.

Source : TEC research.

Charter or agricultural pilots and flying instructors

Charter pilots, agricultural pilots and flying instructors often work part time. They may start on the minimum hourly wage.

Aeroplane pilots may do some or all of the following :

• prepare or check flight plans
• do pre-flight checks of weather forecasts and the plane's load, fuel and equipment
• calculate the amount of fuel needed for flights
• liaise with air traffic control
• navigate and fly the plane to its destination
• write flight reports and keep a flight log
• greet passengers and assist them if necessary.

Agricultural pilots may also :

Skills and knowledge

Aeroplane pilots need to have :

Agricultural pilots also need to have :

Working conditions

You need a qualification and training to become an aeroplane pilot.

You need :

Military pilots

To become a military pilot, you need to join the Royal NZ Air Force and complete their training.

You need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job. Useful subjects include English, maths and physics.

Flying experience at aero clubs

If you are between 12 and 18 years old, you can apply for the Young Eagles flying experience programme, run through local aero clubs.

Additional requirements for specialist roles :

To become an aircraft captain of a plane that needs a co-pilot, you must also have an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).

Personal requirements

Aeroplane pilots need to be :

Useful experience

Useful experience for aeroplane pilots includes :

Physical requirements

Aeroplane pilots need to have :

Chances of getting a job as an experienced aeroplane pilot are good due to :

In early 2023, Air New Zealand, the largest employer of aeroplane pilots, asked qualified and experienced pilots to register their interest in :

According to the Census, 2,580 aeroplane pilots worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Demand for agricultural pilots varies

Demand for agricultural pilots varies depending on the strength of the agriculture, horticulture and forestry economies.

Ways to get your first pilot job

It can be difficult for new aeroplane pilots to secure their first job. A 2018 survey of new pilots found only 43 percent had work as a pilot within one year of getting their Commercial Pilot Licence. Often this was part time.

To gain your first flying job it helps to :

Air New Zealand the main employer of aeroplane pilots

Most aeroplane pilots work for Air New Zealand. Others work for :

Sources

Newly qualified aeroplane pilots often complete further training to work as flying instructors. This means they can build up enough flying hours to apply for work at an airline.

Aeroplane pilots can specialise in a number of roles, including :

Agricultural Pilot Agricultural pilots fly aircraft to apply chemicals or fertiliser to farmland. They may fly fixed‑wing aircraft or helicopters. Charter Pilot Charter pilots fly tourist or air ambulance services, or provide services such as aerial photography or land surveying.

Aeroplane pilots fly planes that transport people or goods

Aeronautical engineers plan and supervise the design, development and modification of all types of flight vehicles. They also monitor and analyse in‑service failures and faults.

Air traffic controllers direct the safe and orderly movement of aircraft while they are flying, landing, taking off and taxiing.

Aircraft maintenance engineers keep aeroplanes safe. They install, inspect, maintain and repair aircraft, aircraft radio, avionic (electronic), navigation, communication and electrical and mechanical systems.

Flightinstructors teach people how to fly aeroplanes, helicopters or other aircraft.

Helicopter pilots fly helicopters to transport goods, people including photographers, spread fertiliser, spray crops, lift items into difficult sites and provide air rescue and ambulance services.

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