Aircraft pilot facts for kids
An aircraft pilot, also called an aviator, is a person who flies an airplane, helicopter, or other aircraft. They control the aircraft's direction and speed. Other people who work on an aircraft, like navigators or flight engineers, are also sometimes called aviators because they help operate the plane's systems. However, people like flight attendants or ground crew are not usually called aviators.
Many militaries and airlines give special badges to pilots. These badges show that the pilot is qualified and has important responsibilities.
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What is a Pilot?
The word aviator comes from the Latin word avis, which means bird. It was first used in 1887. Long ago, a female pilot was called an aviatrix, but this word is not used much anymore. Today, everyone who flies an aircraft is simply called a pilot.
In the early days of flying, airplanes were very rare. Pilots were seen as brave and adventurous. For example, in 1905, a book described the Wright brothers' first airplane. It said the plane, including the aviator, weighed a little over 700 pounds.
History of Pilots
To keep everyone safe, flying soon required that aircraft always be controlled by a trained and certified pilot. This pilot is responsible for flying safely and legally.
The first pilot certificate was given to Louis Blériot in France in 1908. Other famous early pilots like Glenn Curtiss also received certificates soon after. The British Royal Aero Club started giving certificates in 1910, and the Aero Club of America in 1911.
Types of Civilian Pilots
Civilian pilots fly many different kinds of aircraft. They might fly for fun, for charity, or for business. Many civilian pilots work for airlines, flying passengers and cargo. These pilots are often called airline pilots. The pilot in charge of an airline flight is usually called the captain.
Civilian pilots also work in other areas. They might fly for corporate companies, spray crops, help control forest fires, or assist law enforcement.
Airline Pilots
In 2017, there were about 290,000 airline pilots worldwide. Experts predicted a need for many more pilots in the years that followed. This was because more people were flying, and many older pilots were retiring.
For example, Boeing expected a need for 790,000 new pilots over 20 years from 2018. Most of these were for commercial airlines. A large number were needed in Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe.
Sometimes, there are not enough qualified pilots. This can lead to pilots moving between different types of flying jobs. For instance, some pilots who flew private jets for companies returned to airlines. This was because airlines offered good pay and benefits.
Pilot Training and Rules
In Canada, flying an aircraft is regulated by the Aeronautics Act. This law sets the rules for Pilot licensing in Canada. Each airline sets its own retirement age for pilots.
In the United States, there were over 690,000 active pilot certificates in 2020. This number was lower than in 1980, when there were over 800,000 pilots. The Air Commerce Act of 1930 created the rules for pilot licenses in the U.S. Commercial airline pilots in the United States must retire at age 65. This age was increased from 60 in 2007.
Military Pilots
Military pilots fly for a country's armed forces, usually the air force. Their jobs include flying in combat and support missions. They might fly fighter jets, bombers, or transport planes. Military pilots receive special training, often including how to use weapons. Some military pilots also become test pilots or even astronauts.
Military pilot training is different from civilian training. This is because military aircraft, flight goals, and situations are unique. Many military pilots later become civilian pilots. Their military experience helps them get a civilian pilot's license.
During World War I, France created the world's first bombing group in 1914. Early bombing planes could only carry small amounts of bombs. Pilots would simply throw the bombs out of the plane. Despite this, early bombing missions began to take place.
Unmanned Aircraft Pilots
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as "drones," fly without a pilot on board. Some drones fly by themselves using computers. Others are controlled remotely by a person on the ground. This person is often called a drone pilot or operator.
Drone pilots may need special training or certification. However, their requirements are usually different from those for pilots of manned aircraft. Most countries have rules about where drones can fly. This has limited their use, mostly to military and hobby flying. As rules change, more drones are expected to be used, creating a demand for more drone pilots.
Space Pilots
The idea of a pilot also applies to human spaceflight. A space pilot is an astronaut who directly controls a spacecraft. This term comes from how the word "pilot" is used in aviation.
How to Become a Pilot
Pilots need many hours of flight training and study. The first step is usually getting a Private Pilot License (PPL). In the United States, this takes at least 35 to 40 hours of flight training. Most of this training is with a Certified Flight Instructor.
After a PPL, pilots might get an Instrument Rating or a Multi-Engine Rating. If someone wants to be a professional pilot, they need a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). To be the captain of an airliner, a pilot must get an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). In some countries, pilots also need a multi-crew cooperation (MCC) certificate.
See also
In Spanish: Piloto de aviación para niños
- Airline pilot uniforms
- Air safety
- IMSAFE (a checklist for pilots to ensure they are fit to fly)
- List of aviators
- Pilot fatigue
- Pilot logbook
