Unfortunately, the publics' perception of the airline pilot is that of a glorified bus driver. The public has a vulgar lack of respect for the demanding responsibilities of the airline pilot. This lack of respect is due to an overall lack of knowledge of aviation on the part of the public. The following text is an example of the skills required of an airline pilot in an average day at the office.

Thunder, lightning, and heavy rain engulfs the Boeing 747-400 as it screams through the air. Every single person on board clenches his or her seats as the plane is jarred mercilessly by the heavy turbulence. Twenty miles from Chicago, the plane descends through 10,000 ft. to 4,000 ft trying to break out of the storm.

As the plane maneuvers through the incredibly rough air, the captain wipes his brow, anticipating the last twenty minuets of the flight. As the plane descends, lightening flashes all around the plane while hail bombards the aircraft emanating a sound similar to twenty construction workers hammering a piece of sheet metal.

"United 4261-Chicago Approach-you are cleared for the ILS 14R into O'Hare- maintain 2,500 until established on the localizer-report 15 miles out.

As the First Officer follows the captain's orders, the obnoxious sound of engines exceeding maximum RPMs echoes throughout the cabin of the plane. With passengers screaming and with the airplane loosing altitude, the captain declares an emergency.

Without pilots, the aviation industry would surely fail. Pilots are the backbone of this industry; without them the industry wouldn't be able to support the publics' demand for transportation. One must follow a grueling method in order to become an airline pilot, due to the responsibilities demanded by the position. It is a long, hard, road to become an airline pilot. Once attained, the job has its benefits: average pay of $150,000, work two weekends a month, and actually enjoy your job. If one is an aviation enthusiast, the position of an airline pilot may be a career choice to consider.

becomes visible to O'Hare's control tower. Lightning and thunder overwhelm the helpless plane as it plummets closer and closer to earth.

With the completion of either method, the aviator can then apply for a position with a major airline such as United Airlines, American Airlines, or Delta Airlines. The requirements of the applicant are as follows: Hold a current first class medical, hold a current Air Transport Pilot Certificate, logged 1,500 hours of flight time 500 of which must be pilot in command of a turbine powered aircraft. Following the previous methods will have enabled the aviator to fulfill all of the prerequisites. (Dr. D. NewMyer, personal communication, September 12, 1999).

"Jesus, one and three are on fire, and we are loosing altitude," exclaims the First Officer.

As an aviation enthusiast, my career goal is to become an airline pilot. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary for me to research this profession in detail so that I could fully understand the responsibilities of an airline pilot, the training needed, and the total flight hours required to secure the position. During my research, I interviewed a United Airlines captain in order to understand the process of attaining the credentials needed for the job. My findings have enabled me to discuss the responsibilities of an airline pilot, the process in which one becomes an airline pilot, and why it is an important job.

anti-icing equipment, two aural warnings commence, and engine fire lights for one and three light up.

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Approximate Word count = 1760
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)