Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

The Work

The work of a Pilot is both physically and mentally demanding, but it is also a rewarding, fulfilling and challenging career. Working in an aircraft cockpit requires a high degree of discipline, and teamwork is an essential element of the job.

On reporting for duty on an average day Pilots are responsible for pre-flight preparation, filing the flight plan and calculating fuel required, taking into consideration meteorological information and passenger and cargo loads.

Pilots must liaise with Operations Control Staff, Engineers and Cabin Crew and they must check that the aircraft and its systems are prepared for departure. They conduct checks on controls, instruments and engines.  
 
Between take-off and landing the crew operates and navigates the aircraft, communicates with Air Traffic Control, listens to weather reports, monitors engines and systems, checks fuel consumption, and advises passengers on the progress of their flight.

They make sure that the passengers are informed of emergency procedures. Duties are usually shared with one co-Pilot, but responsibility for the aircraft and its safety finally rests with the Pilot.  
 
After landing, when the aircraft has been taxied to its final position, the Pilot shuts down the engines and writes a flight report, noting any problems or technical difficulties.  
 
Flight decks where Pilots spend long hours in a seated position can be very confined spaces. Flight delays because of weather or other difficulties, plus the fact that aircraft operate around the clock, will mean irregular working hours (including weekends and bank holidays) and periods spent overseas in a hotel or airport. They have to be prepared to make numerous flights in the one day and prepared to make the same flight regularly.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
• 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.
• Check baggage or cargo to ensure that it has been loaded correctly.
• Order changes in fuel supplies, loads, routes, or schedules to ensure safety of flights.

Further Information

• Airline Pilot - Civil Aviation - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Airline Pilot - Civil Aviation - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

There are many registered training facilities and approved training organisations located throughout Ireland which can take people as young as 16 and train them towards their pilot's licence. 

The initial Private Pilots Licence can be obtained via either a Registered Training Facility or Approved Training Organisation (ATO) but to gain a commercial Pilot's Licence, then you must train solely with an ATO . 

Ireland's two primary ATOs are the Atlantic Flight Training Academy and the National Flight Centre. 

The cost involved in gaining a pilot's licence is substantial. Research should be carried out to identify the reputation and the financial standing of the flight training school that you choose to meet the IAA- Flight requirements. 

The main entry routes to becoming a pilot are:
 
Integrated Course - offered from an FTO (Flight Training Organisation). These are full time courses that bring you from zero to a level where you can apply to an airline for a position as a first officer. These courses must be completed in full or you won't qualify with any licence.  It takes just over one-year on average. 

Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) conduct flight training (aeroplane or helicopter) approved by the Irish Aviation Authority for both private and professional licences and ratings. Intending students are advised to check directly with the ATO for the specific courses offered by them. 

Modular Course - gives the same qualification as the Integrated Course but it is done on part time basis where students still have the option to work while completing their training. It can also be structured into a full time course but is at the discretion of the student and requires the student to put together, with the help of the school, a plan for their training if they wish to expedite it. There are a number of schools that offer modular courses in Ireland. It does take longer than an integrated course, from approximately 18 months to 2 years.  

Pilot Cadetships - These cadetships involve the company partially or fully funding your pilot training, and guaranteeinmg a job upon sucessful completion. The application process involves a series of aptitute tests, interviews and group exercises. 

Mentored Pilot Schemes - These pilot training schemes allow you to guarentee yourself a job with an airline before you commit to begin training. Current Irish mentored pilot schemes can be done with Ryanair and Stobart Air in Atlantic Flight Training Academy Cork. 

Air Corps - As part of the Defence Forces, the Air Corps will recruit for Pilot Cadetships also guaranteeing a job upon successful completion. The application process for these cadetships is a challenging and intense process involving a series of aptitude tests, interviews and group exercises. Students with a minimum of a Leaving Certificate will be considered.  

Read "how to become a pilot" here

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €100k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Salary Explorer/ Indeed/ Jobted/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: June, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was negative for this occupation, with little change in employment levels since 2020. Most are employed as taxi drivers and bus and coach drivers; although employment levels remained unchanged for taxi drivers between quarter 4 2021 and quarter 4 2022, there was a fall in the number of persons employed as bus and coach drivers. At 43%, the share aged 55 years and older far exceeded the national average and may lead to an increase in replacement demand across the roles in the coming years. Issues with recruiting taxi drivers that occurred with the reopening of the economy post-COVID-19 appears to have eased somewhat; the data does not point to any evidence of shortages.

In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas committee on Transport and Communications, the National Transport Authority noted issues with retaining and recruiting bus drivers in a time of full employment. There have been advertising campaigns (e.g. Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann) to recruit new bus drivers. As a result of issues with recruitment, a quota for 1,500 new permits for bus and coach drivers was added in December 2022 which has yet to be reflected in the data. The Skills for Growth data also indicates issues with filling vacancies for bus drivers (including for those with good communication skills). Despite the negative employment growth for this occupation overall, skills shortages have emerged for bus and coach drivers.

Airline specific 

Aircraft pilots, ship officers, air traffic controllers [Nat Skills bulletin numbers too small to report 2022]. 

• Irish Aviation Authority

  • The Times Building, 11-12 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2
  • +353 1 603 1100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Aer Lingus

  • Head Office, Dublin Airport
  • 1890 800270
  • Click Here

• British Women Pilots' Association

  • Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN, UK
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Air Corps

  • Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin
  • (01) 459 2493
  • Click Here

• Irish Airline Pilots Association

  • Corballis Park, Dublin Airport
  • (01) 844 5272
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Flight Centre

  • Weston Airport, Leixlip, Co Kildare
  • (01) 6282930
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

  • HQ 999 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Montréal, Quebec H3C 5H7, Canada
  • +1 514-954-8219
  • Click Here