Aviation

Brian's 4 minute story will inspire you about the varied careers in aviation. Brian's story discusses leaving school at 16 to travelling the world and working behind the scenes in the airline industry. You can gain careers insight, practical tips about pathways and setbacks, and reassurance that meaningful careers are rarely straightforward.

Airline pilot

Airline pilots fly passengers and cargo to destinations around the world. They work with a co-pilot to:

• fly the plane and communicate with air traffic control

• work out the best route using weather reports and air traffic control data

• create a flight plan and carry out pre-flight checks

• communicate with cabin crew and passengers

• write reports, check data during the flight and adjust the route is necessary

The average starting salary is £47,000 to an experience pilot who could earn £150,000. You could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays on shift.

You can get into this through:

• a university course

• applying directly

• a trainee scheme

• specialist course run by private training organisations

Cabin Crew

Air cabin crew make sure that airline passengers have a safe, comfortable and pleasant flight. You will have tasks before the flight, during and at the end of the flight, some of which include:

• checking onboard supplies and making sure safety equipment is working properly

• greet passengers and check documents

• check dietary needs, serve food and drinks, and sell duty-free items

• make announcements

• complete a flight report and details of any incidents

• make sure passengers leave the plane safely will all luggage items

The average starting salary is £19,000 to £28,000. You could work evenings, weekends and bank holidays and will stay away from home. 

You can get into this job through:

• a college course

• an apprenticeship

• applying directly

Air traffic controller

Air traffic controllers give information and instructions to airline pilots to help them take off and land safely and on time. Your tasks will vary depending on which type of air traffic controller you are. There are three types:

• area controllers - track and guide aircraft flying at higher altitudes through a sector and are based at a regional control centre

• approach controllers - manage aircraft as they approach the airport and give instructions to planes that have just taken off

• aerodrome controllers - work in a control tower, giving clearance to land and take off, and guide pilots to the correct taxi positions on stands and runways

As a controller, you could:

• make sure safe distances are maintained between aircrafts

• keep in radio contact with flight crew and give instructions

• hand over aircraft control from your sector to the next one on the flight path

• prevent collisions between planes and other obstacles on runways

The average starting salary is £48,000 to £100,000. You could work days, nights and weekends on shift. 

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship

• a trainee scheme

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship