Air Force Pilot Armed Forces Occupations, Other Ranks
SaveWhat Does an Air Force Pilot Do?
Air force pilots operate aircrafts in combat missions, patrol missions, or search and rescue missions. They ensure aircraft maintenance, and communicate with air force bases and other vessels to ensure safety and efficiency in operations.
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Air Transport Law
Know air transport laws and regulations. Due to the nature of aviation, knowledge of air transport laws partially overlaps with knowledge of international law.
These are common skills for this role, based on a European framework. Requirements vary between jobs, including in the UK. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box - use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Air Force Pilot
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAir Transport Law knowledge
Know air transport laws and regulations. Due to the nature of aviation, knowledge of air transport laws partially overlaps with knowledge of international law.
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EssentialAviation Meteorology knowledge
Understand aviation meteorology to deal with the impact of weather on air traffic management (ATM). Understand how thorough changes in pressure and temperature values at airports can create variations in …
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EssentialAircraft Flight Control Systems knowledge
Know the setting, features and operation of aircraft flight control systems. Manage flight control surfaces, cockpit controls, connections, and operating mechanisms required to control the flight direction of an aircraft. …
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EssentialAir Traffic Control Operations knowledge
Understand the tasks performed by air traffic controllers, including Interaction and effective communication between aircraft and air traffic controllers; execution of follow-up activities, and ensuring smooth operations during flights.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialVisual Flight Rules knowledge
Types of flight rules which are a compilation of regulations that allow pilots to fly aircrafts in clear as well as unclear weather conditions whereby it is declared that outside …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCommon Aviation Safety Regulations knowledge
The body of legislation and regulations that apply to the field of civil aviation at regional, national, European and International levels. Understand that regulations aimed at protecting citizens at all …
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialGeographic Areas knowledge
Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMilitary Aviation knowledge
The rules and regulations concerning military aviation procedures, such as military air space, aviation procedures in civilian air space, and specific military aviation equipment.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSurveillance Radars knowledge
Know that Mode A/C Secondary Surveillance Radar stations continuously interrogate all aircraft within their range. Know that Mode S Secondary Surveillance Radar stations carry out interrogations of aircraft within their …
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialCivil Aviation Regulations knowledge
Know civil aviation regulations, rules and signals, including marshalling signals.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialAir Force Operations knowledge
The operations, procedures and compliant behaviour of a military air force, and of a specific air force base.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdapt To Changing Situations skill
Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With Air Traffic Control Operations skill
Act in compliance with instruction provided by air traffic controllers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Ongoing Compliance With Regulations skill
Conduct tasks and procedures to ensure that aviation certificates maintain their validity; undertake safeguarding measures as appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Cockpit Control Panels skill
Operates control panels in the cockpit or flight deck according to the needs of the flight. Manage on-board electronic systems to ensure a smooth flight.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radar Equipment skill
Operate radar screens and other radar equipment; ensure that aircraft fly at a safe distance from one another.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radio Equipment skill
Set up and operate radio devices and accessories, such as broadcast consoles, amplifiers, and microphones. Understand the basics of radio operator language and, when necessary, provide instruction in handling radio …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Radio Navigation Instruments skill
Operate radio navigation instruments to determine the position of aircraft in the airspace.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Two-way Radio Systems skill
Use radios that can receive and transmit sound signals in order to communicate with similar radios on the same frequency such as mobile phones and walkie talkies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Flight Manoeuvres skill
Perform flight manoeuvres in critical situations, and associated 'upset' manoeuvres, in order to avoid collision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Routine Flight Operations Checks skill
Perform checks before and during flight: conduct pre-flight and in-flight inspections of aircraft performance, route and fuel usage, runway availability, airspace restrictions, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Take Off And Landing skill
Perform normal and cross-wind take-off and landing operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead 3D Displays skill
Read 3D-displays and understand the information they provide on positions, distances, and other parameters.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRead Maps skill
Read maps effectively.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Different Communication Channels skill
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Meteorological Information skill
Use and interpret meteorological information for operations dependent on climatic conditions. Use this information to provide advise on safe operations in relation to weather conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Air Force Procedures skill
Apply the procedures present in a military air force and on a specific base and being compliant with all the regulations and policies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Military Aviation Regulations skill
Apply the procedures and regulations present in military aviation operations and missions, ensuring compliance with policies, safety and security.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Signalling Control Procedures skill
Control train movements; operate railway signals and block systems to ensure that trains operate safely, on correct routes, and on time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Civil Aviation Regulations skill
Ensure best practice standards are adopted and all regulatory requirements met
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialExecute Flight Plans skill
Listen to the briefing given by the captain or the crew manager; understand service requirements and apply the commissioned tasks in an appropriate manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplement Airside Safety Procedures skill
Apply a series of airfield safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for airport crew.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUndertake Procedures To Meet Aircraft Flight Requirements skill
Ensure that operation certificates are valid, guarantee that take-off mass is a maximum of 3,175 kg, verify that the minimum crew is adequate according to regulations and needs, ensure that …
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 11 displayed)
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OptionalMilitary Code knowledge
The code language used in specific intelligence or military organisations and operations, how to use and decipher them.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalCommunicate In English In A Competent Way language skill
Competent use of English; R351refers to level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Compliance With Types Of Weapons skill
Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHave Spatial Awareness skill
Be aware of your position and the space around you. Understand the relationship of objects around you when there is a change of position.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalIdentify Security Threats skill
Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Task Records skill
Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPatrol Areas skill
Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicate with emergency response organisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Risk Analysis skill
Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Search And Rescue Missions skill
Assist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate A Flight Plan skill
Develop a flight plan which details the flight altitude, route to be followed and the amount of fuel required using different sources of information (weather reports and other data from …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOrganise Aircraft Maintenance skill
Organise arrangements for aircraft maintenance and repair activities; communicate with engineering centres.
Course recommendations coming soon.