Q133 this is for you :-
In order to develop an insight into the Profession of Airline Pilot, it is important to realise that a professional pilot's primary task is to fly the aircraft under his command from the departure airport to destination safely. This fact cannot be over emphasised. After this primary objective has been addressed, the myriad of other important considerations such as operating the aircraft economically, on time, smoothly, quickly, efficiently etc can then be tackled. But unless the aircraft is operated safely it ultimately cannot be any of the latter. The fact is, airlines that do not operate their aircraft as safely as possible eventually 'lose' aircraft and airlines that lose aircraft do not usually survive in the market place and as such are not viable.
As with any form of human endeavour, the ability of pilots to perform this primary task competently is a complex distillation of many diverse and often competing factors. Some of these factors include:
That the pilots employed by an airline be of high calibre in that they possess a competent standard of basic aeronautical skills. These skills include basic flying ability (manipulative skill) and cockpit management skills which are fundamental to effective crew co-ordination and a safe decision making process.
That pilots are prepared to exercise these aeronautical skills in a responsible (professional) manner and as such display what is known in the profession as 'good airmanship'. In order for this to occur professional pilots must possess two character traits:-
'INTEGRITY' meaning honesty such that the pilot does not delude him/herself about the significance of any information or clues that come his/her way and;
'STRENGTH OF CHARACTER' such that he/she is able to resist external 'pressures' to modify his/her operational decisions in the light of commercial considerations.
That pilots are able to operate in an employment environment where they receive the active support of senior airline management for such things as proper aircrew training, safe operating procedures and the pilots' operational decision making process. In other words, active management support of their pilots' ability to operate their aircraft in a professional (safe) manner. For this to take place, the authority pertaining to the position of 'Captain' must be recognised and actively supported by airline management.
But fundamental to a safe airline operation is a system that ensures that pilots are able to exercise their professional skills free of commercial pressures. In summary, a system that enshrines basic pilot rights within an employment contract and as such ensures 'pilot independence'.
These qualities combined together begin to define the position of 'Professional Pilot'.
All these factors are crucial to a safe airline operation because the pilot in command of an aircraft is in a unique position. Not only is he the only person aware of all the factors and operational constraints pertaining to his particular flight, but ultimately he is the only person on location qualified to deal in a safe manner with the myriad of problems that invariably arise throughout the course of a flight. To summarise, an aircraft captain is the only person capable of managing his particular flight and as such his primary role in an airline is as the manager of his particular flight.
"Through his seat at the front of the aircraft flow the efforts of thousands of people who provide the means by which he carries out his task. However, it is an undeniable fact that:
His is the final responsibility.
His is the ultimate decision in any course of action.
He can never be complacent.
He must be humble; the elements keep him so.
He must prove himself to his peers over and over again throughout his career, or seek another job.
He must exude a quiet but magnetic confidence in his own ability and his aircraft.
He must create an aura of efficiency and capability such that the passengers stream on and off the aircraft without even a thought about what is occurring at the front of the aircraft.
Finally, he must be ready during every second of his working life to defeat the ultimate emergency he may encounter at any time."
These responsibilities are recognised in the definition of his title of "Captain", which means "in command" and as such legally the final responsibility for the safety of the aircraft rests solely with the pilot in command.
It is these professional responsibilities that not only make pilots "Sui Generis", but also worth every cent of their pay and conditions.
In a sense, pilots are the stewards of an airline's three most valuable assets; it's passengers, it's aircraft (worth up to $200+ million each) and the public's confidence in the corporate identity of the airline. As such, unpalatable though it might be to some airline managers and civic leaders who think "pilots are just glorified bus drivers", the most important people in any successful airline are its pilots, for on their backs rides the very survival of the airline.