There are many misconceptions surrounding professional pilots, military or civilian.
It is important to correct these as sadly it prevents some people from pursuing a career
as a pilot because they think they do not have the credentials.
Pilot Salaries
It is common to believe that all commercial pilots are on very high salaries. While this
is true if you are a 747 captain, where you can expect to earn over £100,000 per year. but for
the average pilot the salary is more realistic.
Typical entry salaries as a junior first officer is more around �20,000 for most airlines. It does all
depend on the type of aircraft you fly and your seniority. Only few pilots make it to positions with salaries
in the region of £100,000.
Pilots are All Male
50 years ago this might have been the case, but these days it is common to find many
female pilots flying for the airlines.
The nature of the job means both men and women can do it just as well, everyday more women
are undertaking the journey of flight training and gaining their wings.
Military Background
Not all airline pilots come from a glitteing military background. In fact only around half
of all airline pilots are ex-military. A civilian trained pilot can have just a successful career
in the airlines as any military pilot.
Perfect Vision
o be an airline pilot you have to meet the JAR standards for eyesight. While the standard is
high the eye test can be taken with your normal corrective lenses such as glasses. Thus you do not have
to have natural 20/20 vision, just a good standaed eyesight with or without glasses.
Conclusion
Airline pilots do not have any secret ingredients and not all of them are high earners. Your average
person passing you by in the street may have the credentials to be an airline pilot. They might not be
superhuman, but neither are most of todays commercial pilots.
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