Various aviation-related companies require this type of role.
Pilot prepares aircraft for departure (Photo: Shutterstock)
Various kinds of aviation companies require chief pilots. Flight schools, charter companies, and major airlines all require someone to oversee their flight operations, and they hire experienced pilots to oversee fellow aviators, ensure compliance with standard operating procedures, and enact changes to ensure the safety of flight on a daily basis.
Chief pilots are senior crewmembers with significant experience in safe flight operations. Airlines hire their own captains into management positions to oversee flight operations on a specific aircraft type in which they have expertise; some even hire a chief pilot for each base in their network.
These chief pilots oversee all pilots, flight attendants, and even ground crew at their domicile and on an equipment type. They ensure quality standards are met, resolve disputes, and take disciplinary action when necessary. At particularly large airlines, chief pilots oversee an entire staff of flying and non-flying assistants and might even maintain lounges for company staff in between shifts.
Similarly, some flight schools hire experienced instructors to be chief pilots who oversee flight training, develop curriculums, and set student schedules on a daily basis. Chief instructors also monitor student progress and work closely with local pilot examiners to ensure the satisfactory completion of pilot exams. Many even work closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to maintain the flight school’s certification.
It is important to distinguish between a Chief Pilot and a Captain. While Chief Pilots are Captains, they predominantly hold managerial positions and fly in only limited cases. They are still fully qualified pilots, but their primary job is to oversee and manage an airline operation. Meanwhile, Captains’ first job is to actually fly on a regular basis and serve as Pilot in Command.
Whether a chief pilot actually flies the line depends on case-by-case logistics. Some chief pilots may be medically ineligible, whether temporarily or permanently, to fly. Others may be so busy with administrative roles that they are unable to fly much during the year.
However, most chief pilots still prefer to fly at least occasionally to make sure they stay in touch with the working conditions and the crews under their command. Flying on occasion also allows chief pilots to remain current and qualified on the type of aircraft they are designated for.
Airlines seek out the most senior, qualified pilots to serve as chief pilots. Most chief pilots have already served as captains or check instructors at their respective companies. This level of seniority selects chief pilots who already have experience managing, analyzing, and examining fellow crewmembers. This also ensures that the chief pilot is capable of managing the diverse pool of pilots under their watch.
Some companies even require their chief pilots to hold bachelor’s degrees, often in aviation disciplines. Long-term commitment to the company can earn additional acknowledgment and higher chances of earning the promotion.
Chief pilots often look among their own support staff to find their replacements. Flight schools’ chief instructors may start their search with the check instructors they work closely with on a regular basis, while airline chiefs may search among the Captains and First Officers who work in the Chief Pilot’s Office.
Legally, a new Chief Pilot applicant must have at least three years of experience within the past six years as Pilot in Command of a large airplane operating for an airline or charter company. This requirement is expanded to include a wider variety of aircraft if a certain operation only flies small aircraft. Those applicants with previous Chief Pilot experience must only have three total years as pilot in command without regard as to when that experience was accrued.
The FAA must find a chief pilot to be qualified through training, experience, and expertise, and they must have knowledge of their airline’s standard operating procedures, the Federal Aviation Regulations, appropriate airworthiness requirements, and more.
The average chief pilot’s salary in the United States is $163,000 per year, though this can range from $33,000 at the smallest operation all the way to $234,000 for experienced chief pilots at larger operations. Factors such as Pilot in Command experience, prior education, and cost of living also play a role in how much a chief pilot gets paid.
Serving as a Chief Pilot can be a lucrative and rewarding position. Chief pilots get to not only oversee flight operations but also mentor junior pilots and staff as they pursue aviation careers.
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