The Ramp

5 key traits of an Airline Pilot:

Judgment, Reliability, Proficiency, Decisiveness, and Integrity

The five key traits listed are building blocks of a Pilot’s character. Pilots operate aircraft in a challenging and dynamic environment. The responsibilities associated with the piloting profession are unique and demand a higher level of attention to detail and consistent performance than many other career fields. For these reasons, among others, it is crucial that a pilot exhibit the key traits that contribute to a standard set by pilots over many years of professionalism, service, and responsibility.

Judgment-
A pilot must have the ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions. In the cockpit abnormalities pose a threat, the ability to look at a situation and determine a sound resolution.

Reliability-
Pilots must be able
to perform and maintain professional composure in routine circumstances, as well as hostile or unexpected circumstances. Passengers and the Airline expect a pilot to be present and perform flawlessly as required, no matter the time or place.

Proficiency-
A pilot must always demonstrate an advanced degree of understanding, knowledge, skill, and ability. A pilot may never allow their proficiency in flying to erode; such an action may result in the loss of life and great tragedy.

Decisiveness-
A pilot’s profession demands the ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, deliberate manner. When an abnormality escalates to a true emergency a pilot must be able to react swiftly with a deliberate and clear response. The ability to react under extreme stress is a basic skill that all pilots must master.

Integrity-
A pilot must always demonstrate uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; this includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.