Aviation

The aviation industry has taken off (sorry couldn’t resist) in a big way in Ireland in recent years; careers in this sector have a constant demand as our appetite for holidays shows no signs of slowing.

There are varying roles to consider: pilots, cabin crew, air traffic controllers and maintenance engineers are the most typical roles in the aviation industry, and different skills and qualifications are necessary for each.

A career in aviation promises to be interesting and challenging; many of the roles include travel so it is a great way of seeing the world while providing for your future…

Education
The Irish higher education/CAO system does not cater for all of the career possibilities in the aviation sector. There are plenty of other routes to follow however, depending on which area you choose.

Pilots
There are a number of private organisations and schools that are licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority to provide pilot training. Courses mix theory and practical elements, and you will have to complete a set amount of flying time to gain your professional pilot’s licence, which allows you to apply for jobs with airlines.

Air Traffic Controllers
The Irish Aviation Authority at its training centre in Shannon trains air traffic controllers. The course lasts two years and the entrance requirements are a Leaving Certificate with five passes (including English and Maths) with a Grade C in at least two higher-level papers. You must be 19 years old to apply. You study theory classes such as Air Law, Navigation, Theory of Flight and Meteorology as well as Radar and Non-Radar skills and Aerodrome skills, plus on-the-job training at an airport.

Maintenance Engineers
Graduates with a higher-level degree or other qualification in engineering or science subjects can move into maintenance engineering. The other route is to take an apprenticeship with FÁS, who will place you with a professional company (e.g. Ryanair, Aer Arann) where you will encounter a mixture of classroom education and on-the-job experience. Shannon Aerospace also runs traineeships for wannabe Aircraft Maintenance Technicians and Aircraft Spray Painters.

Cabin Crew
Cabin crew don’t usually need a third level qualification, and you apply directly to the company or airline. An outgoing personality and good customer service skills are required, while a second European language, physical fitness and sales skills are also useful. Employers will provide a preliminary training course that covers areas such as customer service, first aid, flight and communications theory and safety procedures.

After Qualification
Most aviation graduates work in the passenger industry, which has grown tremendously in recent years, despite fears over terrorism, environmental concerns and rising fuel prices. There are also opportunities in freight, defence (air force), instruction and management roles. It can be difficult to break into the aviation sector – students should bear in mind that in 2001 the IAA received 1,801 applications for 24 trainee air traffic control positions.

The Work
Before take-off, the captain/pilot meets with other flight crew staff and checks the serviceability of the aircraft and its systems. The pilot then studies the procedures to be used for take-off and ‘climb’, the route itself and descent and landing, as well as checking the weather forecast and amount of fuel needed.

Take-off and landing are generally the most active times of the flight – once airborne, most aircraft can be put on autopilot and the pilot sets the controls and monitors that it flies correctly. During the flight, pilots must also maintain contact with air traffic control and perform checks on all the aircraft systems. On short-haul flights, there is usually a pilot and a co-pilot. On long-haul flights, there may be two of each.

Air traffic controllers plot the routes that air traffic takes through the air to make sure planes land and take off safely and on schedule. Each might have responsibility of their own section of airspace and communicate directly to the pilot to give information, instructions and advice on exactly where and when to land.

Maintenance engineers’ responsibilities include performing checks on the plane’s engines and fuselage before each flight, fixing problems and faults as they arise and generally ensuring that Lost type debacles don’t occur. Engineers can also be involved in replacing old or damaged structural parts of the plane, as well as refurbishing the cabin interiors.

Cabin crew (also known as flight attendants or air stewards) are responsible for the care and safety of passengers during flights. They ensure the aircraft cabin area is safe, clean and tidy, serve food and beverages, deal with troublesome passengers and make safety announcements. Some also act as salespeople during flights. Some cabin crew may have to write flight reports after each flight, while others will have supervisory and management responsibilities. Cabin crew also have to be prepared for emergency situations, when they may have to use safety equipment and first aid.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
Pilots need to have an ability to remain calm under pressure and act in a resourceful manner if necessary. They should be physically fit and be very flexible with working arrangements.

Air traffic controllers have to think clearly in stressful scenarios; be able to communicate clearly, have good mathematics and excellent memory skills.

Maintenance engineers should be mechanically minded and skilled with their hands – expertise in technology is also needed.

Cabin crewmembers should enjoy working with people and have an outgoing personality.

Most aviation careers involve a good deal of travel and unusual working hours. You could find yourself working in cramped spaces and under a lot of pressure. These could be positive aspects to some people as it is sure to make for an interesting and unique work environment.

The Money
Pilots starting off as second officers earn approximately €28,000 per year. Captains can earn as much as €130,000. Cabin crew earn less, starting on around €20,000. Fully qualified maintenance engineers earn between €20,000 and €25,000, which can rise with experience.

Jargon
Capacity controlled: A limited number of seats on a plane available at a particular fare
Black Box: A damage-proof device that records the details of a plane’s flight
Flight Simulator: A replica cockpit mounted on hydraulics that is used to train pilots
Spruce Goose: A 200-ton wooden plane with a wingspan of 98m, built during World War II by billionaire aviator Howard Hughes

Job Titles
Pilot
Captain
Co-Pilot
Air Traffic Controller
Maintenance Engineer
Aircraft Mechanic
Cabin Crew Member
Air Steward
Flight Attendant

Further Resources

For information on cabin crew recruitment days go to any of the following:
Crewlink: www.crewlink.ie  
Dalmac: www.dalmac.ie 
St. James Management: www.stjames.gb.com/ryanair
Cavok: www.cavok.cat 

The Irish Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Hawkins Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
Phone: 01 671 8655
Web: www.iaa.ie
Email: info@iaa.ie

Dublin Airport Authority
Head Office
Dublin Airport
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 814 1111
Web: www.dublinairportauthority.com

Irish Air Line Pilots Association
Corballis Park
Dublin Airport
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 844 5272
Web: www.ialpa.net

EireCopter Helicopters
Weston Airport
Leixlip
Co Kildare
Tel: 01 628 0088
Web: www.eirecopter.ie
Email: info@eirecopter.ie

The Pilot Training College
1 Airside
Boeing Avenue
Airport Business Park
Killowen
Waterford
Tel: 051 876 706
Web: www.pilottraining.ie
Email: admissions@ptc.ie