Mission 3: What does the pilot do?

Who is Amy Aviation?

Amy is mad about everything aeronautical (that means everything to do with planes)!

She know’s everything there is to know about planes and loves to sharing her knowledge – when she’s not busy flying around.

Now watch this video about what the pilot of a plane does before they take off…

Hopefully now you understand a little bit more about what a pilot does – they don’t just fly the plane.

The first thing a pilot will do when they get to the airport is go to the operations office

It’s here that they start to prepare for the flight.

One of things they do there is check what the weather will be like along the flight.

This is really important as if there’s a storm along the route then they might need to change course to avoid it.

Pilots will also check that the plane manual is up to date. This is the instruction book for the plane and it’s MASSIVE!

Next the pilot will go through security

Don’t think just becuase they’re the pilot they don’t have to go through securty like everybody else!

Even the pilots need to take their shoes off and step through the metal detector.

Then the pilot talks to the flight attendants on the plane

They talk to make sure everyone is up to date and knows everything that they need to.

For example if there’s a passenger who might need special help. Everyone needs to know about it.

Next the pilot will check the plane

They walk all around the plane checking that all the lights work, there is enough air in the tyres, check there are no fuel leaks and just general that the plane is okay and ready to fly!

Then they program the flight plane into the plane computer

This is just like programming a journey in a car into a sat nav, but for a plane.

Finally they get the passengers on-board and take off!

Once everyone is on the plane the pilot waits to get permission to go from Air Traffic Control.

Air Traffic Control decide what planes go when to make sure everyone is safe.

Once they get the all clear it’s time for take off!

Activity: You be the pilot!

With the help of an adult print off the passports and boarding pass templates below and make passports and boarding passes for everyone in your house.

Passport 1

Passport 2

Boarding pass

Pretend they’re your passengers and you’re the pilot.

Do you’re pre flight checks, make sure everything is ready and take off on your flight!