Flies aeroplanes to transport passengers, mail and freight, or provide agricultural, aerial surveillance or other aviation services.

• Prepares and submits flight plans giving consideration to factors such as weather conditions and aircraft performance; flies aircraft in accordance with established air traffic control and aircraft operating procedures; provides flight information for flight crews and air traffic services staff; completes cockpit preparations and external inspections to determine that aircraft are acceptable for flight; monitors aircraft performance and reporting on mechanical condition.

• Frequently works indoors in aeroplanes, hangers, airports and flight simulators.
• Occasionally works outdoors when assessing aeroplanes before take off.
• Works in well lit, heated, ventilated and clean, well maintained workspaces. Conditions however may also likely to be cramped and noisy due to engine noise and radio communication.

• Sedentary to light physical demand. Frequently sits in planes and at airports.
• Stands and walks occasionally.
• Stretching up and across is likely to be required when operating controls.
• Lifting and carrying is not a significant feature of the job. Pulling on aeroplane controls is required.
• Bending, squatting or crouching may be required occasionally when carrying out inspections on aeroplanes.
• Frequent to constant repetitive hand and finger movements are required to operate aeroplane controls, navigation systems, radios and computers.
• Driving is not required but flying and operation of an aeroplane will be constant.
• Mental skills necessary include a high level of cognitive functioning with flying, interpreting, computing, communication, interpersonal, planning, and organisational, problem solving, critical thinking and decision-making capabilities.

• A Commercial Pilot Licence is necessary to work as a scenic pilot, or a flying instructor (on the same type of planes as learned on). This requires the employee to be: at least 18 years old; pass a Class 1 Medical Examination; hold a current NZ Private Pilot Licence (which can obtained at age 17); pass written exams; complete at least 200 hours' flying time; satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority's fit and proper person requirements; pass the English Language Proficiency test (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
• Subsequently, additional hours and/or qualifications are needed to fly as an agricultural pilot, fly by instrument, or fly bigger types of aircraft, such as turboprops, or jet-engined planes.

• There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.
• Employees work shifts, evenings, weekends and public holidays.