Chief Pilot vs. Captain: What Are the Differences?

Both chief pilots and captains are responsible for the safety of the passengers and crew on a flight. Though they have many similarities, there are several key differences between these two positions. In this article, we discuss the duties of a chief pilot and a captain, the similarities and differences between the two, and what you need to do to become a chief pilot or captain.

What is a Chief Pilot?

The Chief Pilot is the most experienced and highest ranking pilot in an airline or other flying organization. They are responsible for the safety and operation of all flights and crew members. The Chief Pilot typically has final authority over all decisions regarding flight operations. They develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the organization, and train and certify all pilots in accordance with these procedures. The Chief Pilot also liaises with government agencies and other organizations to ensure compliance with regulations. In the event of an incident or accident, the Chief Pilot leads the investigation and works with the relevant authorities to determine the cause and prevent future occurrence.

What is a Captain?

A Captain is the pilot in command of an aircraft. They are responsible for the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew on board. Captains are typically the most experienced pilots on the plane and have completed a rigorous training program. They are responsible for pre-flight checks, take-off, flight and landing. In the event of an emergency, the Captain is in charge of making decisions and ensuring that everyone on board follows the proper procedures. Captains typically work for commercial airlines, private charter companies or the military.

Chief Pilot vs. Captain

Here are the main differences between a chief pilot and a captain.

Job Duties

Chief pilots oversee the entire crew and aircraft, so their job duties are more administrative. They’re in charge of scheduling, training new employees, ensuring compliance with company policies and communicating with management about any issues or concerns.

Captains are responsible for the safety and well-being of their passengers and crew. They conduct preflight and postflight inspections of the aircraft and ensure that all procedures are followed correctly. They also communicate with chief pilots and other staff members about operational details and answer passenger questions.

Job Requirements

Chief pilots and captains must have a commercial pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To earn this license, candidates must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 250 hours of flight experience. They must also pass written, oral and practical exams administered by the FAA. After earning their license, chief pilots and captains must complete annual training to keep their skills sharp and maintain their certification.

Work Environment

Chief pilots often work in an office environment, where they can manage the entire flight crew and coordinate with other departments. They may also travel to different locations to ensure that their company is operating at peak performance. Captains typically work on a plane, where they can focus on ensuring passenger safety and completing all necessary pre-flight and post-flight tasks.

Chief pilots usually work full time, while captains may have more irregular schedules depending on how many flights are scheduled for a day or week. While captains may occasionally work overtime, chief pilots rarely do so because of their management responsibilities.

Skills

Both chief pilots and captains are responsible for the safety of the passengers, crew and aircraft. They both need to have excellent communication skills to be able to give clear instructions to the rest of the crew and maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations. Both positions also require good organizational skills to keep track of the flight schedule, weather conditions and any potential hazards.

The main difference between the two positions is that a captain has more authority than a chief pilot. A captain is typically the final decision-maker on all matters related to the flight, while a chief pilot may make recommendations but ultimately defer to the captain’s judgement. Captains also tend to have more flying experience than chief pilots and are better equipped to handle emergency situations.

Salary

The average salary for a chief pilot is $99,904 per year, while the average salary for a captain is $73,271 per year. The salary for both positions may vary depending on the airline, the location of the job and the level of experience the pilot has.