Air Tour Pilot Onboarding Checklist

Air Tour Pilot Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Air Tour Pilot starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Aviation onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Air Tour Pilot, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Air Tour Pilot onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Air Tour Pilot Onboarding Checklist

1. Initial orientation: This task involves providing a comprehensive overview of the company, its mission, values, and policies. It also includes introducing the new air tour pilot to key personnel, such as the chief pilot, flight operations manager, and HR representative. The HR department typically performs this task.

2. Company policies and procedures: The new air tour pilot needs to be familiarized with the company’s policies and procedures, including safety protocols, emergency response plans, and operational guidelines. The chief pilot or flight operations manager usually conducts this training.

3. Aircraft familiarization: Since air tour pilots operate different types of aircraft, it is crucial to provide detailed training on the specific aircraft models used by the company. This task involves familiarizing the pilot with the cockpit layout, instrumentation, emergency equipment, and aircraft systems. The chief pilot or a designated aircraft instructor performs this training.

4. Flight operations training: This task involves providing comprehensive training on flight operations specific to the company, including pre-flight inspections, flight planning, navigation procedures, and communication protocols. The chief pilot or a designated flight operations instructor conducts this training.

5. Safety and emergency procedures: As safety is paramount in aviation, the new air tour pilot must receive thorough training on safety protocols and emergency procedures. This includes training on emergency evacuations, fire suppression, first aid, and survival techniques. The chief pilot or a designated safety instructor typically performs this training.

6. Route familiarization: To ensure the air tour pilot is well-prepared for their flights, they need to be familiarized with the various routes and destinations offered by the company. This task involves studying maps, charts, and flight plans, as well as learning about landmarks, airspace restrictions, and any special considerations for each route. The chief pilot or a designated route instructor provides this training.

7. Customer service training: Air tour pilots often interact with passengers, so it is essential to provide customer service training. This includes teaching pilots how to communicate effectively, handle passenger inquiries, and ensure a positive customer experience. The chief pilot or a designated customer service trainer performs this training.

8. CRM (Crew Resource Management) training: Since air tour pilots often work in a team environment, CRM training is crucial to ensure effective communication, teamwork, and decision-making. This task involves teaching pilots how to work collaboratively with other crew members, manage workload, and mitigate risks. The chief pilot or a designated CRM instructor conducts this training.

9. Company-specific procedures: Each aviation company may have its own unique procedures and protocols. This task involves training the air tour pilot on any company-specific procedures, such as reporting requirements, documentation processes, and administrative tasks. The chief pilot or a designated company procedures trainer performs this training.

10. Evaluation and checkrides: Once the initial training is complete, the new air tour pilot must undergo evaluation flights and checkrides to assess their competency and ensure they meet the company’s standards. These evaluations are typically conducted by the chief pilot or designated checkride examiner.

11. Ongoing training and recurrent checks: To maintain proficiency and stay up-to-date with industry regulations, air tour pilots must undergo recurrent training and checks. This task involves scheduling and attending recurrent training sessions, simulator sessions, and periodic checkrides. The chief pilot or flight operations manager is responsible for coordinating and overseeing this ongoing training.

12. Continuing education and professional development: Air tour pilots are encouraged to pursue continuing education and professional development opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. This task involves identifying relevant training courses, seminars, and conferences and supporting the pilot’s participation in these activities. The chief pilot or HR department may assist in identifying and facilitating these opportunities.

13. Mentorship and shadowing: To further support the new air tour pilot’s integration into the company, a mentorship program can be established. This task involves pairing the new pilot with an experienced pilot who can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support during the initial period. The chief pilot or a designated mentorship coordinator can facilitate this program.

14. Introduction to company culture and values: To foster a sense of belonging and alignment with the company’s culture and values, the new air tour pilot should be introduced to these aspects. This task involves sharing information about the company’s history, core values, and any unique traditions or practices. The HR department or a designated culture ambassador can perform this task.

15. Introduction to support departments: The new air tour pilot should be introduced to various support departments within the company, such as maintenance, dispatch, and scheduling. This task involves providing an overview of each department’s role, responsibilities, and how they collaborate with the pilot. The chief pilot or a designated representative from each department can perform this introduction

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Air Tour Pilot checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Air Tour Pilot up to speed and working well in your Aviation team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.