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Image of career: First Officer

First Officer

Overview

First officers prepare aircraft for flights, navigate safely with the captain in-flight, and complete post-flight checklists after landing.

Description

  • Complete thorough checks to ensure all aircraft systems are functioning properly.
  • Perform comprehensive safety checks of flight decks and crew rest areas before and after flights.
  • Monitor weather patterns, air traffic, and flight conditions to spot dangerous situations.
  • Handle and manage any passenger issues or disturbances during the journey.
  • Operate the aircraft in all flight phases, including take-off, cruising at altitude, and landing procedures.

Entry requirements

  • You'll need A-Level qualification or diploma with a Commercial Pilot Licence from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
  • You must also not have myopia that exceeds 800 degrees and astigmatism that exceeds 300 degrees.

Salary

$5,400 – 8,500

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

Besides having good eyesight, first officers also need good hearing skills to work well amidst ambient aircraft and passenger sounds.

What to expect

You will need to be a confident communicator as you must give clear instructions to passengers and crew.

Soft
skills

Communication

Able to exchange information clearly with crew members and air traffic control.

Decision Making

Ability to make informed decisions under pressure during critical flight situations.

Problem-Solving

Able to quickly identify issues, analyse solutions, and implement fixes during flight.

Aircraft Cruise Operations

Trained to manage flight systems and maintain efficiency during the cruise phase of flight.

Aircraft Dispatch

Trained to coordinate flight plans, fuel loads, and compliance requirements for safe aircraft dispatch.

Aircraft Emergency Management

Able to remain calm and handle in-flight emergencies and execute safety protocols under pressure.

Hard
skills

Frequently asked questions

Air force pilots may only fly military aircraft, while first officers fly commercial planes for airlines. Their skills aren't interchangeable between military and civilian aviation.

The certification and training process may take up to three years, including getting a Commercial Pilot Licence, graduating pilot school, and training as a second officer.

They prioritise good communication, teamwork, and decision-making within the flight crew to ensure coordinated and safe aircraft operation.

They assess the situation and decide next steps. For example, if there's a bad storm at their destination, they'll judge if landing is safe or plan to divert to a safer location.

When disruptive passengers continue despite cabin crew warnings, first officers have authority to make the decision to remove the passenger from the aircraft.