The term “flight specialist” can refer to a variety of jobs related to aircraft operation, but it is most commonly used to refer to a flight operations specialist, who is in charge of managing flight plans and paperwork for a flight, airfield, or other air operation. In this case, the flight specialist will be in charge of documenting and possibly outlining every aspect of an airplane’s flight, from crew information to flight paths and maps. This position necessitates a minimum of a high school diploma and, in most cases, some college training or certification.
A flight specialist’s specific responsibilities vary, but it’s likely that he or she will be involved in the planning of a flight. He or she may assign crew members to a specific flight, manage flight path and runway information, prepare safety information for flight crews, and perform a variety of other tasks related to an aircraft’s safe and efficient flight. In this capacity, the flight specialist is very likely to collaborate with other professionals, such as a payload specialist who plans the loading and unloading of a plane. The payload data will be passed on to the flight operations specialist, who will enter it into the proper files.
In many cases, the flight specialist will be in charge of distributing pertinent paperwork to flight crews and other relevant personnel. This information could include navigation, landing instructions, radio operations, or any other information that is important to the aircraft’s safe operation. As a result, the flight specialist must be extremely well organized and capable of handling multiple complex tasks at once. This is a demanding job that necessitates a keen eye for detail and excellent communication skills. On-the-job training is required, and the new employee may be required to participate in this training for several years.
Many flight specialists go through special training programs, but others may just get a college diploma and learn the more flight-specific skills on the job. A high school diploma is sometimes enough to get a job as a flight specialist, but the candidate’s math, reasoning, and communication skills must be strong. The specialist may work as part of a team with other professionals, and he or she will almost certainly work for several years under the supervision and tutelage of a more experienced specialist to ensure proper job training for the complex tasks he or she will be expected to complete.