What Is The Max Pilot Rank?
In aviation, the number of stripes on a pilot’s uniform represents their level of experience and responsibility for the aircraft, crew, and passengers. A second officer or a flight engineer wears two stripes, a first officer (co-pilot/second-in-command) wears three, and a captain, also known as a pilot-in-command, is awarded four stripes.
The pilot epaulet is a strip of cloth worn on the shoulder and used to indicate the indigo cadet pilot program. Epaulets are typically made of cloth and have a metal rank badge attached to them.
Generally, there are two epaulets on the pilot’s uniform – one on each shoulder. The epaulet on the left shoulder indicates the pilot’s rank and is usually a bar with stripes, while the epaulet on the right shoulder indicates the pilot’s position.
Pilot Wings Are a Sign of Hard Work
Pilot wings are usually seen above a pilot’s left breast pocket on their uniform. They represent the countless hours of training and discipline that pilots have gone through to get to their rank.
A captain is the highest-ranking member of a flight crew and the commander of an aircraft. A captain usually has at least 3,000 hours of flying experience, sits in the left-hand seat, and is responsible for the entire aircraft and all occupants aboard.
When a pilot reaches the top of their airline’s seniority list, they enjoy far more benefits and perks than other employees in other industries. This can include leave allocation, working over holiday seasons, and determining which aircraft they fly to where.