The aviation industry has seen massive growth over the last decade. In fact, the number of commercial flights around the globe increased from 4 million in 2000 to 7.5 billion in 2017.
This means that there are plenty of jobs out there for those who want to pursue a career in aviation.
Aviation is a complex field, and mastering it takes years of training. If you want to get into the industry, you’ll need to take some classes and earn certifications. Here’s a breakdown of the steps you’ll need to take to become a pilot.
Courses You Can Take To Become A Certified Pilot
Becoming a pilot takes time and effort, but these courses will help you on your way to becoming the pilot you want to be.
You do not have to take multiple courses but at least one of these will benefit you in achieving your goal.
The Aviation Bachelors
Everything a pilot needs to know is included in an aviation degree. Aerodynamics, flight mechanics, and aircraft design are among the topics covered. Before taking the FAA exam, students must first complete an internship.
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aviation must learn about airplanes, airports, and flight operations. Before working as a pilot, students must be able to fly planes.
Aeronautical science, aerospace technology, aviation law, economics, finance, meteorology, physics, and mathematics are all covered in bachelor’s degrees in aviation.
Airlines hire people who have graduated from authorized universities, therefore Bachelor of Aviation students should study hard during their college years.
Most airlines want to hire graduates with an aviation bachelor’s degree. Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation are more likely to get a job as a pilot than those who don’t.
There are alternatives to aviation degrees for people interested in becoming pilots. Many of the same courses that are taught in an aviation school are also required in other degrees.
It may be easier to study flying after earning a degree in another profession.
The Aviation Technology Bachelors
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology are qualified to fly planes. This program offers extensive flight training as well as instruction on aircraft mechanics and maintenance.
Basic aerodynamics and physics will also be covered.
A bachelor’s degree in aviation technology equips students with all of the skills they’ll need to be a successful pilot.
BS in Aviation Technology programs allow students to obtain hands-on experience working with airplanes before joining the field, in addition to providing a great basis for future employment in aviation.
The Science Of Aerospace Engineering Bachelors
Although a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering does not directly prepare you to become a pilot, flight training programs and potential employers will look favorably on your application if you have this degree.
You’ll just have to go through extensive training to become a pilot after earning a BS in aerospace engineering, but a degree in this discipline will open up your employment prospects considerably beyond a BA or BS in aviation.
A bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering is more difficult to obtain than the majority of the degrees on this list.
There are only a few authorized colleges that offer aeronautical engineering programs, and most applicants must have strong credentials in order to be considered.
However, if your application is approved, you will have access to extensive educational resources that will prepare you for a variety of jobs.
Aerodynamics and thermodynamics are significant components of aviation degrees, and several of the classes you’ll study in an aerospace engineering program are also crucial aspects of aviation graduates.
Other classes, including space travel mechanics and satellite engine and electricity, are geared more toward NASA and other space-related enterprises.
If you only want to be a commercial pilot, a full aerospace engineering education may be excessive.
However, studying a bachelor of science may be a good educational path if flying for just an airline sounds like a wonderful backup profession while you pursue your dreams.
A bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering that concentrates on the skills you’ll need as a pilot is available.
Furthermore, having an aeronautical engineering degree will place you ahead of the pack when it comes to applying to prospective aviation firms.
The Aeronautical Science Bachelors
Aeronautical science is a very broad field that involves many different subjects. You’ll need to study things such as engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and more.
This course will teach you about everything from airplane design to flight mechanics.
You’ll be able to use these skills to become a pilot, engineer, or even an air traffic controller. Students who get an aeronautics degree may also be interested in other fields such as engineering or medicine.
The Air Traffic Management Bachelors
Air traffic control is a very important job because it involves observing the movement of airplanes.
Prospective air traffic controllers must first receive a bachelor’s degree in air traffic management before being allowed to work as an air traffic controller. A bachelor’s degree takes 4 years or more to complete.
Students who aspire to become air traffic controllers must study aviation and aviation meteorology. Air traffic controllers must plot routes and make sure planes do not collide during flight.
They must also monitor weather conditions and warn pilots if storms threaten to cause problems. Pilots should always follow these instructions.
Applicants who want to become air traffic controllers need to get a bachelor’s degree in aviation meteorology. Air Traffic Management students usually take courses in aeronautical engineering, meteorology, mathematics, physics, and statistics.
These subjects help them understand how airplanes work, and how weather affects flight patterns. Graduates of these programs are well-prepared to be pilots and are often hired by airlines.
What Is The Best Degree To Do?
A prospective employer prefers that you get a bachelor’s degree in a discipline directly related to piloting.
So if you’re thinking about becoming a pilot, go for an undergraduate degree in aviation, aeronautics, or aerospace engineering.
If you’re not sure whether you want to become a pilot, consider getting a BS degree in physics, chemistry, computer science, or another scientific field instead.
Aviation is an interesting field to pursue because there are many different careers within it. You can start as a director of airport operations before becoming a pilot.
This gives you time to learn about planes and airports. When you do become a pilot, you’ll get the chance to work on the ground while learning how to fly.
Is It Difficult To Become An Airline Pilot?
While it’s perfectly possible to become an airline pilot, especially as the industry widens year by year, it’s by no means an easy undertaking.
To be hired as an airline pilot, you have to have a reasonably immaculate academic history and top-notch practical aviation skills.
And considering that you’ll have to follow a very regimented academic path, you need to have quite a lot of money to pay for your extensive education.
Unfortunately, this factor alone rules out many who dream of becoming airline pilots, even if they have the mental and physical capacity to succeed.
Summary
Having read this post you should now know some of the subjects you ought to be taking in order to become a successful pilot.
This by no means puts you straight in a plane and taking flights instantly, but it will set you on your way to becoming one.
There are so many other courses coming out that you can take that will strengthen your chances of becoming a pilot. Good luck on your exciting journey, and we hope this helps!
I decided to create this source of knowledge from my own experiences, in the hopes of helping budding pilots to get through their training.
So, if you’re thinking about becoming a pilot or are in the middle of your training, I hope that this website and my knowledge comes of some benefit to you. I’d love to think that my website made your experience a little less stressful and a lot more fun!
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