5 answers
Vivian
Student
Cape Coral, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How likely is it that I'll be able to become an airline pilot, despite my college education centering around Marine Science?
Hello! I'm a current college sophomore majoring in Marine Science and adding a BA in Environmental Studies by the end of the semester. Despite all that, my real goal in life if to be a pilot. I've already attended flight school previously, and I stopped at my cross-country stage for my PPL with some 78 hours logged. I did this mainly to focus on college as many of my flight instructors told me to have a back up plan incase anything ever happened to my health, and I could no longer fulfill my duties of piloting. My question is, with the degrees I'm seeking out now, and focusing so heavily on something other than aviation, will I still have a chance of making my way through flight school, getting my ratings, and building the hours to get into the airlines? Is what I'm doing right, or am I focusing on the wrong thing? #Spring25
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5 answers
William Nwaogu
Construction, CAD and BIM
326
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
William’s Answer
The best is to focus on what you want, each at a time.
Piloting requires much dedication of time to cover the hourly requirements, which might encroach with your other goals and pursuits.
Piloting is also cost intensive, which could interfere with your finances for other programs, if all are to be run simultaneously.
Stress management which goals with adequate planning and time management is of essence, to avoid burnout and stress related sicknesses and physical breakdown.
Piloting requires much dedication of time to cover the hourly requirements, which might encroach with your other goals and pursuits.
Piloting is also cost intensive, which could interfere with your finances for other programs, if all are to be run simultaneously.
Stress management which goals with adequate planning and time management is of essence, to avoid burnout and stress related sicknesses and physical breakdown.
ALAN STAATS
Photographer
3
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
ALAN’s Answer
Hello Vivian - having covered aviation for decades, I can tell you that a college degree may be a requirement for to be considered for flight crew position at an airline (or corporate flight department) but what you major in has little to do with whether or not you get hired. What truly counts is flight experience, and the type of flight experience you've built up. For example, Lufthansa has had a program known as Ab Initio where students who are still in German high schools are selected to begin flight training immediately after graduation. It has worked very well for them, and students who graduate from that program are literally flying the line for the airline after a few years of training. There are Part 141 flight schools that offer a pipeline into regional airlines here in the states; the courses and flight time call for a serious financial commitment, but the ends do justify the means. My advice: Get back into a cockpit, even if it's for just a few hours a month, read and study everything you can get your hands on regarding advances in avionics, if you have time, get a part time job doing anything at the nearest airport and stick with it.
Eric A ware
Run a mini excavator
1
Answer
Billings, Montana
Updated
Eric A’s Answer
I believe that you still have the option too be whatever it is you like if being a pilot is what excites you i say definitely go for it do something that makes you happy!!
Lawrence Apfel
Aircraft Mechanic
7
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Lawrence’s Answer
Vivian,
Your college pursuits are unrelated to your pilot desires. It's admirable and a great thing to get a college degree.....in any major. Personally I believe college teaches you how to think and solve problems; that's important no matter what profession you pursue.
Now as far as your piloting career. You will want to get your private pilot's license, an instrument rating, and a commercial pilot's license. Once you have those you will want to become a CFI (certified flight instructor). While being an instructor may not be your idea of fun, it will help you to build time as a pilot. You will need a lot of flight time in order to qualify for and meet the requirements for an airline transport pilot's license (ATP). Don't quote me but I think you need 1500 flight hours for your ATP. The nice thing about being a CFI other than the time building is you also get paid! Flight instructors make decent money.
You mentioned something about medical concerns. That an important concern since you will need a first class medical certificate to obtain and maintain an ATP. You can Google the FAA medical certificate classifications and get the details; first class medical is the highest level with the strictest requirements.
The airlines are always looking for pilots so I don't believe you will have any trouble, when you're ready, to find work as an airline pilot. Just a factoid which you should keep in the back of your head....there's an automatic retirement age. I believe it's 62 but you should look that up.
Best of luck with your college studies and hopefully your aviation career.
Larry A.
Your college pursuits are unrelated to your pilot desires. It's admirable and a great thing to get a college degree.....in any major. Personally I believe college teaches you how to think and solve problems; that's important no matter what profession you pursue.
Now as far as your piloting career. You will want to get your private pilot's license, an instrument rating, and a commercial pilot's license. Once you have those you will want to become a CFI (certified flight instructor). While being an instructor may not be your idea of fun, it will help you to build time as a pilot. You will need a lot of flight time in order to qualify for and meet the requirements for an airline transport pilot's license (ATP). Don't quote me but I think you need 1500 flight hours for your ATP. The nice thing about being a CFI other than the time building is you also get paid! Flight instructors make decent money.
You mentioned something about medical concerns. That an important concern since you will need a first class medical certificate to obtain and maintain an ATP. You can Google the FAA medical certificate classifications and get the details; first class medical is the highest level with the strictest requirements.
The airlines are always looking for pilots so I don't believe you will have any trouble, when you're ready, to find work as an airline pilot. Just a factoid which you should keep in the back of your head....there's an automatic retirement age. I believe it's 62 but you should look that up.
Best of luck with your college studies and hopefully your aviation career.
Larry A.
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
89
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Vivian - I would get a 1st class medical examination. You will be required to take the 1st class medical every 6 months to keep your ATP (Airline Transport Pilots) Certificate, which is required to fly for the major airlines, Delta, United, American, Alaska, etc. A 1st Class Medical is good for 6 months, it will then become a 2nd Class Medical which is good for 1 year, it will then become a 3rd Class Medical which is good for 2 years.
You may be able to pass the 2nd Class Medical, which will allow you to fly for hire, with a Commercial Pilots Certificate.
Here is a link to the FAA Website for Medical Examiners: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator. The type of designee you need to select is AME.
Once you have determined your medical condition and limitations if any, you can decide the direction to go. There are many none flying position in aviation. Once you get with an airline, even in a non-flying position, you can still have an excellent career. You may decide to be a flight attendant, dispatcher, accounting, customer service, ticket counter, marketing, etc.
Once you have a degree, any degree, you have met the basic qualifications to be an Officer in the Military and then you can go to their flight school.
Here is a youtube link on becoming an air force pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGzLDxEAbl0
Best of luck on your journey
Wayne
You may be able to pass the 2nd Class Medical, which will allow you to fly for hire, with a Commercial Pilots Certificate.
Here is a link to the FAA Website for Medical Examiners: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator. The type of designee you need to select is AME.
Once you have determined your medical condition and limitations if any, you can decide the direction to go. There are many none flying position in aviation. Once you get with an airline, even in a non-flying position, you can still have an excellent career. You may decide to be a flight attendant, dispatcher, accounting, customer service, ticket counter, marketing, etc.
Once you have a degree, any degree, you have met the basic qualifications to be an Officer in the Military and then you can go to their flight school.
Here is a youtube link on becoming an air force pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGzLDxEAbl0
Best of luck on your journey
Wayne