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What degree shall I pursue that will allow me a career in aviation possible piloting? Should I apply for mechanical engineering or other options available? Please let me know what your opinion would be. I really like to build things, but I also wanna fly.
I’m a high school student and my goal in life is definitely to fly. I really enjoyed building things as well. My GPS is 4.0 I’m very diligent about my school work and math is my favorite subject.
I like to travel and visited 40 of the 63 National parks in the US. This is when I developed my love for flight.
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Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
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Ethiopia
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
With your passion for flying, building things, and strong math skills, aeronautical or aerospace engineering is a great fit. These fields teach you how aircraft work, covering aerodynamics, propulsion, and flight systems. This knowledge opens doors to careers in aircraft design, test piloting, or aerospace research. If aerospace programs aren't available, mechanical engineering is a solid backup. It offers broad skills in mechanics, materials, and thermodynamics, and when combined with flight training, it can still lead to a pilot career or roles in aircraft innovation, maintenance, or test piloting.
While an engineering degree alone doesn't make you a professional pilot, pairing it with flight training makes you highly competitive. Airlines and aerospace companies value both technical knowledge and piloting skills. Key certifications for commercial flying include a Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Multi-Engine Rating (ME), and eventually an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). By pursuing aerospace or aeronautical engineering, or mechanical engineering as an alternative, along with the right flight training, you can gain the expertise and skills needed to become a successful professional pilot.
While an engineering degree alone doesn't make you a professional pilot, pairing it with flight training makes you highly competitive. Airlines and aerospace companies value both technical knowledge and piloting skills. Key certifications for commercial flying include a Private Pilot License (PPL), Instrument Rating (IR), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Multi-Engine Rating (ME), and eventually an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). By pursuing aerospace or aeronautical engineering, or mechanical engineering as an alternative, along with the right flight training, you can gain the expertise and skills needed to become a successful professional pilot.