2 answers
Bradley
Student
Honolulu, Hawaii
2
Questions
Asked
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Is a college degree in aviation preferred over an independent private pilot license?
I'm curious because I'm applying to colleges at this time in my life and want to be able to make the most informed decision possible when choosing what school or program to pursue. #future #college-advice
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2 answers
Andrei Levcovici
Chief Inspector at Flexjet
62
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Andrei’s Answer
Hello Bradley,
Interesting question, but the answer will depend on where do you expect to go in the future or what are you trying to accomplish.
A private pilot's license by itself, will not get you much of a future. Private pilot's license will only allow you to fly yourself along with friends or family and you cannot get compensated (at most you can share the expense of the aircraft). You will need a commercial pilot's license if you want to get paid for your services.
Can you be a professional pilot without a college degree? Sure! I happen to know a few excellent pilots that do not have college degrees.
A college degree however, is like an insurance policy for the future. As you get older or your your health deteriorates, you may not be able to pass your required medical checkups, and a college degree may give you the flexibility to move in a different direction when you can't fly anymore. Eventually you may want to move into management, which will be very difficult without a college degree.
A college degree is very important, and it may make you a better pilot as well.
Planning for the future, is like planning a road trip, you need to know your destination. Once you know where you are going, you can plan the best route to get you there.
Good luck!
Interesting question, but the answer will depend on where do you expect to go in the future or what are you trying to accomplish.
A private pilot's license by itself, will not get you much of a future. Private pilot's license will only allow you to fly yourself along with friends or family and you cannot get compensated (at most you can share the expense of the aircraft). You will need a commercial pilot's license if you want to get paid for your services.
Can you be a professional pilot without a college degree? Sure! I happen to know a few excellent pilots that do not have college degrees.
A college degree however, is like an insurance policy for the future. As you get older or your your health deteriorates, you may not be able to pass your required medical checkups, and a college degree may give you the flexibility to move in a different direction when you can't fly anymore. Eventually you may want to move into management, which will be very difficult without a college degree.
A college degree is very important, and it may make you a better pilot as well.
Planning for the future, is like planning a road trip, you need to know your destination. Once you know where you are going, you can plan the best route to get you there.
Good luck!
Thanks for the helpful response!
Bradley
Ricardo Gomez-Nieto
Paralegal
2
Answers
Bellmore, New York
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Hi, my son is Aviation Major at the University of North Dakota. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you would like to be a commercial pilot for the major airlines, a degree in aviation will get into the major airlines with only 1,000 hours of flight time. If you get your commercial license on your own, they you will need 1,500 to 1,600 hours before an airline will review your resume.
In regards to obtaining your private pilots license before you enter college, it does not really matter. The better programs like Purdue, Ohio State, North Dakota, Western Michigan and San Jose State, will have you repeat your private pilot's license again, so in effect you will paying for the same real estate twice, so your not saving anything from a cash flow prospective.
The major airlines all recruit out of the universities mentioned above.
If your looking for a career in military aviation, Purdue's Naval ROTC will give you a leg up. North Dakota and Ohio State are good spots for getting an Air Force slot. The Army only flies Helos. North Dakota is king.
Good luck
I hope this information is helpful.
In regards to obtaining your private pilots license before you enter college, it does not really matter. The better programs like Purdue, Ohio State, North Dakota, Western Michigan and San Jose State, will have you repeat your private pilot's license again, so in effect you will paying for the same real estate twice, so your not saving anything from a cash flow prospective.
The major airlines all recruit out of the universities mentioned above.
If your looking for a career in military aviation, Purdue's Naval ROTC will give you a leg up. North Dakota and Ohio State are good spots for getting an Air Force slot. The Army only flies Helos. North Dakota is king.
Good luck
I hope this information is helpful.