Generally speaking, you do not need a degree to be a pilot. A lot of pilots worldwide do not have a degree and instead have undergone years of training. However, it’s always worth checking on the country you intend to fly in and the type of airline you want to work for.
To be a qualified private pilot, you must go to a flight school and pass the tests - somewhat like passing a driving test - to have a PPL (Private Pilot’s License). The tests will include a practical flying exam and several written theory exams, wherein you will be using basic maths and science from high school.
Professional pilots go through a lot more work to get their Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL). They will have to pass a series of intense courses and exams with a degree-level knowledge.
Some small American airlines won’t require that you have a degree to succeed, but many large airlines require candidates to have a degree at Bachelor’s level. This is because the level of knowledge obtained during a Bachelor’s degree will be helpful towards obtaining a CPL.
When it comes to the degree you need, most of the time you just need proof that you have passed a degree. It is recommended that you have a Bachelor’s in Aviation, Maths, Science, or another related subject.
Do you need a 4-year degree to be a pilot?
It’s a common misconception that aspiring pilots need a 4-year degree to begin their careers. However, this isn’t always the case. Depending on whether you want to be a private or commercial pilot, you don’t always need a 4-year degree to be a pilot.
Obtaining a degree can be a costly and time-consuming process, which is why a lot of pilot candidates choose to not go to college or university. There are some commercial airlines in America that don’t require a Bachelor’s degree as long as you can pass the tests and examinations.
The tests to obtain a Private Pilot’s License (PPL) are easier to pass than for a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL), which are more extensive and intense and do require some degree-level knowledge.
A 4-year degree will provide you with more knowledge, expertise, and a higher chance of obtaining a pilot’s license. You don’t have to have a degree specifically in Aviation, as Maths, Science, and Engineering are useful degrees to have to pass the exams.
Do you need a college degree to be a pilot?
You do not necessarily need a college degree to be a pilot. Depending on what type of pilot’s license you wish to obtain, it’s not always a requirement to have a college degree as long as you pass the examinations.
It is easier to obtain a Private Pilot’s License (PPL) than it is to obtain a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) for obvious reasons. You don’t need to have a college degree for either, as long as you search to find the right airline which doesn’t require a college degree.
The PPL exams will require a high school-level understanding of maths and science, whereas the CPL will require a near-degree-level understanding of aviation, maths, science, engineering, and more.
There are some small American airlines that don’t have requirements for college degrees as long as you train and pass the courses, however, most large airlines do require a college degree of some sort. This can be a college degree in Aviation, or something related to the subject like Maths, Science, or Engineering.
Do you need a degree to be a corporate pilot?
It is estimated that almost 3/4 of the corporate pilots in America have a degree, which means you don’t necessarily need a college degree to be a corporate pilot.
The examinations, courses, and tests you will need to pass to obtain your pilot’s license will require a degree-level understanding of aviation and other related subjects at flight school. This means that whilst you might benefit more from having a degree, you can technically be a corporate pilot with a high school degree.
If you want to increase your chances of attending and passing flight school efficiently, then a degree will certainly be useful. This can be a degree in Aviation, or a similar subject like Maths, Science, or Engineering. Few corporate pilots will have a Master’s degree in these subjects as well, but this isn’t necessary to obtain a license.
However, it is possible to be a corporate pilot without a degree. College is expensive and time-consuming, so if you’re prepared to study a lot harder than your peers who have a degree, you can still obtain a pilot’s license with your high school degree. All you need is a near-degree-level understanding of aviation, maths, science, and other related subjects.
Do you need a degree to go to flight school?
You do not need a degree to go to flight school. Obviously, it depends on what airline you want to work for, but generally speaking, you will only need a degree-level understanding of aviation, maths, and science.
This means that you can have a high school degree or equivalent and still go to flight school because flight school is about training candidates to pass the courses to obtain their license.
Those who want to be a private pilot will not need a degree to go to flight school, but it’s slightly more complicated for commercial pilot wannabes. Some small American airlines won’t require a degree to go to flight school, but the large ones will.
For the most part, as long as you have a near-degree-level understanding of aviation, maths, and science, you can still go to flight school. Those with a degree will have a slight boost from their qualification.
You don’t necessarily need a degree in Aviation to go to flight school. Proving that you have spent the time on a degree is enough, but flight schools appreciate degrees in Maths, Science, Engineering, and other related subjects. Make sure to check your chosen flight school’s requirements on qualifications.
