Is a 4 year degree needed?
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Fort Worth, TX
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Is a 4 year degree needed?
Hello all,
I am thinking of starting a new career in aviation b/c I know I will love waking up every morning going to work. I also know that flight schools runs about $25,000-$40,000. I am fully willing to take on that debt to follow my dream but I don't have a college degree. I graduated high-school and have some college but am not currently in school. Would I be able to land a non-ATP commercial pilot job (freight-dog, regional charter, etc..) if I get part 141 certified for PPL, IR, CPL (single), CPL (multi), CFI, CFII, CFI (multi)? Or must I have a 4 year college degree to land one of these type of jobs as well?
Thanks
I am thinking of starting a new career in aviation b/c I know I will love waking up every morning going to work. I also know that flight schools runs about $25,000-$40,000. I am fully willing to take on that debt to follow my dream but I don't have a college degree. I graduated high-school and have some college but am not currently in school. Would I be able to land a non-ATP commercial pilot job (freight-dog, regional charter, etc..) if I get part 141 certified for PPL, IR, CPL (single), CPL (multi), CFI, CFII, CFI (multi)? Or must I have a 4 year college degree to land one of these type of jobs as well?
Thanks
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK
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From my experience there is no need to have a degree i.e. it is not a prerequisite.
However, there may be companies in the US that prefer a degree of some sort, and without doubt a degree is of use in all walks of life! An interesting point is that you can complete a degree with your flying studies - but not four years obviously!.
In the UK a degree is not required for the completion of licenses. I even attended a groundschool where there were graduates with various degrees - and no one person found the studies easy by any measure! In fact, since I had been flying from 1992 I found that I could get to grips with it quicker than others (maybe because I have lost count of how many books and magazine articles I have read on the subjects!!). And I do not have a degree.
In summary, I think most companies will employ you (or not!) on the basis of your flying experience. This is the only tangible proof you and they have that you can do the job you are applying for. In some cases insurance implications mean that you would need 1000's of hours for what appear entry-level jobs. I found this to be the case especially if you are flying single-pilot IFR - but each case is different!
All the best!
However, there may be companies in the US that prefer a degree of some sort, and without doubt a degree is of use in all walks of life! An interesting point is that you can complete a degree with your flying studies - but not four years obviously!.
In the UK a degree is not required for the completion of licenses. I even attended a groundschool where there were graduates with various degrees - and no one person found the studies easy by any measure! In fact, since I had been flying from 1992 I found that I could get to grips with it quicker than others (maybe because I have lost count of how many books and magazine articles I have read on the subjects!!). And I do not have a degree.
In summary, I think most companies will employ you (or not!) on the basis of your flying experience. This is the only tangible proof you and they have that you can do the job you are applying for. In some cases insurance implications mean that you would need 1000's of hours for what appear entry-level jobs. I found this to be the case especially if you are flying single-pilot IFR - but each case is different!
All the best!
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Get a degree, you never know when your medical will go. You also do not know how long you are going to have to wait for a flying job. So what do you do after 15 years of waiting.
Once you have a degree you have it. IT costs little in comparison to most other forms of training and places you that level above non-grads when it comes to the every CV is the same.
df1 is right you don't need it but if you had 100 CVs all from qualified pilots and 90 had degrees sense dictates that unless the non-grad had something spectacular on the CV then they probably wouldnt get the interview. THis is not because they weren't as good. It is simply because in this day and age a degree is the norm not the exception for any profession.
Yes df1 you don't need it but no one will turn you down for having another string to your bow.
Just IMHO you do whatever you think suits and I realize the differences in the USA having worked in various countries.
VT
Once you have a degree you have it. IT costs little in comparison to most other forms of training and places you that level above non-grads when it comes to the every CV is the same.
df1 is right you don't need it but if you had 100 CVs all from qualified pilots and 90 had degrees sense dictates that unless the non-grad had something spectacular on the CV then they probably wouldnt get the interview. THis is not because they weren't as good. It is simply because in this day and age a degree is the norm not the exception for any profession.
Yes df1 you don't need it but no one will turn you down for having another string to your bow.
Just IMHO you do whatever you think suits and I realize the differences in the USA having worked in various countries.
VT
Join Date: May 2000
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In the US, you can be pretty much certain that most jobs will require a degree, unlike Europe where many have them but they are not required - there are degree programs that I have heard about that incoroprate ATP studies and flying so that may be a good route to follow, such that the degree applies to what you want to do for a career. Western Michigan certainly has such a program, and I believe Embry Riddle does as well?
You will probably find better advice from some of the US guys who are about, maybe in the North American forum, but are fewer in numbers than us Europeans, as we may not be as knowledgable about the US state of play.
You will probably find better advice from some of the US guys who are about, maybe in the North American forum, but are fewer in numbers than us Europeans, as we may not be as knowledgable about the US state of play.
