Do i need college to become a commercial airline pilot?

Question

Do i need college to become a commercial airline pilot?

Answer 1

Yes, you have to know the basics!!!

Answer 2

Most major airlines REQUIRE a four year degree.  Even if there isn't a specific requirement, most people applying will have degrees, so if you are applying without one, you are already disadvantaged.

Most regional airlines say that a four year degree is preferred, but they will hire people without a degree if they have a lot of seats to fill.  This is even getting more rare since there are so many pilots with degrees available.

If this is your career goal, plan on going to college.  Any short term shortcut will come back and bite you sometime in the future.

Answer 3

Yes major carriers do as it shows that you can stick to something.

Answer 4

NO (but if you want to get up the ranks, YES)

In order to receive you Commercial Pilot Certificate you need to complete the curriculum outlined by the FAA. There is no technical college involved. There are some colleges that allow you to do this as part of their degree program, but college is not required.

Once you have your Commercial Pilot Certificate the amount of college you will need will depend upon who want to work for.

If you want to fly small jets, for a regional airline, then you may not need any college at all. Generally these jobs range from having your required pilot certificates and a few hundred hours experience to having a 2 year degree and a thousand hours of experience.

To fly for a major airline, you generally have to work for a regional airline first. Also most major airlines require a 4 year degree in order to be offered an interview.

If you would be completely content as a commercial airline pilot flying small jets then you never have to go to college.

Be warned though that the average pilot get furloughed 4 times in their carrier, so if you dont want to work at McDonalds when your job hits the fan, a degree is a plus.

Answer 5

of course. you need to know the basics of piloting..

Answer 6

Perhaps you should read some of the answers before you ask the same question a second time.  Right now, nobody is hiring, so take four years or so to get a degree and things might be looking up.  Most of the better airlines do require a degree, and it's a good idea to have a non-aviation backup plan in place, just in case.  Good luck.

Answer 7

Technically, no. Not required by the FAA. But, if you want a good job, you will have to have it. The flight school I teach at won't even hire a CFI without a four-year degree. Doesn't really matter what discipline it's in though.

Answer 8

It depends.  Almost all major airlines require a college degree.  I do know of a couple of people who got hired at one of the legacy airlines, in the US, without a college degree (their parents were captains at the airline).  Regionals are more willing to hire without a degree, but it depends on how many pilots they need.

Skipping college is a really bad idea.  Pilots are a dime a dozen these days, and almost every one of them had a 4 year degree.  You'll be at a big disadvantage, when going for a job, if you don't have one.  Airlines get thousands and thousands of applications.  They have to find ways to easily weed people out.  One of the first ways is to throw away all applicants without a 4 year degree.

Answer 9

A four year degree in ANYTHING is acceptable to the airlines. They just want to know that you can survive a rigorous training and study regimen. Basic indoc at any airline is like taking a sip of water from a fire hose. So be ready for it.

Answer 10

As aircraft systems and flight procedures become more and more complex, airline hiring executives want to know that pilot applicants have good study skills and can learn new information readily.  Therefore, an applicant has no chance of being hired as a pilot with the airlines without a 4-year college degree.