Expert: Cal Taylor - 3/15/2010

Question
Hi i am charlie i am 15 and i am doing my GCSE's and could you tell me about the sort of maths i would be doing if i was a pilot and about the medical because i have a eye condition but i have contact lenses and i have 20/20 vision with them  but without them i havent. So could you tell me if i can be a pilot And also if i dont make it as a pilot what other things i could do with aircraft e.g flight engineer.
Cheers
charlie :)

Answer
Dear Charlie
It looks like you are in England, with the GCSE. I live in the United States and was, once, where you are. For math, you should go at least through high school algebra. That is useful not only in aviation but in many other professions. Also, work with your English classes. As a pilot (or in all other professions, it is essential to be able to express yourself clearly. To become a pilot, you will need to be able to pass examinations that measure how well you have studied and understood many regulations and aviation technical material.

If you live near an airport that has flight instruction, talk to some of the instructors and other pilots. Ask them questions about how they became pilots and what they needed to learn. Also, there may be some colleges near you that have aviation courses. At the age of 15, you are at a good place to learn what you will need to achieve your dream of becoming a pilot.  You have the time to plan your school courses in math, English, physics and even many other courses, such as history and economics. That way, your high school years will be used most effectively for that purpose. Plus, most pilots really like to talk about how they became a pilot, especially to a young person who is interested. Don't be shy about asking questions, when you find a pilot who is initerested.


Have you considered the Air Cadets? That would give you an excellent introduction to aviation.

Here is a web site for the UK Civil Aviation Authority that appears to answer your vision questions.
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catbird=49%26pagetype=68%26gid=1250

Good luck and if you want to contact me directly, use this email address.  firstfleet@aol.com

Cal Taylor
once a navigator in the USAF and also a private pilot