Expert: David A. NewMyer - 2/6/2008

Question
As I have always longed for an exciting, hands-on and diverse career, lately I have begun planning to become an airline pilot.  I'm 16 and will be going into grade 12 next year and am wondering about typically which courses I would benefit from and which areas I should focus on.  I have been told to stick to areas such as math, physics, English and computers but have a few concerns about those areas.  So far I plan to finish high school with courses such as English, History, Geography, Math, Physics, Biology and French.  As I am not very strong in math and will be going into university before flight training school (to have a precautionary background) and I am wondering which areas I should gain a background in, which courses would be most useful during the training and later when applying for jobs.  While I have an understanding of the process of becoming an airline pilot, I am still confused by which path of educational training would most likely benefit me in the long run.  Any previous experiences or advice would be extremely helpful in comprehending the path of becoming a pilot.
Thank you.

(PS.  I also live in Canada and will be going to school in British Columbia - if that makes any difference.)

Answer
Hi,

I understand your concerns and questions.  I will try to help.

First of all, I would recommend taking anything that helps with your written and oral communication skills, with your math skills and with your science skills.  Aviation is the sort of field that relies on these three areas.  Also, if you can take a course in weather or meteorology at the university level, that would be very helpful as well.  Typically, such classes are offered via the Geography Department.

Second, another idea might be to attend a university or college program that offers you the chance to take aviation content at the university level.  I am not sure if there is a university or college in BC that offers aviation, but, I know there are some in eastern Canada such as the University of Western Ontario, Seneca College near Toronto and I think a school in Moncton.....you may know more about that than I do.  In any case, if you can attend a college or university aviation degree program, that would give you the chance to study both general subjects and aviation subjects and you would have the aviation faculty there to assist you in general course selection.

I hope that this information is of help to you.  Please follow up with other questions, as needed.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale