Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/12/2008

Question
Hello My name is Kyle and i am 18 years old, i am a Senior in high school right now, and I have always had a love for aveation.  I have made the desition that i would really want to be a pilot, yet i want to attend a 4 year college first (Texas A&M). Would you recoment this? why or why not? and if you would recoment this, what should i major in? i am just somewhat confused on what the next step i sould take. and it is getting close. thank you for your time!

Kyle

Answer
Hi, Kyle:

Thanks for your question.  I will try to assist.

First of all, there are a large number of two and four year colleges and universities that offer aviation degree programs.  There are at least 80 with sizeable flight degree programs.  They are listed in teh University Aviation Association's COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE.  This guide can be ordered by contracting the UAA at www.uaa.aero or by calling them at 334-844-2434.

In other words, you can do flight training AND attend a four year college or university at the same time.  It is good to do both since you must do three things to become a good candidate for a larger, well-pyaing airline like American, Continental, etc.:

1.  Earn your basic flight certificates and ratings including the Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Certificate, and Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine Ratings as a minimum.

2.  Build your flight hours to large airline qualfications.....the larger carriers want a minimum of 500 to 1000 pilot in command or captain hours in a jet or turbine aircraft.

AND

3.  Earn a college degree....this will make you competitive in the job market in general as well as in the pilot job market.

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.

Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu