Expert: D. Norkus - 4/6/2011

Question
Hi Dottie - My daughter would like to pursue a career in aviation - flying planes for a commercial airline specifically.  She's a junior in high school.  I was wondering what kind of courses she needs to take to begin to pursue this.  I honestly have no idea.  We live in the Metrowest/Boston area.
Thanks.

Answer
Kim,

I know when I was younger I heard people say you had to take all the physics and math classes you could in school, even aero engineering, to be a pilot but that really isn't necessary. The math required for a high school diploma is all that is used in the cockpit every day. A bachelors degree math requirements will meet and exceed the math we apply every day but will provide a background helpful for understanding the characteristics of flight. These days at the airlines the Flight Management System on most aircraft does all the work for the pilots, so they have very little math to worry about.

The hardest math needed is very, very basic algebra to figure speed/time/distance problems using rounded numbers in your head. (In case the FMS is not operational.) These include such subjects as fuel planning, temperature conversions, reciprocal headings, turn radius, crosswind components, time-speed-distance problems & calculating true airspeed. The book "Mental Math for Pilots" by Ronald McElroy covers all the calculations one needs to know. You can find a used copy for $10 at Amazon.

I'd suggest geography and weather (more likely a community college or university course) too. Weather and navigation will be a part of the pilot ground school curriculum as well. Any course or activity that develops leadership skills is also a good idea. Not frequently mentioned, by captains are not just pilots but Crew Leaders, who must be effective managers of their airplane and their crew in addition to multi-tasking and prioritizing cockpit workload items.

What she can do right now to best prepare isn't so much in a school setting but simply educating herself about the career, how to get qualified and what to expect of the job (many have some surprisingly unrealistic impressions). Do that via these links below.

Web resources for her to spend time learning about the career and what to expect:

The AirLine Pilots Association (union) has created a nice resource for aspiring airline pilots. There is a LOT to digest and read there. Go to this link-  http://www.clearedtodream.org/

The short and sweet about the basic career FAQs- http://www.pilotcareer.info/
A site I made detailing things aspiring pilots should know. Addresses the most commonly asked questions and the cost of flight training.

A website created for aspiring pilots by a Delta First Officer - http://jetcareers.com/
It also has a message board for asking questions.

Resources to help her with flight training:

I suggest checking out the Aviation Explorer Scouts or the Civil Air Patrol. Both will get her into the world of aviation and the cost will be minimal. You may even find reduced cost flight training.

Aviation Exploring is a youth development program centered around aviation careers. Member benefits: orientation flights in military transports, helicopters, gliders, or single-engine general aviation aircraft. Visit Air Force bases, aviation museums, air shows, or FAA facilities. Learn to preflight an aircraft. Take pilot training ground school classes. They also offer scholarships for those on the aviation career track. http://www.aviationexploring.org/

The Civil Air Patrol (a military styled organization) offers cadets the chance to take orientation flights in powered and glider aircraft at no cost to them. Paired with an experienced CAP volunteer pilot, cadets help preflight the aircraft, observe takeoff procedures and while aloft actually manipulate the controls and perform basic flight maneuvers. The program also enables cadets to learn about meteorology, navigation and aircraft instrumentation and technology. CAP Cadets fly approximately 16,000 hours in powered aircraft and 7,000 sorties in gliders each year. CAP cadet info-
http://www.cap.gov/visitors/members/cadet_programs/

Two organizations that are specifically for women are The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots (recreational or pro pilots only) and Women In Aviation International/WAI (all aspects/careers). I suggest getting involved in both groups as each offer scholarships, advice/mentoring and many opportunities to network. I was lucky enough to be awarded a Boeing 737 type rating training course by the Ninety-Nines ($8,000) and also won two awards to help pay for my basic flight training many years ago. I highly recommend "The 99s". Member demographics and activity levels vary from chapter to chapter, so if there is more than one in your area, check them both out. Locate your nearest chapter-

http://www.ninety-nines.org

WAI is for those on the career track but not all members are pilots. They also give many scholarships (often airline sponsored), but few of the total are open to the less experienced pilot and are targeted at those already flying professionally to advance their career. Recently the organization started adding chapters on the local level. See if one is in your area-

http://www.wai.org

The Experimental Aviation Association may also be a place she can get invoved. Get more info here-
http://www.eaa.org/learntofly/student/

Flight Training magazine
One of the BEST resources for new pilots: "We've assembled a wide variety of resources to speed your understanding of flight and your flight-training experience, including frequently asked questions; articles to enhance your flying skills; interactive online courses; briefings on important topics; and special features. All are grouped within the five major phases of student pilot training: Pre-solo, Solo, Maneuvers, Cross-Country, and Flight Test Prep."

Students get a free 6 month subscription. If she reads this and absorbs it, flight training will be easier from day one. Like a flight instructor in your mailbox every month-
http://flighttraining.aopa.org

A fact of note: It is estimated there are only about 4000 women airline pilots worldwide, the majority in the United States. The FAAs latest statistic is women are about 6% of all certificated pilots in the USA.

Let me know if you need anything else,
Dottie