Expert: D. Norkus - 4/11/2007

Question
Did jet fighter pilots during the Korean War need a college degree?  When did a degree become mandatory to becoming a pilot?

Answer
1) Did jet fighter pilots during the Korean War need a college degree?  

I have no idea. That was well before I was born!

2) When did a degree become mandatory to becoming a pilot?

At least for the past decade or so, to be a competitive pilot applicant, one needed a bachelors degree. Even if an airline does not require a 4 year degree, it is usually "preferred" and most applicants will have one. Just check the airlines careers section of their websites. While you can easily get hired by a regional with a two year associates degree, it will be much harder to get hired by a major without it. In all reality aspiring pilots not only need to meet the airlines minimum hiring requirements, but their "competitive minimums" too. That means having, or exceeding, the averaged qualifications of the new hires the airline has chosen. The "competitive mins" can easily be many times over what their advertised minimum requirements are. This is why a having degree, as well as a lot of multi-engine jet/turbo-prop, instrument and night flight time, helps in getting a interview.

Read this page about airline pilot careers and degrees- http://www.jetcareers.com/content/view/22/44/