Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/8/2005

Question
Dear Mr. NewMyer:

I'd like to see if you can help me with a report I am doing on "The Significance of Higher Education to Recruiters of Commercial Pilots" for a course in business communications. I am a university student as well as a licenced commercial pilot and trying to determine the value of university/college training for pilots. If you would like further details, please feel free to e-mail me and I can send you a copy of my proposal as well as a list of relevant questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Answer
Hi, Nisha:

I would be happy to assist you with this project in terms of giving you suggestions on resources to obtain, and, questions to ask.  Just send me your questions via another question to Allexperts.com

I can tell you that one source I have used indicated that the larger airlines up to the time of the 9-11 attacks were, on average, hiring new pilots who had a college degree approximately 90% of the time.  Also, I know that a number of universities and colleges that offer aviation degrees have linkages of various kinds with airlines....internships, bridge agreements, direct hire agreements and so forth.  So, there is defintely a significant link between postsecondary education and airlines who hire commercial pilots.

For a list of colleges and universities that offer aviation training, obtain a copy of the COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE published by the University Aviation Association.  Their website is www.uaa.aero and their email address is uaa@auburn.edu  Or, you can call them at 334-844-2434

Best wishes on your study,

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