Hello Everyone,
I am a sophomore in High School right now and I want to be a Pilot. I was wondering which is the best way to become a pilot, either through College like San Jose State University and get my Bachelors or go to a flight school. Do Colleges help train you to be a pilot or is it better to go to a flight school?
Thank You
Sid,
While there are flight schools that offer pilot training a part of aviation degrees, we recommend getting your degree (as the Majors prefer one) and then doing your flight training after. Aviation degrees are generally very expensive, take long and the airlines neither require or desire one.
By getting a degree in a different field you still get the degree box checked but also have a backup in case flying doesn’t work out.
Adam
Hey Siddhanth, ATP Admissions here!
It looks like you are exploring possibilities for flight training.
Feel free to give us a call at your convenience so that we may better assist you. We would love to answer any question you might have and provide some guidance.
ATP Admissions is available M-F 8am-7pm EST and our phone number is 904-595-7950.
Sid,
We 9/10 always recommend after high school attending a college and obtaining a degree because it will set you up for better success in flight training AND provide you a backup plan if something in aviation falls through. Part 141 degrees can be a little more expensive, and even cost you more time in the end to be “behind the par” when it comes to your peers. Any degree will work, find something you would truly enjoy doing if aviation fell through, and go get it!
The mentors here all have different degrees, there is no set degree you “must” have to become a pilot. Just some food for thought.
Brady
Sid,
College is for earning a degree and flight school is to learn how to fly. Now some colleges have degree programs with flying included but we honestly don’t recommend them. They are costly and end up taking longer in the big picture. Plus they don’t set you up for success working on a rating per year. Initial airline training is very accelerated and best to learn under that pace sooner than later.
Hannah
Hi Adam, Sid is just like me. I am a freshman in high school and I know 100% I need to be a pilot no matter what. I think ATP is the best way to do it but I don’t know how to convince my parents that college would be a waste of time since I know I really want to be a pilot, would you recommend that I go to college? Or straight from ATP to the Airlines. Also if you have any tips for someone that wants to be a pilot please let me know. I know it sounds crazy but I have been studying for some of the tests like the PPL and studying the lingo for aviation!
Don’t look to me for help convincing your parents. I have NEVER said (nor do I believe) college is a waste of time. I also never recommend ATP after HS. Never.
My advice for you is the same as for Sid and anyone else in HS. Do well in HS then continue on to college and do well there. I also suggest you actually READ the threads on this forum as there’s a ton of useful information.
Adam
If college is a waste of time, what is flight school to them? You also state, "I know I really want to be a pilot," why is this? Does flying run in your family, have you conducted discovery flights in the path, what motivates you to have this desire of becoming a pilot (further, an airline pilot). Adam, nor anyone of us on the forum are going to convince your parents that you MUST do something.
Unless you were 30 and skipped college, but were working in the professional field for years, would it be possibly applicable to go right into flight training… it sounds like you are half of that age. You should focus on high school, graduate and attend a college, get a degree, and have a backup plan if something in aviation falls through. College not only sets you up for a backup plan, but also prepares you to mature, grow and be ready for further education such as becoming a pilot. While a 17-year-old can become a private pilot, it doesn’t happen often.
High school > college > flight training is my recommendation here.
Brady