What to Expect

Aviation students spend time on the ground and in the air. Many programs are double-duty. Students become licensed pilots and earn a diploma or degree in another subject.

Students should be prepared for busy days. They learn the fundamentals of flying by practicing in flight simulators, getting flying hours in the air, and going over the flights when they're back on the ground.

Ryan Evans is doing his bachelor's of business administration in aviation. He says the amount of work took some getting used to. But the rewards of flying are more than enough to motivate him to work hard.

"Students complete a full business degree as well as significant amounts of pilot training within the same amount of time that most university students only complete a bachelor's degree," says Evans.

He spends between two to four hours doing homework daily.

"There is definitely a massive amount of information to know and be able to apply in aviation," says Jeff Thornton. He is an aviation business administration student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "I have found that the area of flight training that occurs on the ground with an instructor, in a ground school or during private study is the most difficult as a student."

Thornton's dream is to "fly cool airplanes and get paid a lot of money." He wants to become a corporate pilot for a major organization. To get there, he must practice the fundamentals.

"I know that one day I will need to fall back on the skills I'm learning right now to safely complete a flight," he says.

Like Thornton, Evans wants to become a captain for a large commercial airline. He knows it will be a long road. Major airlines require pilots to have over 1,000 hours of flight experience.

Evans is taking a joint program in business administration and aviation. Programs split between educational institutions and flying schools are fairly common.

Evans points out two benefits of this type of program. First, he has an additional qualification over the competition when job hunting. Second, the degree provides him with more career options in case he changes his mind about being a pilot, or fails a medical examination.

Pilots need to pass routine medical exams. If you fail an exam, you may never be able to work as a pilot again. Medical standards are set for safety reasons.

"I know a flight instructor who is actually deaf in one ear and can continue to fly and instruct in airplanes as long as his remaining hearing does not deteriorate," says Thornton. He has poor vision. "I wear glasses that correct it to 20/20 and as long as my vision remains correctible to 20/20, I have nothing to worry about."

Students must be prepared for the high costs of flying. "Flying costs have ranged from approximately $6,000 in one year all the way to $20,000 in another," says Evans. He also spends around $700 on textbooks each year.

"There is no doubt that a student will spend a boatload of money," says Thornton. There are charts and publications to buy as they're updated. A multi-engine flight costs Thornton about $550 each time.

"The only way to help alleviate costs is to come completely prepared for each flight. Know airspeeds and procedures very well so your time in the airplane, where it is most expensive, is minimized and your flight training experience is maximized," says Thornton.

How to Prepare

Team sports will help you work as a member of a team and develop leadership skills. Gain background knowledge about piloting and the airline industry by doing a lot of reading. Most high schools don't offer courses in aviation.

Math, physics, English, computer science, geography and any courses dealing with different cultures and religions are helpful.

"Pilots do not need to be exceedingly smart in these fields, but taking courses in these subject areas will prove quite beneficial throughout pilot training," says Evans.