Online Pilot Training Degrees
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If you've dreamt of traveling the world and love to see new places, then perhaps being a pilot is the career choice for you. Pilots work in a variety of fields and can choose to fly helicopters, small aircraft, or jetliners. They are responsible for planning flights, ensuring systems are operating correctly, overseeing crew members, and, of course, flying planes. Being a pilot requires hard work, long hours, and the proper education, training, and licensure.
If you think a pilot's only job is to fly an aircraft, you're wrong; pilots do much more than just sit behind the controls. They plan flights prior to departure, make sure the aircraft is loaded properly, make in-route flight path changes, make careful calculations, and manage other crew members. Because pilots have such a high level of responsibility, education and training requirements are quite extensive. Most pilots will need to complete a college degree program in addition to completing flight school. Licensure is only granted to individuals who have met all education, FAA flight time, and physical requirements.
Pilots can choose to specialize in a variety of areas, from commercial flights to crop dusting. They may choose to fly commercial planes, work for private companies, or even pilot medical helicopters. Compensation varies greatly depending on a pilot's specialization and experience.
Featured Accredited Schools Offering Online Pilot Training Degrees
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What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Airline Pilot: Airline pilots have the largest number of support staff. Their main duty is flying the aircraft, but they may also be responsible for handling unruly passengers. They must also meet additional licensure requirements.
- Copilot: Copilots share flight duties with pilots and captains. They are sometimes called first officers and share responsibility for checking flight controls and monitoring communications from ground crew.
- Flight Engineer: Flight engineers assist pilots and copilots. They make small repairs during flights, monitor instruments, and keep a look out for other aircraft in their flight path. Many flight engineers work their way up to becoming copilots or pilots.
- Flight Instructor: Flight instructors teach other people to fly. They use simulators and special dual-controlled aircraft in addition to teaching ground-based classes. They may also fly with students who are completing their certifications.
What degree levels are available?
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Flight School: 6 months-1 year to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
While some pilots can obtain an entry-level job right out of high school, college degrees are becoming more and more desirable. To be competitive, an associate degree is the recommended minimum requirement. Students in pilot training programs will complete a variety of courses, including math, English, and aeronautical engineering. In addition to college coursework, pilots must also have flight experience. Many people now choose to complete classes at FAA-approved flight schools because it reduces the amount of flight experience needed to get a license. Pilots will also complete company-specific training before starting to work. The amount of time this takes to complete can vary, but it typically includes several weeks of training. In order to obtain and maintain a pilot's license, ongoing training must be completed. There are also physical examinations and vision checks.
To obtain FAA licensure, applicants must meet strict education and physical requirements. Applicants must be 18 or older, be in good health, have good hearing, and have 20/20 vision, with or without glasses. They must also have completed a minimum of 250 hours in flight. 40 of those flight hours should include flying by instruments to prove a pilot's ability to maintain control during low visibility. In addition to all other requirements, a written exam must be passed before a license will be granted.
Pilots interested in flying for airlines must meet additional requirements. They must have an air transport pilot's license, which means meeting additional age requirements and flight hours. These pilots must be at least 23 years old and complete 1,500 hours of flight time. They may also be required to complete psychological and aptitude testing. In order to maintain licensure and advance in their careers, pilots must complete ongoing training and flight-time requirements. There is also periodic retesting of physical and visual aptitude. Specific employers may also have their own ongoing training programs. (BLS)
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
- Aerodynamics: This course will introduce students to the physics and mathematics behind the concept of aerodynamics. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of the theory of aerodynamics to the piloting of an aircraft in real-world scenarios.
- Commercial Pilot Operations: Becoming a pilot requires individuals to not only know how to fly a plane, but also how to operate in commercial airspace and ground control scenarios.
- Instrument Pilot Operations: This course familiarizes students with the piloting instruments found in various cockpits. Students can expect to learn about different instruments used by pilots in all different kinds of aircraft like altimeters and horizon markers.
- Advanced Avionics: Building on courses such as aerodynamics, this class would teach students about avionics from the more academic perspective. Students learn about how airplanes work down to every flap and gear.
- Aircraft Turbine Engines: The turbine engine is the cornerstone of many aircraft flight capabilities. This course covers the basic and not-so-basic aspects of turbine engines that every pilot should understand before flying a turbine engine plane.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
Yes, all programs in pilot training require hands-on flight experience both in simulators and in actual aircraft. In some cases, this can be performed through a secondary training program that supervises the pilot in training, but usually this component of the education is completed on-site at the program where classes are taken.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
- Aviation Technology: A wide range of possibilities exist for a career with an aviation technology degree. Aviation technicians work on the construction and maintenance of aircraft from the theoretical design stage of next generation airplanes to the construction and the maintenance of current aircraft in use around the world.
- Diesel Mechanic: Diesel mechanics specialize in the performance of work on diesel engines, particularly in large trucks and other vehicles. Mechanics are required to diagnose and repair a wide range of issues that might arise related to diesel engines.
- Tourism and Travel: Tourism and travel degree graduates work in the airline and hotel industries to promote travel for clients seeking to go on vacation or travel for other reasons. They may work as travel agents, flight attendants, tour guides, hotel managers, and other related fields.
