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4 min readโขnovember 29, 2021
Remember the Disney-Pixar movie Planes? ๐ฅ
In the movie, the planes flew themselves, and although that seems fascinating, this is not the case in real lifeโat least, yet. Instead, we have excellent pilots, who help fly our planes so that we can get from one place to another, safely and soundly. ๐จโโ๏ธ๐
A pilot is someone who is knowledgeable about flying and navigating planes and helicopters. ๐
They sometimes work for specific airline companies, transporting passengers from one area to another, by means of flight. Other pilots work to facilitate rescue operations (think: wildfires or police operations) and provide charter flights. ๐ช๐บ
Pilots are often in charge of: ๐
Helping transporting passengers ๐ณ๏ธ
Analyzing weather patterns ๐ก๏ธ
Inspecting equipment and operation systems ๐๏ธ
Determining safe routes ๐บ๏ธ
Calculating fuel โฝ
Airline Transport Pilots โ๏ธ
Aerial Firefighter ๐
Sightseeing and Tour Pilots ๐ซ
Business Pilots ๐ผย
Freight Pilots ๐ฆ
CFI - Flight Instructor ๐ฉโ๐ซ
Commercial Pilots ๐
Private Pilots ๐
Helicopter Pilots ๐
Agricultural Pilots ๐ฉโ๐พ
FBI Pilots ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ
Medical Transport Pilots ๐ฅ
Law Enforcement Pilots โ๏ธ
To become a pilot, there are a few requirements that you must meet:
An undergraduate degree is sometimes required; this varies by the airline you are hired by. ๐
You must have a commercial plot certificate (multi-engine airplane) and FCC radio license. ๐
You must have had 1,500 flight hours of experience. ๐ฌ
You must obtain an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. ๐
You must be 21 years of age. ๐ฐ
Many good colleges offer exceptional aviation programs! Some of the well-renowned schools are listed below:
Purdue School of Aviation and Technology
University of North Dakota Department of Aviation
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lewis University
Ohio State Universityโs Center for Aviation Studies
Western Michigan University
Baylor University
Utah Valley University
The United States Air Force Academy
Louisiana Tech University
LeTourneau University
๐ก For more details and a list of the best aviation schools in 2021, check out this link! ๐
If you are interested in the field and want to get a feel for what it is like to be a pilot, check out the opportunities listed below!ย
High School Flight Program (costs money! ๐ฐ)
There are a variety of online courses, paid (๐ค) and free (๐) that you can start to take as a high schooler! They are entirely virtual! Check out websites like Udemy, Coursera, and edX for thousands of classes you might be interested in! ๐
Course Name | Platform | Free? |
Introduction to Aerodynamics | edX | โ |
Sustainable Aviation: The Route to Climate-Neutral Aviation | edX | โ |
Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering | edX | โ |
Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics | edX | โ |
Flight Mechanics - The Basis | Coursera | โ |
Robotics: Aerial Robotics | Coursera | โ |
Aviation Meteorology: Airport Weather | Udemy | โ |
Certificate Course in Aviation Management - Ground/Cabin Crew | Udemy | โ |
Fundamentals of Aviation Law | Udemy | โ |
Pilots spend most of their working hours on the plane. If you are an airplane pilot, you also spend a lot of time traveling and in different countries/cities depending on your airline company. Most pilots fly 75 hours a month and work 150 hours doing other things like checking weather and preparing for future departures. ๐๐ฆ
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in employment for pilots between the years 2020 and 2030. This is an AMAZING field to be in, as the job outlook is increasing faster than average, meaning there will be more jobs available! ๐
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the yearly salary for pilots was $130,440.ย
โ Remember: Salary depends on the position, qualifications, experience, and education an individual has received!
Are you interested in the work of pilots but want more options? Donโt worry; weโre here to help!ย
Below is a list of some jobs which deal with similar aspects of aviation! ๐
Flight Attendant
Air Traffic Controller
Truck/Bus Driver (i.e. public transportation)
Aircraft Inspection and Maintenance
Aeronautical Engineering
Airport Emergency Services
Aircraft Sales and Customer Liaison
After learning about a pilotโs duties and area of study, are you inclined to learn more? Check out the opportunities and courses listed below to gain some more exposure! Good luck (๐) with exploring and pursuing your passions! โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
๐คConnect with other students studying with Hours!
4 min readโขnovember 29, 2021
Remember the Disney-Pixar movie Planes? ๐ฅ
In the movie, the planes flew themselves, and although that seems fascinating, this is not the case in real lifeโat least, yet. Instead, we have excellent pilots, who help fly our planes so that we can get from one place to another, safely and soundly. ๐จโโ๏ธ๐
A pilot is someone who is knowledgeable about flying and navigating planes and helicopters. ๐
They sometimes work for specific airline companies, transporting passengers from one area to another, by means of flight. Other pilots work to facilitate rescue operations (think: wildfires or police operations) and provide charter flights. ๐ช๐บ
Pilots are often in charge of: ๐
Helping transporting passengers ๐ณ๏ธ
Analyzing weather patterns ๐ก๏ธ
Inspecting equipment and operation systems ๐๏ธ
Determining safe routes ๐บ๏ธ
Calculating fuel โฝ
Airline Transport Pilots โ๏ธ
Aerial Firefighter ๐
Sightseeing and Tour Pilots ๐ซ
Business Pilots ๐ผย
Freight Pilots ๐ฆ
CFI - Flight Instructor ๐ฉโ๐ซ
Commercial Pilots ๐
Private Pilots ๐
Helicopter Pilots ๐
Agricultural Pilots ๐ฉโ๐พ
FBI Pilots ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ
Medical Transport Pilots ๐ฅ
Law Enforcement Pilots โ๏ธ
To become a pilot, there are a few requirements that you must meet:
An undergraduate degree is sometimes required; this varies by the airline you are hired by. ๐
You must have a commercial plot certificate (multi-engine airplane) and FCC radio license. ๐
You must have had 1,500 flight hours of experience. ๐ฌ
You must obtain an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. ๐
You must be 21 years of age. ๐ฐ
Many good colleges offer exceptional aviation programs! Some of the well-renowned schools are listed below:
Purdue School of Aviation and Technology
University of North Dakota Department of Aviation
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Lewis University
Ohio State Universityโs Center for Aviation Studies
Western Michigan University
Baylor University
Utah Valley University
The United States Air Force Academy
Louisiana Tech University
LeTourneau University
๐ก For more details and a list of the best aviation schools in 2021, check out this link! ๐
If you are interested in the field and want to get a feel for what it is like to be a pilot, check out the opportunities listed below!ย
High School Flight Program (costs money! ๐ฐ)
There are a variety of online courses, paid (๐ค) and free (๐) that you can start to take as a high schooler! They are entirely virtual! Check out websites like Udemy, Coursera, and edX for thousands of classes you might be interested in! ๐
Course Name | Platform | Free? |
Introduction to Aerodynamics | edX | โ |
Sustainable Aviation: The Route to Climate-Neutral Aviation | edX | โ |
Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering | edX | โ |
Flight Vehicle Aerodynamics | edX | โ |
Flight Mechanics - The Basis | Coursera | โ |
Robotics: Aerial Robotics | Coursera | โ |
Aviation Meteorology: Airport Weather | Udemy | โ |
Certificate Course in Aviation Management - Ground/Cabin Crew | Udemy | โ |
Fundamentals of Aviation Law | Udemy | โ |
Pilots spend most of their working hours on the plane. If you are an airplane pilot, you also spend a lot of time traveling and in different countries/cities depending on your airline company. Most pilots fly 75 hours a month and work 150 hours doing other things like checking weather and preparing for future departures. ๐๐ฆ
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in employment for pilots between the years 2020 and 2030. This is an AMAZING field to be in, as the job outlook is increasing faster than average, meaning there will be more jobs available! ๐
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the yearly salary for pilots was $130,440.ย
โ Remember: Salary depends on the position, qualifications, experience, and education an individual has received!
Are you interested in the work of pilots but want more options? Donโt worry; weโre here to help!ย
Below is a list of some jobs which deal with similar aspects of aviation! ๐
Flight Attendant
Air Traffic Controller
Truck/Bus Driver (i.e. public transportation)
Aircraft Inspection and Maintenance
Aeronautical Engineering
Airport Emergency Services
Aircraft Sales and Customer Liaison
After learning about a pilotโs duties and area of study, are you inclined to learn more? Check out the opportunities and courses listed below to gain some more exposure! Good luck (๐) with exploring and pursuing your passions! โค๏ธโ๐ฅ
๐คConnect with other students studying with Hours!
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