What college majors to become an airline pilot?

Luca B: What college majors to become an airline pilot?
I am a junior in high school and I want to become a professional airline pilot. I just started looking at colleges and majors, but I don’t know what majors to take. I understand I will have to go to flight school, but I want to go to college as well. I don’t plan on joining the Air Force. Thanks.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Heather
A friend of mine got her degree in Airline Business at Embry Riddle Aeronautic University. That would be a good school for you to check out as it’s all about the aerospace industry.

Answer by Sean M
Joining the Air Force would be the best guarantee.

Answer by Patrick M
first, joining the air force only guarantees one thing, that you will be in the air force. It by no means guarantees that you will fly. I don’t know the curent numbers, but when i was looking to join, the ratio of non-flying personel to flying, was 200 to 1. the other thing is, 85% of the people that join the air force to fly end up washing out of the training. and just because you wash out of flight training dose not mean that you will be able to leave. they will find a job for you.

Now as for your question. Riddle is a great school, so is UND. As for what the degree is really called, well that depends….At Riddle is it called Aeronautical Science. At UND it is called Avation, I have seen it called “the professional pilot program” as well. Ohio State University just calls it Professional Pilot.

Answer by Marc
check out UAA.aero

This will give you a complete list of all colleges that are part of the University Aviation Association. Pick a school that fits your lifestyle and interests not one that has the biggest advertisements in Flying magazine.

Most college flight students will major in some sort of aviation management or administration. These degree choices give you a lot better idea of how an airline run from the operational side and a background with some understanding of business in general. With that being said these aviation centered majors really limit your flexibility when it comes time to job hunting in case the aviation job market doesn’t yield any openings. It is not uncommon for pilots to do their flight training with a school and major in something that has nothing to do with aviation as a backup plan. I major in aviation management at SIUC and fly in their program too. The job market for pilots is pretty bleak right now but with my management degree I have the opportunity to intern for many major and regional airlines or even corporate flight departments on the operational side. Anything helps to get your foot in the door with an airline helps. A diverse background though helps your resume and you should think hard on if you really want to focus your entire college experience on just aviation.