Introduction
There are many steps to beginning an aviation career, but they can be broken down into two categories: academic and practical. The academic portion of this process includes taking classes at school and gaining flight experience. The practical portion involves:
- Obtaining your pilot certificate.
- Becoming an airframe and powerplant mechanic.
- Getting work experience in the field.
We’ll go over each of these steps in detail below so that you better understand how to get started on your aviation management course path!!
Identify What You Want To Do
The first step to beginning your aviation career is identifying what you want to do. Consider the following:
- What are some of your strengths? Are you a good problem solver, or do you like working with people? Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset, or are you more comfortable in a structured environment?
- What are some ways that aviation could help meet your goals? If safety is important, consider becoming an air traffic controller or flight instructor. If living on the beach is what makes life worth living, consider becoming an avionics technician working on small aircraft that travel near shorelines. If making money and getting ahead are priorities, look into becoming a pilot or flight attendant.
- How well does this career choice fit with who I am? This can be easier said than done when it comes down to choosing something as serious as a career path—but remember: it’s okay if this doesn’t work out! You may find over time that aviation isn’t right for everyone; maybe there’s another passion out there just waiting for someone like yourself!
Take Aviation Classes at School
You’ll need a degree to get a job in the aviation industry. A good place to start is with your local community college. Many offer aviation classes and can help you prepare for more advanced degrees at four-year schools. There are several ways that people choose to study aviation:
- Take general classes on the topic of flight and aviation history
- Earn an associate’s degree in aeronautics or aerospace science
- Pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration (BBA) with an emphasis on aviation management
- Get a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Aviation Safety Studies; BA concentrations include Airline Management and Operations, Aviation Maintenance Management, Airline Marketing/Sales Management, Aviation Law Enforcement/Management
Become a Pilot
- Become a private pilot. Getting your private pilot license requires at least 40 hours of flight time, including 10 hours flying solo. You can learn how to fly in a light aeroplane and rent it on the weekends when you’re ready to go out on your own.
- Get a commercial pilot license. To earn your commercial pilot license, you’ll need 250 hours of flight time, including 100 hours as a private pilot and 50 hours of cross-country navigation experience (unless you already have enough experience). You also have to pass written and psychological exams if they apply in your particular state or country.
- Become an aircraft mechanic or other aviation professional. Many jobs in the aviation industry don’t require having an actual pilot’s license, like acting as maintenance technicians who fix planes, becoming aeroplane mechanics and even working at airports doing ground crew work!
Get Flight Experience
A private pilot certificate is the first step in your career as an aviation professional. It allows you to fly small aircraft alone but requires a flight instructor’s endorsement for solo flights. You’ll also want to get a commercial pilot certificate, which allows you to co-pilot larger planes or act as a charter pilot. Finally, you may also want to consider getting a flight instructor certificate, as this will give you more opportunities when looking for employment and allow you to teach others how to fly aircraft safely. Getting all of these certificates will take time and effort—but if they’re what motivate you, the process will be worth it!
Once you have these basic qualifications, it’s time to move on to more advanced industry positions. For example:
- Get an instrument rating so that you can fly at night or through clouds;
- Get multiengine ratings so that one engine going out doesn’t mean disaster; and
- Get an airline transport pilot certification if this is where your ambitions lie (and make sure no lawsuits are pending against any particular airline before applying).
Gain Airframe and Powerplant Experience
Before you are allowed to work on the airframe or powerplant of an aircraft, you must undergo a thorough training process that lasts several months. This is the only way to ensure that your students are in good hands and can learn how to care for their aircraft properly.
To become an A&P mechanic, pilots need at least 1,500 hours of experience working on aeroplanes and 35 hours of college credit before sitting for their exam. They also need a high school diploma or equivalent degree, which can be obtained online with help from schools like the University of Phoenix or Penn Foster College Online.
To become an aircraft inspector (a position often held by former commercial pilots), you will need at least 1,500 hours of experience working on aeroplanes and five years of experience flying commercially with passengers on board the plane if this sounds like something worth pursuing your career goals then now’s the time!
Advance Your Education
If you want to get into aviation, it’s smart to advance your education. There are several fields within the aviation and many different paths, so you must choose one that will help you achieve your goals.
To become an aircraft pilot, most pilots have at least a bachelor’s degree (although some airlines require a master’s degree). Additionally, many employers require additional training before new employees can start working as full-time pilots after graduation. Suppose you’re interested in becoming an engineer or technician in the airline industry. In that case, it’s also important to have an education beyond high school—many companies require associate’s degrees or even higher levels of vocational training. Other careers in aviation include:
- Air Traffic Controller
- Aviation Maintenance Technician
- Aircraft Mechanic/Technician
There are many steps to beginning an aviation career.
- The steps to begin an aviation career are many and varied.
- Each step is important, but some are more important than others.
- Some steps are easier than others, while some are more difficult or time-consuming.
- Also, some steps toward becoming a pilot can be quite fun!
Conclusion
After all your hard work, you should be well on your way to a career in aviation. Of course, it takes time, patience and dedication to get there, but if you follow these steps then, we’re sure that one day soon, you’ll be flying high in the sky!
