InTrans / Jan 19, 2007
Careers in aviation
Go! Magazine
posted on January 19, 2007
Airline pilot
Do you love to fly? Most pilots have a passion for flying. You also need to be detail-oriented and concerned about the safety of your passengers and crew. Most of all you need flying experience. Learn more about how to become an airline pilot here.
You can take lessons to earn a private pilot’s license when you’re 16, although you need to be 17 to get the license. To be an airline pilot, you need a commercial pilot certificate, which you earn after attending commercial pilot ground school and logging 250 hours of flight time. You may also need special ratings, like multi-engine and instrument. Many airlines require that pilots have a bachelor’s degree. You can take private lessons or train at a technical or community college such as Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, or Iowa Central Community College in Webster City, Iowa. Learn more about these colleges’ flight training programs:
- Indian Hills Community College
- Iowa Central Community College
Airport field maintenance staff
In the winter, you’ll do mainly snowplowing and related activities. In warmer weather, you’ll do construction, mowing, and other activities related to airport maintenance.
Basic requirements/qualifications
- You need to be able to read and write English.
- You need at least a high school diploma. A two- or four-year degree is helpful if you want to move up the career ladder. You’ll get regular training in-house.
- An interest in aviation is helpful.
- You also need to be highly safety conscious.
- You should be willing to learn to operate lots of different equipment.
By Rema Nikalanta