To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a degree

M

MarNas

Well-Known Member
Is a 4 years degree a basic requirements to get in the executive/corporate/fractional aviation in the USA?

The point isn't that I don't like to study, but to be honest I'm not interested to work for a major, or at least not today! My goal is to become a pilot on planes like Gulfstream.

I found out the Netjets' requirements for pilots, and no degree is mentioned.

If the mods is better to move this topic to another section, I'm sorry for that and thanks.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

Marnas,

Welcome to the site. I will answer your question with a "it depends." There are jobs out there for people without a degree, and it is quite a bit of who you know. Most of my jobs have come from word of mouth or direct contact with people. We do have a pilot here without a degree, but I would not hinge my future on having that happen. As far as not liking to study, well, how are you going to pass a type rating? Guess what...the saying it's like drinking from a fire hose is very true.

If I were you, I would knock out the degree, and be done with it. I know it sounds easier than it is, but it will be worth it in the long run to know you will not be passed up for a job because you felt like being lazy earlier in life. Good luck.

Current G-450 pilot.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

First you said this

MarNas said:
The point isn't that I don't like to study...
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And then this

My goal is to become a pilot on planes like Gulfstream.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to be mean but rather just offer some helpful advice. Saying things like "well I don't like to study but I want to do this..." can come across as being lazy. I'm not saying that's you but just FYI that's how some people interpret that.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

at1024 said:
First you said this
Click to expand...

I think he said this
The point isn't that I don't like to study
Click to expand...

Nobody like school. Any kind of school. Most people will say get a four year degree, I will argue that it can be done without one. If you are currently a student, I would recommend staying a student and fly on the side until you are finished. If you are debating going to school, then weigh your options.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

Several pilots in our department do not have a 4 year degree. That said, they were hired long ago. I think it would be challenging to be competitive without one in this day and age.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

dc3flyer said:
I think he said this


Nobody like school. Any kind of school. Most people will say get a four year degree, I will argue that it can be done without one. If you are currently a student, I would recommend staying a student and fly on the side until you are finished. If you are debating going to school, then weigh your options.
Click to expand...

I like school! :)

I currently fly 135/91 and our company doesn't require a 4 yr or a degree.

Like stone cold said, it's really more about who you know, or who knows you.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

Thank you all guys for your answers.

@at1024: I did not say I don't like school, absolutely. Obviously there are subjects that I like less than others, but this doesn't mean I don't take in consideration a degree either in Economics or Computer Science.

I'll keep thinking about it anyway. At first I would get my CPL with CFI-CFII-MEI, then I'd go to the uni while working as a flight instructor.

Well, for now I'm just thinking about it and I know how hard it would be, but not impossible.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

Is having a degree a requirement in the corporate/charter aviation world? No. Will most of the applicants that you will be competing against have a degree? Yes. Corporate aviation is a highly competitive field. Why would you want to make your career even more difficult by not having a degree? If you are creative, you can come up with a way to obtain a degree while you are flying, and not invest stupid amounts of money. I will also tell you that it will never get easier to get your degree than it is right now. There is nothing like studying and working with a wife and three kids. :)
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

You know, that's interesting. I'd never given 30 seconds thought to the degree issue. Both of our pilots are degreed, as are our contract pilots. But that never even entered into the selection process oddly enough. At the time we purchased our airplane, I was much, much more interested in flying skills, total time and time in type.

I've encountered several other family/corporate operations that hire low time pilots for the right seat. That will NEVER, EVER happen here. Both of our guys had over 4000TT, both were typed in the G550. Our Captain had about 700 hours time in type and our F/O had 70. Both had in excess of 3000 hours of turbine time as well.

Both were sent to a recurrent training facility to be evaluated as to skills, CRM and so forth, before an offer was made.

I absolutely do NOT understand the mentality behind bringing a 500 hour pilot on board to warm the seat cushions on the right side of a jet. I know it happens, but it seems more than a little crazy to me.

You want to "get into corporate" and fly a Gulfstream? The type rating costs about $75,000 as I understand it. That'd be a good start. And an ATP. And a couple of thousand hours in something large and noisy. Then you might have a chance.

I don't mean to discourage you, only to direct you into a practical path to your goal.
 
Re: To get in the Corporate/executive aviation without a deg

Hi Marcus! I always read with interest your posts both here and on PPRuNe, and I always agree with the way you think about aviation and pilots, even if I'm just 20.

500 hours? Tsk! Here in Europe money is the only thing really required to become a pilot! Just pay 60K euro - more than $60K I guess - for a TR + 300 hrs LT on the Airbus A320 family. Minimum requirements? CPL with ATPL Frozen and cash...


Just to make a clarification: when I say I want to be a Gulfstream pilot, I say it just to make others understand what my aim really is. I'm conscious of the fact that it may take a long take, even 15-20 years sometimes, and the problem of course is not this.

Ok, I'll go for a degree. Now I have just to decide between Economics and Computer Science. Decision depends upon my interests.
 
MarNas,

Good to see that you are choosing to get your degree. I don't think you will ever regret the decision. Also consider this possibility. Let's say after a good career of flying a Gulfstream for 15 years you find out one year that you cannot pass a medical anymore. What do you do? Having a college degree can be a lot more than just a "requirement" for a job, it can also be a back up of a way to make a living if you were to ever run into this kind of circumstance.

Second. I truly believe that having a good education, regardless of the type of degree, makes for well rounded and open minded individuals who are tuned into being able to dissect critical problem and situations much of like those that most pilots will encounter.

Third. I am not sure how old you are, but college was one of the most memorable experiences of my life and I would not have skipped over now for the world if I had to do it all over again. So much fun, even the studying, papers, etc. and lots of friendships and memories were to be had.

Good luck!
 
MarNas said:
Ok, I'll go for a degree. Now I have just to decide between Economics and Computer Science. Decision depends upon my interests.
Click to expand...

If you like computers and programming go with that CS degree. It will also be something you can use while sitting in your hotel while on the road for some extra income.
 
It's tough to get anywhere without studying. I studied more / harder for a type ride than I ever did in college.
 
Erik1010 said:
It's tough to get anywhere without studying. I studied more / harder for a type ride than I ever did in college.
Click to expand...

I was just going to say that if you don't like to study, then going for your type ride is going to be a rude awakening. Maybe you won't be writing 15 page term papers, but like Moguy424 said I agree that college was a blast for me despite the studying part lol
 
I will tell you from first hand experience that the degree will help for sure. That being said I dont have one. I have been successful in my flying career but it definitely will make the hard road of a pilot career a bit easier. I am a;ways looking at opportunities to get my degree I just havent found the time or money.It can be done without one but it will certainly help if you have one. I don't think it much matters what its in either. The people are just looking to see that you have the dedication to finish something and are willing to work hard for what you want.
Good luck to you!
 
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