Q. If I get lost easily when driving, should I become a pilot? I’ve tried two flights and I enjoyed them both. Also, do I need a bachelor’s degree to go far in the aviation industry?
—Kevin G.
A. Kevin, I must admit that I got a chuckle out of your very brief but intriguing questions—especially the first one about getting lost easily while driving.
I must speculate that some of our readers may disagree, but there are would-be pilots who probably should consider other pursuits. I believe that learning to fly safely requires a certain amount of physical and mental skill. Many are blessed with such attributes, while some are not. As an example of what I am talking about, I consider myself fairly intelligent and manually skilled. But, I will never be able to crack par on a golf course. I do not have the mental discipline and physical coordination to ever see a score card with a 72 (except in miniature golf). So I resigned myself to eliminate golf pro from my life’s ambitions.
If your tendency to get lost happens a lot, is it a flaw inherent in the reasoning process or is it based upon external factors such as bizarre traffic patterns and street layout, or a lack of preparation for travel?
Learning to fly requires a significant amount of academics and, yes, potential pilots need to have a certain level of mental aptitude. The good news is that, with today’s avionics, including moving-map displays and “direct-to” GPS navigation, getting lost should be the least of your worries. Rest assured that your certificated flight instructor will teach you not only to use the fancy gadgets in your cockpit, but also will train you in the basics of navigation, such as reading and understanding charts, pilotage, VOR navigation, and using an E6B computer and plotter. That CFI will not cut you loose until he or she is certain that you can get from “A” to “B” safely.
A thought: Before investing in flying lessons, take a private pilot ground school at a local flight school or community college. See how it goes. There are many good home-study courses available, but a real, live instructor can help you get over the learning humps. Then, do a serious self-assessment. Did you sink or swim? Then make the decision. Is aviation right for you?
Your second question has a simple answer. Yes! Get a degree in something. You can carve out an aviation career without one, but you will go further with one.
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