Let’s just say it like it is, not everyone can be a pilot. It’s not easy, there are certain requirements not everyone possess. It’s nothing personal, for example, I can’t be a pharmacist or a lawyer? It makes sense, it’s too late, I’ve already made my “life” choice. Wait, why can’t I be a pharmacist? I can be a lawyer if I wanted to. It’ll take a lot of time and effort but if I’m passionate about it, I can easily do it. You know what? anyone can be a pilot. Still though, like any career choice in the world, there are a list of requirements you’d need to fill.

What are the requirements to become a pilot?

1. Be at least 18 years old to start studying to become an airline pilot. However, in particular countries you can solo an airplane at 16 years old, which is a good opportunity to know for sure if you want to pursue this profession.
2. Be able to read, write, and converse fluently in English.
3. Hold at least a current third-class FAA medical certificate. Later, if your flying requires a commercial pilot certificate, you must hold a second-class medical certificate.
4. Pick a good flight school and begin your learning process.

A couple of misconceptions:

1. It’s never too late to become a pilot. Some people think that just because they’ve passed their young adult years that it’s too late. According to an article written by wccaviation “while some airline companies put an age requirement for working with them, there is no age limit to becoming a pilot”.
2. “I’m bad at math” or “I just can get physics” doesn’t mean game over. If you know enough math as foundation to your physics, you’ll be fine. Trust me, I know, I’ve always hated math, but I get by. Presumably, you’re as bad as me (which is really bad), if you put your mind to it, you’ll eventually understand everything and it’ll become easier with time and work.
3. You have eyesight problems thus can’t become a pilot. It depends, what kind of eyesight problem? Do you wear corrective glasses and it can be corrected to 20/20? Do you wear contacts?. So depending on the vision problem, but just because you have one, it doesn’t exclude the idea of becoming a pilot. Get checked and find out.

Lastly, I know this is going to sound cliché but never give up on your dream. I know most of you are going through tough times with everything that have happened this year. Which could easily lower any bright prospects you might have, but nonetheless, keep looking forward and try to be optimistic. Who knows what next year has in store for us, it might not be good but it’s never all bad. We survived 2020, we’ll be fine. Just do your best, work hard and stay focused, you’ll get there.

Resources:

Commercial Pilot Requirements and Privileges

https://www.wccaviation.com/is-anyone-really-too-old-for-flight-school/

Cover Photo: theconversation.com