hey i am starting scheduel for high school next year, and am looking to have career as a pilot in some way ,shape or form. im wondering if you guys had any suggestions on classes that would be helpful in the aviation world. Also , if theres anyone involved in the business or managment side of things your input world be greatly appriciated as well.

I graduated with a BBA in Aviation Mgmt and did flight training as well. As far as flight training goes, I would highly recommend a physics course and if you have it - an earth science / meteorology course. A math class as well can never hurt you no matter what you decide to do. In terms of business, I never took a business type class in high school and didn't seem to have a problem. Honestly I felt many of the Bus. classes were just a lot of common-sense. Good luck!

I have an AS in Pilot Technology. Besides the required courses the school I went to, Belleville Area College, Illinois, offered "Physiology for Pilots", "Psychology for Pilots", and "Advanced Weather for Pilots". I took them all.

The weather class, especially, was a lot of fun. It went beyond what pilots normally learn about weather including cloud physics, lightning generation, causes of wind shear, etc.

Any extra biology, physics, and simple math you can get will make you a better all around pilot. Science, literature, ancient love songs of the Incas, ....

Dude...I loved that class. I also took the class that had us singing Gaelic love songs in Russian whilst standing in our underwear in the rain wearing toilet covers on our heads...

Wait...that was something totally different.

I've seen that it's not so much what you study, but how you do in what you study. Business classes are wonderful if you are interested in business...but it doesn't necessarily "help" you in the aviation world. If you want a bit of a leg-up, go science...it's the idea of the science that can help you do well in those "pilot" things. Physiology, Puh-sychology, meteorology (especially good to know) are all subjects that relate to Aviation. But then, I majored in Genetics (which has nothing to do with flying) and have had a rather good go within the aviation world. Then there's math...math, math, math...math. I'm sick to death of math...but I did as much as I could, and did as well as I was able. I did well in school, and that's what helped me more than what I studied.

Take something that you will enjoy, and that you can do very well in. Dedicate yourself to good grades and placing yourself in a position to succeed. You're already headed in the right direction.

Best of luck.

27driver said. . .


Man 27, you're singin' my song!!

I even went storm chasing with the Fighting Illini geeks. That is KOOL !!

In high school there really isn't anything you can take as an elective that will help you in flight training unless your school offers meteorology. Pretty much you will only find electives that apply in that arena college (the business side of aviation as well). All the basic math & physics you will take in 10th grade will be enough to get you through any aviation program. In my own personal experience, I have never used anything I learned in H.S. on the job save basic algebra.

Regarding the math & physics subject: I often see people recommending that an aspiring pilot focus on these subjects. In the USA anyway, it is not necessary. Taking what is required for your degree when you are in college is just fine. If you like these subjects, then by all means take the classes as it will be great for your GPA but know that you do not have to load up on these subjects to become a pilot.

All that you will ever need to know as far as mathematics goes can be covered in our "Rule of Thumb" topic and this 1/2 inch book by Ronald McElroy entitled Mental Math for Pilots.