How Can a Commerce Student Become a Pilot?

Some career paths, especially those in STEM, for obvious reasons, require one to have a strong background in science. But that is not the case for many others, such as law, consulting, data science, or marketing. An aviation career may look like you will be required to be a science student, but that's not the case for many career paths in this field. This is especially true if you harbor dreams of becoming a pilot. So, can a commerce student become pilot? Many students who want a seat in the cockpit get discouraged if they are from a commerce background, thinking that only science students have an entry into this career.

Contrary to popular belief, a commerce student can become pilot if he/she meets particular prerequisites.

Pathways to Becoming a Pilot

So, how can a commerce student become a pilot? Every country has its own set of rules and regulations regarding who can qualify to become a pilot. More often than not, a science background is not a mandatory requirement. Let's look at the career path of pilots in some countries.

1. United States

A commerce student can become pilot in the United States. You must complete the necessary flight training, certifications, and exams independent of your previous educational background.

First, you must be at least 17 years old to obtain a Private Pilot License, have written and oral proficiency in English, and pass a medical exam by an FAA-approved medical examiner. Now that you have your PPL, you can go for your training. You can choose between Part 61 flight schools, which offer a more flexible schedule and are cheaper, or Part 141 flight schools, which are more structured and offer a quicker route to becoming a pilot.

Once you have completed your training and flight hours, you can take the exams to obtain a Commercial Pilot License and move to an Airline Transport Pilot License. You must take a test, undergo a medical exam, and complete flight hours for each license. Your exam will check your foundation in aviation, which requires some degree of knowledge in physics and chemistry.

2. United Kingdom

How can a commerce student become a pilot in the UK? While it is true that a commerce student can become pilot in the country, they may be required to study physics and mathematics through open schooling.

As a commerce student, you might be required to take additional exams in these subjects to meet the eligibility criteria. After this, you can enroll in your school of choice for pilot training. You must apply for a student pilot license to begin your training. Once you complete the necessary flight hours, you can apply for your desired pilot license. To do this, you will need to pass theoretical and practical exams and obtain a medical certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority.

When considering whether we can become pilot after 12th commerce, remember that you only require proficiency in physics and mathematics to clear the exam. You may struggle a bit, but this can be overcome with hard work and dedication.

3. India

Yes, a commerce student can become pilot in India. However, they must fulfill the academic prerequisites by studying physics and mathematics through the National Institute of Open Schooling or another recognized board since this is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Commercial Pilot License. Open schooling boards like NIOS can help you acquire the necessary qualifications for pursuing an aviation career.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can pursue the necessary training to obtain your Commercial Pilot License. Additionally, you will be required to pass a Class 2 Medical Certificate for the PPL and a Class 1 Medical Certificate for the CPL and ATPL.

When thinking about how to become a pilot after 12th commerce, you can take physics and mathematics as additional subjects and score at least 50% in both since that is the DGCA-approved rule.

4. Australia

It is true that a commerce student can become pilot in Australia. However, they may need to study physics and mathematics through open schooling to meet the approved eligibility criteria. There are no specific education requirements for a PPL or a CPL, although a high school diploma is usually necessary. Additionally, you will require a Class 2 Medical Certificate for a PPL and a Class 1 Medical Certificate for a CPL.

After this, you can enroll in a flight school approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). You have the option of going for modular training, where you complete your training step-by-step for a PPL and then a CPL. You can also go for integrated training, which is a full-time program that covers all training stages for PPL, CPL, and ATPL.

So, how can a commerce student become a pilot? It is important to remember that while your educational background might not include science, you must know about these subjects to pass the exams for whichever pilot license you choose.

5. Canada

Can a commerce student become a pilot in Canada? Yes. A commerce student can become pilot in the country as aviation training in Canada does not require a candidate to have any specific academic background. In high school, you won't need physics and mathematics to pursue pilot training. This is because aviation in Canada is taught as a trade, focusing on practical flight training and passing the necessary exams.

So, while you don't require a science background, you must demonstrate proficiency in physics and mathematics through your pilot training.

6. Germany

When wondering how to become a pilot after 12th Commerce in Germany, it is essential to note that while a commerce student can become pilot, they may have to take additional courses in Mathematics and Physics.

Commerce students can become pilots in Germany; a commerce background is not a barrier to pursuing your aviation dreams. You must demonstrate proficiency in the above two subjects by taking additional courses and passing the exams. Once you meet the minimum eligibility criteria, you must enroll in a pilot training school to learn the theoretical and practical aspects.

After this, you need to pass exams for the desired license that will allow you to fly in Germany and other EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) countries.

Key Skills for Commerce Students Aspiring to Become Pilots

Can a commerce student become a pilot? Yes. But while focusing on academic qualifications, let's not overlook some general skills that will come in handy in both the training phase and afterward when you fly commercially. These skills are not dependent on your academic background and can be inculcated and honed to make you job-ready. Here's a breakdown:

Critical thinking: If you are thinking, ‘Can we become pilot after 12th commerce,’ don't forget the importance of problem-solving and critical thinking. As pilots, you will often encounter unforeseen situations like adverse weather conditions or in-flight emergencies. In such scenarios, you must analyze the situation, evaluate all possible solutions, and zero down on the one that ensures overall safety.
Attention to detail: Pilots must be meticulous in pre-flight checks to ensure safety. As commerce students, this skill will come in handy, as we are sure you have been trained to pay attention to details in financial documents, reports, and business strategies.
Communication skills: Anyone can hone the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Pilots need this ability since they convey essential information to air traffic control, passengers, and cabin crew.
Ability to learn new systems: Aircraft are complex systems. So, while thinking about how to become a pilot after 12th Commerce, it is true that you might not require physics and commerce. However, you will need the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies and software.
Numerical skills: While a commerce student can become pilot, they must have some mathematical skills. Pilots must calculate fuel requirements, weight distributions, flight paths, and other aspects of flying. Proficiency in mathematics and numbers will come in handy in these situations.
Teamwork and leadership: Although pilots work independently in the cockpit, they are part of a larger team comprising flight attendants, air traffic control, and ground staff. A mark of a good pilot is how well he/she can work with others and provide leadership when necessary.
Adaptability: Pilots often need to manage multiple situations. These can include changing weather conditions, unexpected changes in flight plans, or technical issues. Pilots must remain calm and composed in such situations and make decisions quickly.
Risk management: Pilots are often required to make quick decisions that will change the plan and must do so without compromising safety. The ability to assess risks, weigh different options, and minimize the impact of problems on crew and passengers is an important skill.

Types of Pilot Licenses and Ratings

Irrespective of the country where you are applying to become a pilot, there are some general pathways for pilot licenses. We discussed some of these licenses before discussing how a commerce student can become a pilot. Let's look at them in detail.

1. Private Pilot License (PPL)

Can a commerce student become a pilot? Yes, and the first step is always the PPL, which allows you to fly an aircraft for personal purposes. Generally, you need to be over 17 years old and get a Class 2 medical certificate. In most countries, no specific educational requirements are required to obtain this license. However, you must complete 40-50 hours of flying time to get a PPL.

2. Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

The CPL lets you fly commercially. You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma. So, can a commerce student become a pilot? Yes, but in some countries, they will need to take additional courses in physics and mathematics to meet the eligibility criteria. You will also need at least 200 hours of flight time and get a Class 1 medical certificate to obtain your CPL.

3. Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

An ATPL is the highest level of pilot certification required to become an airline captain. You must be 21, have a Class 1 medical certificate, and complete at least 1500 hours of flight time. While a background in science can help with understanding technical subjects like aerodynamics and meteorology, commerce students do not need specific science qualifications.

4. Instrument Rating (IR)

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The purpose of an IR is to allow pilots to fly an aircraft solely using its instruments, especially in adverse weather conditions or low visibility. To obtain an IR, you must be above 17 years old, have a Class 2 medical certificate, and complete an additional 50-100 hours of flight time in instrument conditions. So, how can a commerce student become a pilot? Obtaining an IR also does not require any specific science qualifications. However, commerce students must understand the principles of flight (which involve science concepts).

5. Type Rating

Pilots need to understand what a type rating is, as type ratings are required to operate specific aircraft types. The criteria for obtaining one depend on the kind of rating you have chosen. That will determine whether a CPL will suffice or whether you first require an ATPL before applying for it.

Conclusion

To summarize, can a commerce student become a pilot? Absolutely. In most countries, an academic qualification in science is not mandatory. However, while a commerce student can become a pilot, having a strong foundation in mathematics and physics is good. These subjects are essential and form the basis of the skills required for piloting an aircraft.

If you are drawn to the skies and come from a commerce background, don't let your stream decide what you cannot take. The aviation industry welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds, and if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria, start applying for aviation jobs. And if you have gone through the loop and gotten your pilot license, now is the time to apply for pilot jobs. Happy flying!

Can a Commerce Student Become a Pilot?