Confused between going straight into pilot training vs taking a degree first (need advice)

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Sai_Sidharth@reddit

You’re not alone in this. Almost everyone who’s serious about aviation hits this exact decision point.

The confusion usually comes from thinking one option is “correct.” It isn’t. You’re really choosing between starting early and keeping a safety net.

If you go straight into pilot training after 12th, you’re taking the fastest route. You’ll be fully focused, you won’t lose time, and if things go well, you could complete your CPL in about 18–24 months. That means you enter the job market earlier than most people. For someone who is already clear about becoming a pilot, this path feels natural.

But this path comes with pressure. Training is expensive, the timeline isn’t always predictable, and getting your first job as a fresher pilot can take time. If something delays your progress, you don’t have much to fall back on immediately.

On the other hand, doing a degree first slows you down, but it gives you stability. Your parents are not wrong here. Aviation is not just about passion, it’s also about timing, money, and market conditions. A degree gives you a backup, but more importantly, it gives you maturity and breathing room. The downside is obvious, you’re adding three years before you even start flying, and if you’re not interested in the degree, it can feel like a waste of time.

A lot of people think the choice has to be extreme, but it doesn’t. There’s a middle ground that works well in practice. You can start preparing for aviation while doing a degree. That means getting your DGCA medical done early, understanding the exam structure, and staying connected with training institutes. Some academies, including places like MH Cockpit, guide students during this phase so they don’t feel like they’re “losing time” while studying.

What actually matters is your situation. If your family is financially ready, you’re medically fit, and you’re completely sure about aviation, starting early makes sense. If there’s uncertainty about finances, or if your parents are strongly concerned, doing a degree is the safer route and not a bad decision at all.

One important reality to keep in mind: becoming a pilot is not just about getting a license. The harder part is what comes after, building hours, getting that first break, and staying consistent through delays. That’s where having either financial backing or a backup plan really helps.

So instead of asking “degree or flying,” think of it this way. Do you want to optimize for speed, or do you want to reduce risk?

Neither choice is wrong. The better choice is the one you can commit to without second-guessing halfway through.

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IcyProgrammer3287@reddit

I went through the same decision not long ago, so I get how you feel. Here’s what made the most sense to me.

You don’t actually need a bachelor’s degree to become a pilot. However, losing your medical is more common than people think, so having a backup matters. That’s why I chose to finish two years first and get my associate’s degree. After that, I’d go all-in on flight training and focus on it full-time.

Another option that makes this even more realistic is taking out a loan for flight training. If it’s structured right, you could delay major payments for about two years. That gives you time to train full-time, possibly work a bit, and save money. You won’t pay everything off, but you could realistically save enough to cover a big portion, like half or close to it.

Once you become a CFI, everything changes. You’re getting paid to fly, and you’re no longer paying for the plane since the student covers that. You’re building hours while making money, which helps a lot financially.

At that point, you can go back and finish your bachelor’s while instructing. So you’re not wasting money on college upfront you’re spacing it out in a smarter way.

If you start early and stay consistent, you can finish flight training in about 2 to 3 years. After that, you’ll be building hours. If you reach your hours before turning 21, you’ll have time to finish your degree before starting as a commercial pilot, if that’s your goal.

Overall, this path gives you a backup plan, keeps things more manageable financially, and lets you move faster in aviation. I honestly think it’s one of the smartest ways to do it, and it’s the route I’m taking.

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SubstantialTry9291@reddit

Get financed and get to a pilot mill at a sunny location asap. Worry about plan B when you’ve secured a job.

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ltcterry@reddit

Realistically there’s a huge and growing surplus of entry-level pilots. The backup degree you don’t want is likely what’s going to put money in your wallet for the next decade.

2025: 20,000 new Commercial Pilots but less than 8,000 ATPs, and some of them are foreign or Part 135… And 13,000 new instructors for about 4,000 jobs…

Degree. Job. Fly alongside that. One day there could be a job and you could be ready.

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Physical-Program-509@reddit

Nah man, like those FAA numbers are super exaggerated, like they don’t even account for international students

Don’t be such a doomer, anyone who really wants it will get to the top half of a legacy seniority list

/s

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Tone-Powerful@reddit

I can hear the ATP sales pitch already

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Wild-Language-5165@reddit

Degrees are bullshit these days. Start flying right away and get a part time gig learning a trade.

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Flyingredditburner44@reddit

How will learning a trade help with his goals of being a pilot, especially when degrees are used as a discriminator in hiring?

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Wild-Language-5165@reddit

Incredibly simple my friend. Gets paid part time and learns a trade that he can fall back on in the future if piloting doesn't work out for him. Trades are more popular today and pay well vs trying to struggle climbing a corporate ladder and threat of AI, esp for entry level positions. He could have been flying and even earned his CFI and getting paid to fly, by the time he earned his all glorious can't go wrong degree.

Secondly...degrees are not ALWAYS used as discriminating factors. Plus he doesn't need a degree to fly regionals (which he will have to for at least a few years minimum). It puts him years ahead of doing what he is passionate about not to mention seniority at his regional. Seniority is a thing.

With the state of the world, economy, and technology, sometimes you have to pivot. The traditional "boomer" strategy of degrees first is changing.

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Flyingredditburner44@reddit

I agree with finding a source of income that you are able to fall back on.

Trades are an option, and as a former tradesman I understand where you're coming from.

Degrees are always a positive discriminator in hiring, they always earn you more points on your application, especially in a tight environment like today.

That was not his dilemma though, his parents are footing the bill and they want a degree. He can get a degree and do flight training at the same time.

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RemoteEvidence6256@reddit

I’m in the same exact situation as you and I’ve spoken to pilots about this, what I’m going to do is get my degree online which takes about 1-2 years depending on your pace and credits while also going all into flight school

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Top_Thought_2884@reddit (OP)

what online degree are you doing and do you think it’s actually manageable with flight school?

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RemoteEvidence6256@reddit

WGU western governors for short, I’ll be doing business admin and with my current credits it seems pretty manageable, you should look into CLEPS to get the gen ed useless classes out of the way

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WhenInDoubtGoAround@reddit

Don’t rush into things, let them go at their own pace. Listen to your parents and get that degree, and while you’re at it, earn your PPL, IFR and even CPL tickets. It’s always good to have something to fall back.

By the way, have you considered something akin to aviation such as being an aircraft mechanic or electronics technician? They pay very well, they’re always in demand and it’s a great way to get yourself in the industry.

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bgrant902@reddit

I’m getting a degree and training part 61. Work load is not bad! My buddy a year ahead finished his freshman year as an IR Comm with more hours than the flight majors graduate with.

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Substantial-Top-7166@reddit

How about taking a gap year to get to CFI? Then go to get your degree while building hours as your part time / summer job in college.

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Spiderkiller_1@reddit

Unless you know someone, getting an OK job is unrealistic without a degree. Going to college WHILE doing a degree is a great way to achieve multiple things at once. I am a college freshman cybersec. major and have my private. I will work on other rating during summer and am working on written instrument now. You are in a good spot to do these things at the same time.

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windows_green@reddit

Degree first. Your parents are right and the majors are competitive

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Hey everyone, I’m currently in 12th and I’m really confused about what to do next.

My main goal is to become a pilot. I’m pretty sure about it and honestly, I don’t see myself doing a regular 9–5 job after a typical degree. I want to go straight into pilot training after school.

But my parents are strongly insisting that I should first do a degree (like BBA or something) as a backup. Their point is that aviation can be unpredictable, expensive, and if something doesn’t work out, I’ll at least have a degree to fall back on.

The thing is:

I feel like doing a 3-year degree will delay my actual goal

I’m not very interested in studying something just “for backup”

But at the same time, I understand my parents are thinking practically

So I’m stuck between:

Going all in on pilot training right after 12th

Doing a degree first and then going for flying

I’d really appreciate advice from people who’ve been in a similar situation or know about aviation careers.

Is taking a degree first actually worth it in this case? Or is it better to start early in aviation?

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