Being a member of an airline's cabin crew offers limitless opportunities. It's a career that allows you to travel endlessly, see other cultures, and engage with people from all over the world. Because of this, many in the industry believe that being a flight attendant is more than just a job - it's a way of life.

However, others in the field claim that the privileges have made them complacent. A common assertion is that it is temporary employment that will last for a year or two. And before you know it, it's been a half-decade.

What is Aviation?

The construction and operation of airplanes are referred to as aviation. Pilots, engineers, technicians, air traffic controllers, and airport administrators are among the specialized professionals employed in the business.
Simply described, the aviation industry's activities focus on creating and developing different aircraft, managing manufacturing and operations, and flying or repairing aircraft. As an ever-growing industry, there are numerous chances to be found throughout various sub-domains of the sector, as well as a variety of bonuses and advantages. Whether you want to join the cabin crew or seek Commercial Pilot training, a career in aviation is both financially and personally rewarding!

Aviation provides good career opportunities and competitive compensation levels. Jobs for airline and commercial pilots are expected to expand at a faster-than-average rate of 5% between 2019 and 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). These individuals made a median yearly income of $121,430 in 2019.

Being a pilot is a life-changing event that can't be put into words. The pleasure of taking off, the exhilaration of flying, the thrill of landing, and the ecstasy of the entire experience cannot be described in words. Aside from being able to fly a plane, becoming a pilot may have a significant impact on your life.

Your how-to guide to pursuing a career in Aviation?

According to Forbes, the globe will face a shortage of airplane pilots in both the passenger and private sectors by 2037, with estimates putting the figure at 790,000 pilots short of what is required. This will make it more profitable for current and prospective pilots to stay in aviation for the rest of their lives, whether in commercial transportation, international commerce, the military, or another sector.

However, there are various things to consider in order to effectively prepare for a career in aviation. Let's look at the processes and guidelines you'll need to get your aviation career off to a great start with the least amount of downtime feasible.

Step 1: Check your health status

Building a profession in aviation requires good health and passing with flying colors (pun intended). While it may not be a deciding issue for many people, it's still a good idea to assess your present health before contemplating a career in aviation.

Step 2: Choose your flight niche

A job in "aviation" does not always have to entail direct flight or plane control. Instead, you may choose from a variety of aviation career routes, each of which offers unique professional growth opportunities:

• Aircraft Electrical Technician
• Aircraft Manufacture Engineer
• Aircraft Pilot (Civilian, Transportation, Military, etc.)
• Airport Operations Manager
• Airport Traffic Control Management
• Aircraft Attendant or Stewardess

While a job in aviation entails a lot of travel (by plane or by vehicle), you should carefully explore your local placement options. On a worldwide scale, there is a genuine lack of planes and airport employees, allowing you to concentrate in a very lucrative area early on.

Step 3: Join an aviation organization

There are several aviation groups in different nations, some of which are totally funded by the government and others which charge a nominal fee. Many of them go to nearby airports, museums, aviation schools, and other cool places! Some of them even provide free flying camps where you can learn how to fly. As a volunteer, these groups are occasionally military-oriented, but there are also plenty that is civilian!

Step 4: Find local schools & courses

You shouldn't go too far from your home throughout aviation schooling, depending on your age, existing work, and financial situation. While there are universities and academies available for those interested in pursuing a career in aviation, not everyone can afford to devote years of their lives to further education.

Make sure you're happy with the school you chose in terms of your mentor, the plane you'll be flying on, and the cost of your trip.

Consult flying instructors and local pilots before deciding on a course (if there are any). You'll begin your career in aviation on a school bench, but you'll quickly discover that flying an airplane (or managing one) isn't as simple as Hollywood portrays. Slow down and study the ins and outs of an airplane before taking it to the skies safely.

Types of degrees to pursue this field

• Diploma in Aviation– Aircraft Structure
• Diploma in Aviation- Aircraft Maintenance 
• Diploma in Aviation- Avionics Maintenance 
• Bachelor of Aviation Management
• Bachelor of Science in Aviation Logistics
• B.Eng Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies
• B.Eng Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies (Hons)
• Bachelor of Aviation 
• BSc Aviation, Airline and Airport Management
• Associate in Science in Aviation 
• Graduate Certificate in Aviation Management 
• MSc Aviation Management in Digital Age 
• Master of Aviation Management
• MSc International Tourism and Aviation Management

Step 5: Get a glider license

Gliding is a fantastic method to fly. Flying is a very inexpensive hobby, and in most countries, you may receive a license as early as 15 years old. Gliding is beneficial because it teaches you to respect your velocity and altitude. Gliding is also a sport, so you may compete in it if you so choose.

The nicest aspect about gliding is that you will never be alone; you will be surrounded by others who share your interests. Whether it's scooping you up after an outfield landing or simply holding your wing when you first take off, you'll need your team, because as you know, collaboration is what makes the dream work.

As a result, gliding will not only help you become a better pilot, but it will also teach you a lot about cooperation, and, like everything else in aviation, you will make a lot of friends along the way!

Step 6: Join a local flight club

So, you received your gliding permit? Or perhaps you'd like to do even more... We strongly urge that you join a local flight club! If you do not have a certificate, you may obtain one at almost any club. A wide range of persons of all ages, experiences, and credentials congregate at flying clubs.

This will provide you with a wealth of fresh experiences and, of course, fantastic stories. If you're lucky, you might be able to tag along as a passenger on occasion. You may volunteer and learn about maintenance, navigation, and aviation theory at aviation clubs. Most clubs in Europe, in particular, teach theory for free, providing you with a wealth of aviation information.

Step 7: Volunteer at an airport

Working at an airport will not only provide you with a wealth of experiences and the opportunity to view all of the magnificent planes, but it will also help you become more stress-tolerant, service-oriented, and pay you a paycheck, so it's a win-win!

Why not step up to the challenge and spend the summer working at an airport? Collaborating at an airfield will offer you an excellent understanding of how an airport operates, and believe me when I say that airports are much larger than you think.

Volunteering at a museum is enjoyable, and you will gain new knowledge every day. Museums frequently contain a large collection of vintage airplanes with interesting histories. You'll probably learn a thing or two about how planes used to be built and how they flew back in the day.

Step 8: Fly flight simulators and get engaged with simulator associations

Getting into aviation simulation would be the final suggestion on our list! Joining a flight simulator program will educate you further about checklists and preparation, as well as offer you a taste of what it's like to fly a Cessna 172. Different pieces of equipment in your customized simulator will add to the realism.

Some flight simulator associations are housed in museums and minor airports, where a great deal of effort has gone into making them trustworthy and professional.

There are also a lot of home-built cockpits, which are just cut-off noses of planes with software that is identical to what professional cockpits have. You may also work as a simulator instructor at different events in some places.

Best places to pursue Aviation

Aviation colleges provide a variety of educational opportunities, and many institutions provide more than simply pilot training. Airport administration, aircraft engineering, air traffic control, and flight stewardship are all options for students. Many programs, on the other hand, concentrate on aircraft piloting.

Private pilot training focuses on small planes for personal use, whereas airline transport pilot training prepares students to fly large commercial planes. Smaller, single-engine aircraft require less education, although commercial flying usually necessitates at least a bachelor's degree.

Kazimiero Simonavičiaus Universitetas (Lithuania)

KSU is the first university in the Baltic States to be authorized as an IATA Authorized Training Center, which implies that the world-renowned aviation community has acknowledged KSU and its aviation studies as being of the highest quality in the area.

The Aviation Management study program aims to produce highly trained individuals in the field of contemporary aviation management who are aware of global trends and difficulties in the industry and can contribute significantly to its development.

In the program, innovative and student-centered teaching methods are widely used: traditional training methods (e.g., lectures, discussions) are blended with experience-based training methods (e.g., teamwork, real case analysis, project development, and implementation, interdisciplinary learning), which aim for a creative and innovative experience and outcome rather than a formal process implementation.

Universidad Europea (Spain)

Universidad Europea's Study Abroad program in Madrid, Valencia, and the Canary Islands allow you to combine your love of study with an unforgettable foreign experience. You will be registered in a bachelor's degree program and will study alongside regular university students throughout the program.

You will not only be taught by highly trained professors, but you will also have access to the professional world. Students at Universidad Europea have access to sophisticated facilities, including classrooms with cutting-edge equipment and technology.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn credits while traveling across the world!

Seneca College, Canada 

Seneca is a national leader in aviation education and one of Canada's top aviation schools. Quality alumni, competent teachers, and excellent industrial relationships have earned the university international acclaim. Whether you want to work in flight, airline operations, safety management, or quality assurance, you'll have the skills you need to succeed in the aviation business.

Flight Services (FLS) - 8 months certificate

FLS is a two-semester Certificate Program for anyone interested in learning more about the aviation sector. It is largely concerned with aviation safety and the duties and obligations of various airline staff, particularly Flight Attendants.

Operations and Cabin Management (FSO) - 2-year diploma

FSO is a four-semester diploma program that focuses on the aviation business, particularly the role of Flight Attendant. The program combines theory with practical exercises and covers both safety and emergency procedures (during the first two semesters) (in the last two semesters). This program is best suited for those who are certain about their desire to work as a crewmember in the aviation business since it prepares them for the airline's Initial Training Course.

Liberty University, USA

Liberty University, a private evangelical institution in Lynchburg, Virginia, is regarded as one of the greatest Christian aviation schools. Aeronautics, aviation management, and aviation maintenance are all bachelor's degree programs offered by Liberty's School of Aeronautics.

Commercial/corporate and global studies, military, and unmanned aerial systems are among the concentrations offered by the aeronautics program. An associate degree in aviation maintenance technician and an online master's degree in aeronautics are also available.

Students may acquire their aviation degree without ever having to visit the Liberty campus thanks to Liberty's flight training affiliate program. Distance learners take online education as well as in-person flight instruction at one of 65 affiliate training sites around the United States. In as little as 2.5 years, students can finish their online flying training.

Buckinghamshire New University, UK 

The global aviation sector is extremely complicated, and maintaining competitiveness while providing a safe and efficient passenger experience is a continual struggle. Aviation needs effective and skilled management and leadership now more than ever. ​

Aviation is still evolving and expanding in response to economic, environmental, and market demands. There is a tremendous need for talented managers with high-level knowledge and analytical thinking abilities who are prepared and able to move organizations and their workers ahead in the face of technology advancements, challenges, and disruption. This program is for people who want to make a difference in the world.

Certifications and licensure for Aviation

Aviation, more than many other sectors, is governed by a stringent system of certificates and permits that limit the types of aircraft pilots may fly. To develop in the aviation profession, pilots must obtain several levels of certification and licensure. Three of the most prevalent certificates are shown here.

• Private Pilot Certificate- This certificate is the initial stage for prospective commercial pilots, allowing them to fly light aircraft in visual meteorological conditions at any time of day or night (good weather in which visibility is unobstructed). The certificate does not allow pilots to fly for a living, but it does help them prepare for higher levels of license.
• Instrument Rating- Pilots with an instrument rating may fly in adverse weather and through clouds, navigating only by instruments. Applicants must already have a private pilot license and have recorded at least 50 hours of cross-country flying, 40 hours of instrument experience, and at least 15 hours of instrument flight instruction in order to get an instrument rating.
• Commercial Pilot Certificate- Pilots with this qualification are eligible to be paid for their services. Pilots must have at least 250 hours of flying experience, 100 hours of pilot-in-command time, 50 hours of cross-country flight time, 20 hours of instruction, and 10 hours of solo training to get a commercial pilot certificate.

Aim higher with these scholarships opportunities

Aviation is an exciting and enticing career path. The area spans a wide range of interests and intriguing challenges, with employment prospects ranging from piloting cutting-edge aircraft to working in air traffic control. You will, undoubtedly, confront financial difficulties along the road. That isn't to say that earning a degree in aviation isn't doable. Scholarships and bursaries can help you avoid paying for flights and other typical college fees like tuition and books. There are a number of aviation scholarships available, including those listed below.

Air Line Pilots Association Scholarship

The Air Line Pilots Association Scholarship Program is open to children of medically retired, long-term handicapped, or deceased pilot members of the Air Line Pilots Association. The award is worth a total of $12,000, with $3,000 distributed yearly to the recipient for four years if a 3.0 GPA is maintained. Although the program is designed to pick a student who will begin college as a freshman, qualified students who are already enrolled in college may apply. The student must be engaged in a program of study that will lead to a baccalaureate degree.

CAP Cadet Flight Scholarships

Applicants for the CAP Cadet Flight Scholarships must be at least 16 years old, have a Third Class Medical Certificate, and a valid student pilot certificate (although these are not required at the time of application). In order to collect their scholarship, candidates must transmit a copy of both certificates if they are chosen.

Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship

Current or prospective business aviation flight attendants and flight technicians are eligible for the Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Scholarship. This is redeemable only under the terms set out by NBAA and its contributors, and candidates are only eligible for one prize every other year. You must be at least 18 years old.

National Aviation Explorer Scholarships

Individual scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 are awarded yearly by the National Aviation Exploring Committee to aviation explorers seeking a career in the field. The goal of these scholarships is to find and recognize people who best exhibit the characteristics that contribute to success in the aviation sector.

Navigate Your Future Scholarship

A high school graduate who is pursuing his or her education in the aviation profession is eligible for the Navigate Your Future Scholarship. Applicants must be accepted or enrolled in an undergraduate aviation-related program at a recognized institution or university in order to be considered. The recipients will be contacted by the end of July, while the rest of the applicants will be notified by the middle of August.

What else can you do with the degree?

Honestly, Aviation extends to rewarding open positions in a profile including; Aircraft Electrical Installer or Technician, Aircraft Manufacturing Engineer, Airline Pilot, Airport Operations Manager, Air Traffic Controller, Aviation Maintenance Technician along with Quality Control Personnel.

Let’s look at our some of our favorite ones below:

Air Traffic Controller

An air traffic controller's job is to keep the whole air navigation system running smoothly. They are responsible for the safety of all air transports as well as the individuals who fly them. The following are some of the items they keep an eye on:

• Instruct pilots on how to land and takeoff
• Radars, visual references, and computers are used to monitor and direct the movement of air transports both in the air and on the ground.
• Keep pilots informed about weather conditions, runway closures, and any other important information by communicating with them in the Air Control Room.

Aviation Medicine

Aviation Medicine is an area that demands specialists who can recognize, appraise, and create preventative methods connected to the psychophysiological influence of a space environment on persons. It is a unique and seldom sought career path. 

This is a fantastic chance for MBBS graduates to begin their careers in aviation! MD in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport, MD Oral Health, and other Aerospace Medicine courses are available.

Aviation Management

This is an area where you may work in a variety of jobs and do activities such as airport operations, recruiting, account management, public relations, economics, and so on. Aside from that, you'll have to make sure that numerous laws, rules, and regulations governing the industry are followed. A bachelor's degree is required to start a career in aviation in this field. An MBA in Aviation Management will help you expand your options even more.