What course must you take in college if you want to become a commercial pilot?

None.

Think twice about becoming a pilot. If you go into it for the money and benefits you won't make it. If you go into it because you love it and would not really be happy doing anything else, then go for it. Get a degree that will provide a fall-back career is an excellent idea. Get that degree in whatever appeals to you. Every squadron I ever flew in had pilots with every type of degree you could imagine, i.e. newspaper photography, foreign languages, accounting. The pure civilian route to the left front seat for a major airline is not for the faint of heart or those concerned about a poor income for most of their working lives. Only about the last 10 years or so are well paid and the benefits are substantial. You have to retire at 60 in the US. The military route is faster, you are paid well during your training (no debt accrues for the flight time) and your experience will move you into the airlines quicker. Be leery of civilian flight instructors who may be prone to debase the military route, generally due to some feeling of inadequacy or jealousy. Captain Chesley Sullenberger of Hudson River landing fame was an Air Force Academy graduate and F-4 pilot before he went to work for US Airways. Military flying has some substantial challenges that civilian flight-training does not have. The training is more rigorous, the expectations are higher and the qualifications to get into military are much different. Plus there is always the possibility of being shot at from time to time. If you chose the military route you can offset the tedium of airline driving by being in the reserves and really flying then. Finally, there is a huge difference in flying as a civilian and military flying. Granted, they both put air under your butt. There the similarity ends. Most airliner flying is glorified bus driving. Point A to Point B with as little action as possible (and that's how the passengers and the company want it). Military flying takes you from Point A to Point B back to Point A with as much commotion as possible. Whether the Air Force or Navy for flying? I chose the Navy for many reasons. Air Force training is pretty well done and the pilots get their wings at the same training point that Navy students finish their Basic Flight Training Command level. Air Force pilots then go to a training squadron where more advanced techniques are taught. Navy pilots complete Advanced Flight Training Command prior to getting their wings. After advanced Navy pilots go to a Replacement Air Group where they fly the fleet birds to which they have been assigned. The most notable difference is that Navy pilots learn to fly on and off aircraft carriers at each stage of the syllabus. In the final stage you fly off the boat both day and night. That is a considerable step up from taking off and landing on 8,000ft of concrete. My granny can land on 8,000ft of concrete (my bias is obvious and I am proud of it). You can be preselected for the Navy flight training prior to making any commitments, but if you wash out you have to complete your obligated service. If it were easy anyone could do it. That's why military aviators are understandably proud of their profession and professionalism. You chose. Pick one.

We require a 4 year degree in anything. It does not need to be aviation related, and i do not work for a major airline, but a commercial operation. Choose a subject that will give you a job when you realize you cant live on a starting out pilots salary.

Patrick and Techwing are correct, but I'll add that it IS possible you may be expected or even required to have some college, depending on what kind of commercial pilot you want to be, and the road you take to get there. In the past, when commercial airlines hired predominantly out of the military, almost all of those pilots had college degrees, and if you go into the military today as your route to pilot training, you better believe you'll need a degree before you're commissioned. If you take the civilian route to training, and you want to fly for a regional, national, or legacy (if you're lucky enough to get to a legacy) airline, I think that over 90% of new hire pilots have at least two years of college, if not four. If you want to make a career as a charter or work operation pilot (such as aerial surveying, firefighting, etc.), you certainly don't need a degree. Some classes certainly can't hurt, though. If you take courses in science and math, such as meteorology, I think you'll make a better pilot because you'll have a much broader knowledge base. And some colleges, such as University of North Dakota, have top notch and well-respected aviation degree programs where you can get that knowledge, and earn a degree at the same time.

I personally always recommend mathematics and physics - It really helps even though not required - high school level sufficient - However most airlines in USA require a college degree - Any degree - no aviation degree required (nor recommended) -

you can get a degree in avionics engineering, but like these guys said not needed, really. especially if your in the USA they have a very practical course, the Uk is more Theory based, rumors here are that South africa has the best flight training systems.. and is also the cheapest.. busy working on my PPL (private pilots license) that includes approximately 8 exams and 50 hours. after which i will complete my CPL (Comm) another 8 Exams or so and 150 hours if you want to fly for the airliners your going to work for your ATPL, thats about 1500 hours... if you want more info Email me [email protected]