What subjects are needed to become a pilot? Become a pilot w/o Science.

You do not have to master any complex subjects to become a pilot.

To become a pilot, you must know basic mathematics and other subjects.

In this post, I removed the confusion of studying subjects to become a pilot after the 10th.

I will discuss the specific airplane you will use for training and the basics of your flight training.

So if someone tells you that you cannot learn to fly an airplane just because you do not have a science background, he does not know anything about pilot training.

Regardless of your educational background, the ground training lessons in flight schools will prepare you to become a better commercial pilot.

Subject requirements to become a pilot.

Two main subjects to study to become a pilot are:

  • Physics;
  • Mathematics.

And that is not all. There are several other subjects that every pilot needs to know to have safe command of an airplane.

Did you think you must study Physics and Mathematics to become a pilot?

That is not the real story.

Let me share my story with you. When I finished 10th grade, I knew I wanted to live as a pilot.

To make a living as a commercial pilot requires actual flight hours and basic knowledge of many subjects related to aviation and flying.

So once I finished the 10th grade, I had to choose subjects for further studies.

Someone told me if I wanted to be a commercial pilot, it was best to study Physics and Mathematics for my high school or advanced level.

As too much information about pilot training was unavailable online, I decided to study physics and mathematics.

I studied hard to do my best for high school exams to pursue my career as a commercial pilot.

All went well, and I passed my high school exam with a good score; the following year, I enrolled in a flight school.

Once I enrolled in a flight school and started my ground class, I realized that studying physics and mathematics was never vital for becoming a pilot.

So why did everybody tell me to study Physics and Mathematics?

Well, there was a good reason for that. There are so many topics in aviation that use examples from physics.

Suppose you do not understand the simple Newton’s law (which I believe anyone with minimal education background understands today). In that case, the matters discussed during flight training ground school will be slightly tricky for you.

By challenging, I do not mean you will not understand.

It may take a little while to comprehend and catch up with the class discussion.

NOW, I asked myself, why did I study mathematics?

People who have no connection with pilot training or do not understand aviation will say differently.

Do you think it is wise to take advice from someone who is not an expert in the field?

It is so apparent that everyone thinks you will need mathematics by displaying all the complications in the cockpit.

To fly an airplane, the pilots must know maths to solve all the complicated equations inside the cockpit.

However, modern airplanes today have electronic displays.

Pilots today carry iPads that can solve the most complicated equations.

And there are hundreds of applications to aid pilots with the calculations.

RELATED: Aviation apps for pilots and flying.

You may wonder:

Why do people suggest studying mathematics?

Most people do not know which subjects are essential for being a pilot. They only tell what they guess.

Pilots have to know general addition and subtraction and reading graphs.

You may do more calculations if you fly in general aviation and not an airline.

Sounds confusing, right?

Because in airlines, tasks are distributed among the airlines’ staff. As a result, pilots have less pressure on them.

But most of the time, pilots only solve easy mathematical calculations.

However, I want to share other subjects to study to become a pilot.

Knowing the subjects of Physics and Mathematics is crucial to becoming a pilot.

That is not all. You have to grasp the following:

  • Geography;
  • Chemistry;
  • Teamwork and communication skills.

It is not that you only need basic knowledge of Physics and Mathematics; knowing geography and chemistry will aid you in becoming an excellent pilot.

Lastly, I want to say regarding Teamwork and communication skills. For this, you have to be fluent in English.

Isn’t English the universal language?

Yes, more or less, everyone understands English around the world.

However, all the communication in the aviation industry is in English.

So if you are willing to become an intelligent pilot, you must be fluent in reading, writing, and English.

If you are a pilot and cannot communicate properly in English, that will affect your workplace. You cannot participate wholly in teamwork without proper communication with co-workers.

For ensuring safety in aviation, teamwork is crucial.

Do you think everyone speaks English fluently?

You may think English is easy because you are a native English speaker.

I have seen many pilots from China and the Middle East who struggle to speak fluent English.

It does not affect their teamwork all the time.

Because in places like China, most communications within the workspace are in their local language.

The pilots can also communicate with the air traffic controllers in their local language.

Thus, pilots with poor English abilities will encounter many problems if they go to a foreign airport.

Below is a video of a Chinese pilot who had minimum English skills.

Do you understand the essence of speaking English fluently in aviation?

English will help you with teamwork, but it will also play an essential role in piloting safer flights.

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54 Comments

    1. It is not an issue if you don’t have physics.
      I say physics would help because some laws will help you during your pilot training ground school. For instance, think like this if you had physics during your high school, you can quickly grasp ground school materials in flight school.
      Regardless, there is no requirement for flight school students to have physics before enrolling. You will learn all essential subjects for pilot training during ground classes.

      1. I just finished my matric in 2021 and I wish to become a pilot what is the first step to do. Please help.

    2. Good, but for me I want to be com a pilot in life. But I have know help am good in all this subject but I’m not proud of it but I believe myself I’m good in all the subject. Please I need your help please (08150703290)

  1. The only option at my high school is chemistry&physics. I can’t take them separately. So let’s say I don’t take that class in high school. Will I have to take some extra months to learn chemistry in aviation school?

    1. Chemistry is not fundamental for flight training. Knowing basic Chemistry would help and that you will learn in aviation school. Thus don’t worry about having chemistry in your high school.
      You can learn most topics you need for becoming a pilot, during your pilot training ground classes.

    1. It’s alright if you don’t take Physics at your high school. However, Physics helps to grasp certain topics quicker during flight training ground school. Regardless, anything that is necessary for flying, you will learn during your pilot training.

      1. I am confused. Will I have to go to flight school for 2 years and then college for a bachelor’s degree? Would I get financial aid for flight school or is that all out of pocket? I struggle with physics in highschool. It’s not the concepts, but it’s more the math of physics. However, I do great in calculus and other math subjects.

    2. Good evening
      Physics is a very nice subject once you are determined. physics was one of my most hated subject but I realized that the reason for that was because I was scared of failure. So one day I sat down and said to myself since others can do it you can do it too and I believed in myself and was determined.now am one of the best physics student in my class so I tell you if I can do it you can.

    1. Skin color has little to do with being able to become a pilot. Having said that, many albinos have other medical and vision problems that would not allow them to pass the medical and vision requirements. You need to explore your medical situation before getting too deep into your plans to become a pilot.

      1. hi do you know what sixth form subjects i should pick if i wish to become a pilot
        i am a little stuck on what courses i should pick if i want to be a pilot but i cannot pick physics as a am a foundation student for physics

  2. Am doing Geography , physics, maths, English and P.E, please do you think that will be enough for me to become a Pilot in University or college?

  3. this information just made everything easy for me for tommorow as i pick my grade 10 subjects and all my life i wanted to be a pilot but i was now
    considering going to an army school and become a soldier and study piloting through the army but thank you all a lot i now know what to do thank you .you have all been extra helpful god bless you all

  4. Please capt.elite. They say only science students can become a pilot, for my entire life I dream to be come a pilot but I don’t took physics in high school. Please can I be come a pilot

  5. I’m studying in advanced level is engineering technology so after advanced level can I study to become a piolot?

  6. OK, am Catherine Njeri Githinji from Kenya by nationality. My kid is dreaming of becoming an excellent pilot she is called Winnie maina. Currently she is in grade two but she has a passion to become a pilot. She’s doing great in her performance especially in english, maths and anything relating with sciences. Can I nature her talent. Cos she started dreaming of becoming a pilot in her early age. Thanks

  7. With all this information i now know all about pilot which is all i have been trying to have knowledge about thank you all for the information.

    1. I dream 💭 of becoming a pilot and thanks for this piece of abvice, I have know what to do now which is to work on my communication skills

  8. I’m 13 And in 7th Grade and it is my biggest dream to be a pilot. which of the subjects you’ve mentioned is really essential/important to study to be a pilot.

  9. hi do you know what sixth form subjects i should pick if i wish to become a pilot
    i am a little stuck on what courses i should pick if i want to be a pilot but i cannot pick physics as a am a foundation student for physics

  10. Hi my name is Harry
    I am 16 years old now
    And I really really want to
    Become a pilot .the problem now is even if am not good at pysics and maths can I still be a sucess ful pilot but I do know chemistry and I would say chemistry is one of the subject s I like most . So tell me can I still go to a pilot school without being good at physics and maths.

    1. I believe you understand fundamental mathematics like addition and subtraction. If you can solve basic problems, you are already good to become a pilot. To become a pilot, one does not have to solve complex problems using maths.

  11. i recently done my 12 with physics chemistry and biology! but i didnt done mathematics what i have to do noww ????

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