finding a learning pace in young ones

Want To Go To Aviation School? 2 Things That Could Prevent You From Getting Your Pilot's License

19 May 2015

Côme Arnaud

If you love the idea of soaring above the clouds, visiting exciting places, and meeting new people, you might be interested in becoming a commercial pilot. However, before you pick out your pilot nickname and start researching aviation colleges, you should know that you can't just walk in off the street and start studying aviation. Here are two things that could prevent you from obtaining a pilot's license, and why these restrictions are in place:

1: Not Speaking Fluent English

You might understand how to use the subjunctive tense in French and your Spanish skills might make your friends jealous, but neither talent will help you to obtain a pilot's license. Believe it or not, pilots worldwide are required to speak fluent English in order to become licensed to fly a commercial plane.

During flight, pilots, co-pilots, air controllers, and flight staff have to communicate effectively in an instant. Simple mistakes could lead to sudden and drastic emergencies, such as the Charkhi-Dadri mid-air collision that occurred in 1996. During the accident, the pilots, who each spoke different languages, were relying on their radio operators to communicate direction, altitude, and current weather updates. Unfortunately, because of the language barrier, the pilots were unable to direct their planes through bad weather, and ended up colliding—killing every passenger onboard both planes.

As a result of that tragic air accident, the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization ruled in 2008 that every pilot and air traffic controller has to speak fluent English—no matter where they live. This means that pilots and air traffic employees operating out of Mexico, Zimbabwe, or the Philippines have to communicate in English—even if their native tongue would be more convenient. However, this requirement also means that individuals who are unable to master the English language are ineligible for a career in flight. Fortunately, if you have a passion for learning to fly, learning English might just be another step of your journey.

2: Permanent Medical Conditions

Tripping over English texts isn't the only thing that will keep you out of a cockpit. If you suffer from permanent medial conditions that could affect your ability to operate a plane, you might also be barred from a professional career in aviation. Before you can obtain a commercial pilot's license, you have to pass a thorough medical exam administered by an FAA-authorized medical examiner. Here are a few conditions that could disqualify you from becoming a pilot, and why:

• Diabetes: If you take medication for diabetes, you might only be as good as your current blood sugar level. Low blood sugar could render you unconscious, putting the lives of everyone onboard your plane in jeopardy. 
• Heart Issues: If you have a longstanding history of heart problems or rely on a pacemaker, you won't be eligible for a career in aviation. Flights can be stressful, increasing your blood pressure and putting more strain on your body, and aircrafts rely heavily on radio communications, which could interfere with your medical device.
• Mental Health Problems: The decisions you make as a pilot affect more than just you, which is why the mental health of each pilot is so important. If you suffer from severe depression, anger issues, or other serious mental disorders, it could block you from becoming a pilot.

Because it might be emotionally and financially devastating to get through flight school and then to fail the medical test, the FAA recommends undergoing medical tests to check for issues before you begin your education.

If you aren't sure whether or not you fall into one of these categories, contact an aviation school near you. By meeting with a counselor, you can learn more about your own eligibility, so that you don't waste time and money on a career that you can't actually pursue.

Share