Will a degree in engineering make any difference to my career?

[rmcb]

An excellent choice - you will come to appreciate how precarious the code that runs the algorithms truly is. You will then hopefully not rely on computer systems to fly you higher than a wheel's diameter!

I have a degree in computer science, yet I find the analogue represenattions in the cockpit and imagination stand me in better stead than mental maths. I am living proof of the downside of the Von Neumann model and the single thread.

You could always use your maths bent on an Economics and Philosophy course and answer the questions of how/why we fly and why it is so expensive...

I wish you the best of luck - just don't do meja studies!

[Coldwing]

Hi guys can I ask you too if a bachelor degree (3 years) in physics may help in jobs such test pilot or similar ... thank you.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Originally Posted by Coldwing

Hi guys can I ask you too if a bachelor degree (3 years) in physics may help in jobs such test pilot or similar ... thank you.

Help, but it's only a small part of the general skillset you need.

If I were looking actively to become a TP on top of your BSc in physics, I'd be looking for something like an MSc in flight dynamics or Flight Test Engineering and a PPL (better a CPL), then start looking for jobs as a Flight Test Engineer. From there, give it 5-8 years of good achievement, CPL and appropriate type ratings and 500++ (ideally 1000+) hours, and you might start to have a chance of sliding into the left hand seat as a TP, starting with more minor tasks then climbing the ladder towards first flights and high risk trials over subsequent years.

Alternately, if you are young enough, a degree in physics plus consistent above average ratings and two command tours covering at-least two types as a military pilot, and you have a chance (small, but a chance) of being selected for your nation's Test Pilot School of choice. Bear in mind however that apart from probably the USA, India, China and Russia, no countries put more than 4 students a year through TPS, and most less than one per year.

"Heavy Metal" TPs are all ex military, so far as I know, possibly there are one or two at Boeing who aren't. Companies like Cessna, Piper, Bombardier however have a reasonable number of ex-FTE TPs.

G

[Coldwing]

Thank you Gengis, much helpful.