Aviation Degree for entry level pilots (opinion needed)
 

Hi & thanks for visiting.

I am originally from Russia and now working as a Cabin Crew in the Middle East for some years.

Now, all these years I had been saving up for my flight training in South Africa (guess the best I can afford at the moment).
Since the situation with covid19 started I had to re-consider my training and future employment opportunities, as the job market will soon be over crowded by experienced pilots.

My options shrinked down to working for some local Russian airline (turbo-props, single engines and so on). Vacancies are all out there, pilots are still in shortage and the license validation process is straightforward and easy, BUT
the VAST MAJORITY of these airlines (including regional & majors) DO REQUIRE a FULL TIME AVIATION DEGREE.

Before joining as Cabin Crew, I got my Bachelor's in Tourism Management and I never heard of such requirement in the Middle East to hold "an aviation degree".

My question is: how common is it for the airlines to require such degree. If you are an active pilot, may I know if you have got one and whether it was a requirement at where you work.

Thank you in advance & any advice apperiated.
Cheers

Across the industry, it's not a widespread requirement at all. Very few airlines require a degree (with some notable examples in Turkey). For some it would be seen as a benefit (mostly so because of the personal views of the management on the "degree or no degree" matter). The majority don't give two cents about it though.

In a global context, the Russian system of pilot training is an exception rather than the rule. Indeed, they do require a degree in addition to the pilot licence. And that degree has to be obtained from one of the couple of state-owned academies across the country. The only exception to this is for experienced expat Captains employed with Russian airlines. For everyone else, it's still mandatory.