Ask Captain Lim ~ All about Aviation - Would a degree in Music or French helps to become a pilot?

Hi Captain Lim,

Your website has really helped me in the last few weeks. Thank you.

I was just wondering if you could help me out

I'm nearly 16 and reside in Sydney, Australia. I*m a British citizen and soon to be an Australian. I have traveled around and to and from here to the motherland. For a long time I thought of becoming a pilot but never gave much thought about it. Now, I realize that I'd really love to be one (especially for Singapore Airlines, yet this is highly unlikely as I am not a Singapore PR or a citizen). I have the grades and brains to do it yet reading around I'm worried.

I'm studying accelerated French and music as well as core subjects, so these give me many openings but reading around I'm so confused at what to do!

I don't want to choose the wrong subjects this year or spend so much time, effort and money and then find out there are no jobs for pilots. It says everywhere that jobs are tight and that one is lucky to get in with a major airline! What do I do!

I don't feel as if I'd want to go into the military and the biggest airline in oz. Qantas says that if one gets into the cadetship they might not even be offered a job for Qantas after its all finished! I*m so confused and am turning to you for advice. If I can get a cadetship, won't go into the military and choose to fly with a flying school, will this lead me to not being able to attend University? I do not want to pay the money to be a pilot to find out there is no jobs. Also, is it possible to do a degree, say in Music or French and go to the flight school?

And last but not least, are ex-military pilots chosen over civilians even if the civilians has less experience but much more to give! I*m so confused and sorry if this is the 1281437812498127th time you've answered these questions.

Please reply as soon as you get the chance

Marcus Rigg

PS. I also wondered what do you do in the middle of a long haul flight I don't understand how you have two crews. Where do you go? Do you go to the toilet in 1st/ business class are you always in the cockpit? Do you get really bored? You can't find answers to these questions anywhere! Anyway thank you! And hope you always have a safe flight!

Hi Marcus,

You can still attend a University anytime you like but it would be an advantage if you are thinking of joining a major airline in the future. A course in Science would be better than one in Music or French although no airlines has specifically mentioned this.

It is not necessary true those ex-military pilots are chosen over civilians. If you have what it takes to be an airline pilot, you will be selected.

P.S. All your questions have been covered in my site. Please take your time to browse through them!