How intelligent/smart must you be to be a pilot??

[MissKittyKat]

how old was that sweet little lady who tried?

 

[A Squared]

I just googled some pics of the DC-6 cockpit. Those things look prehistoric!

They are. The very cutting edge of technology half a century ago.

 

[Alin10123]

Well... being a pilot simply means that you fly airplanes. So technically speaking anyone that has any amount of health left inside of them can at least be a private pilot for themselves. They dont really have to be a genius or anything. Just understand the basic principles. It's only 70% to pass the PPL written right? Then if you can do the maneuvers to an acceptable level you will pass.

Now on the other hand... if you will do the job WELL is another story. You'd be surprised some of the things i've read on here that pilots, especially ATP should know. But some dont.

 

[mar]

Intelligent people can see both sides of the coin

Oh my gad!, Mar just say a degree had nothing to do with flying an airplane, it was just a box you check to get an interview. Where have I heard that before?

I just want to clarify and stay on topic.

I've always maintained the degree has nothing to do with flying the airplane but I've always urged people to get the degree anyway.

I've said it before: Get the degree for an education. Try to live more enlightened. But don't just check the box in pursuit of unbridled careerism.

Good luck.

 

[Just a kid]

Describes me to a tee! No wonder I'm such a good pilot.imp:

Me too, and a lot of pilots I know. I went through the USAF Aviation Cadet program because I wanted to fly, not study for a degree. Later they ended the Cadet program (AF and Navy, too) and everybody had to be smart. Wonder how many great pilots the military lost.

 

[Lead Sled]

Wonder how many great pilots the military lost.

Three.

'Sled

 

[saviboy]

Just tell him to look at some of the posts on this site. That should give him an idea of how little intelligence it takes to be a pilot.

agreed

 

[banned username 1]

What a great thread

I viewed every post! Very entertaining and enlightening. Lots of laughs too. One thing that wasn't touched on: to be a good pilot, one needs to remember that in a damn serious business, one doesn't take themselves too seriously.

Well done everyone.