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

[FN FAL]

NYC:

Not trying to hop on the band wagon "against" you here. Just to put things in perspective flying large "heavy" or "widebody" airplanes ...

Let's put it in further perspective. The minimum requirement for a right seater in a 747 are the certificates necessary to fly as Second In Command.

Any other magical requirements are stipulated by the corporate culture of the airline doing the hiring and how much they want YOU to pass their initial training.

 

[PAPA FOX!]

Let's put it in further perspective. The minimum requirement for a right seater in a 747 are the certificates necessary to fly as Second In Command.

Any other magical requirements are stipulated by the corporate culture of the airline doing the hiring and how much they want YOU to pass their initial training.

So I guess that is a Private Pilot Cert with a ME rating? If Bill Gates has 150 hrs, a PPL and a 747 type and Warren Buffet has a PPL and a simple ME rating then they can buy a 74 and split the expenses and the SIC wouldn't even need an IR if they are going VFR! Do I have this right?

 

[Lead Sled]

So I guess that is a Private Pilot Cert with a ME rating? If Bill Gates has 150 hrs, a PPL and a 747 type and Warren Buffet has a PPL and a simple ME rating then they can buy a 74 and split the expenses and the SIC wouldn't even need an IR if they are going VFR! Do I have this right?

That's about right. I've seen a couple private pilot certificates with VFR only Lear type ratings. Hard to imagine isn't it. I used to work with a guy who had a DC-3 type that was limited to VFR. I guess all it would take would be the $$$.

'Sled

 

[Gorilla]

Let's put it in further perspective. The minimum requirement for a right seater in a 747 are the certificates necessary to fly as Second In Command.

Any other magical requirements are stipulated by the corporate culture of the airline doing the hiring and how much they want YOU to pass their initial training.

True, with a caveat... the Captains with some experience will tell you that an FO with the absolute minimums to legally occupy the right seat are in fact ann utter detriment to the flight, and present more danger overall than if the Captain was solo.

This is where the corporation steps in, and basically says "we need 2500 PIC turbine, because guys with this experience level will actually contribute to the trip, rather than suck the life force from a good Captain and render the flight dangerous."

 

[FN FAL]

True, with a caveat... the Captains with some experience will tell you that an FO with the absolute minimums to legally occupy the right seat are in fact ann utter detriment to the flight, and present more danger overall than if the Captain was solo.

This is where the corporation steps in, and basically says "we need 2500 PIC turbine, because guys with this experience level will actually contribute to the trip, rather than suck the life force from a good Captain and render the flight dangerous."

yea, I have heard those stories before and I believe they are true because I have had such people sitting next to me in Navajos and 414's. However, you're not going to tell me that if the FO of a 747 keels over dead, that it is mandatory for the captain to crash the plane.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Hey,
Anything above mildly retarded is a waste of brain cells.
PBR

 

[nitrogen]

Maybe both

I don't think you have to be the smartest guy to be a pilot, certainly not to manipulate the controls. But you should be able to anticipate and stay ahead of the aircraft and you have to possess the tools to make good decisions. Some of that comes from experience for sure. Some of it is dictated by mandatory checklists that are designed to take out the dumb sh#t factor.

There are plenty of guys out there who can manipulate the controls well enough but can't make a good decision to save their lives. And thats where the problem lies. Like its rare that you can't teach a person to actually fly the plane fairly well under most conditions its similarly rare to get a guy who can fly and manage a cockpit well under adverse conditions plus balance that with the right amount of people skills. It's a juggling act and it does help if you have intelligence to handle it well. The best guys I've flown with were pretty smart guys inately.

 

[cubegirl7]

what about personality trails

What type of personality wants to be a pilot and what traits do you need
in order to be a good pilot. I think it's a combination of skills, smarts and common sense that make a good pilot. of course, i'm speaking not from experience but from an assumption.

 

[Lead Sled]

You need to be left-handed and/or first born and/or afraid of heights.

Other than that, it's something that almost any reasonably intelligent, reasonably coordinated person with a normal amount of common sense and good judgement can be taught to do very well. Oh, I forgot... Most pilots have a bit of an ego as well.

'Sled

 

[MissKittyKat]

Guys and ladies, remember children fly airplanes. yes even at 7 and 8 eight year olds, look it up on the website! Anyone can fly a plane, multitask is for more comlicated jets, just remember children can fly planes!

 

[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.