Space Pilots

The first step to becoming a space pilot is to learn how to fly. There is no minimum age requirement to learn how to fly, but most aspiring pilots begin their training with a Federal Aviation Administration–certified flight instructor at around age 14 or 15. Flying instruction consists of classroom education and flight training. You must be at least 16 to fly solo. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association offers comprehensive information on how to become a pilot at https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/learn-to-fly. Additionally, if you join the organization as a student pilot member, you’ll receive a subscription to Flight Training magazine, which includes a special issue titled You Can Fly: Your Path to Become a Pilot. Membership is free for students between the ages of 13 and 18. Once you become a pilot, practice flying as much as possible and use flight simulators to learn how to respond to various flight conditions and challenges. The more experience that you obtain, the better chance you’ll have to advance to the next level.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) offers free membership to high school students. Members receive an online subscription to Aerospace America, the organization’s monthly membership magazine, and AIAA Daily Launch, an email news digest. They also receive the opportunity to participate in its Mentor Match program and apply for the $10,000 Roger W. Kahn Scholarship, which they can use to fund their aerospace education. The AIAA offers Careers in Aerospace (https://aiaa.org/get-involved/university-students/careers-in-aerospace), a booklet that provides advice on high school and college preparation for aspiring aerospace professionals, profiles of current workers in the field, a list of key skills for success, and other resources. Additional career resources are provided by the European Space Education Resource Office at https://www.stem.org.uk/esero/primary/careers-in-space.

Visit the Web sites of SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Boeing, and other aerospace companies to learn about their spacecrafts and other information. On the career pages of their Web sites, conduct a keyword search using “pilot” to pull up job listings for pilots. Reviewing the listings will give you a better understanding of the job duties for space pilots and the necessary educational background, licenses, and personal qualities to be successful on the job.