About Aviation
The aviation industry embraces almost all parts of air travel as well as the activities that support it. This includes the entire airline industry, aircraft manufacturing, research firms, military aviation, and much more. To get involved in this massive industry, one should obtain an aviation degree from a university, indeed. Students that are interested in aircraft, engineering, physics, and aeronautics might do well to pursue an aviation degree. Flight training, meteorology, aircraft maintenance, aerodynamics, aviation law, and safety are all topics covered in an aviation degree program. You can become an airline or commercial pilot with a bachelor's degree in aviation. You can prepare for jobs in management, manufacturing, engineering, and safety with a master's degree in the subject. In addition, the terminal degree in aviation is a Ph.D., which is often only given to people who want to direct aviation research or teach at the university level.
Study Aviation in Italy
Italy is home to a glorious history of countless civilizations and important people who left a mark on the country. Therefore, it is a country of knowledge where people have a lot to learn from. It includes the oldest universities, which are remarkable with their heritage and rankings. These Italian universities are working harder to internationalize and provide degree programs exclusively for students from other countries. There are currently more than 500 study programs offered in the nation that are taught in English. In addition, Italy is Europe's most affordable study destination. Larger universities typically assist in obtaining housing; with any luck, you might be able to get a room in an inexpensive student residence. Moreover, Italians are known as welcoming people, so you won't feel like a stranger. In Italian universities, there are several aviation degree programs, mostly including aerospace and aeronautical engineering. However, none of them train students to become pilots. If you do not want to pursue other aviation careers, such as engineering, and want to become a pilot, you should attend aviation academies. There are flight academies and aviation academies specifically train students to become pilots in Italy.
Advantages of Studying Aviation in Italy
Italian universities provide extensive training for students in order to make them successful graduates. Aviation education is remarked as high quality in the country since there are equipped applicant and research areas enabling students to receive the best training. The country also has one of the most prominent flight academies in Europe.
Career Path for Aviation Degree Majors
Aviation students do not always become pilots. Indeed, an international student with a degree in aviation can pursue a variety of careers in aviation. Many different degree programs are available at colleges, universities, and schools across the United States to help international students prepare for careers in aviation as a mechanic, air traffic controller, flight attendant, and more. To clarify, these careers in aviation are based on the basics listed below;
Pilots: Pilots typically come to mind when people think of aviation. A pilot typically focuses on flying a specific aircraft, such as airplanes, gyroplanes, helicopters, gliders, balloons, or airships. In addition, pilots do a wide range of jobs, including flying large commercial airliners, crop dusting, banner pulling, private tours, and air taxis. There are extensive opportunities for pilots.
Mechanics: Another popular option for careers in aviation is to become a mechanic. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and service technicians "inspect aircraft engines, landing gear, instruments, pressurized sections, accessories—brakes, valves, pumps, and air-conditioning systems, for example—and other parts of the aircraft, and do the necessary maintenance and replacement of parts. They also keep records related to the maintenance performed on the aircraft." There are over 170 schools that are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration that instruct international students on how to be aircraft mechanics. However, there are some conditions that mechanics can be exposed to. Because they sometimes work outside on the airfield, they become subject to the weather elements. They are furthermore subjected to obnoxious noises and grimy environments.
Air Traffic Controllers: Without the assistance of air traffic controllers, airplanes could not fly safely. Air traffic controllers must have excellent multitasking skills, attention to detail, and constant alertness. By clearing the airspace around them and ensuring that planes are not flying too near to one another, they assist aircraft in landing and takeoff. In detail, there are various types of controllers, which are the terminal radar controller, the tower local controller, the clearance delivery controller, the ground controller, the tower flight data controller, the tower flight data controller, and the en route controller. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these controllers are employed mainly by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Flight Attendants: The faces of airlines are flight attendants and pilots. They are the well-known figures in aviation. The safety of the passengers in an emergency is essentially the responsibility of the flight attendants, who represent the airline. Before takeoff, they brief passengers on safety precautions, and they help passengers escape the aircraft in an emergency. Another responsibility of flight attendants is to provide comfortable and pleasant experiences. They give the passengers in-flight entertainment information, offer drinks and snacks, and distribute pillows and blankets. In some situations, becoming a flight attendant may simply require high school graduation, but more airlines now demand college degrees from their flight attendants. All types of degrees in aviation, as well as degrees in hospitality, are useful.
Aerospace Engineer: Aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles are the main objects that aerospace engineers design. They also develop prototypes and test them to make sure they work as intended. New technologies may be created by aerospace engineers for application in spacecraft, defense systems, and aviation. They frequently specialize in fields like robotics, propulsion and combustion, instrumentation and communication, structural design, guidance, navigation, and control.
These five career options are not the only fields of aviation. There are more options, such as salespeople, ticket agents, and ground and ramp workers. Those four exemplified fields were the most popular choices in the aviation industry.
What Skills Do I Need to Become one of the Aviation Specialists?
The skills differ according to the field you want to study in aviation. However, most students enroll in aviation, intending to become a pilot. Indeed, there are some skills that a pilot must have.
- knowledge of mathematics and physics
- a technical understanding, as pilots need to understand how their aircraft operates
- strong coordination and spatial awareness
- good communication skills
- the capacity to act decisively and rapidly in challenging circumstances
- teamwork skills
- the ability to remain calm under stress
- leadership qualities, including the ability to provide passengers and cabin workers with commands that are clear.
- discipline, self-confidence and commitment
If you would like to become a qualified pilot, you need to have at least one of these features.
Is Aviation Right for Me?
There are numerous aviation degrees available, and international students should make sure they know which one is right for them. Before deciding which degree you would like to study, you must have answers to these questions; Do you want to fly? Do you want to work in aviation maintenance or administration? Do you want to work in air traffic control? If you still have no precise answers and you are confused but want to be involved in the aviation industry, we advise you to fill out forms and contact our education advisors. They will lead you in the right direction for your future career.
How Long Does it Take to Become one of the Aviation Specialists?
It depends on what program you want to study. If you would like to study one of the aviation engineering, you will graduate in three or four years. If you want to attend aviation academies, you will graduate in one to three years.
The Best Universities-Academies to Study Aviation
- Polytechnic University of Bari: The university was founded in 1991, and it is located in Bari. It offers a bachelor's in aerospace systems engineering. Its instruction language is Italian.
- Polytechnic University of Milan: This university which was founded in 1863, offers a bachelor's in aeronautical engineering. The campus for this program is located in Milano Bovisa. Its instruction language is English.
- University of Bologna: The university, which is the world's oldest university, offers a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering. Its instruction language is Italian.
- University of Naples Federico II: This university provides aerospace engineering in a master’s degree. Its program consists of designing, developing and testing of aerospace systems and technologies. Its instruction language is Italian.
- European Aviation Academy: Located in Rome, it is an academy that directly trains candidates to become pilots. It includes B737-800 simulators that pilot candidates can benefit from.
Aviation Admission Requirements
For entrance into an accredited university or academy in Italy, there are general qualifications that include:
- Possess a foreign high school diploma or bachelor's degree (for graduate students) demonstrating that you meet the requirements for enrollment in Italian higher education with a minimum GPA of 59% over the previous two years.
- Language skills in either Italian or English. Most universities and academies are taught in Italian, so Italian skill is a must. If the program is English, you can take IELTS or TOEFL exams to prove your English level.
- Various test results in particular subjects are needed for certain programs. Some universities also have entrance exams.