No college diploma or even a high school diploma is needed…no student pilot certificate. For commercial pilots, FAA licensing and certifications/ratings are the key…not the typical college diplomas/degrees.

Here are some info sources for you to check out:

Becoming a pilot FAQ

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/faq/…

FAA Pilot Licensing info

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/…

FAA Pilot training info

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/…

from www.salary.com

http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layou…

There are some colleges and universities with programs leading to certificates and diplomas…but the key paper you need is an FAA pilot’s license. A flight physical exam is necessary.

Do a search for flights school in your area, for example,

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Flying+schools%2C+Houston%2C+TX&btnG=Google+Search

There are different ratings for various licenses….for visual flight regs and instrument ratings….single engine/multi engine, helicopter vs fixed wing, jet vs piston, etc. So knowing the kind of plane you want to fly helps guide your training.

Obviously, the more you know and understand math, physics, mechanics, weather all mixed with a good amount of common sense, critical thinking/decision making, good physical conditioning and reflexes the better a pilot you can make….

And if you keep a simple guiding principle in mind..you’ll do well…

“There are old pilots and there are bold pilots…but there are NO old, bold pilots.”

Good luck…and may you soar with the eagles! With flying, literally, the sky’s the limit!