What IQ Do You Need To Be A Pilot? - Pilot School Hero (2024)

A lot of people think you need to have a high IQ to be a pilot, but there is actually no IQ requirement for this job.

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Additionally, at no point in flight school, or training to be a pilot will you be asked to complete any IQ tests. This is mainly because the IQ test isn’t always a great measurement of intelligence.

There are lots of different types of intelligence, and people are smart in different ways.

As a job sector, the aviation industry recognizes that the IQ test isn’t a good way to see if someone is fit to be a pilot, so there is no IQ requirement.

That being said, generally speaking, pilots do tend to have a fairly high IQ.

But this is mainly down to the profile of people who choose to become pilots rather than people training their IQ to get into this job.

So you will often find that pilots have a high IQ, however there is absolutely no requirement for you to have a high IQ if you want to become a pilot. As long as you pass all the necessary tests then your IQ rating will not matter.

Are pilots intelligent?

Generally speaking, yes, pilots do tend to be intelligent people. Those who go into flight school tend to fit a certain profile, and part of this profile is high intelligence.

A lot of people think you are only intelligent if you have a high IQ, but there are lots of people who are very intelligent with bad IQ scores.

This is why flight schools do not include IQ testing as part of the pilot job requirements.

The truth is, intelligence shows itself in lots of different ways.

Those who tend to become pilots have a very realistic view of the world, and this in a way is a form of intelligence.

To be realistic you have to be observant and manage expectations, both of which are key skills for being a pilot.

Additionally, from a book smart point of view you could argue that pilots are intelligent people.

It takes a lot of training and tests to become a qualified pilot, so people in these jobs have a huge knowledge of everything to do with the aviation industry.

So, yes, it is generally accepted that pilots are intelligent people. But of course it actually differs from individual to individual.

What is the average IQ of a fighter pilot?

In most cases, pilots of any kind will have an IQ higher than 120.

It is generally accepted that fighter pilots have an IQ higher than commercial pilots because of the demands of their jobs, and the impact that this has on their intelligence.

But, as we have said, IQ testing isn’t actually a part of flight school or job interviews for pilot positions. So if you want to be a pilot, the result that you receive from an IQ test actually doesn’t matter.

All pilots tend to have a high IQ due to the nature of their job, and the profile that those who become pilots tend to fit into.

As we have said, pilots tend to have a realistic view, and it could be argued that fighter pilots have an even more realistic view than commercial pilots.

Taking on a role as a fighter pilot requires a lot of skills that you do not need for a commercial pilot which gives the opportunity to learn even more and grow your intelligence.

So all pilots tend to have an IQ higher than 120, but it is impossible to know specifics as IQ testing is not part of the job process.

What is the average IQ of a pilot?

The average IQ of a pilot tends to be around the 119/120 mark. However, as IQ testing does not take place in flight school, or as part of the recruitment process, it is impossible to know specific results.

An IQ between 120 and 140 is considered as “very superior intelligence” which definitely fits with the intelligence level that you would expect a pilot to have.

After all, flight school is a long process, so pilots must be intelligent people, at least when it comes to the aviation industry.

However, if you are considering a career as a pilot, you should not let this figure put you off.

As we have said, IQ testing does not take place in flight school or pilot recruitment, so even if you have a low IQ it will not matter.

The IQ test is only one way to test intelligence, and there are so many forms of intelligence, so you shouldn’t define yourself by your IQ. The aviation industry recognizes this, which is the main reason why IQ testing does not take place.

What IQ Do You Need To Be A Pilot? - Pilot School Hero (2024)

FAQs

What IQ does a pilot need? ›

There is no IQ test to be a pilot. Anyone can be an airline pilot as long as they: receive the required training.

What is the average IQ of an Air Force pilot? ›

They reported a mean FSIQ score for the fighter pilots of 121.99 (SD = 6.30), for the bomber pilots 120.43 (SD = 6.90), and for the airlift/tanker pilots 119.57 ...

Is 120 a good IQ? ›

Is a 120 IQ good? An IQ score of 120 is a good score since it means superior or above-average intelligence. What is a good IQ score? A score of 100 is said to be the average IQ and anything above that is above average intelligence for the person's age.

What IQ do you need to fly a jet? ›

There are no IQ requirements for pilots.

How high is a 172 IQ? ›

130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted. 160 to 179: Exceptionally gifted. 180 and up: Profoundly gifted.

Is 91 an average IQ? ›

An IQ score of 115 means performance one standard deviation above the median, a score of 85 performance, one standard deviation below the median, and so on.
...
Wechsler Intelligence Scales.
IQ Range ("deviation IQ")IQ Classification
90–109Average
80–89Low Average
70–79Very Low
69 and belowExtremely Low
3 more rows

What is the lowest IQ accepted in the Army? ›

Those who scored in certain lower percentiles of mental aptitude tests were admitted into service during World War II, though this experience eventually led to a legal floor of IQ 80 to enlist.

What is the average pilot personality? ›

A typical pilot, according to the study, is one who is “low in anxiety, vulnerability, angry hostility, impulsiveness, and depression. This person also tends be very conscientious; being high in deliberation, achievement-striving, competence, and dutifulness. He also tends to be trusting and straightforward.

What is the average IQ in the United States? ›

Average IQ in USA

The American average IQ is 98, according to the latest data from 2022. Historically, the average IQ score in the US has been rising steadily, with an average increase of about 3 points per decade.

What is Elon Musk's IQ? ›

Like, is Elon Musk a genius? It answered, Elon Musk's IQ is reported to be 155, which is very high compared to the average of 100.

What is Johnny Depp's IQ score? ›

According to Wrap, Johnny Depp received an 88 Q score in 2015.

What is Tom Cruise IQ? ›

Tom Cruise: 94; David Hasselhof: 73; John F Kennedy: 60. All confidently posited by various sites. (An IQ of 60 signifies 'mild mental disability'.) JFK's IQ score was 'actually' 119 (on the high side of average).

What is the average IQ in NASA? ›

Hard work, critical thinking, leadership, and communication are far more important than a silly IQ score that more often that not is inaccurate. Apparently the average IQ of a NASA astronaut however was 136. Keep in mind though, people working at NASA can range from just scientists, or computer people to astronauts.

What IQ level is military? ›

Nongraduates must score between the 27th to the 65th percentiles on the AFQT, depending on the service in question. A more recent posting at Reference.com states: There is no minimum IQ score to join the U.S. Army, but applicants have to score at least 31 on the Armed Forces Qualification Test.

Can I be a pilot if I'm not smart? ›

So you will often find that pilots have a high IQ, however there is absolutely no requirement for you to have a high IQ if you want to become a pilot. As long as you pass all the necessary tests then your IQ rating will not matter.

What is the top 1% IQ? ›

An average person scores 100 on an IQ test using the Stanford-Binet IQ scale. A score of 137 to 160 is considered the top 1 percent to .

How rare is an IQ of 130? ›

Like other variable human traits (height, for example), the range of IQ is on a standard curve bell curve. Most people you meet are probably average, and a few are extraordinarily smart. Just 2.2 percent have an IQ of 130 or greater.

Does IQ change with age? ›

Does an individual's IQ change with age? An individual's IQ does not change with age. In other words: if you did an IQ test now and then another one in 10 years' time, your IQ score will probably be very similar. This is because IQ is always measured relative to other people your age.

Can a person increase their IQ? ›

Although science is on the fence about whether you can raise your IQ or not, research does seem to suggest that it's possible to raise your intelligence through certain brain-training activities. Training your memory, executive control, and visuospatial reasoning can help to boost your intelligence levels.

Is IQ a genetic trait? ›

Like most aspects of human behavior and cognition, intelligence is a complex trait that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

How rare is a 125 IQ? ›

The IQ scores of most people are represented in the middle of the bell, between 85 and 115. Overall, about 98 percent of people have a score below 130. If you're among the 2 percent with a higher score, you're an outlier. Basically, a high IQ means your score is higher than that of most people in your peer group.

What was Forrest Gump's IQ? ›

Plot. In 1981, a man named Forrest Gump recounts his life story to strangers who happen to sit next to him at a bus stop. As a boy in 1956, Forrest has an IQ of 75 and is fitted with leg braces to correct a curved spine.

Can you be a cop with a high IQ? ›

According to Wonderlic, a score of 20 to 27 is the particular range that best fits with the successful performance of police work. The national median score for police officers is 21, the equivalent of a 104 IQ, or just slightly above average.

How rare is my IQ? ›

IQ test scores explained
IQDescription% of Population
110–119High average16.1%
90–109Average50%
80–89Low average16.1%
70–79Borderline6.7%
3 more rows

What personality type are most pilots? ›

Extraversion. The test showed that for the most part, the pilots seemed to be extroverts. They enjoy socializing, seek excitement and exhibit more aggressive behaviors than average. Other markers of extroverts include warmth, assertiveness, and positive emotions.

Is it rare to become a pilot? ›

It is pretty hard to become an airline pilot. The most difficult aspect of becoming an airline pilot isn't so much learning to fly a plane, but more the written and practical tests you must take and pass along the way. It takes around 4 to 5 years to become an airline pilot.

Is it a big deal to be a pilot? ›

A career as a pilot is a great job. It is varied, fun, and exciting. The average pay for a pilot (according to glassdoor.com) is $106,627 per year. It is an environment where you'll never stop learning, and there are plenty of opportunities to diversify within the industry.

Which career has the highest IQ? ›

Careers in the medical field, computer programing, university research positions, and engineering are among the ones with the highest requirements to be smart and have a high IQ. ‍Concentrating on the linked thoughts, facts, and knowledge to aid in problem-solving is the result of intelligence at work.

What is the top 2% IQ in USA? ›

In practice, qualifying for Mensa in the top 2% means scoring 132 or more in the Stanford-Binet test, or 148 or more in the Cattell equivalent.

What nationality has the highest IQ? ›

The countries with the highest average IQs are Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China, all with average IQs above 104. On the other hand, countries such as Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Niger, Antigua and Barbuda, and Rwanda have the lowest average IQs, all below 71.

What is Kanye's IQ? ›

Kanye says he scored a 133 on Mensa IQ test, compares his brain to women's bodies - Consequence.

What is Steve Jobs IQ? ›

"Steve Jobs likely had an IQ roughly 160 or above. In Walter Isaacson's biography, near the end of 4th grade, Jobs was tested. Jobs said: 'I scored at the high school sophom*ore level. ' This means he was a 4th grader performing at the 10th grade level.

What is the IQ of Bill Gates? ›

The average IQ varies from country to country, with the US standing at 98. Anything above 130 is high. Here are some of the glimpses of genius that attest to Bill Gates' high IQ, even to the point of being a 160 score.

What is Brad Pitt's IQ? ›

We prepared a list of IQ scores of famous personalities from various subjects and eras. Look at their IQ, you may be surprised.
...
What IQ Did These Famous People Have?
NameBrad Pitt
OccupationHollywood actor
NationalityUSA
IQ126
63 more columns

Does Lady Gaga have a high IQ? ›

2 Lady Gaga's IQ Is 166

One thing that many may not know is that gaga actually has an impressively high IQ of 166 which means that she falls into the exceptionally gifted category — just like Ashton Kutcher, Quentin Tarantino, and Matt Damon.

What is George Clooney IQ? ›

George Clooney, IQ 127

The handsome actor has an IQ slightly above average with 127.

What is Snoop Dogg's IQ? ›

Conversation. : FACTS: According to IMDB, Snoop Dogg's IQ score is 147, which is considered to be extremely high and that of a gifted genius.

What IQ does Harvard have? ›

Ranked by IQ Test Score Estimates of Undergraduate Students
RankingSchoolStudents IQ Test Score Estimate
13Harvard142.4
13UPenn142.4
16Pomona142
17Duke141.9
21 more rows

What is Miley Cyrus IQ? ›

Miley Cyrus, IQ 120

Singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus has an IQ slightly above average. For her, a score of 120.

Who has 500 IQ in the world? ›

Marilyn vos Savant
BornMarilyn Mach August 11, 1946 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
OccupationAuthor columnist
SpouseRobert Jarvik ​ ( m. 1987)​
Children2

How high is Stephen Hawking's IQ? ›

Professor Hawking, the theoretical physicist known for his work on black holes, is said to have had an IQ of 160.

What is the average IQ on Earth? ›

Most people have an average IQ between 85 and 115. Overall, about 98% of people have a score below 130. Only 2% of the population score above that and are considered above average. But your IQ score isn't simply about bragging rights.

What is the minimum IQ for the Navy? ›

Applicants are required by military regulation to have a percentile score on a standardized test called the ASVAB that is 31 or more, which is roughly comparable to an IQ score on the Stanford-Binet scale of a little bit less than 92, for high school graduates seeking to enter the Army or Navy (other services have more ...

Is the ASVAB based on IQ? ›

The ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It's designed to test your skill set, not your IQ. Sure, you can extrapolate some measure of IQ from an ASVAB, but it's not what the military is looking for. It's looking for vocational aptitude.

What is the average IQ of a military officer? ›

Low-ranking soldiers accounted for three-fifths of all deaths, and their IQs measured by their childhood tests averaged 95.3. Officers and non-commissioned officers made up for about 7% and 20% of war deaths respectively. Officers scored 121.9, bringing up the average IQ for those who died.

Who Cannot become a pilot? ›

These medical conditions include a personality disorder manifested by overt acts, a psychosis, alcoholism, drug dependence, epilepsy, an unexplained disturbance of consciousness, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and diabetes requiring medication for its control.

What is the hardest thing to be a pilot? ›

But beyond landings, there's a lot of other things you should be ready for...
  • 7) Getting Into "School Mode" ...
  • 6) "Radio Talk" ...
  • 5) Decoding Textual Weather. ...
  • 4) Aerodynamics. ...
  • 3) Learning Regulations. ...
  • 2) The National Airspace System. ...
  • 1) Aircraft Systems.

What is the easiest pilot to become? ›

A sport pilot is the easiest and least restrictive certificate a student can obtain. It's meant for those pilots who wish to fly in light aircraft only, at low altitudes in their local area.

Can I be a pilot if I'm 5 1? ›

The current height requirement to become an Air Force pilot is a standing height of 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 5 inches and a sitting height of 34-40 inches.

What is the average GPA of a pilot? ›

Bachelor's degree

A GPA of 3.4 or higher can help you remain competitive in this career path, though only a 2.5 is required. Applying to become an Air Force pilot within 365 days of your graduation can increase the likelihood of being selected for this specialized training.

What personality is best for a pilot? ›

A typical pilot, according to the study, is one who is “low in anxiety, vulnerability, angry hostility, impulsiveness, and depression. This person also tends be very conscientious; being high in deliberation, achievement-striving, competence, and dutifulness. He also tends to be trusting and straightforward.

Can a pilot make 7 figures? ›

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median U.S. pilot salary at $211,790 in 2022. This means 50% of pilots earn more than this, and 50% earn less. However, there are pilots working for major airlines making more than $700,000 per year.

Is 6 7 too tall for a pilot? ›

There are in fact no specific limits for what is considered to be too tall or short to be a commercial pilot. We suspect that the misconception has evolved due to the strict restrictions applied in the air force.

Is 6 8 too tall to be a pilot? ›

Height and Weight

Your standing height must be not less than 4'10” (58 inches) and not more than 6'8″ (80 inches).

What is the hardest thing to become a pilot? ›

But beyond landings, there's a lot of other things you should be ready for...
  • 7) Getting Into "School Mode" ...
  • 6) "Radio Talk" ...
  • 5) Decoding Textual Weather. ...
  • 4) Aerodynamics. ...
  • 3) Learning Regulations. ...
  • 2) The National Airspace System. ...
  • 1) Aircraft Systems.

Does college GPA matter as a pilot? ›

GPA Depends Upon Your Career Path to Become a Pilot

Grade point average, or GPA, really depends on the career path you want to take. For instance, if you want to join the Air Force or become a commercial pilot, your GPA will be scrutinized much more closely during the decision-making process when it comes to hiring.

Can you be a pilot with a 2.0 GPA? ›

Applicants must have a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher and either have an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate or confirm that all flight training courses will be completed while studying.

What gender is the best pilot? ›

Knowledgeable people in the aviation industry are well aware that female pilots are, and have been, unquestionably equal in skill levels with their male counterparts. In fact, some studies show that female pilots are generally less risk-taking, and thus arguably safer compared to male pilots.

Do you need to be a genius to be a pilot? ›

Can I Be a Good Pilot Even Though I'm Not Great at Math? In summary, the answer is yes. you don't need to be a math genius to be a great pilot. Pilot math can sometimes be intimidating but if being a pilot is your dream, don't let it scare you away.

Why are pilots so calm? ›

They are Highly Experienced

Well, first of all, they are highly trained professionals. They have years of experience and know exactly what to do in any given situation. This experience helps them to remain calm under pressure.

Which personality type has higher IQ? ›

What personality has the highest IQ? INTJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) type scores the highest on conceptual IQ tests among all 16 personality types. They are good at consuming large amounts of information and solving analytical problems for widespread application.

What IQ do private pilots have? ›

The average IQ of a pilot tends to be around the 119/120 mark. However, as IQ testing does not take place in flight school, or as part of the recruitment process, it is impossible to know specific results.

What is it like dating a pilot? ›

Dating a pilot can mean interesting conversations

Pilots travel to many destinations, and so they're always bringing you things from exotic places. But, they also get an opportunity to engage with many cultures and meet diverse people. With such an exciting life, they have unique experiences to share.

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