Aviators across the country will fly high on August 19 as they celebrate National Aviation Day, which recognizes the history and developments in the field of aviation. Established in 1939 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this holiday was declared a national observation to coincide with Orville Wright’s birthday and his significant contribution to powered flight.

In honor of National Aviation Day, we’ve put together the top 10 reasons for becoming a pilot. See if you have the “right stuff” to take your career to new heights:

1. Fulfill your lifelong passion—Flying is addicting, and it can fuel your passion to make your dreams a reality. If flying is in your blood, then the sky’s the limit for a soaring career.
2. View life from a different perspective—Not only do pilots get a bird’s-eye view of seeing the world, but their job experiences can prove humbling, as they realize the magnitude of the skies around them.
3. Become a member of an elite group—About .2% of the US population has a pilot’s license, making this a select group comprised of an exceptional few.
4. Job flexibility—Experienced pilots have the luxury of working from various cities or wherever their jobs take them.
5. See the world—Pilots get the unique opportunity to travel the world, experience exotic destinations, and learn about different cultures.
6. Financially rewarding—Pilots have the potential to earn excellent salaries as their careers advance. Although airline and commercial pilots both fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft, airline pilots earned higher salaries than commercial pilots in 2016, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7. Improve your flight skills—Pilots never stop learning since they undergo continuous training to improve their skills. It’s a career that keeps you sharp and in-demand.
8. Advance your career—The aviation industry opens doors to a variety of exclusive career paths. A pilot can climb the ranks, beginning as an officer and then progressing to captain, check and training captain, management, as well as transitioning to other types of aircraft such as charter flights, rescue missions, firefighting and aerial applications, just to name a few.
9. Build confidence and sense of accomplishment—Taking your first solo flight may be the most satisfying and confidence-building experience of your lifetime. Pilots will likely learn more about themselves while training than they will at any other times in their lives. They are trained to make on-the-spot decisions and judge challenging situations, sometimes without any warning.
10. Pilot shortage fuels demand—With the crippling pilot shortage projected over the next 20 years, there’s never been a better time for aviation enthusiasts to embrace their passion for flight and train to becoming a pilot. According to a recent report from Boeing, the aviation giant projects a staggering demand of more than 637,000 pilots by 2036.

If you’re interested in becoming a pilot, or want to work in―or around―aviation, then Vaughn College may be the institution to make it all happen for you. With certificate, associate, bachelor and master’s degree programs spanning various areas of the industry, Vaughn offers aviation enthusiasts a wide range of options where they can find the perfect career fit.

For more of the latest innovations in aviation, engineering, management and more―check out our monthly newsletter. (Sign-up below!)