I am currently enrolled as a full time student at a community college and have decided to pursue a career as a pilot. I don't need an associates degree to transfer to a four year college with an aviation program but I have been considering getting one anyways although it would take me an extra year. Would having an associates be useful enough to justify staying longer?

No. Why would you do that if you were going to get a four year degree anyway? If all the credits transferred it might be worth it to avoid a year of tuition at the four year school, but if you wind up taking an extra year anyway?? No way.

And 2022-23 is going to be the peak of the seniority related retirements at many if the major airlines. Graduate in three more years and you'll have time enough to grab 1-2 thousand hours of 121 time and be competitive at the peak hiring time. Dick around for a certificate that really doesn't mean anything and you may miss the peak.

Don't do it.

It doesn't take an extra year to get an associate. The credits done enroute to the associate get you to the four year degree, and you're going to have to knock those credits out anyway.

The question is, why wouldn't you get an associate on the way to the four year degree, especially if you can do it in a different discipline?

You mention ‘a career as a pilot’? Since the upper tier jobs mostly call for a 4 year degree, set your sights there. Of course $$ and life particulars can have an effect on individual plans & schedules.

You need steady progress with college credits and flight hours/training. In many programs one can put themselves on a faster track with year round progression, depending on resources.

You’ll often hear the advice of a ‘backup plan’, just in case your piloting plan gets torpedoed. It’s at least something to keep in mind, though resilience is an individual trait, regardless of one’s degree.

While at it, keep your personal life trouble free. Don’t be coming back here in 3 years asking how to mitigate a DUI charge.