Okierj From United States, joined Aug 2007, 4 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 2165 times:
Sorry if this is not in the correct forum. My daughter has a friend in her high school that is interested in aviation and would like to become an airline pilot. He is graduating this year and would like to study aviation and get his license in college. He would also like to go out to the west coast. We live in Oklahoma and don't know very much about that area. Would those of you who are pilots have any suggestions. Thanks!
SCCutler From United States, joined Jan 2000, 4000 posts, RR: 34 Reply 1, posted (1 year 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 2156 times:
Wets Coast is not such a great plan; on the other hand, in Oklahoma, you have a simply outstanding aviation program available at in-state tuition rates, at the Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. Very well-regarded, and a frequent source of recruits for carriers and other aviation businesses.
Bomber996 From United States, joined Aug 2005, 239 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 1 week 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 2132 times:
If you want a college degree with your training there are quite a few really good schools out there. Probably the best two are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL and Prescott, Arizona, or The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. A few others with good aviation programs are Purdue, Indiana State University, Utah State University, Aurburn, Daniel Webster College, and Florida Institue of Technology just to name a few.
ThePinnacleKid From United States, joined Feb 2005, 412 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2030 times:
As an airline pilot.. my advice is to NOT get a "flying" degree... Get a normal business degree or something along those lines... and fly and get the ratings on the side. It will cost him a LOT less and as an added bonus to the monetary savings.. it could be faster paced, and gives him a degree to fall back on if/when he gets furloughed... (he can have a space filler until he gets recalled)
I went to a university to fly, within my first semester, I had switched and flew outside the university. BEST decision I ever did coming into this profession.
Okie.. how's it goin? I'm sure I've actually spoke to you on a few occasions.. small world.
[Edited 2008-10-28 18:26:51]
[Edited 2008-10-28 18:28:03]
"That hard landing wasn't the pilots fault, it wasn't the flight attendants fault, it was the asphalt"
IAirAllie From United States, joined May 2004, 2682 posts, RR: 19 Reply 5, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 2014 times:
UVU has an aviation program which I am actually enrolled in (last semester AVSC BS Admin emphasis). I agree with thepinnaclekid. This industry is so volitile it is good to have something completely non aviation related to fall back on. Your friend shouldn't wait for graduation to start flight training. He can be working on the first steps now. The earlier you start the better. Schools like flight safety and ATP have good accelerated programs. Many of my Embry-riddle pilot friends wish they's taken that route.
TheGreatChecko From United States, joined Mar 2004, 1014 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 2009 times:
I'd second what the others are saying. A degree outside of aviation is a good idea.
For people like me who don't really want to study anything else, a double major in Aviaition Science and Aviation Management might be a good option.
Studying in-state at OU and OSU would probably be the best place to go. In state tuition and a plethora of majors to choose from if they want to double major or decide that aviation isn't for them.
AcNDTTech From United States, joined Jul 2008, 338 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1992 times:
Too many to mention......In OK, you definately have Spartan. They have been around since 1928, so they are probably one of the oldest (if not the oldest) flying schools in the country. What that translates to is this - they've been doing it a long time, so they know what they are doing and how to do it quick. If a student can't keep up, naturally it's going to cost them more......this is a major complaint that I've heard from students from several schools, "It cost me $10,000.00 more than they said it would." Those costs are based upon being able to obtain the ratings in the minimum time. They are pretty expensive, but all schools that have flying programs are. Are they the best? It just depends - as a student, you get back what you put in. Older students - usually in their mid to late 20's and early 30's seem to do better....probably due to the maturity level. A Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII, and Multi CFI rating is the same no matter where you get it. The candidate still has to perform to the Practical Test Standards.
I agree with the "flying degree." Probably not a great idea. Aviation Management, Technology, Maintenance, etc., aren't too bad of choices. At least most of the classes can be applied to situations outside of the aviation field.
Finally, I hope that this young man doesn't think he is going to make a lot of money being a pilot. He isn't going to be going right into a major as a F.O. While flying as a F.O. for a regional, air taxi, or instructing (for about 10 years), he will probably also need to work 2 jobs - if he is lucky, they will both be flying.....i.e. traffic reports, and instructing or regional airline F.O. and instructing. GOOD LUCK, I wish him the best!
Vikkyvik From United States, joined Jul 2003, 3761 posts, RR: 25 Reply 8, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 1979 times:
If, as some others have suggested, he decides to get a degree at a non-aviation school, then he could definitely look into an aerospace engineering degree (or other engineering, or business, or whatever).
The west coast is a rather large area - any idea of where he wants to be that's more specific?
In the Los Angeles area, there are USC, UCLA and Caltech, that all have good engineering schools.
Stanford and Berkeley are up in the Bay Area.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is somewhere in between LA and SF, as is UC Santa Barbara.
UC San Diego is down in San Diego (obviously).
I'm sure there are plenty of others - those are just the first that came to mind.
The spirit of Massachusetts is the spirit of America!
Alaska737 From United States, joined Feb 2006, 968 posts, RR: 7 Reply 9, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1975 times:
Quoting IAirAllie (Reply 5): Schools like flight safety and ATP have good accelerated programs. Many of my Embry-riddle pilot friends wish they's taken that route.
Maybe the ones that cant handle the Riddle way, ATP is good but I dont buy this 300 hour RJ pilot bull shit. Nothing against ATP because I do hear its a good program but I think pilots need more expirence, especially in the decision making area. I have also heard that even though your guarnteed an interview, you will rarely get the job without being a CFI for a while.
Okierj, If you want to know about Embry Riddle, feel free to pm me.
ThePinnacleKid From United States, joined Feb 2005, 412 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1958 times:
Quoting Alaska737 (Reply 9): Maybe the ones that cant handle the Riddle way
You're joking right???
ERAU.. while I have friends from there.. even they make fun of it once they move on... generally it is made fun of by a lot of the airline pilots (it's not like their brochures say)... (gross generalization here) but it's from the arrogance shown by some of these Riddle grads. They tend to be the "legends in their own mind" crowd that can't get over having gone to Riddle when they're now flying at AIRLINE XYZ.
ERAU's flying instruction isn't "experience" vs "non-experience"... I was at an aviation university; on a full ride for academics, I turned down ERAU to go to my school of choice... hated the flight department at mine 'cause it was slow; switched to Aviation Mgmt degree (best choice I ever made at the recommendation of some friends that were airline pilots)... and went to ATP, then instructed for ATP. By far the best bang for the buck that I've seen.
If you want to talk experience, ATP people get more multi time than most other people EVER have before they get hired with their first airline (even over the riddle grads)... THAT is real experience, I'll take twin over single ANY day... at the airlines we don't fly single-engine equipment. Furthermore, when I was a student with ATP I was flying from coast to coast in the seminole... by the time I became an instructor I had flown my lil' twin as far west as Riverside, CA and as far east as Stuart, FL hitting major cities all across the US in between (Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, Jacksonville, etc...). Exposure to more of the ATC system and more weather/terrain variances than most "Aviation Universities" ever expose their grads to.
That said, not all "accelerated" programs are built equal and some do let you down, but then again some universities do the exact same, sometime just a normal FBO will be the best route! It's called researching what's available and going what you think is the best choice at the time... Try to remain as optimistic and realistic as possible and be flexible with decisions.
So no, having been in the airline industry for 9 years, flying as an airline pilot for 2, having gone to an aviation university myself, having flight instructed... NO WAY will I EVER tell someone wanting to become an airline pilot to go for the purpose of getting a "flying" degree...
-On the issue of 300 hr pilots at the airline... I agree with you completely there... I don't agree with pilots not instructing or getting more time before getting hired... that said, I weigh instructing more heavily than time building... (you learn more instructing than you ever will just flying a plane)... Thankfully, most airline don't hire without some "quality" time... even at the low hiring hour point.. the better to work for regionals required more hours than the lower end ones.
[Edited 2008-10-29 06:37:16]
"That hard landing wasn't the pilots fault, it wasn't the flight attendants fault, it was the asphalt"
Quoting ThePinnacleKid (Reply 10): but it's from the arrogance shown by some of these Riddle grads. They tend to be the "legends in their own mind"
Yes, there are those people
Quoting ThePinnacleKid (Reply 10): THAT is real experience, I'll take twin over single ANY day
Agree again, but I am getting plenty of multi hours at Riddle, I should have about 75-85 when I graduate, including about 350 TT. Of course I came in with my PPL, WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO BEFORE COMMING TO RIDDLE.
Quoting ThePinnacleKid (Reply 10): NO WAY will I EVER tell someone wanting to become an airline pilot to go for the purpose of getting a "flying" degree
You dont have to tell them to, but dont shoot them down for doing it. Im sorry but I have friends who dropped out of Riddle to go fly at North Aire across the airport and their FAR/AIM, Systems, Insturment, ect knowledge is no where near ours, mainly because every class we take is teaching it, in some way or form. The teachers have real world expirence, and that really pays off. There are things or aspects of Riddle that I strongly disagree with but none that I would dropout for.
As for the "Flying Degree" I think its really funny people always say oh thats a bad degree, I mean what if you lose your medical or decide you dont want to fly...ITS STILL A COLLEGE DEGREE!!!!!! What about the 10 million people who go to ABC State University and major in Philosiphy or Art? If I were to lose my medical, I can still get a good, non-flying job in the industry with my degree and business minor. I can easily get a good job outside the industry as well, any employer would see that I, or any other "Flying Degree" has great math and science skills.
TheGreatChecko From United States, joined Mar 2004, 1014 posts, RR: 17 Reply 12, posted (1 year 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 1918 times:
Quoting Alaska737 (Reply 11): As for the "Flying Degree" I think its really funny people always say oh thats a bad degree, I mean what if you lose your medical or decide you dont want to fly...ITS STILL A COLLEGE DEGREE!!!!!! What about the 10 million people who go to ABC State University and major in Philosiphy or Art? If I were to lose my medical, I can still get a good, non-flying job in the industry with my degree and business minor. I can easily get a good job outside the industry as well, any employer would see that I, or any other "Flying Degree" has great math and science skills.
True, but it is a lot easier to get a job if one has a degree in management or something completely unrelated. Aviation Science will teach you how to fly a plane, but without a dispatcher license or an A&P, its tough to really apply that degree. As for "great math and science skills," while you might have them, I don't think that's something I'd make a generalization about when talking about pilots.
Take it from a guy who has felt like he was on the brink of losing his job a few time this year, having a degree other than Aviation Science has made me feel a lot better and more marketable would I have to stop flying and get a new job.
DiamondFlyer From United States, joined Oct 2008, 301 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 1866 times:
First post for me here, just finally had the motivation to get on, so here goes.
From a current college student, here is what I would do, if I could go back two years, and try the whole thing over again new.
Before you get to college, do your research. Research any college that has any interest to you what so ever. Go visit, visit as many schools as you can to get a feel for it. I didn't, and regret that. Secondly, evaluate if you really think you can handle going far away from home. Sure, right now, you want to go, but in four months, I'd put a 50/50 bet on you wanting to go back home. Third, if you really want to study aviation, go for it, but go somewhere that leaves you an out. In a year, if you don't like it, it is sure easier to stay at the college your at, and just change majors, than to move your entire life to start at a new school.
Since you said your from Oklahoma, I'm sure you've checked out the University of Oklahoma. I don't know much, but I'm sure someone does. Also, in the Great Plains/Midwest, you've got UND, Purdue, and where I used to attend, Central Missouri. Great school, about an hour out of Kansas City. Small program, in a small town, but its very nice.
However, I transferred out of there, because, I didn't think I was flying enough, due to weather. That may have been a bad decision, but alas, I'm down in Daytona at Embry Riddle. This may sound harsh, and take it with a grain of salt, but I'm going to give you my 4 month impression. Academically, I love it here. Challenging classes make for more learning and that is great. However, flight wise, I can't say that I'm happy. I would totally tell anyone to come in with a Private, just to save money and time. However, just realize this. Riddle has their way they do things, which may be very different than how you did it previously. There is a VERY, VERY steep learning curve to get acclimated to the training environment here. I felt ridiculed after my third lesson or so, because, I didn't know how to do some little thing. Regardless, you'll do lots of "flying" in the simulator. If that is your style, cool, if not, good luck.
But, the most important thing about going off to college is. Take advice people give you with a grain of salt. Don't let them tell you what to do. Make your own path, be your own person. Don't think a name will get you somewhere. Good luck on your decision.
Wants to go fly, only if its a Diamond (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk)
ThePinnacleKid From United States, joined Feb 2005, 412 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (1 year 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 1860 times:
Quoting Alaska737 (Reply 11): You dont have to tell them to, but dont shoot them down for doing it. Im sorry but I have friends who dropped out of Riddle to go fly at North Aire across the airport and their FAR/AIM, Systems, Insturment, ect knowledge is no where near ours, mainly because every class we take is teaching it, in some way or form. The teachers have real world expirence, and that really pays off. There are things or aspects of Riddle that I strongly disagree with but none that I would dropout for.
Hey, some of my good friends are Riddle guys... they get genuinely harassed (friendly teasing way) by the rest of us... Most of them actually wish they hadn't gone to Riddle now that it is said and done and we're all airline guys... (For the record. There are those "special children" from every walk of life including FBO's, ATP's, FlightSafety, and even Riddle that give each group their own reputation, Riddle just tends to have more of them.) =)
As far as the aviation degree, dude, I have an Aviation Management myself... while, I enjoyed the "aviation" classes.. and my university was Awesome! (Academically); I can tell you a lot of the aviation classes are completely antiquated... as you'll find with any college class.. I just can't personally go around and give advice for someone to attend an aviation university... If someone asks my opinion, it's to get a normal degree, fly on the side... that's all I'm sayin' not that I would belittle someone who does go that route... after all, I went that route.
Alaska, you really do seem like an intelligent guy, just a little into the Riddle thing; which is fine, school pride is good, just don't drink too much Kool-Aide... but I'm sure even you realize that most college professors are about as good as the money you pay them... I know most of my college professors in the aviation department were all ex-military guys. Not to knock that at all, I REALLY appreciate and respect all military guys.. that being said, them teaching "Airline Economics" and "Airport Management" classes isn't actually a good idea. I was working for my 3rd airline when I was in college and I can tell you that the stuff in the books is OLD. In aviation if you want to know what's happening in the distant future you're talking about stuff in 30 minutes, if you want to know what's happening in the near future then you're talking about stuff that is happening in 5 minutes, everything beyond 30 minutes from now is a work of fiction (slightly exaggerated of course)... Aviation/Airlines are fast paced with changes... stuff Text Books and College Courses just can't adjust to as readily as topics such as Algebra, Physics, English, History, etc...
Take your professors with a grain of salt.. they mean well, some may be very knowledgeable, but most will be slightly out of touch with reality if they teach subjects in a specific "field" of study.
On a side note, one little thing to remember to all the up and coming airline guy... when you get to the regionals, going on and on and on about what university or what flight program you came through.. does not impress anyone, no matter how much you wish it did. It is kind of like wearing your High School letter jacket around your college campus. Just don't do it.... Do not believe the hype that by attending University XYZ, or going through Flight Program ABC, the airlines will REALLY care about you that much more... or you'll get more respect from your peers... the reality is, you still have to be qualified, you still have to interview, and at the end of the day, the university/program doesn't get you the job, You get yourself the job. And if you are hired, everyone else that is hired is also qualified equally in the companies eyes.. i.e. your training program wasn't better than their training program...
So, for the people wanting to become an airline pilot and learn to fly... YOUR job is to find the best program for YOU, not the program that worked for your neighbor, or your friend, or me for that matter... and when you do start your training with WHOEVER it is... YOU should take the time to learn the material you need to get to your end goal.. it shouldn't have to be spoon fed... It sure won't be at the airlines in initial training. Don't be "that" guy at the interview that thinks he's better than the rest and is overly cocky because of where they learned to fly. Be a true professional in every aspect of the word. The job you seek is a professional job, don't act the part, be the part.
Also, the guys that interview you, at most airlines, are mainly made up of us current line guys that volunteer to help interview. My carrier uses both F/O's and Captains... and out of about 5 people at my company there interviewing you, only 1 is from HR department, the other 4 you will talk to are all line guys. Take that for what it's worth. ; )
[Edited 2008-10-29 17:54:47]
"That hard landing wasn't the pilots fault, it wasn't the flight attendants fault, it was the asphalt"
Pilotpip From United States, joined Sep 2003, 2608 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (1 year 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 1847 times:
Coming from a recently furloghed airline guy with an aviation degree: GET A DEGREE OUTSIDE OF AVIATION. It hasn't done jack for me and the only job I could get in these hard times was an entry level retail position because of my lack of experience and specialized degree. Get something generic that could be applied to a variety of fields like management or marketing.
Many (not all) airlines list a 4 year degree as a minimum requirement to apply. Not one specifically lists an aviation degree.
And if you must go to a university flight program. I'll second Parks.
AcNDTTech From United States, joined Jul 2008, 338 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (1 year 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 1810 times:
I don't want to push Spartan's (in Tulsa, OK) programs here, but I graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Quality Control from there. Great program - just about everyone in the program at the time (about 28-30) had firm offers BEFORE graduation. Some of us stayed in aviation/aerospace, some went on to manufacturers of products ranging from car parts to chemicals and power, some went to 3rd party inspection firms. We did learn quite a bit about aviation, but our program really covered a broad range - and they (the instructors) let us know of the possibilities. Currently, I'm working on my Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology, but again, even though the classes are "aviation" based, they can definately be applied to numerous fields. I guess that what I'm trying to say is this - If the student want's to go to an aviation school, fine, but try to find a program that is deversified, so that when times are tough, they can be in demand other places. Right now, in the field of Non-Destructive Testing, there are more jobs than there are people to fill them.....YES, with the economy in the shape that it's in, WE ARE IN NEED OF TECHNICIANS. Entry level techs. are starting out today in the $13 - $18 /hr range, depending on location, but as their experience increases, and certifications are obtained, $100,000.00+/yr. is not unreasonable.
2H4 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8075 posts, RR: 64 Reply 18, posted (1 year 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1800 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW DATABASE EDITOR
In my opinion the best way to become an airline pilot is to take the military route and have Uncle Sam pay for your training. Great training, great benefits, livable wages, and likely a more enjoyable lifestyle than dealing with the (mis)management that exists at "regionals".
Quoting ThePinnacleKid (Reply 4): As an airline pilot.. my advice is to NOT get a "flying" degree... Get a normal business degree or something along those lines... and fly and get the ratings on the side.
I agree 100%. Research the cost of a degree from a relatively affordable college (or especially a community college) combined with the cost of training at a local flight school.
Then research the cost of an aviation degree from Riddle, UND, et al with it's associated flight fees.
The difference in total cost will be in the (many) tens of thousands of dollars.
Now, even if you deem the aviation degree and associated training to be worth the extra costs, think long-term and consider how that $30-$50,000 would compound over 30 or 40 years if invested. That would be quite the retirement, and I bet the resulting sum would more than make up for any higher wages realized from having a degree from a well-known aviation university.
That said, two advantages of an aviation university come to mind:
- For someone who has already earned their private pilot certificate, the classwork involved in an aviation degree will likely be pretty easy/straightforward for them. I'm no genius, and for many of my flight courses, my books lived in my car and only came out for class. Still, I managed to get good grades, largely because I had familiarized myself with much of the subject matter beforehand.
- My time and experience on my school's flight team is something I'd never give up. I look back fondly on that time, and realize now that I learned a heck of a lot more than the subjects in which we competed. Not to mention the lifelong friendships that resulted. Typically, only aviation universities devote significant resources to supporting their NIFA flight teams.
Phxplanes From United States, joined Feb 2005, 430 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (1 year 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 1787 times:
The flight program at Arizona State is very good but not well known. The aviation classes you take are well taught. Also you can study Air Traffic Control and Aviation Management. The flight training is great and you also get your training done extremely fast. You can go from no time your freshman year and finish all your ratings by the middle of you junior year. No other college flight program will get you done that fast. You also start flying the week after school starts for freshman which is way ahead of school like embry-riddle. Finally you take a CRJ systems class and operations class and get 40 hours of sim time your senior year.
Tams747 From United States, joined Nov 2007, 4 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (1 year 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 1750 times:
Quoting IAirAllie (Reply 5): Schools like flight safety and ATP have good accelerated programs.
In my opinion these kind of schools do not give you the experience that you need to have as a pilot. However I have heard good things about the ATP program and if I had not chosen to go to Riddle ATP would have been pretty high on my lists of alternates. Ive noticed that the kids that drop out of the Riddle program say that it takes too long for them to get their ratings. They end up either changing majors or flying somewhere else to get all their ratings done but they still have to stay here for at least 4 years to get the degree.
I went through the multi private course in less than a semester and my roommate is already halfway done with his instrument that he started at the beginning of this fall semester. As long as you have good availability the instructors have to give you a certain number of activities per week and as long as you study and dont have to repeat activities you can get through it pretty fast and you will be a far more competent pilot than someone who comes out of ATP after 6 months or however long their thing lasts.
IAirAllie From United States, joined May 2004, 2682 posts, RR: 19 Reply 21, posted (1 year 1 week 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1660 times:
Quoting Alaska737 (Reply 9): Maybe the ones that cant handle the Riddle way,
Um. One graduated summa cum laude. I think he not only handled the Riddle way but totally dominated it. The others were all grads so they obviously could handle it. While they all valued the education they recieved there the Riddle pro pilot grads I worked with almost universally said they would not go that route if they had it to do over again. They got out in the real world and realized out on the line no one cared if they went to Riddle vs. some other route.
At ACA we had tons of really, really low time Riddle bridge program pilots. You come out of ATP type programs with the same hours as a Riddle grad you just build those hours in a shorter time frame.
Quoting TheGreatChecko (Reply 12): Take it from a guy who has felt like he was on the brink of losing his job a few time this year, having a degree other than Aviation Science has made me feel a lot better and more marketable would I have to stop flying and get a new job.
Quoting Pilotpip (Reply 16): Coming from a recently furloghed airline guy with an aviation degree: GET A DEGREE OUTSIDE OF AVIATION. It hasn't done jack for me and the only job I could get in these hard times was an entry level retail position because of my lack of experience and specialized degree. Get something generic that could be applied to a variety of fields like management or marketing.
I think it is so adorable how a college student with no real world experience in this industry thinks he knows better than folks like those quoted above. Such refreshing naivety. I've been in the industry 8 years I 100% agree that a non-aviation degree is the smartest route.
It may sound hippocritical as I am in my last semester of an Aviation Science BS program. However, I already have a BA in a non-related field. The AVSC degree was a good way for me to bring up my GPA for grad school while studying something I love.
TheGreatChecko From United States, joined Mar 2004, 1014 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (1 year 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 1634 times:
Quoting IAirAllie (Reply 21):
I think it is so adorable how a college student with no real world experience in this industry thinks he knows better than folks like those quoted above. Such refreshing naivety. I've been in the industry 8 years I 100% agree that a non-aviation degree is the smartest route.
I just found it funny you quoted the two Parks Grads... coincidence, I think not!
Alias1024 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 1759 posts, RR: 3 Reply 23, posted (1 year 1 week 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1614 times:
I don't think anyone on this thread has mentioned the most important advantage of the major aviation universities like ERAU, UND, Purdue, and Parks. Industry connections. The biggest advantage you will get from these schools is not from the classroom or from your flight courses. It is the career services office. If you go to one of these schools, please don't waste the opportunity. Do an internship.
2H4 From United States, joined Oct 2004, 8075 posts, RR: 64 Reply 24, posted (1 year 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1604 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW DATABASE EDITOR
Quoting Alias1024 (Reply 23): The biggest advantage you will get from these schools is not from the classroom or from your flight courses. It is the career services office. If you go to one of these schools, please don't waste the opportunity. Do an internship.
It should be noted, however, that one needn't attend a school like UND, ERAU, Purdue, etc to qualify for an airline internship.
TheGreatChecko From United States, joined Mar 2004, 1014 posts, RR: 17 Reply 25, posted (1 year 1 week 16 hours ago) and read 1573 times:
Quoting Alias1024 (Reply 23): I don't think anyone on this thread has mentioned the most important advantage of the major aviation universities like ERAU, UND, Purdue, and Parks. Industry connections. The biggest advantage you will get from these schools is not from the classroom or from your flight courses. It is the career services office. If you go to one of these schools, please don't waste the opportunity. Do an internship.
This I highly agree with!
While going to a smaller school may qualify you for an airline internship, it is easier to get your foot in the door with your favored airline if you go to a school with an existing relationship.
This is something that needs to be asked about when making a campus visit. What airlines do you have internship programs? Where have students from this college interned? etc...
Checko
Animals, they're all animals I tell ya!
26 IAirAllie: Additionally the larger non-university affiliated flight schools also have bridge programs and internship opportunities.
27 Alaska737: Why do people always bring this up, its not like Riddle/UND grads go around telling every capt. they fly with, hey I went to so and so. I didnt go to
28 PGNCS: I could not agree more. I had a degree in biochemistry and it got me a job when I was furloughed. The lure of the aviation degree is strong, but will
29 DCrawley: Bingo. I was talking to a girl who attends ERAU-DAB and still has a year and a half to go but cannot get anymore loans. My little bit of advice, on c
30 IAirAllie: So pray tell what is your experience. Prove me wrong. I have 8 years in the Airline industry through some very turbulent times which has helped forge
31 ThePinnacleKid: You have said you are at Riddle.. that implies you do not currently fly for an airline... I then therefor must think that you do not have inside know
32 Alaska737: I got my private at a local flight school in Oregon, then I went to Riddle and found out how far behind the curve I was (more oral knowledge than fly
33 DiamondFlyer: I wouldn't be so sure about that. In the short time I've been at ERAU, I've found that they basically tell me if I can or can't fly, based on the wea
34 Alaska737: Well I dont know if your in DAB or PRC but I know DAB has some special rules they have to follow that PRC doesnt really have to worry about, probably
35 Vikkyvik: My lord... Suggest that your daughter's friend gets a non-flying degree....if for no other reason than to avoid arguments like this one! He or she wil
36 Mir: YES. At least do it once. It would give them an appreciation for what the wind will do. A problem with many at ERAU is that they're used to flying on
37 Pilotpip: With an instructor, yes. I tried to make sure I did this with my students for a couple reasons. First, to make them aware of what they were capable o
38 DiamondFlyer: Yup, it does. Nothing like going up with an instructor, and him saying he couldn't handle it, and it was time to call it a day. But, winds were 35 gu
39 Alaska737: Maybe in DAB, we never get calm days in PRC. As for everyone saying it does PRE-solo students good to land in 20 or 25 I disagree. I see a lot of pre
40 Alias1024: When you have students of your own, you will realize how incorrect this statement is. Weather forecasts are never 100% accurate. Everything might loo
41 Mir: If my student has handled 15 knot winds, I feel pretty comfortable with them handling 10. If they've only handled 10, then I'm not as confident. One
42 IAirAllie: I agree there is a lot that can be learned. As mentioned by several of the flight instructors here. As a student I found it very beneficial to prod m
43 DiamondFlyer: Ok, so maybe very windy conditons are better for post solo students. However, I think there is something to be learned by a student, when they CFI say
44 AcNDTTech: How long does it take the avg. student to learn landings? My 2nd hr. with an instructor we finished with a few touch-n-go's. The first couple were of
45 Alaska737: Well at riddle you solo around 20 hours...but some of my friends havent done one landing after 5 or 6 flights. This is one of the big reasons, as I h
46 Alias1024: It all depends on the student. I had some students take 15-20 hours more than others for it all to come together. Under the ERAU program, 20 hrs soun
47 DiamondFlyer: I soloed in 12.8 hours. However, where I was, it was much much easier for the student pilot. Nothing like learning to fly in uncontrolled Echo airspac
48 AcNDTTech: Back in the day, my instructor "cut me loose for 1 trip around the patch." I enjoyed it so much, that I did 3. When I finally got in, he asked if I wa
49 AcNDTTech: One thing that I forgot to mention......those 43 hrs. are a little misleading. Since I worked at an FBO, I always had people asking me if I wanted to
50 FlybaurLAX: As a West Coaster, I'm not sure about going there to become a pilot. I know when I was in high school I was looking for flight programs, but wanted to
51 MTSUATC: HAHA you hit the nail on the head, when I was at the ATC academy in OKC there were several Riddle "kids" as we called them. They always acted like th
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