Originally Posted by
Beaver Hunter
If you have the temperament for a engineering degree. It will open up lots of possibilities in flight test engineering. Especially if you do a military background. It's worth the commitment in my opinion. It's worth the sacrifice of not partying etc. the long play is very rewarding.
Would you suggest doing engineering at Riddle and just bite the bullet for loans? Or go to another school and doing it? And what about flight? Should I continue to do flight at Riddle or goto a nearby FBO in Daytona and do flight at a cheaper price?
Read my 2nd post. More detailed questions that were left unanswered.
If you like Riddle then stay and complete a engineering degree Or a degree in finance. You will never go hungry with credentials like those.
Should you switch schools for the flying part? You would have to crunch the numbers to see if it's worth it. Saving yourself 500 hrs could be golden. But at what price? Only you know the answer.
Everyone has a different trail they took to get to the airline they want. Some never do.
When I attended Riddle I had been in the regionals(commuters back then) for 4 years. I learned to fly at a FBO and attended a community college. My achilles heal was no degree. Riddle allowed me to complete my degree the quickest. I took a loa from airline and 15 months later I was done with a pro aero degree. Basically worthless degree. But now I could check the 4 yr degree box.
Being a airline pilot is a way of life. It's many missed personnel events and it's hard on those who you care about.
I feel if you pursue the career for other reasons you will be unhappy.
I love the whole world of aviation. But if aviation decided it didn't love me. The times would be dark.
What I am suggesting is you create a back up plan in case. When your young a year in your life seems very long. But in life it's just a drop.
Good luck with your choices.