Originally Posted by
buccirj
Hello ladies and gents,
I'm new to this forum but not to flying. My question is where should I go to school?
About me and my back ground:
22 years Active duty Air Force. 13 years in Combat Search and Rescue as flight engineer/aerial gunner instructor with 2,700+ flight hours (yes I know it won't convert to pilot stick time).
Got my PPL....
I have just under 300 PIC time in Cessna's. Almost done with my IFR ticket and already have a useless B.S. degree from ERAU I earned all these years. (useless unless I'm going to stay in aviation<?> or work as many of my counter parts for some GOV job).
School funding: I got pretty much a free ride with the Post 9/11 VA so not to concerned with crushing school loans. Thanks Uncle Sam!
Now all I want to do is go to a professional flight school and the only way to do that and use the VA to pay for all the flight training is at a University program such as UND, UVU, Upper Limit Aviation, Dade County, Palm Beach, and other university professional flight programs that are VA approved for Post 9/11. So that means I will have to take a bunch of the same collage classes or close to same as I did at ERAU. But that's ok, don't care, just want the flight training to get me to MEII and possibly a Jet CRJ rating or King Air endorsement.
So where do I want to go and do? Well, I'm 44, will be about 46 by the time I have earned all the flight certifications. Looking at boarder patrol, OGA (Other Government Agencies) or ISR or UAV's or Corporate, charter, etc. Regionals to airlines? If I'm not 60 by the time I get any hours accomplished. I know I'll be instructing for a while to get the Multi engine hours but that's just how its going to happen.
Because of my particular position in life now and retiring from the USAF in a year and just want to fly for a living. Where should I apply too?
So far on my scope is UND, UVU, Dade County Uni, Palm Beach and not sure about VA funding at Aerosim or ASU.
What do you all suggest? I'd like to hear the good, the bad and the ugly of each and also personal experiences if you have them first hand.
Thanks and fly safe!!
RB
I started this process when I was about your age. I'm 52 now. Not in aviation. Graduated from ERAU in Dec '87. I know how you feel about the degree being useless outside of aviation and in some cases after being outta aviation for a few years. IMHO, do not go to any flight school in Palm Beach County. I'm from PBC and there isn't jack**** here when it comes to flight training accept a bunch schools that are overly priced. The same may be said for Broward and Miami-Dade counties as well, however that's JMO. Take it with a grain of salt.
At any rate, may I suggest Aviator College (formerly Ari-Ben)in Fort Pierce, FL. They're located about 60 miles north of PBC in St. Lucie County, FL. Check it out for yourself and make the comparison. A majority of your flying is going to be ME time; sure you'll have to get your SE CPL & CFI, but weigh the options to what other schools are offering; btw....no simulators. In addition, you may wanna check to see if the VA is willing to pay for the Professional Pilot's Program that they offer so that you won't have to repeat any classes. If they do insist that you go thru the degree program, check to see if there are any classes that you may be able to clep. Just a thought. Good luck to you though!
All the best. Blue skies!
atp