Originally Posted by
tsimmns927
The schools I have looked at use FTA affiliates for their training it appears. Liberty uses US Aviation in the Denton TX area and would net the 1000 hr RATP. Tarrant County Community college also uses US Aviation Academy but at Allliance airport in the DFW area and would offer the 1200 hr RATP since it would be a 2 year degree. Neither have an actual flight school , but just I guess contract for the students to fly at US Aviation Academy.
Yep. Familiar with both of those, and both are legitimate programs.
I think I said this in another thread somewhere, but also don't overvalue the R-ATP....the difference between instructing to 1000 hours and 1500 hours is a matter of 4-6 months if you're busting it instructing full time. IIRC you're using GI Bill so you will have to end up in a 141 program, but unless the degree portion is free you have to weigh that cost into the decision, and I wouldn't value it very highly.
At this current point in history, degrees aren't required to be an airline pilot. I'm still in favor of people getting a degree, but I think of it more in terms of workforce competitiveness should the airline industry have its next once-in-a-lifetime meltdown. And in that doomsday scenario, a degree in aviation science or whatever is less marketable than a business degree you could get for the same money.