Sounds like a better/more realistic plan than your original one. But I suggest you do this one thing before you plunge into this plan: Go check out a couple of local FBO/Flight Schools and see what it would cost for you to get the same ratings that you will get for the $40,000 at your Community College. If it is about the same $$$$, then your plan is probably ok. If it is significantly cheaper at a reputable local FBO/Flight School, then you might want to at least consider that route, in conjunction with taking whatever classes you want at your Community College, or even just going to straight to the 4 year University with that great tuition break from your Mom's employment.
Originally Posted by
AirportKid
Okay guys, hopefully this will sound a bit better to you guys...
As I mentioned earlier, I took a tour of Indian Hills, which is a pretty nice community college in my area. The main thing that attracted me here was that they have a pretty darn good aviation program. So I went up there to visit and really enjoyed myself. I got a really good opportunity to meet the instructors and chief pilots, see the aircraft, get familiar with the program and timeline, and even got to shoot an approach in their brand new full motion simulator!
Overall it was a very good experience, and its a very small program (less than 25 students) which I think will allow for alot of one on one time and some quality instruction. The price is also pretty competitive as well... it costs roughly $40K for my Private thru CFII... This price also includes my Associates of Science in Aviation.
After graduating the Indian Hills program I plan on attending my hometown 4 year university that my mom works at, which means I get 75% off tuition, allowing me to get my bachelors degree for under $6K, which is a pretty darn good deal if you ask me. This will allow me to have a minor in Aviation, and a major in something else, which is the best of both worlds in my opinion.
HOWEVER, there are a couple drawbacks to the two year aviation program... While it is substantially cheaper than ATP (By about $15,000...) I will NOT get my multi rating, Commercial Instructor certificate, or my MEI. Their reasoning about not including this in the program, is apparently, they have a connection with a local "friend of the program" who runs an airport that I can get my multi rating at... They said this would take about a weekend, because I will obviously have all my other ratings, and apparently a multi rating is pretty easy and quick to get, its just expensive...
While in working on my bachelors degree I can instruct to build some time and make a little money on the side, while working at my current job part time...
After I graduate however, not sure how that will work, but thats a ways down the road...
So here is a break down of this plan...
PROS:
Done in two years
Quite a bit cheaper (taking into account the lack of a multi rating)
Live a regular college life
GIRLS (see above)
Get a minor in aviation, a major in Business... BIG +
CONS:
No multi, CFMEI, or commercial instructor rating (not sure of the abbreviation for that lol)
So let me know what you guys think.... Thx again!