Beginning pilot
03-05-2019, 02:15 PM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 20
Beginning pilot
Hello everyone,
I am a new dad to this group and I have a 17 year old aspiring daughter and pilot with some questions and I'm looking for some help and insite.
Currently my daughter is enrolled at our local high school in Salt Lake City, with a combined GPA of 3.9 with numerous concurrent enrollment classes having been completed. She has completed her FAA ground course at Utah Valley University, passed her FAA written knowledge test, passed her medical test and she is currently enrolled at upper limit aviation here in Salt Lake City with about 15 hours logged so far towards her PPL.
Her goal is to become a Captain for a major airlines, we have a few questions and concerns that maybe you all experienced pilots can help out with. Recently Salt Lake community college and Westminster college have done away with there aviation degrees. So she's been accepted to Utah State University and she wants to enroll in their aviation program and achieve her bachelor's degree. It is our hopes that while she obtains her PPL and maybe her instrument rating before college to that will fast track her progress and help her become a flight instructor for the college while she completes her degree.
On the other hand there's a few programs around the valley such as ATP, FLT or her continued career path at upper limit aviation, she can achieve her multi-engine and commercial pilot's license in about a year's time. The sooner she achieves these ratings the sooner she can begin loging more hours with a small carrier, work her way up to first officer and hopefully start to making a wage then she can go to college and get a degree that will help her down the road achieving the rank of Captain.
So my main question is, are there any recommendations from all of you with experience. Is college the best route with an aviation degree, or should she fast track at a school of aviation and then get a degree on the back side maybe in something other than aviation so she has something to fall back on in case flying isn't always an option. It is to my understanding that major carriers don't really care what the bachelor or master's degree is in as long as that degree and level of education is obtained.
Any help and insite anyone can provide as to what steps you might think would be the best option would be greatly appreciated in helping me keeping my daughter and young pilot successfully in the air. We are interested in any information, mentoring programs or anything at all to help her become successful. Thank you very much
I am a new dad to this group and I have a 17 year old aspiring daughter and pilot with some questions and I'm looking for some help and insite.
Currently my daughter is enrolled at our local high school in Salt Lake City, with a combined GPA of 3.9 with numerous concurrent enrollment classes having been completed. She has completed her FAA ground course at Utah Valley University, passed her FAA written knowledge test, passed her medical test and she is currently enrolled at upper limit aviation here in Salt Lake City with about 15 hours logged so far towards her PPL.
Her goal is to become a Captain for a major airlines, we have a few questions and concerns that maybe you all experienced pilots can help out with. Recently Salt Lake community college and Westminster college have done away with there aviation degrees. So she's been accepted to Utah State University and she wants to enroll in their aviation program and achieve her bachelor's degree. It is our hopes that while she obtains her PPL and maybe her instrument rating before college to that will fast track her progress and help her become a flight instructor for the college while she completes her degree.
On the other hand there's a few programs around the valley such as ATP, FLT or her continued career path at upper limit aviation, she can achieve her multi-engine and commercial pilot's license in about a year's time. The sooner she achieves these ratings the sooner she can begin loging more hours with a small carrier, work her way up to first officer and hopefully start to making a wage then she can go to college and get a degree that will help her down the road achieving the rank of Captain.
So my main question is, are there any recommendations from all of you with experience. Is college the best route with an aviation degree, or should she fast track at a school of aviation and then get a degree on the back side maybe in something other than aviation so she has something to fall back on in case flying isn't always an option. It is to my understanding that major carriers don't really care what the bachelor or master's degree is in as long as that degree and level of education is obtained.
Any help and insite anyone can provide as to what steps you might think would be the best option would be greatly appreciated in helping me keeping my daughter and young pilot successfully in the air. We are interested in any information, mentoring programs or anything at all to help her become successful. Thank you very much
Last edited by 04stangman; 03-05-2019 at 02:16 PM. Reason: Title
03-05-2019, 02:25 PM
#3
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 20
Originally Posted by 1Bob
What, no military option?
03-05-2019, 02:29 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Position: RJ
Posts: 215
She is a girl, so she is HIRED by default in this industry...
All jokes aside, my only advice is for her to get a degree on sinething not aviation related. Why? Well she may not end up liking the industry, or she could one day not be medically fit to fly. So its best to have a backup that A) can let you eat and B) is enjoyable to her.
Have you looked into the Delta PROPEL Program?
Sounds like a smart girl, best of luck to her and nice job to you too, dad!
All jokes aside, my only advice is for her to get a degree on sinething not aviation related. Why? Well she may not end up liking the industry, or she could one day not be medically fit to fly. So its best to have a backup that A) can let you eat and B) is enjoyable to her.
Have you looked into the Delta PROPEL Program?
Sounds like a smart girl, best of luck to her and nice job to you too, dad!
Last edited by toolowterrain; 03-05-2019 at 02:46 PM.
03-05-2019, 02:38 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Posts: 114
Sounds like you guys are on the right track. Learning to fly outside of the college before hand is great. You will save money, built time faster and can get college credit for it. As long a she gets a degree which one isn't all that important. Look into Skywest Cadet program especially since you live in Salt Lake. They are a great regional airline with a SLC base. Best of luck to her. It is a great time to become a professional pilot.
03-05-2019, 03:23 PM
#8
seeing the large hubs...
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: 73N A
Posts: 3,706
It's great that she's aiming to be a pilot. I've been in the industry 20 years and love my job. While there can be tough times along the way (low pay, long days in the beginning) there are some serious rewards (time off, money, ability to travel) for those who stick it out.
My opinion is that a college degree, while not required, will open up more opportunities than without one. I have friends without a college degree in aviation, and they have been limited to in career opportunities to companies with lower wages, worse working conditions and travel opportunities.
The point that bonanza made about not requiring an aviation degree is accurate. I have degree in aviation and I feel I understand what goes on behind the scenes better than those without one, but it's not required. A degree in business, finance, teaching, or whatever would provide a backup career if aviation doesn't suit her or she has a medical problem that precludes her from flying.
Most of all - she shouldn't give up! There are a lot of paths to a major airline, or whatever job she wants. I love going to work every time I go, and wouldn't trade the job for any other one.
My opinion is that a college degree, while not required, will open up more opportunities than without one. I have friends without a college degree in aviation, and they have been limited to in career opportunities to companies with lower wages, worse working conditions and travel opportunities.
The point that bonanza made about not requiring an aviation degree is accurate. I have degree in aviation and I feel I understand what goes on behind the scenes better than those without one, but it's not required. A degree in business, finance, teaching, or whatever would provide a backup career if aviation doesn't suit her or she has a medical problem that precludes her from flying.
Most of all - she shouldn't give up! There are a lot of paths to a major airline, or whatever job she wants. I love going to work every time I go, and wouldn't trade the job for any other one.
03-05-2019, 03:26 PM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Posts: 70
Ah, a guarantee. If you find a guarantee for becoming "a Captain for a major airlines" please share.
1 Good for you for understanding the difference between what you were looking for and what the recruiters were offering.
There was a girl here in SLC this fall who was eminently qualified for an academy slot. Unfortunately she went on her own and let a recruiter sign her up before she got into the academy application process.
2 Not so good for not talking to/looking into the people/programs that matter. ROTC/OCS/service academies.
I have a USNA grad in PNS right now awaiting flight school. Another selected pilot a couple months ago, graduates USNA in May.
The U has both a pretty good AFROTC program and NROTC. We won't speak of that other ROTC unit there. She could go anywhere for a 4yr degree and commision through OCS to any service branch [don't forget the Coasties] after graduation.
JMO but I think the Guard is about the best option available out there of all. Get on with the unit based at SLC International as an E while attending college. They help with the school, she gets to know the people who do the pilot selections for the squadron over 4yrs. Assuming she does well, she graduates, they send her to OCS with an offer of a pilot slot. Every Guard unit loves their homegrowns. Is it all cotton candy and unicorn farts? Nope. Are there any guarantees? Nope. Are there commitments? Yup.
If serving her country [and free pilot training while you're getting paid] is not a thing, I offer this:
Pilot Pathway Program » SkyWest Airlines
1 Good for you for understanding the difference between what you were looking for and what the recruiters were offering.
There was a girl here in SLC this fall who was eminently qualified for an academy slot. Unfortunately she went on her own and let a recruiter sign her up before she got into the academy application process.
2 Not so good for not talking to/looking into the people/programs that matter. ROTC/OCS/service academies.
I have a USNA grad in PNS right now awaiting flight school. Another selected pilot a couple months ago, graduates USNA in May.
The U has both a pretty good AFROTC program and NROTC. We won't speak of that other ROTC unit there. She could go anywhere for a 4yr degree and commision through OCS to any service branch [don't forget the Coasties] after graduation.
JMO but I think the Guard is about the best option available out there of all. Get on with the unit based at SLC International as an E while attending college. They help with the school, she gets to know the people who do the pilot selections for the squadron over 4yrs. Assuming she does well, she graduates, they send her to OCS with an offer of a pilot slot. Every Guard unit loves their homegrowns. Is it all cotton candy and unicorn farts? Nope. Are there any guarantees? Nope. Are there commitments? Yup.
If serving her country [and free pilot training while you're getting paid] is not a thing, I offer this:
Pilot Pathway Program » SkyWest Airlines
03-05-2019, 03:57 PM
#10
:-)
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,339
I think an aviation degree is the best way to go these days, because of the multiple recruiting programs out there. I have a so called back up degree in engineering, however, there is no way in hell I'm getting a job in engineering if I were furloughed. It's been 15 years since I have had any related experience in that field.
