How Necessary is a 4-Year Degree?
 

I want to hear from some of the people here about what their opinions are on the need for a 4-year degree and what impact it makes on a potential pilot career. I am currently a Sophomore going for a 4-year degree but really want to start training to be a pilot, with the intention of getting an ATPL and working for an airline. Would it be worth it (financially and otherwise) to continue on with the 4-year program or to stop school now and start pilot training? Hopefully a good discussion follows. :)

Most majors, and many regionals require them. If they don't require them, competative minimums usually dictate it because most of your competition will have one.

OK, so I should definitely still continue with the 4-year degree. So the best thing would be to take training in the summers as much as possible, correct? How much do you think I could accomplish in a summer starting from zero?

(I could probably get my medical exam in during spring break, or winter break)

Why not fly while in school? Fly twice a week during the semester, go crazy while on breaks and you'll have your ratings through CFI in two years. Instruct while finishing college and you'll have more than enough time to move on to a regional, 135, or whatever floats your boat when you graduate.

Flying through school i something you'll want to do. Don't expect it to be easy. With things the way they are you shouldn't have problems flying 3 times a week. That's the optimum amount. Any less and you'll just be hurting yourself. Get your degree but stay on top of your flying. Regardless how hard life gets you have to stay on it. My university treated our schooling and our flying completely separate. It was tough and most people didn't make. There were 88 in our class and only 6 of us made it out in my graduation. Everyone fell for the same reasons. They became so busy with school and fell off the wagon. They never finished. GO TO SCHOOL and stay on your flying.

You definetly need a four year degree period....dosen't have to be in rocket science or physics. Realistcally you could get a private in 6 months. But gotta have that sheepskin.

Get the degree and make sure it is not an aviation degree. Major in something that you would want to do it you woke up tomorrow and lost your medical. Sorry to say but an aviation degree is pretty much useless outside of aviation.

The problem is that there are absolutely no flight schools near my university. I also don't have a car on campus. When I go home in the summer there are a couple FBO's near my house which have 141 programs.

http://www.tulipcityair.com/flight_school.htm
http://www.bbaviation.com/

Why do you need a 141 program. Have you ever flown before? How much time do you have? Before you go sink tens of thousands into a 141 program why not try the part 61 route while in school. Make sure this is something you really want to do and to be honnest have the skill and decision making to do this job.

Im always amazed at the number of people who want to be pilots and have zero to a few hours in a plane. I do not know if this is your situation but why not get your private part 61. When you get it, sit back and re-evaluate if it is still what you want.

having a degree is the best you can do! Plus it gives you a plan B in case something goes wrong in the aviation industry!

Even though the B and B place says they are a Part 141 school do they still teach Part 61? I would much rather take Part 61 since I think I would pass all the 141 lessons with ease.

And why would you pass it "with ease?" Are you the chosen one?

Cut me a break man, jeez. I already know a little about flying since my grandpa had a plane and I flew with him all the time up until he got too old to maintain it. I would want to take 61 for the monetary break, but I was wondering if a 141 school would do that, or do I need to find a specific part 61 school?

What do you mean monetary break? Part 61 will usually be cheaper.

Part 141 is no walk in the park, it is tough and very demanding.

Monetary break over 141, aka 61 is cheaper. Would a Part 141 school train you under part 61 though? I am having a hard time finding this info. I was reading rickair7777's post and it sounds like I would just take the 141 course and then take the checkride under 61 if I have enough flight time before completing the 141 course. I might do that, and if I end up taking the whole 141 course, then oh well, I got more training.

Many schools will not allow you to switch programs midstream. At my old school you could not say "ok, I want to take a part 61 ride in the middle of my part 141 program." You can do part 61 and some 141 schools but the 61 course will most likely be more expensive than doing part 61 at a local FBO.

My advice again is to get your private part 61 and work on your school. If after you receive your private you like what you have been doing then consider taking out the huge loan and going 141.

I think it all depends on the school you go to but if you feel like you will breeze through the program then you might be able to 'Double Up' on a lot of your lessons. This is especially easy on your ground lessons.

Say you have a two hour block with your instructor and within the stage that you are in you have a ground lesson that covers stuff like taxiing operations, normal takeoffs and landings and preflight procedures and then a lesson that covers radio procedures and traffic patterns. What you could do, if you're instructor/school are okay with it and if you are comfortable with the material being covered, is just mash the lessons together and kind of do a review. You'll progress a bit quicker this way and it is especially helpful if you are a little more advanced than your classmates.

Life enrichment
 

That is good advice. And while you're at it, take some courses in history, art, music, geography, etc. They probably won't make you any money, but will help you enjoy the money you do make. :)

Just be prepared to work your a$# off. I go to school taking 6 classes and fly 3 times a week and work a night job. I put in like 12 hour days but I want to get it done. Another thing to consider is if you get a business degree a regional might let you intern. Some kids at my school have got hired at lower mins because they sat though the ground schools and got letters of recommendation because they interned. But like everyone else said stay on top of flying and school.

Well, I don't think I will ever have my college and flight school at the same time, since there are no FBO's near my school, and my school has no aviation related degrees. I am currently in the engineering program, but might switch to economics since I really like that.

Thanks for that tip/advice Spartan07! :)

Where do you go to school? I find it hard to believe there's not at least a small flight school nearby.

highly highly highly highly recommend a 4 year degree..it's not a must with the airlines currently..but you are not competitive without it

and don't be surprised in the next few yeras to see it become mandatory for all or most airlines

Michigan State University. I was surprised too, but I looked around as much as I could, there is just nothing close at all.

transfer then and go somewhere with a part 61 school near it or any flight school, it doesn't matter where you train. I did my ratings while in college and started airline training two weeks after graduating. I didn't find it difficult to balance at all. I didn't go to an aviation school, I went to a big twelve university and majored in economics. I did my flight training at the local FBO and then taught there while in school. I also didn't slack off on having a blast, this is something you don't want to miss out on. I wouldn't trade any flying job for the fun I had at the frat and college life in general. I started my private my freshmen year and when I graduated I have over 2000TT and 600ME. Try to do that at an aviation school, won't happen. Flight instructing sucks as a career but it's a freakin sweet college job.

http://www.beapilot.com/apps/schools.cfm

Closest school I found is ~16 mile drive. You need to get a car!

Thanks for the advice, good to hear coming from someone who went through it. :) I just don't think I will be transferring to another school. I just don't really want to leave MSU and all my friends. Would training over the summer be good enough if I can get a crapload of hours in? I did actually find a decent looking Part 61 school near my place back home, I will check it out next time I go back.

Even closer, right at Capital City Airport!

http://www.oldsforgeflyers.com/

Is that a school or just a club though?

Again, more B.S. from people saying don't get an Aviation Degree. Major in something you like, period. If you are an intelligent person who can have a conversation with an adult you can get a job in any industry with an Aviation degree. Most H.R. Departments with entry-level jobs are looking for bright people with a University education. That's it. And losing your medical doesn't mean you're out of aviation either. How many kids major in Psychology thinking they're going to med school and then can't get in? You think a Psych degree is any more valuable than an Aviation degree on the street?

This industry needs healthy Community College and University Aviation Departments. Stop spreading the lie.

They have instructors. You would train through the club. You should give them a call. Maybe you could wash planes or something to help with some training costs.

I surely will! Thanks! :)

Blastoff. Thanks for your opinion. It differs from the vast majority, but that's cool. Heck, I went to Riddle and I'm anti-aviation degree.

The main thing is that people get the four year. I suggest a second area of interest outside of aviation to put more eggs in ones basket. Those who still opt for an aviation degree, more power to them, as it's better than no degree at all. But as a proud holder of a 4 year degree from Riddle, I feel pretty safe in saying it was a total waste of time (outside being able to "check the square" and learning how to drink massive amounts of beer). If I had do overs, that's one of the few things in my career I'd change.

Haha, don't talk to me about drinking beer. :p
I am on my way to an engineering degree or an economics degree, no aviation degree for me. :)

Stay in school
 

Stay in college. Most major airlines will require them in the future, if they dont already. Im about ready to grad. from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A in Science and it was long and tough but in the end I know it will pay off. If you want to fly for the regionals and only regionals your whole life then you dont need a degree. But if you want to fly for the majors then stay in school and get a 4 year.