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USAF vs. ERAU

Old 02-07-2006, 05:32 PM
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I am a sophmore in high school and am starting to look at aviation colleges. i know there are a bunch of other threads like this but i have some specific questions. My ultimate goal would be to fly for a major airline (eventually fly the 777) i have done lots of research about this. i have concluded that the top two aviation 4 years colleges are the Air Force and Embry-Riddle. I know this is comparing apples and oranges but i can come up with some specific benefits and downsides to both.

Air Force-
Good: they pay for it, high class training, high # of hours logged
Bad: 10 years of service, (not working for any airline until the age of 32?) (you have to take lots of general edu. classes)

Embry Riddle-
Good: High class traing, very specialized trianing (only aviation classes), only 4 years
Bad: EXPENSIVE, not as many hours logged

i have had a hard time finding any sort of aviation major on the air force website, also what ratings do you get in the airforce?
as of now i am leaning towards embry-riddle simply becuase 10 years of service seems like an awful long time. this leads me to another question: about how many hours do you have out of college (embry-ridlle) and how long until you can get a job with a regional or small airline?

Thanks alot, ALex
 
Old 02-07-2006, 06:00 PM
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If you can pass a military pilot physical; go military!
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Old 02-07-2006, 06:52 PM
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You can't fly in the military unless you're an officer. You can't be an officer unless you have a degree. Unless you're going to the academy I'd do ROTC or the reserves until you finish school.

PS: There are other schools out there that don't cost as much as ER and they'll teach you to be a good pilot. In fact, I'd read the threads on here about with the opinions on aviation degrees.

Do what's right for you, all the advice in the world doesn't mean ******* unless you follow what youw ant to do.
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Old 02-07-2006, 07:09 PM
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Hit up one of the acadamies. My brother is at the USAFA and they all but guarantee you a flight slot after graduating (Assuming you meet all the medical qualifications and such) plus you get a quality degree for free. I would hesitate from enlisting as they can't guarantee you a flight slot, and as already mentioned you will eventually need a degree. Have you checked out (Actually came and visited) UND? If not you should do so. Theres enough threads out there about UND that all spare you the details-you can look for youself. Good luck in whatever you end up doing.
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Old 02-07-2006, 07:25 PM
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thanks for there replys. i just visited another forum and found dozens of Anti-Embry Riddle threads. most people say it is a waste of time and money. its so hard to get actual opinions and fliter the biased arrogant gossip.
 
Old 02-07-2006, 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Boeing 777-300
thanks for there replys. i just visited another forum and found dozens of Anti-Embry Riddle threads. most people say it is a waste of time and money. its so hard to get actual opinions and fliter the biased arrogant gossip.
Yeah but you can get the general idea. I hear a lot more negative things about Riddle then positive. There are even a number of erau grads that have said its not worth it...you'd think they'd be the bias ones. I'm not sure how you came up with erau and the airforce being the top two aviation 4 year schools.
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Old 02-07-2006, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Boeing 777-300
thanks for there replys. i just visited another forum and found dozens of Anti-Embry Riddle threads. most people say it is a waste of time and money. its so hard to get actual opinions and fliter the biased arrogant gossip.
I fly with lots of ERAU grads. They invariably think they got good training, BUT they are bitter about the massive loans they have to pay off. The reason for the bitterness is that the airlines don't give a sh*t about the "quality" of your flight training, for the most part they only want to see specific ratings, a certain number of flight hours, and no FAA violations (or DUIs). If you are independently wealthy, do whatever feels good, otherwise look for the most economical way to get you ratings and flight hours. Military is by far the best deal, otherwise get your ratings and work as a flight instructor. You should be able to get your private, instrument, multi, commercial, CFI, CFII, and MEI for $35-40k roughly. If you are going to pay more than that, ask yourself WHY are you paying more and WHAT are you getting? Remember, better "quality" training is really meaningless at the entry level. You also need a 4 year degree along the way somewhere.

If you are ok with military service and can get into a service academy DO IT. It is an experience that will pay off for the rest of your life, in aviation or otherwise. They are one of the few places where an airline actually will give you extra credit for the quality of the education. I can speak to that from experience. Military aviation is the fastest and surest way into a good commercial aviation job. You won't get there until age 32, but neither will someone who goes the civilian route, and military pay and benefits along the way are beyond compare. Just stay out of helicopters.

Enlisting will NOT get you into aviation (except maybe army helicopters). Enlisting could get you VA benefits to pay for college and flight training if you need that, but Service Academy or ROTC would be better.
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Old 02-08-2006, 01:19 PM
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Just thought I'd throw in that the USAFA is one of the top ten hardest schools to get into in the nation, while ERAU will take just about anyone...

Their US News admissions rating is "selective"....which means you need to scribble out an essay and be in the top 75% of your high school graduating class. I guess my point is: don't prepare for ERAU and expect to get into a service academy. If you prepare for a service academy, you're guaranteed admission to ERAU.
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Old 02-08-2006, 02:46 PM
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Here's another consideration: If you go the military route, you'll get both flying experience and management experience. You leave the military with two career possibilities.
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Old 02-08-2006, 05:05 PM
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i've come up with some specific questions.

1. How many hours do you garduate ERAU with?
2. Can you go to school at ERAU put practice flying at a local airport (in attempt to save $$$)


1. In the Air Force you go to reagular school for four years and then you start your flight training?

thanks
 
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