F15AvionicsTech

Hey guys -

First off, let me say that this forum has been paramount for me in the past few months as to deciding where I want my life to go. The patients that all the users here show when it comes to answering the same questions over-and-over again with real relevant answers is amazing.

Anyways...here's my quick question. I'm about 10hrs into my PVT and I'm debating whether to continue into my ratings this summer, or start work on my degree. I dug myself into a hole in terms of GPA at the school I attended, so I'm looking at about 5 years to graduate from where I am. Should I use the summer (While I still have a decent paying full-time ANG technician job) to get some more work on Ins/Comm ratings and start school in the fall - or just get my PVT and start working on my degree.

Obviously, the degree is going to be non-aviation (Computer Science).

Thanks again for all the wonderful help and information found on this board.

ctd57

That is really something that you need to decide. You definately need the degree, so whether you do it know or later, I guess it really doesn't matter, as long as you get it. One thing the airlines look for during the interview process is currency. How much did you fly in the last 6 or so months before the interview. So based on that, I would finish my private, go get my degree, fly for fun during college, and then I would get all of my ratings. That way, when it comes time to do an interview, your are instrument current and proficient in the plane, and the degree is behind you.

rickair7777

Depends on finances and workload I guess. If you could get at least a CFI knocked out early on, you could make some cash and build time while in college. In a perfect world, you might be at 1000/100 when you graduate and start applying to regionals immediately.

I'm a huge proponent of getting that college degree, but if you're going to have to bus tables during school anyway, you might as well be flight instructing instead.

If you finish your private before summer, You should be able to get IR/COM done during the summer. You would need to ensure that your school/club will have aircraft & instructors available, but you yourself shouldn't have any problem getting it done in 2-3 months. Try to get your ME done too, that way you will be ready to take advantage of ANY opportunities to build vital ME time.

Then get your CFI, CFII, MEI the following summer, that gives you three school years to work as a CFI.

Perfect world plan, adjust to suit your circumstances.

F15AvionicsTech

Excellent suggestions. All the information was already in my head - but that puts everything in a good perspective. Thanks.

Looks like I'm good-to-go.