Notices
Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

Bridgewater State College

Old 10-08-2008, 11:44 AM
  #1  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Default Bridgewater State College

Does anyone have any information of the true quality of this schools Flight Program? It is a college in my state, MA, so by going here I would save quite a bit of money over ERAU, or UND and schools like that.
RyM45 is offline  
Old 10-09-2008, 05:56 AM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
cyrcadian's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Popsicle Logic
Posts: 633
Default

I'll tell you what I know.

BSC used to have a partnership with Delta Connection Academy up until this year. The ground school is taught at the college itself and I am not sure how the flight training is currently being administered. Before the Academy, students were allowed to chose where they received their flight training. I do know BSC is attempting to establish their own flight training at New Bedford airport using the same facility that DCA was using.
cyrcadian is offline  
Old 10-09-2008, 10:38 AM
  #3  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Default

I knew about the connection to DCA, but not about them not having it anymore. Thought that would be one of the pulls towards the schools program. So when you say they are trying to get a connection, does that mean they have none right now? And if they are trying to get through with New Bedford, is there some timeline for when they will be together?
RyM45 is offline  
Old 10-09-2008, 12:37 PM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Left
Posts: 1,809
Default

They have their own flight school now, and yes it is in the DCA building. I was there when it was DCA so I can't give any feedback on the new one at EWB. As for the college it is a small program with some good teachers, and one or two not so good ones. All the teachers will know you by name. Bridgewater itself isn't the best college town, but you could do worse I suppose. I think the worst part is that the airport is about 1/2 hour away. If you dont have a car they used to run a shuttle bus like once an hour or so, I'm sure they still do. Anyway, I'd reccomend it simply because of how cheap it is to attend as a MASS resident. I've been gone for a few years now, but if you have any questions shoot me a PM and I'll see what I can do.
pagey is offline  
Old 10-09-2008, 05:48 PM
  #5  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Default

Well, I would love to PM you, but I can't. Might have something to do with this being my second day belonging to these forums...
Anyway, if you would not mind me asking some questions over this thread, I'll ask them, but don't feel obligated to respond if you don't want. Maybe send me a PM with the answers.

1. Did you major in the Flight Program or in Aviation Management?

2. If I was to go the Aviation management route just to have more opportunities, would I get enough flight hours if I took some flight electives to be considered for a regional? ( I am not thinking I am getting a job with a regional out of college, that is there for the purpose of the question) I have seen this do-able at some other colleges.

3. I didn't think their website clearly explained which certificates you would be receiving though their program, so which what ratings and certificates would I get from this school? ( I am only a junior in HS, so decoding flight classes to match the certificate I would get is not a specialty of mine.)

4. One thing I did pick up from the list of classes is that they do not seem to offer any sort of training for your multi-engine rating, if they do please correct me.

5. Do they have any sort of connections with any airline companies?

6. One last thing is to do with cost, I realize that it is 6k a year someone in-state (me) but what does the flight training cost? I know at like ERAU it is something like 35k for flight training alone. So to go out to a FBO to finish my training and get my CFII, possibly Multi Engine (if I don't get it at BSC), and MEI. I am currently working on my PPL, at Norwood Flight Center (which might I add is quite a hike from little ole North Attleboro)
RyM45 is offline  
Old 10-09-2008, 07:52 PM
  #6  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Left
Posts: 1,809
Default

1. Flight training

2. You would need to build some time after/during college to have enough time for regionals. you would probably end up with 300ish hours after your flight courses

3. Bridgewater will give you credits for every rating you get..PPL through CMEL, CFI, II, MEI. However, their degree program with flight training concentration only goes to CFI.

4. As far as I know they do not have multi engine airplanes at their new flight school yet, although I'm sure they will at some point. Like I said in the last question, they will give you credits for any multi ratings you obtain, regardless of where you get it.

5. Don't think so. I wouldn't make this a deciding factor though. As much as some places like to make you think, you really don't NEED them to get a job at an airline. It doesn't hurt obviously, but spending and extra 10-15k on your training just for a "connection" at an airline isn't worth it.

6. I'm not sure what their new rates are. when I was there it was DCA, and they are expensive. I would probably assume it would be a little cheaper. If you call the aviation office they will give you an estimate right then and there.

Do you fly at Horizon?
pagey is offline  
Old 10-10-2008, 10:59 AM
  #7  
Line Holder
 
pilotinsky's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: ATP-CFII-MEI-AGI-IGI
Posts: 61
Default

I graduated from BSC in 2004; that's when DCA came in.
I majored in Aviation Management and did flight training on my own in Mansfield, MA (1B9); good flight school there.
BSC is a good college to start aviation, but I think it's all depends on each individuals.
Good luck.
pilotinsky is offline  
Old 10-10-2008, 12:05 PM
  #8  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Default

Ok so you did Aviation Management, but did you do any flying at BSC through that wing (no pun intended) of the program? And how much in total did it cost you to do Aviation Management and getting the separate training on the side?

And pagey, I am looking at Horizon now becasue the cost at Norwood Flight Center is rather steep. But if I was to go through Horizon I would probably go down to T.F Green in Warwick because even though it's just as far, it would be cool to be flying out of a major airport, get used to the environment there.
RyM45 is offline  
Old 10-10-2008, 12:35 PM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: Reclined
Posts: 2,168
Default

Originally Posted by RyM45 View Post
Does anyone have any information of the true quality of this schools Flight Program? It is a college in my state, MA, so by going here I would save quite a bit of money over ERAU, or UND and schools like that.
Why do you want to even consider an "aviation" school? A degree in "aviation" will not help you get an airline job, and it certainly will do you no good whatsoever when/if you ever get furloughed.

Get a degree, but get it in somethign that you can use outside of aviation so that you have somethign to fall back on when you do not have a flying job, or are furloughed. Not one single major airline ever has required an aviation degree, and currently most of them no longer even require a degree in anything. A few still require it, so it will never hurt you to have one.... but getting an aviation degree is a waste of money and resources. Fly at your local airport, and since you are in MA, spend the money you will be saving by NOT being in a college aviation program to go to a better school like BC, or Northeastern and get a real degree from a good school.
Mason32 is offline  
Old 10-10-2008, 01:10 PM
  #10  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Default

First of all, I don't think there is such thing as a fake degree. And honestly, I do not care much for the debate between going to a flight college and going to a college and flying on the side. I think it is just a personal decision, I cannot for one second imagine myself sitting behind a desk typing away at a computer to finish a finance report or something like that. I would probably kill myself if that was my job. I am not saying that buisiness is the only thing there is to major in, but none of those would not make me happy. You shouldn't do something unless it makes you happy. All I want to do is fly, however corny that might sound. Money can't buy happiness, and if I end up furloughed from an airliner and I'm just ******* out of luck, thats fine with me. Granted that airliners lay more people off than normal companies, my dad works for a company that is tanking right now, people are getting layed off left and right. Pretty sure he is safe, but I am just saying all industries struggle.

I could get into Northeastern guarenteed (some rather large family history there), but nothing there interests me in any way. And the cost there is pretty steep, just throwing that out there. My opinion on the matter.
RyM45 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CaptainCarl
Career Questions
117
01-05-2013 07:04 AM
scorpion611
Flight Schools and Training
44
10-01-2008 09:02 AM
flyingfalcon401
Hiring News
18
08-27-2008 09:09 PM
IronWalt
Money Talk
6
08-25-2008 02:53 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices