Looking for Advice..
 

I just graduated from high school and my dream job is to become a pilot. I have wanted to be a pilot since a very young age. I plan on attending my local community college this fall. They offer an aviation science program that is mainly a transfer program where you go for 2 years then transfer to a 4-year school for the other two. The course description says:

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is awarded upon completion of requirements for this program.

• Student will satisfy all requirements to earn a Private Pilot License.
• Student will satisfy all requirements to earn an Instrument Rating.
• Student will satisfy all requirements to earn a Commercial Pilot License.

The total cost of the program is $27,000. What schools could I transfer to after this? And do you guys think its worth it or should I persue a degree in something else? What is the job outlook like? Thanks.

majortom -

There are numerous threads dealing with the exact questions that you are asking. I would encourage you to try the search function and I'm sure that you will find a wealth of information to help you with your decision.

USMCFLYR

The airlines don't care where your degree is from or what it is in. They only care that you have a college education. Do yourself a favor and get a degree in something other than Aviation Technology or Aeronautical Science etc... If you can hack it get a degree in engineering or human factors both of which have multiple applications in the aerospace industry. You could even do well with a business degree I guess but, everyone majors in business these days. :rolleyes: The point is diversify your education and have a plan B! This industry is cyclical and when the S hits the fan you can easily find yourself on the street.

As far as the flight training is concerned... in my experience college aviation programs produce pilots who are better prepared for their first airline job. The military does a great job as well. The reason is these programs are set up to prepare you to be a professional aviator where as mom and pop's flight training center most likely is not. Purely my opinion. Talk to as many people as you can and seriously consider your decision. You are going to be making one of your life's largest investments.

I want to second what 390 said. Diversify your education. Get a degree in engineering, science or business. Just go to your local airport for your flight training. You'll save a lot of money.

I know this doesn't sound as glamorous as what you had in mind but trust us, you'll be much better off down the road.

^.......yeah....that!!!:)

You may also want to consider Nursing, Accounting, Finance or IT.


atp

I'd like to expand on the above posters. Just because you major in something other than aviation, doesn't mean you can't also major in aviation. I think aviation as a second major will make you a better pilot. It won't help you get hired or move up your seniority number, but I think I am a better pilot because I went through a 4 yr program (no I'm not trying to rationalize the money).

ALSO one other thing!

Look into the schools that you plan on attending to finish up your 4 year degree. Ones that have in-house aviation programs (do not farm out flying courses to local FBO's) may be reluctant to accept all of your prior training if they are going to put their name on your diploma. They may make you take proficiency courses or whole courses over again...especially if they don't believe that you perform to their standards.

I think im going to go for the degree in aviation. Here is the link to the page of the course im looking at by the way:

Dutchess Community College: Aviation Science: Pilot (A.S. Degree)

And some people were saying the cost is too low... It is $26,200 in "lab" fees plus the tuition of $3000 a year.
And what are some colleges I can look into transfering to? Thanks guys.

Any 2-year program which covers the gen-ed requirements should be transferable to most 4-year schools. It says it is designed for students who plan to do that.


$26K for a Commercial ASEL is not too bad if it is a part 61 program which will provide 250 hours of flight time. That works out to $105/flight hour which is reasonable considering that many of those hours will be dual with an instructor.

If it is part 141 and based on 190 hours, it works out to $137/hour, which is getting pretty pricey...you could do a lot better at your local airport.

Remember, there is no advantage to a part 141 training program which gets you done in less flight hours...airlines and other pilot employers do not care one tiny bit about where you got your training or what type of program it was (unless it was military). They hired based on experience, ie flight hours...the more, the better.

Also be advised that with a commercial ASEL, you are not employable in the current aviation environment...you will need instructor and multi-engine ratings.

It is a part 141 program. And yeah I understand about the not employabe part. I want to transfer to a school where I can get those rating as well as a degree. How is embery riddle?

My advice would be to go to school and get your education first. I think some others on the forum have mentioned this. Get your degree and work on getting your licenses at the same time. I am about to graduate college and have worked to get my licenses while in school. I remember being your age and wanted to find the fastest way to begin working. It took me sometime but I realized that the best thing to do is finish school. ENJOY COLLEGE!!! You have a lifetime ahead of you. Get your bachelors the airlines will be there when you get done.

Don't go to embry riddle btw. WAY too expensive they're are lots of good schools that aren't as expensive.

If I had it to do over again.... I would have gone into the Air National Guard into avionics technician/mechanic type field at a fighter unit (maybe 125th???? at Jax) went to school for Aerospace Engineering at somewhere other than ERAU (I did that there, waste of money) the ANG covers 100% tuition!
Worked a small business doing avionics refurb or mags or something like that - those guys can make some baller cash. Then, flown out of a good FBO part 61 that wasn't that expensive gotten all the ratings there.... After that degree... try to get a fighter slot with an ANG unit.

I was supposed to be going to the dominican republic today for a 2 week trip but I couldn't go at the last min. It was a trip with my church and I am really close friends with everyone that went. Well anyway it was a connecting flight through San Juan Puerto Rico. American flight 769. They had engine problems and had to land right after takeoff. Im just taking that as a sign that I should in fact be a pilot haha

Ive been giving it some thought and talking to people and I think I will consider going in to the air national guard. Anyone have any experience with this? And how could I become a pilot in the national guard? Thanks

I have found that most people ask for advice never really take it, they just want to see if everyone agrees with what they are already planning to do.

Look kid, if you spend 5 minutes reading on this subject you see everyone telling you the same thing. There's no magic ticket, some people get lucky but you can't plan on that happening, no matter how much you really really want it.

Listen to what they are saying: Spend as little money as you can on your flight training, don't get yourself into too much debt for this, it may never pay off. Have a back up plan, and aviation science is interesting to study, but it will not help you get another job if you can't find one flying, or you get laid off like so many are right now.

The air national guard isn't something you just snap your fingers and do either.. you need to figure out what you want and do a lot of research to avoid big disappointments down the road.

Ive been doing some research. I think I should go for a degree in engineering. I am thinking about serving in the air national guard as an enlisted while in college getting my degree. The enlisted job I would want most is flight engineer which my local base lists as a "hot job". I will be talking to a recruiter tomorrow to find out more. I could get my ratings on the side while at school then when done with school apply for a pilot position at the guard.

You still need a 4 year Degree to be a pilot in the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve. All pilots are officers...and all officers are 4 year college graduates.

Also, know the difference between the Air National Guard (Component of the Air Force) and the National Guard (Component of the Army).

There are quite a few threads on the Military forum on becoming an Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard pilot.

I am a pilot in the Air Force Reserve, which has a similar (but not the same) way of doing things as the Air Guard. You can enlist out of high school and have a non-pilot job (possibly enlisted aircrew such as Boom Operator, Load Master, Flight Engineer, etc...) in the Guard/Reserve while you go to school, then go through your Unit's pilot hiring process, where you might have a leg up on people who aren't from your unit. Otherwise, you can simply go to college and when you graduate, try to get hired at a Guard/Reserve unit. Remember, unlike the active duty Air Force where once you are recruited you have know idea where you are going and how long you are staying there, in the Guard or Reserve, you are hired by specific units you interview for individually; and once you are hired, you are there until you chose to move (and your commander allows it) or the Unit closes.