Erau?
 

Ok I am sorry for another thread about ERAU but I have a question I couldn't find the answer other places. I am getting ready to get off Active Duty and I have my full GI Bill which will pretty much pay for all my costs are ERAU including flying. I am thinking about getting an aeronautical science degree as well as an aviation maintence degee.

I really want to fly professionally but I want something to fall back on. I have been in for 5 years and I have been a B1-B Bomber mechanic. My job is Aerospace Repair/Reclamation. I am thinking about trying to buy a plane with a friend when I go down there to build time cheaper especially if I get my A&P soon. Do you think this is a good route to go for degrees and to get to where I want to be? My flight will only be paid for if it is towards my degree requirment. Currently they will pay $64,000 in fees per year I believe which flight costs fall under. I know a lot of people say don't get the aeronautical science degree but I was thinking in my case it is best.

What do people on here think? Any advice would be great. Thank you

Normally I would say get a real degree, and also knock out the A&P.

But if the new GI BIll will only pay for flight training in conjunction with a aero science degree, you are stuck.

But check out some other schools, ERAU is not the only one that has that kind of program. If you ever have to look for work in the real world, people know what Purdue University is...but non-aviation people have never heard of ERAU, they will assume it is a diploma mill at first glance.

Is ERAU the only school they will pay for? An aeronautical science degree is not very useful in itself, and the money would be much better spent in engineering at ERAU. Although the flight portion would not be covered you could still add enough flight ratings by working part time jobs to cover it, and you would get to the same point on your own that way. I studied for an engineering degree while I flew in my spare time, and worked weekends driving trucks to pay for it. I came away with zero debt for the flight training. University of Florida also has a great engineering program.

I can goto any school I want to as long as I can get accepted. What they pay varies by state though. I have just always wanted to goto ERAU and thats why I applied there and got accepted. I really don't know what else to major in I am not an engineering type of person though. As far as a part time job goes I will only be making like 1000 a month tops right now the way I am figuring it.

If I were to attend Purdue they would cover a max of $321.75 per credit hour and $12,438 max fees per term. If tuition goes over that amount. I can apply for Yellow Ribbon but only 50 students get that and it will cover a max of 2,000 per year.

I am going to contact the VA and see if I minor in flight if it will still pay for flight costs. I am really looking for the best way to get me into flying as a carrer but also something to fall back on.

I have been doing some thinking cause people say aeronautical science is too specialized which I agree with and I found out the GI Bill will pay for flight if it's a minor. I know I want to stay aviation related becuase I love everything about aircraft. I have been looking at an aerospace engineering degree. Having that (I would get my masters) with my pilots ratings and my A&P license. What do you guys think?

I would recommend getting your aerospace eng. degree and then get a Masters in Business Administration. This would open the door for many career opportunities later on. You can add your pilot ratings and A & P license as you work on your MBA. Good luck to you.

Won't it take a while to get an MBA after a degree in aerospace engineering?

Would you reccomend ERAU or is there better out there? I have been looking a little bit at Purdue.

An MBA is never a bad idea but there are a number of reasons to be an engineer in industry for a few years before getting one. You may not like management duties for one thing, and there is no way to know without being in it for a while. Also, managing other engineers is difficult without having been one. Most engineers who get an MBA see it as an extension of their careers as engineers, rather than an end in itself. At least do a coop rotation or an internship before going for the masters degree would be my advice.

I have a number of friends who have decided to get MBAs. They do so because they want more money, and there is nothing wrong with that but the ones who decide not to get an MBA tend to become engineering specialists and can make as much money. In the aviation industry it is common for them to become designated engineering representatives (DERs) rather than move into management. A DER is an FAA authorized engineer who can sign off on major changes to a design or a system. They work for the company, not the FAA.

Thank you for the advice. I know I would like to get my masters I just don't know what I would want it to be in Aerospace engineering or MBA.

Could you provice recommendations for good schools to goto for aerospace engineering that also has a flight program? This is so I can minor in flight and some of the expenses will be paid by the GI Bill. I would like somewhere farther south than South Dakota. I am tired of -20 weather that I have been living in for the past 5 years. I want a good school is #1 college experience isn't high on my list education is. Never been big into college sports so that isn't a factor.

Thank you

Ok I am really leaning towards an Aerospace Engineer degree. Purly on the quality of the education where would you go; ERAU, Purdue, Cal Tech these seem to be the big 3 schools people talk about. Although I am not sure if I would be able to get into Cal Tech

We talked about this late last year- AE Degrees.

I would see where you can get accepted first, starting from the list provided in that thread, and then figure out the flying part as a second priority. It is a safe bet that any good engineering school is going to also have a flying club, however flight training for credit may be harder to find. I never got any credit for my flight training; it was just something I did to have fun, flesh out my aerospace studies, and use as a second career which as it turns out was prescient considering the economy. ERAU has it, but beyond that I cannot say who has both an AE and a flight training curriculum. Time to do some homework. Let us know what you find out.

Thanks for the link I read all the advice in there.

I have already been accepted to ERAU because thats where I thought I was going to go it's just that after reading things online I started to ask questions and wonder. I have not applied to Purdue yet and I am waiting on information to come so I can read over it. I am not going to apply to Cal Tech because I really don't think I want to go there.

I was in your shoes back in 04. I came off active duty and went to ERAU (DAB) I used as much of the GI BILL as possible. I also inherited alot of debt which im slowly paying back. I just read ERAU has began the yellow ribbon program, if you havent already I would suggest going on the VA's website and converting your GI BILL Ch 30 benefits to Ch 33. Your education will be completely paid by the VA and the yellow ribbon program. You will also receive E-5 BAH per month for the remaining months of entitlements you have. GREAT DEAL!!!! I have the Aero Sci degree and came back on active duty to fly because I couldnt find a job in the civilian world. I think the Engineering degree would open more doors and fly on the side. **AND** do flight as your minor for your degree so the VA picks up the bill. It is a WIN WIN for you. I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Debtfree. Good Luck. Thanks for serving. You'll love riddle, great school.

Do you regret going to ERAU? Would you recommend it to other people? The new post 9/11 Gi Bill has great benifits I am so glad they came out with it.

Thank you also for serving.

Embry-Riddle Grad
 

The guys that do the airline interviews know ERAU. It is highly regarded in the aviation industry. But most places just want a degree.

Since you seem very inclined to attend ERAU, here is my sugestion to you. Aero Science degree is not the greatest thing to have, but obviously in order for your GI bill to pay for flight training, you are limited there.
I think the idea of doing your A&P is a good one, but check to see if your training in the military may qualify for some/all credits towards that. Then do the A.S degree with flight, but complement it with minors. Back when I went there they had a program where you could do your Dispatcher license with the A.S. degree. The required classes for the program cover the requirements for the Dispatcher course, with the exception of one or two classes (which you could take as part of your open elective requirements). So technically, does not cost you anything extra and gives you something to fall back on. Also another program they have is the ATC program. I do not know much about it other than you could use open elective requirements to take the classes the A.S program does not offer. Another program is the Aviation Safety and Aircraft accident investigation. This one is a minor degree and extremely helpful if you ever want to work for FAA. Also, another minor is the Aviation Business Administration.
You may not have many choices when it comes to doing the flight program without the A.S. degree, but you can make it look more appealing. I did the A.S. degree with the Safety Minor and the Dispatcher license in 4 1/2 years (plus flight).
Also, look into the Prescott, AZ campus. I went to DAB campus and that town is turning into a dump. Prescott is still a nice town (albeit a bit boring), less airport congestion, more diverse flying conditions (mountains, snow, desert, etc.). I liked the flying there better (I instructed there and flew 206s and 182s on the side). I still go to Prescott, my kids live there.
Anyhow, hope all this helps.

Thank you for the reply. I can get my flight costs paid for with it as a minor. I am working on getting my Airframe license since I will qualify for that as soon as I brush up on some skills. After that I plan to get my P license. Could you explain what a dispatchers license is? I have not heard of it before. I am looking at DAB becuase they offer aviation maintence where as prescott doesn't. I am really leaning towards Aerospace Engineering with a minor in flight or ATC or Aviation safety (I have taken their accident investigation class and enjoyed it). I might have to go visit both colleges and see the area but I think Daytona offers more options for things to do. I have spent the last 5 years in an area with very little to do.

I have really thought about what people said with the AS degree and thats why I am looking at another degree that would still keep me in the aviation industry but give me something to fall back on incase flying doesn't work out.

Tegguy, you might take a look at the Aeronautics program at ERAU. Its basically a program where you choose what all your going to study. It was originally designed for people who already have work experience, and decided to go get a college degree. They give credit for work experience/ratings already held, I believe. So, if you had your A&P, you could probably get a substantial number of credits from that. Also, as a Aeronautics major, you have to choose 1-3 minor programs to complete, which would allow you to do the flight minor, if you so choose.

A&P would get about 30 credits towards a degree. The problem with Aeronautics is it's specialized as well pretty much like an aeronautical science degree but these people already have some aviation expierience. Creidts aren't really my worry I want a good foundation that will cover me if one thing falls through.

I did a B.S. in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Meteorology and a minor in Flight Safety and wish I had an A&P. The Aerospace Eng. is a really good degree. I know that NASA hires right out of E-RAU. I have three of my friends that were 'interns' at NASA in there last year and they were offered some pretty decent packages before they graduated. I think you should ask yourself what you want to do IF you loose your medical or IF/WHEN you get furloughed with an airline. You still have to make the car payment etc. Good luck. Sounds like your on the right track.

MTCowboy thank you for the reply. I have thought about what I would want to do if I lost my medical or got laid off and thats what turned my off from the BA degree. I would love to work for boeing doing modifications on the B1 or other aircraft. I love what I do for the military but the chances of me staying in with the same job are slim thats what i'm getting out. I do want to get my A&P at least. I am still trying to decide on which degree but I am leaning more and more towards AE.

Which campus did you goto? Can you give me some advice about the school/area?

Something no one has mentioned was the route I took. Riddle has a great up and coming Business department. I too was worried about having something to fall back on other than an aero sci degree. I got a BS in Aviation Business Management with a Minor (area of concentration as they call it) in Flight Operations, which gets your tickets. The minor would allow you to use the GI Bill possibly to pay for your flight training being part of the curriculum. In the business world, people may not recognize ERAU, but they do recognize a business degree. Its another option to engineering, and gives you a bit more time to enjoy Daytona Beach!

Sounds good, but I'm not sure that would be the most cost effective way to do it. Flying on campus is expensive, and time consuming. If you can handle flying outside of Riddle, doing the BA program and flying on the side is a good way to do it, I would think.

I went to Daytona Beach. It's a great place. Lots of Distractions that wear bikini's or comes in a beer glass. I don't think (not sure) Prescott has the Aerospace Engineering degree so I think your going to be stuck with the bikinis and beer in Daytona Beach. I think the AE would be a really good choice. If I could go back and start over that is what I would do. I can't tell you much about the Prescott Campus. I was there a LONG time ago for just a campus visit and I know it has changed along with Daytona's campus.
Was just in Daytona last month for the first time in 10 years and I almost didn't recognize it. It is really really nice now.

The Gi Bill pays for the flying costs if it's part of a degree or minor so it wouldn't be expensive it would be paid for.

Thank you for the responce MTCowboy. I am going to go visit the campus after my deployment and see the area. Right now thats the way i'm leaning though so all my bases are covered.

DAB, go to Southturn for wings.