inksmudged

I'm confused as to which route I should take for education. I'm looking at getting my private license right now, so I know I'm jumping the gun a little, but if things work out, I may consider continuing in the aviation field. I already have my BA (French and Education), so I'm not worried about getting a degree. However, if I were to pursue a career in aviation, I'm curious as to which would look better on a resume? And, which route would likely offer the best education? There is a college about an hour from my home which offers an associates degree in aeronautics for about $60,000. Or, there is a private flight school much closer to my home that offers all the same training for about $40,000. I've talked to instructors from both schools, and I'd say they're both equally passionate and dedicated to turning out great pilots. I guess my question boils down to: would a potential employer rather see a degree behind the training? Or is it more about flight hours and a really great interview?

atpwannabe

It doesn't matter what your degree is in as far as the Major's is concerned. Most state within the requirements that a 4yr degree is required. A few will use the term "preferred". When it's termed like that, rest assured it's a silent requirement. As far as the Regionals and LCC's, I'm not sure. Those who are flying can attest to that more so than I can.

With respect to flight training, I would look at all aspects of training program and process; whether Part 61 or 141. That would include costs, flight instructors and the quality of instruction, placement successes...if applicable, maintenance history of a/c, type & condition of a/c, and location etc., etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about time constraints. Seems like all those who have recently started their training along with those of us who hope to starting soon will have ALL the time we need in order to amass the required minimums. At last glance, the norm seems to be 1200-1500tt and 300 multi.



All the best.



atp

inksmudged

So a four-year degree is a requirement for flying with a major airline?

rickair7777

Yes, absolutely. Unless Daddy or Uncle Joe is the system CP, CEO, VP Flight Ops, etc.

In the past, not so much. But just cuz some dude brags about getting hired at FDX in 1986 with a GED does not mean it will work you in the future. SWA will hire people with a 2-year degree. I know a guy personally, but he had family connections so I wouldn't bet on that either.

atpwannabe

Yes.

Allow me re-phrase that....a Legacy airline. That would include airlines such as Delta, Continental, FedEx, UPSCO (UPS). According to APC's page, Majors-Nationals-LCC's are...Comair, ASA, American Eagle. These airlines are generally referred to as regional airlines by the industry and the general public.

The formula that is used though to characterize an airline as either a Legacy, Major, or Regional is base on gross revenue, (annual), if I'm not mistaken.




atp

rickair7777

For practical purposes major = a career destination, not a stepping stone.

inksmudged

I've been lurking on these forums for quite a while, and I've seen a few other posts that reccomended majoring in something not related to aviation. Mostly, this advice seemed to run along the lines of "have a fallback career." So, since I completed a bachelor's degree already (French) does that mean I'm set in terms of getting that degree needed to pursue a piloting career? Or should I have a BS in aviation as well?

lifter123

You should be all set. And assuming that you are fluent in French also, that could be a nice little leg up for corporate depts. that do a lot of flying across the pond to France.

VR86

I have two 3 year degrees BBA & B.com (yes i did both of them together ).

whats with the phrase "4 year degree" ?

Sniper

A "4 year degree" is the standard 'well rounded liberal arts' education in the USA, cumulating in a bachelor of either science or arts degree from an accredited college, a 'BS' or a 'BA' for short. These degrees usually take about 120 credit hours of coursework to complete, or about 4 years (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year). If you're really dedicated and/or intellectually talented you might be able to do it in 3 years. It's the degree you get from Harvard or a state school in the US (versus the community college or technical school degree). It falls between an 'Associates' degree and a 'Masters' degree in the education hierarchy.

I'm not familiar with a '3 year degree', nor the 'BBA' or 'B.com' degrees. Are they from a school in the USA?
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In case readers of this thread missed it - to be a professional pilot, your major doesn't matter all that much (if you had to choose, a science degree would be preferred over an arts degree), nor even the school you obtained it from (provided it's an accredited institution). Where you obtained your flight training doesn't really matter either (nobody cares if you went to UND or Riddle except the people @ UND and Riddle). What matters is the ratings you've achieved (CFI, ATP, etc), positions you've held (captain, aircraft commander, check airman, etc), experience (turbine, multiengine, jet, etc), and, most importantly, who you know - the vast majority of current pilots got their job by knowing someone who already worked for the company and recommended them.

The fastest and cheapest way to a good aviation job (what I would do) - find a retired military, airline, or corporate pilot who's teaching and get your all your ratings from them (private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and certified flight instructor). Go to an in-state school (cheap) and major in something you'd love to do if aviation doesn't work out. Teach flying on the side while in college, and figure out if you really like flying enough to do it for the rest of your life. Intern @ an airline or corporate aviation department in the summer (good way to get a 1st job). Graduate from college, and either join the military to fly, or find a civilian job flying anything with a turbine. Once you're @ this point, you'll control your destiny.

If you play your cards right, your initial instructor, the guy/gal you learned to fly with, will write you a recommendation letter to their former company and one day you can retire from the same place they did (if that's what you want).

To the original poster - don't get an aviation degree! Personally, I wouldn't go to a fancy brand name flight school either, I'd find a retired guy like I mentioned above, but if you plan on doing this for a career, it's important to find someone who knows how to train you to professional standards, and your average instructor @ the local airport likely won't be able to do that (which is why I say find a retired professional - they know the standard).