Top Flight Colleges?
12-11-2009, 11:59 AM
#12
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,261
Originally Posted by Fourgoslot
I'm personally fond of my "college". Not only did I get a good introduction into aviation, but I graduated debt free with an engineering degree to fall back on if needed...and a guaranteed job. Oh yeah, I also got 220 hours of jet time in exchange for "them" providing a decent paying job for the next eight years to continue to build hours. Of course there is a catch. You do have to be willing to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America...and be prepared to give your life in their defense". Times are also changing and the threat of "piloting" unmanned vehicles is out there. It's not for everybody, and I know several of my peers have had a bad experience and wished they never joined. Given all that, it was still the best career decision I've made...U.S. Air Force Academy.
But these days, Annapolis might actually be better since the Navy's UAV program is smaller and growing more slowly than the air force's, and they do not appear to be diverting pilot candidates from manned platforms.
12-11-2009, 01:49 PM
#13
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by Jones14
I hope you mean 2010-2011. 
I know what you mean though...
Anyway, I'm no expert but I've been down your road. Most people will tell you to get your degree in something other than Aviation. It will bail you out if aviation is in the dumpster like it is... now. Also, getting your ratings through a college is very expensive. However, if money is not a problem for you then I believe you will get very good training through those colleges.
I was enrolled in Southern Illinois Uni's flight program, but decided to take my business elsewhere when I figured out that it would put me out around $70,000. With a low time pilot position, even at a regional, it's going to be extremely tough to make ends meet when you have student loans for $800/month!
There are alternate options, like local FBOs and flying clubs where you can get your ratings cheaper. In my opinion it's all about money when it comes to training because I've heard employers don't care where you get your hours, you just need them, and a lot to be competitive. All ratings are approved through the FAA, so in their eyes it's all the same (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
It really depend on your situation, so fill us in and we can give you some better advice.
I know what you mean though...
Anyway, I'm no expert but I've been down your road. Most people will tell you to get your degree in something other than Aviation. It will bail you out if aviation is in the dumpster like it is... now. Also, getting your ratings through a college is very expensive. However, if money is not a problem for you then I believe you will get very good training through those colleges.
I was enrolled in Southern Illinois Uni's flight program, but decided to take my business elsewhere when I figured out that it would put me out around $70,000. With a low time pilot position, even at a regional, it's going to be extremely tough to make ends meet when you have student loans for $800/month!
There are alternate options, like local FBOs and flying clubs where you can get your ratings cheaper. In my opinion it's all about money when it comes to training because I've heard employers don't care where you get your hours, you just need them, and a lot to be competitive. All ratings are approved through the FAA, so in their eyes it's all the same (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
It really depend on your situation, so fill us in and we can give you some better advice.
Thanks for the advice everyone! It's really appreciated!
12-13-2009, 02:30 PM
#14
New Hire
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Posts: 1
Looking for the perfect aviation school can be a rather daunting task. Research all the schools you have already applied for and others you have not. Make sure these schools are the right fit for you. I don't know much about OSU's aviation program but like you, I narrowed my choices of schools to Embry Riddle and WMU. In the end, I chose WMU due to it not only being in the state I live in but also WMU consistently ranks in one of the top three avation schools in the country. The others being Embry-Riddle Daytona and University of North Dakota.I am currently a sophomore at WMU pursuing a Bachelors degree in aviation flight science. Already have my private and will begin my instrument training Spring '10 semester. Again, this is only my opinion, consider all other schools that offer avation training. Costs may also play an important role in your decision making process. ERAU is a very pricey university while most other universities offer the same thing for much less.
If you have any other questions regarding WMUs aviation program dont hesitate to ask.
12-13-2009, 06:07 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Position: PA-44 Left Seat :P
Posts: 219
Don't ask anyone which is the better school because they are either going to say
1. ERAU
or
2. the school they attended.
Do your own research and make up your own mind. They all train you to pass the same tests and all meet FAA standards. Do not fall for the gimmicks. Go to a school where you will have a well rounded education. Not an overpriced technical school centered around only one thing.
1. ERAU
or
2. the school they attended.
Do your own research and make up your own mind. They all train you to pass the same tests and all meet FAA standards. Do not fall for the gimmicks. Go to a school where you will have a well rounded education. Not an overpriced technical school centered around only one thing.
12-14-2009, 07:27 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 254
Originally Posted by Buckeye12
oops! haha I meant 2010-2011... But yea, I'm looking for the best colleges to prepare me in order to become a pilot. Financially, I'm in the middle of the road, so yes money is a factor when it comes to my final decision for college. So, are you saying that I would be better off getting my ratings at local FBOs other than through college? And if so... when would be the best time to start training?
Thanks for the advice everyone! It's really appreciated!
Thanks for the advice everyone! It's really appreciated!
He and his girlfriend (who is also a pilot) talked very highly about the flight school at our college, Southern Illinois University. She has worked for Parks Aviation College in St. Louis, MO, a Part 61 school in Northern VA, and also at SIU. She said that she thought SIU had it together the best, and trained you with a very solid foundation. Now, I'm not trying to sell you anything, I'm just saying that University flight schools (SIU, Purdue, etc) can be great places to train... if you want to spend that kind of money. I think SIU quoted me for around $70,000. My local FBO quoted me for PPL-CFII for under $45,000 and guaranteed a CFI position. I still didn't bite. I can't go that far in debt and then not find a job when I finish training.
This conversation isn't about me, but I'll tell you how I've decided to about my training. I have a leg up on you in this instance because I just graduated college and I have an A&P license, but it will just show you that there are numerous ways to get your ratings, you can think outside of the box. I'm going to take a loan and get my PPL asap after the new year, I feel it will give a better foundation. Then I'm going to hopefully find an A&P job locally, so I can live with my folks and save money. When the time is right, I'm going to invest in a little IFR Cessna 150 or 172 and do all of my own maintenance and training in that aircraft. I laid out a little example here. The more hours you fly your own aircraft, the cheaper it becomes. You can save approximately $40/hour in comparison to renting an aircraft. When I'm done training or find a job flying, I will sell the aircraft. They generally hold their value well, and in the end I'm debt free as a pilot. It will make that low regional pay a lot less painful.
As far as when to start training, hours are everything. If you go down the FBO route you could set up a meeting and probably be building hours on your PPL in 2 weeks. It's cheaper, more personal and you could start sooner. There's a lot to think about choosing your path. It's mostly a financial battle as I'm sure you're figuring out. Keep reading, this site alone is a huge resource for training information and ideas.
Good luck man. Let us know your questions, ideas or concerns!
Last edited by Jones14; 12-14-2009 at 07:39 AM.
12-15-2009, 02:25 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: 320 F.O.
Posts: 1,386
Originally Posted by HectorD
Don't ask anyone which is the better school because they are either going to say
1. ERAU
or
2. the school they attended.
Do your own research and make up your own mind. They all train you to pass the same tests and all meet FAA standards. Do not fall for the gimmicks. Go to a school where you will have a well rounded education. Not an overpriced technical school centered around only one thing.
1. ERAU
or
2. the school they attended.
Do your own research and make up your own mind. They all train you to pass the same tests and all meet FAA standards. Do not fall for the gimmicks. Go to a school where you will have a well rounded education. Not an overpriced technical school centered around only one thing.
12-16-2009, 12:20 PM
#19
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by Jones14
You would definitely be better off financially going with an FBO over a college for flight training. I have a friend who flies at Compass Airlines, and he said that almost every pilot in his class washed out that went to a "cram course" such as ATP. Plus they are very expensive and the they try to push you through at a very rapid pace, which will more than likely make the already high prices even higher. Some of their instructors are kids who are going to roll up in the Audi mommy and daddy bought them, they won't care about you, they just want hours. I know your original question didn't pertain to schools like that, but in my opinion I would for sure steer clear of them.
He and his girlfriend (who is also a pilot) talked very highly about the flight school at our college, Southern Illinois University. She has worked for Parks Aviation College in St. Louis, MO, a Part 61 school in Northern VA, and also at SIU. She said that she thought SIU had it together the best, and trained you with a very solid foundation. Now, I'm not trying to sell you anything, I'm just saying that University flight schools (SIU, Purdue, etc) can be great places to train... if you want to spend that kind of money. I think SIU quoted me for around $70,000. My local FBO quoted me for PPL-CFII for under $45,000 and guaranteed a CFI position. I still didn't bite. I can't go that far in debt and then not find a job when I finish training.
This conversation isn't about me, but I'll tell you how I've decided to about my training. I have a leg up on you in this instance because I just graduated college and I have an A&P license, but it will just show you that there are numerous ways to get your ratings, you can think outside of the box. I'm going to take a loan and get my PPL asap after the new year, I feel it will give a better foundation. Then I'm going to hopefully find an A&P job locally, so I can live with my folks and save money. When the time is right, I'm going to invest in a little IFR Cessna 150 or 172 and do all of my own maintenance and training in that aircraft. I laid out a little example here. The more hours you fly your own aircraft, the cheaper it becomes. You can save approximately $40/hour in comparison to renting an aircraft. When I'm done training or find a job flying, I will sell the aircraft. They generally hold their value well, and in the end I'm debt free as a pilot. It will make that low regional pay a lot less painful.
As far as when to start training, hours are everything. If you go down the FBO route you could set up a meeting and probably be building hours on your PPL in 2 weeks. It's cheaper, more personal and you could start sooner. There's a lot to think about choosing your path. It's mostly a financial battle as I'm sure you're figuring out. Keep reading, this site alone is a huge resource for training information and ideas.
Good luck man. Let us know your questions, ideas or concerns!
He and his girlfriend (who is also a pilot) talked very highly about the flight school at our college, Southern Illinois University. She has worked for Parks Aviation College in St. Louis, MO, a Part 61 school in Northern VA, and also at SIU. She said that she thought SIU had it together the best, and trained you with a very solid foundation. Now, I'm not trying to sell you anything, I'm just saying that University flight schools (SIU, Purdue, etc) can be great places to train... if you want to spend that kind of money. I think SIU quoted me for around $70,000. My local FBO quoted me for PPL-CFII for under $45,000 and guaranteed a CFI position. I still didn't bite. I can't go that far in debt and then not find a job when I finish training.
This conversation isn't about me, but I'll tell you how I've decided to about my training. I have a leg up on you in this instance because I just graduated college and I have an A&P license, but it will just show you that there are numerous ways to get your ratings, you can think outside of the box. I'm going to take a loan and get my PPL asap after the new year, I feel it will give a better foundation. Then I'm going to hopefully find an A&P job locally, so I can live with my folks and save money. When the time is right, I'm going to invest in a little IFR Cessna 150 or 172 and do all of my own maintenance and training in that aircraft. I laid out a little example here. The more hours you fly your own aircraft, the cheaper it becomes. You can save approximately $40/hour in comparison to renting an aircraft. When I'm done training or find a job flying, I will sell the aircraft. They generally hold their value well, and in the end I'm debt free as a pilot. It will make that low regional pay a lot less painful.
As far as when to start training, hours are everything. If you go down the FBO route you could set up a meeting and probably be building hours on your PPL in 2 weeks. It's cheaper, more personal and you could start sooner. There's a lot to think about choosing your path. It's mostly a financial battle as I'm sure you're figuring out. Keep reading, this site alone is a huge resource for training information and ideas.
Good luck man. Let us know your questions, ideas or concerns!
Wow!! Thank you so much!
That does sound like a really great idea for what you're planning on doing!
Well, next semester I'm taking a class called "Career Mentorship" in which the school sets up appointments to a job site for whatever career you choose. Obviously, I'm choosing a pilot, (I'm praying that they have this choice) and hopefully am either going to the major airport (Port Columbus International Airport) or other regional airports such as The Ohio State University Airport (Don Scott) or Bolton Field. If I get the chance, then I'm going to just try to find out as much information as possible to see what they recommend as well. Maybe, taking this class will lead to building flight hours towards my PPL?!
12-16-2009, 12:22 PM
#20
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2009
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by Climbto450
Well said!! Do you own research. ERAU does have the largest alumni group that work in aviation but there are great programs all over the countries.
Haha yea! I've been brain washed into how great of a school Embry Riddle is and "if you come out of ERAU with a degree, then you're guaranteed a job in the aviation field."
So, I've begun to realize that there are plenty of other great schools out there as well!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
