Aceninja

Hi,

I am thinking about going to either Embry Riddle or Ariben Aviator to pursue my flight training. I already have my PPL and do know that this is what I want to do for a living. Flying has been my hearts desire since I was a kid and I finally have the means to do it (although you might think I am crazy to do it in this economy). The way it stands, as of right now I have about 16 months of VA benefits remaining that I can use towards either college. I already have a lot of hours (96) going towards the Professional Aeronautics degree from Embry Riddle Online, but if I transfer over into the Aeronautical Science degree, I would only get less than half of that and would take me around 3 years altogether to finish up. Riddle also does not seem to offer a lot of multi engine time, even in their multi track program. But then again Riddle seems to be one of the best Aviation colleges out there, but would I be better off pocketing the change/not taking a loan and going to a school such as Aviator which does offer significantly more multi engine time? On one hand, there seems to be the Embry Riddle experience and taking college classes which I would probably enjoy, on the other hand I can just finish up my degree online with them in 2 semesters and continue my flight training elsewhere, which would be significantly cheaper with less money spent out of pocket.

However, in the long term, would that be a bad decision? Do people prefer Riddle grads to say most others, or is that just successful marketing propaganda?


Just thought I would ask to see what you guys think about it. I am not trying to start a "Riddle bashing" or "Aviator bashing" thread, just wanted to get your opinion on two different modules of training and their costs & benefits etc.

Thanks for your input.

Blueskies21

I may not be the most informed on the subject but I didn't think Ari ben (aviator) was anything more than a time building operation. So your question then is more like, should you go to college or not? I think that's a personal choice, personally I think it's a box checker. Do you have a college degree.... yes. If that is ever a requirement for a job you would have the box checked. If you didn't have enough multi time, that's something that's relatively easy to get.... all it takes is money. Can't buy yourself a college degree in 2 weeks.... At least from a US college. As for changing from Professional Aeronautics to Aeronautical Science, I'm not a riddler so I don't know the difference between those and I'd be willing to bet most non riddles also don't know. It would be my assumption that Aeronautical science then counts the flying as degree requirements, I don't know why that would be better. You can still do the flying as electives and the cost of flying isn't included in tuition so that's a wash.
If I were you, finish the Pro Aero degree and get the ratings. The multi time might very well fall into place while you're sorting other things out.

Climbto450

I agree finish up the degree. You have the name for your resume. In the professional pilot world you really just need the four year degree. The flying experience counts much more.

9kBud

The aeronautical science degree at Riddle is AABI accredited, while professional aeronautics is not. AABI accredited programs matter with some employers, but not with most. At the Prescott campus, most aeronautics majors train at North Aire. Here's a list of schools and majors with the accreditation.
http://www.aabi.aero/programs.html

Dised101

I am a Riddle Grad...Under grad....and Post Grad. A college degree does not offer you immunity to furlough in this industry. I was furloughed. What a degree offers you is choices when you do find yourself furloughed. I ended up as the Program Director of Aviation at a small two year college in Colorado. It is Colorado Northwestern Community College. If you have VA benefits....chances are, you will use all of that up on flight courses. That is OK.

To finish a four year...expect that you will have to find a little more money. So, if you are interested in geting your degree/flight certificates...consider looking at some two year schools. Cochise Community College, Pima Community College, Jamestown Community College, and a few more two years offer quality programs in Aeronautics. Part of the Curriculum is flight....which means that you are completing course credits as you fly. Parts of the degree are the dreaded Gen Eds...English, Math, Social Sciences....etc.

So what you do is....earn your two year as fast as you can.....and try to work you way into a CFI job upon graduation. You will need some sort of job to build hours. Most schools prefer to hire their graduates...they have seen them perform. At a larger school like ERAU, it is impossible to hire every graduate.....something like a 1000 graduates....and less that 50 CFI jobs.

While you are building time as an instructor, take online classes, or night classes if you find yourself in a larger city with a four year school, and work towards a four year degree in something completely different from aviation. A major, or legacy, airline usually requires a four year degree....so work toward earning one. Just give yourself a backup, in something different, if you find yourself in a situation like a furlough. I mention furlough because, statistically speaking, you will be furloughed at least once in your career. But there are mergers, bankruptcy, medical issues, and liquidation in this field. It might be better to get a business degree, and move into a management position if something happens. Better than being unemployed!

So, if you follow this plan....you will probably spend about $45000 on flight training, $20000 on tuition (two year)...another $10-15000 on another two years of tuition......but you will working at the same time...perhaps paying as you go for some of the tuition (VA helps alot). When you finally earn your four year....you have a backup plan, and you have 1500 flight hours! You are ready to jump into the airlines with both feet. You counterpart at ERAU will be fighting for his/her first CFI job...and will be wrestling with $200-$250,000 is debt.

And when you get your first job at the airlines.....don't expect more than $20-$25,000 a year initially. Makes more sense to do thigs as cheap as possible.

If you want any more information on two year degrees....just go to CNCC.edu.....look at Aviation Technology. If you have anymore questions...feel free to contact me.....even if you are not interested in the school, I can point you in the right direction.

Take it from me....getting into debt is never fun, but in this industry it can be a death sentence for a couple of decades. I am an ERAU grad....I recommend the classes....full of great info with great teachers. But the flight training was never the best money could buy! I have worked at two part 121 Airlines, and I can share some knowledge and experience. Just give me an e-mail (usually best)....and I will give you whatever advise you may want.

mmffkk88

Hi could you please mail to : [email protected]

I would like to clear some doubts about flying colleges.

Thanks
Manoj

JohnBurke

Avoid debt.

Don't buy into sales pitches about employers preferring riddle rats over someone who didn't go to riddle. Not true. Having ERAU on your resume doens't enhance it any more than eastern new mexico university online, unless you're applying to the national test pilot school and have an aeronautical engineering degree. Then ERAU looks good. Otherwise, no one cares, especially for a run-of-the-mill pilot job.

Ari Ben Whatever? Who cares? Find a place that you can get decent training, get your ratings and move on, without immersing yourself in debt. Where ever that may be. Once you've moved on from that school, nobody will care about the brand name of the place that did your flight training. They will care if you can fly, and if you meet the qualifications for a job. Do you have the hours? The experience (which is not the same as hours)? The ratings? For pilots, having a degree is checking a box; there is nothing in a degee that will make you a better pilot, and employers know this. One slip of paper is as good as the next, and no one is going to fall on their knees at your feet in awe of a riddle receipt. No matter what ERAU tells you.

In today's hiring environment, many places have dropped the degree requirement. What does that tell you?

12oclockHi

If you are in your teens and know you want an career in aviation, by all means do get a college degree, aviation or otherwise. If you know you want to fly than the aviation schools accredited to allow you to receive an RATP are a good option and hopefully, will provide you with a deeper, more through grounding in the aeronautical knowledge required by FAR's for your licence's to fly.

If you are older and want to expedite your career path, than seek out either an all inclusive academy or other less (costly) options at local flight schools near where you live.

MtnFlying

You guys must have missed that our latest bot hero (mmffkk88) revived a thread that is 13.5 years old??? Hopefully, the original poster got to their desired end state already...lol!

JohnBurke

At least you didn't say, "you people."

Didn't miss a thing. The thread was on the top of the pile, currently active, and therefore, commented upon. What the other guy did, don't really care.

Wait a tic. You commented, too. Go figure.