What to do?
10-24-2010, 02:18 PM
#1
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: C-150 left seat
Posts: 32
What to do?
Hello everyone, I havent posted on here in a long time and just wanted to share a few of my ideas on APC to see what kind of advice I can get.
I am currently trying to figure out what to do for school now... I am 23 years old, and just ETS'd from the national guard last month. I do have 60% benefit from the post 9/11 GI bill, and I have two ideas as far as schooling goes right now. I have been staying current on the aviation industry, and mostly the airline industry, and I have to say it makes me a little nervous... I have had a passion for flying since birth, but I am just trying to go into school with a backup plan, or even just a good plan.
Here are my two ideas... Let me know what you think, criticism welcomed.
Idea number one:
Go to the local 4 year university in my town
Obtain 4 year degree in something entrepreneur/business related(I also love the idea of owning a business and have many business ideas, even have a notebook I keep with me just to jot down ideas when the come to me)
Continue to pay as I go at my local FBO for my ratings, and build time with friends, maybe even try to flight instruct during my last couple years of college
So idea number one, if it worked out as planned would give me two career options/industries to get into that I would enjoy...
Idea number two(easiest way):
Go to the local 4 year university in my town
Obtain 4 year degree in Aviation-Pro Pilot
Use post 9/11 GI bill to pay for 60% of everything
And that is really it for this idea haha...
I think idea two would be the easiest way, just because of my GI bill that would make my total for everything be less than $20,000, whereas with idea number one I would have to pay 100% of my flight training and 40% of my college tuition, and with loans being so hard to get for flight training there would not be any guarantee of success. At the same time I really do not want to have any debt after school(is this a dream??). Also, I am really worried about aviation as a career, even though I LOVE flying, I also love my life and want to enjoy it and pursue other normal day to day life events that come with having a life.
I am really sorry if I just rambled or didnt make any sense at all, I am just trying to sum up my ideas in as little space as possible. Please, any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!!
I am currently trying to figure out what to do for school now... I am 23 years old, and just ETS'd from the national guard last month. I do have 60% benefit from the post 9/11 GI bill, and I have two ideas as far as schooling goes right now. I have been staying current on the aviation industry, and mostly the airline industry, and I have to say it makes me a little nervous... I have had a passion for flying since birth, but I am just trying to go into school with a backup plan, or even just a good plan.
Here are my two ideas... Let me know what you think, criticism welcomed.
Idea number one:
Go to the local 4 year university in my town
Obtain 4 year degree in something entrepreneur/business related(I also love the idea of owning a business and have many business ideas, even have a notebook I keep with me just to jot down ideas when the come to me)
Continue to pay as I go at my local FBO for my ratings, and build time with friends, maybe even try to flight instruct during my last couple years of college
So idea number one, if it worked out as planned would give me two career options/industries to get into that I would enjoy...
Idea number two(easiest way):
Go to the local 4 year university in my town
Obtain 4 year degree in Aviation-Pro Pilot
Use post 9/11 GI bill to pay for 60% of everything
And that is really it for this idea haha...
I think idea two would be the easiest way, just because of my GI bill that would make my total for everything be less than $20,000, whereas with idea number one I would have to pay 100% of my flight training and 40% of my college tuition, and with loans being so hard to get for flight training there would not be any guarantee of success. At the same time I really do not want to have any debt after school(is this a dream??). Also, I am really worried about aviation as a career, even though I LOVE flying, I also love my life and want to enjoy it and pursue other normal day to day life events that come with having a life.
I am really sorry if I just rambled or didnt make any sense at all, I am just trying to sum up my ideas in as little space as possible. Please, any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!!
10-24-2010, 04:00 PM
#3
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Position: Student
Posts: 56
How did you only get 60 percent of the post 9/11? Did you only serve a year and a half active duty?
There is no doubt that going to a community college with low tuition and low fees is the best way to go. Depending on your state, you should have enough to cover flight cost. Be sure to look at the state Veterans benefits. In Texas veterans can use what is called the hazlewood act after they have used their entire GI Bill. That act enables veterans to go to a public college/university with tuition and fees covered for another i believe 36 months.
Good luck - and enjoy those benefits - I just recently got out of the military myself.
There is no doubt that going to a community college with low tuition and low fees is the best way to go. Depending on your state, you should have enough to cover flight cost. Be sure to look at the state Veterans benefits. In Texas veterans can use what is called the hazlewood act after they have used their entire GI Bill. That act enables veterans to go to a public college/university with tuition and fees covered for another i believe 36 months.
Good luck - and enjoy those benefits - I just recently got out of the military myself.
10-24-2010, 10:23 PM
#4
Ref +8
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: North by Midwest
Posts: 383
1 - you have to get a 4 year degree if your ever going to get to the majors or the nationals for the matter. So go get one regardless. To become a regional pilot it is just having the minimum hours, doable without the degree.
2 - Get a degree outside of aviation, a Pro Pilot degree is only good for making a paper hat out of if you loose your ability to be a commercial pilot. Don't do it, get a degree outside the aviation industry if possible. Business admin would be good if you want own a business.
3 - Start flying, you'll need 180 hrs min. for a 141 program. And arrive at an answer to question early on "Is this what I want to do?"
Best of luck
-fly
2 - Get a degree outside of aviation, a Pro Pilot degree is only good for making a paper hat out of if you loose your ability to be a commercial pilot. Don't do it, get a degree outside the aviation industry if possible. Business admin would be good if you want own a business.
3 - Start flying, you'll need 180 hrs min. for a 141 program. And arrive at an answer to question early on "Is this what I want to do?"
Best of luck
-fly
10-24-2010, 10:44 PM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: Private - Instrument. Slowly working on the commercial...
Posts: 71
I would do idea #1 in a stable career that pays well. Collect a nice Friday paycheck and transition to do flight instruction on the weekend. Later on in life is a good time to do flying full time if the dice roll right and it is still in your plans. By that time you should have saved some of that money earned earlier to help ease the transition. If you ever need to go back doing what you did earlier for any reason (i.e. aviation slowdown, medical, personal) there should hopefully be some relief.
10-25-2010, 05:31 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Math Teacher
Posts: 2,274
Get your 4 year degree. I would suggest in something other than aviation, such as accounting, IT, or even hospital administration. However, if you're bent & bound on having an aviation degree, you sure as hell better make sure that you can transition from one area of aviation to the other such as going from piloting an aircraft to airport management or something to that effect.
atp
atp
10-25-2010, 09:27 AM
#8
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Position: Student
Posts: 56
All of you guys make good points about getting a degree in a different field. His options, however, are very limited due to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. I myself am in a similar boat when it comes to uncle sam paying for flight lessons.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill will only pay for lessons when it is apart of a school's degree curriculum. In order to have tuition and flight fees covered he must be enrolled in a school that offers a Aviation degree with flight as a core study. This only leaves him with 2 real options:
1) Enroll in a community college that offers a A.A.S Degree in this study and after you have completed the degree with flight certs - major in other field. The only down side is that he would have to pay out of pocket for 2 years worth of school to complete the bachelor's degree in a field of his choice.
2) Enroll in a College or University and Major in the Aviation Field and get your bachelor's degree. Any school thereafter is paid for out of pocket.
I think option #1 is the best way to go. Completeing the Flight certs and working to a different major will be the best for him. He should be able to get a job as a CFI while attending school for a different degree. This means income from the CFI job and Income from the GI Bill's Housing allowance. Build flight hours - get paid - go to school
The Post 9/11 GI Bill will only pay for lessons when it is apart of a school's degree curriculum. In order to have tuition and flight fees covered he must be enrolled in a school that offers a Aviation degree with flight as a core study. This only leaves him with 2 real options:
1) Enroll in a community college that offers a A.A.S Degree in this study and after you have completed the degree with flight certs - major in other field. The only down side is that he would have to pay out of pocket for 2 years worth of school to complete the bachelor's degree in a field of his choice.
2) Enroll in a College or University and Major in the Aviation Field and get your bachelor's degree. Any school thereafter is paid for out of pocket.
I think option #1 is the best way to go. Completeing the Flight certs and working to a different major will be the best for him. He should be able to get a job as a CFI while attending school for a different degree. This means income from the CFI job and Income from the GI Bill's Housing allowance. Build flight hours - get paid - go to school
10-25-2010, 11:25 AM
#9
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: C-150 left seat
Posts: 32
Thanks for the replies. I am really leaning towards getting the degree in business and flying on the side. Seams like it would be the best fall back. The only problem that I am worried about is like erictgill said, to use my gi bill for flight fees I have to major in flight. So doing the business degree would mean than I have to pay for 100% of my flying. The reason I am worried about that is because between going to school full time, and studying, what job could I ever get that would also allow me to pay for my flight training as well? Please keep the replies coming, suggestions are needed.
Thanks
@erictgill
I only get 60% because I was only on title 10 orders for 1 year, I was told that they do not count title 32, I may be wrong though and I hope I am haha.
Thanks
@erictgill
I only get 60% because I was only on title 10 orders for 1 year, I was told that they do not count title 32, I may be wrong though and I hope I am haha.
10-25-2010, 12:26 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Math Teacher
Posts: 2,274
Originally Posted by erictgill
This only leaves him with 2 real options:
1) Enroll in a community college that offers a A.A.S Degree in this study and after you have completed the degree with flight certs - major in other field. The only down side is that he would have to pay out of pocket for 2 years worth of school to complete the bachelor's degree in a field of his choice.
I think option #1 is the best way to go. Completeing the Flight certs and working to a different major will be the best for him. He should be able to get a job as a CFI while attending school for a different degree. This means income from the CFI job and Income from the GI Bill's Housing allowance. Build flight hours - get paid - go to school
1) Enroll in a community college that offers a A.A.S Degree in this study and after you have completed the degree with flight certs - major in other field. The only down side is that he would have to pay out of pocket for 2 years worth of school to complete the bachelor's degree in a field of his choice.
I think option #1 is the best way to go. Completeing the Flight certs and working to a different major will be the best for him. He should be able to get a job as a CFI while attending school for a different degree. This means income from the CFI job and Income from the GI Bill's Housing allowance. Build flight hours - get paid - go to school
If that's the case, he may want to check out Aviator College, formerly known as AriBen. After completing their two-year degree program, college students will have received a minimum of 565 flight training hours in the aviation degree program. Most of which is multi-engine. Graduates will have the opportunity to stay on as a flight instructor.
atp
