mtbthis

Actually, I am a current student...

I am not in the flight program. Like I said, practically ALL of my friends are. I am an out of state student that, because of my specific major, I get a discount on tuition-though it is still much more expensive that in state.

I am on loans, and money I have saved etc etc. I will be AFROTC next semester, though they are not offering any in college scholarships at the moment (I just talked to them a couple weeks ago and they don't have any money to give out). Being a high school student though you can still apply because it's a bit different. Two of my friends here are on scholarships they received from the AF for ROTC from high school.

Like I said before, and I hate to be so negative, but I am not impressed with the training at ASU. It's over priced and it's too much of a "let's suck you dry of money and get you through as quickly as we can" type of feel. Flying should be fun and enjoyable, and from what I see through my friends, they are all ready lacking the enthusiasm that I still have. (I am a private pilot and I rent out of Chandler, and will continue to get my ratings there next semester).

If you still want to "be apart of ASU aviation" but not fly go into Air Transportation Management. It's basically Business with aviation tied into it. That's the program I am apart of. You live with all the flight guys, take some of their classes, but are more a business major.

Hope this helps. Keep it coming with any questions, I am happy to answer them.

Assassin

I would suggest majoring in something else other than aviation, but from what I can see you wan't to do the airport controller thing.

Fine. Major in the airport controller thing, but add another major outside of aviation. I would suggest business since it's so versatile, and it'll give you options later in life. In case airport controller jobs run scarce.

Lastly, from what I read you don't want to fly professionally, so your best bet is to go to a local airport and take lessons from a local school, it'll be cheaper and more personal, and it won't break your parent's bank account, or you can even pay for it yourself. (PPL)

The point is, go to ASU and have fun. Forget about hanging out with the ASU pilot guys. LOL. Make friends, meet girls, and fly on your own. Party! And most importantly enjoy your time there.

mtbthis

Assassin, this is a pretty intelligent thread with good questions and good information. Statements like these ones you made above don't do anything positive for anyone...

The second one is especially. Unlike other aviation colleges where guys sit around and play flight sim all weekend, here at ASU we enjoy all sorts of social events. The Pilots especially...

Why wouldn't you want to go here?



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

davyvfr

Haha, nice picture. But really, could I go anywhere (get a job) with a private pilot license? Or would I have to go up to commercial? Like to fly for Era Alaska (the T.V Show people). I want Air Traffic as my Main Major. But I still have the joy of flying. And I think my parents realized it when I stepped into the cockpit of a Beechcraft Baron. Also, I wouldn't fly for Southwest or any big-name people. Just a small company if I did. ASU is really overpriced but I'm limited on my options as far as in-state colleges. I could have joined Jr ROTC at my high-school but its kind of late know. And my parents would most likely not want me in the Air Force (even though it would really help). And lets say I stopped at the private pilot, when I get more money, can I go back and continue where I left off or would I forget the stuff I learned? And my mom told me it wouldn't be worth it for a sports-license. If we are going to spend the money, we minus while get a private pilot license. (And the nice thing too is that as you stated, a lot of my classes are similar with the pilots.)

And then I have to find out if that is even possible to take only private pilot courses instead of going all the way up to the CRJ simulations. I am also worried that if I came back later to ASU when I am older, that I would not be able to get a job because of health reasons. Medical exams are also needed. My point is that it is nice to have two careers so if I can't get hired in one, then I have another career and visa-versa.

mtbthis

To fly for money yes you need Private, Instrument, and Commercial. At the very least...

I can't make the decision for you, but I would strongly recommend flight training through one of the FBOs at one of the airports in the Valley. Start looking up the different airports and figuring out pricing for different flight schools. Call them up, see what they are about, etc. You can do this for NAU, UofA, really any college you're interested in going to. Use Google Maps to find the local airport, then Google the airport and see if any of the businesses on the airport offer flight training.

As for wanting to be ATC. It's kind of a worthless major. Basically they teach you what the FAA would teach you, they hand you a degree, and say good luck with a job. You have a bit of an edge on the people that are just applying normally but if they do hire you, you still have to go to Oklahoma City and receive the same training the hires off the street are receiving. It's a damn easy major. I swear those guys have way too much free time. Kind of a waste of money. In my opinion.

Don't even get me started on the CRJ simulators...What a waste that is. You spend so much more just to receive extra "training" in a CRJ. It's a class that you go over all the systems, all the books, etc etc. And you don't even get a Type Rating. Which means if you go fly for someone that does have CRJs, what you learned at ASU doesn't apply towards your TR. You may be ahead of the curve but you still have to go through the airlines version of CRJ training. It's a huge scheme to suck you dry of money! I swear I can't believe people buy into it...

MPD also just opened up their flight training to non "Professional Flight" Majors. Meaning if you are a communications major you can go to MPD and get your PPL and your INS rating, but not your Commercial that I am aware. But you all ready know my opinion on MPD training...

davyvfr

So would I need all three (private, instrument, and commercial)? I guess I could contact Chandler Municipal Airport and ask about their flight training. I see people getting trained all the time. I just wouldn't be in a plane that says ASU on the side (I have no clue whats so special about it but it just sounds better to say I got an actual degree in private pilot at ASU's campus).

That is so true about Air Traffic Controllers sitting back and doing very little. At Chandler, they just sat back and only said a few words every 25 minutes or so. They were bored out of their minds.

mtbthis

It doesn't make a difference. ASU is a Part 141 school. So is Chandler Air Service. So in regards to their syllabi's, they are very similar. And nothing on your license will say anything about where you got it. If you go for a pilot job ever, they won't care about where you got you certs, just as long as you have them.

davyvfr

I see, so it doesn't matter where I get my license. Is it possible to go all the way up to commercial at my local airport?

mtbthis

Correct. And there are plenty of other topics just like this one, where more experienced pilots have said the exact same thing.

davyvfr

Great. I wonder if thats why I was being sucked in by the professor to do the dual major route. She also payed more attention to 2 other girls on the tour since they were out of state (ASU gets double the money) Just wondering, did you go to boot-camp for ROTC?