What should I do?
 

Well, I just recently had a tour at my state university, and I found out about their simulations. However, I finally broke to the news to my parents that I wanted to become a pilot and work on a private pilots license. It didn't go so well, since its $68,000 for training not including extra fees, books, or dorm room. I was thinking of doing a double major, both in Air Traffic Control and in private pilot. I just can't think of a good reason to persuade them to let me become a pilot. Money is the only thing that is separating me from becoming a pilot. My parents told me they would have to sell the house if I wanted to major in flying. Unless I can get a good scholarship. Basically, I would like to fly than be in a building directing planes. What do you think?

a) what university? b) save yourself some money, major in business or under water basket weaving, and learn to fly at your local FBO.

Arizona State University. I can't do out-of-state as that would cost even more.

I was afraid you were gonna say that. I'm at ASU right now. Mesa Pilot Development is who ASU contracts for Pilot Training. I greatly dislike them. Granted I am not training with them, all my friends are. They are way over priced and the procedures and their way of doing things, in my opinion, are ridiculous.
Now I ask you this: Do you want to be an airline pilot? If so, then MPD might be the way for you. They literally are an airline, and their students go off of how they run their airline. In regards to training, it is pretty much a pilot farm (though not as bad at ATP). They teach you nothing but how to go from Point A to Point B. Like an airline. They use their own dispatch frequencies, departures, etc. It's not a stick and rudder school that will teach you how to really fly an aircraft. They even have to wear a uniform.
If you love flying and are just looking for you PPL, INS, maybe your COM, then go to some of the local fields and talk to some of the flight schools. (Falcon Field, Chandler, etc.) You will be able to find a much more friendly , much less expensive environment to fly and be just as, if not more proficient, than the guys at MPD.
ASU offers a bunch of great majors, and as you all ready know it's quite the school to party at. Lot's of girls, lots of social events going on all the time. If you chose to go with MPD, you are required to live at the Polytechnic campus (unless you live at home) which is nothing like the main campus.
Any other questions just post them. I don't think you have PM rights yet.

:eek: Anyone else think thats a big problem???

I thought MAPD shut down? Do they really still do the ASU training?

re.
 

Don't overspend for school. Do a bit more research and then bring it up to your parents again or you'll give them a friggin heart attack.

Shop around and check out some of the lower-priced colleges out there. You'll even get some good deals with online colleges. Check out FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and look at their funding options. Pick a major not aviation-related so you have a backup. Research career fields that are always in demand (nursing is one). There is a saturation of ATC people out there right now and I hear their training is overpriced as well.

Once you are in school, you can also work and pay for your own training at your local airport.

Yea, even thought they are in bankruptcy.

Their contract is until 2013. But they will probably renew it...again. Unless someone else wants to buy in.

Thanks for the reply. I don't plan to become an airline pilot. Just get a private pilot license or maybe commercial. Something I could use for a job side-by-side with my Air Traffic Control Training. My mom is currently talking to one of the lead-professors at ASU for Flight Training. We are trying to get me through a dual-major. My dad recommended a sport license which has a few limits. Unfortunetly I wouldn't be able to fly the Piper Warrior that ASU has if I went that route. Chandler airport is very friendly and I could get trained there too. I just thought it would be more fun to use ASU's aircraft. :) And I don't think a sport license will get me a job for a local airport.

I don't know if this is the proper way to word this, but how exactly did you get through? (Without being to personal) Scholarships, Air Force...?