aviatoralex

Hello everyone.
As some of you might already be aware, section 217 of public law 111/216 might change in July. What this means is that Aviation Universities and other large training centers might get some sort of waiver or academic credit from the original 1500 requirement.

Now originally I had planned an Economics degree with FBO on the side, but still keeping the thought of a double major (Flight/Economics) in my head. Now that the law might change I am starting to lean towards the second option.
From the beginning of my research I always understood that aviation universities charge you more than a regular FBO not only for that piece of paper. I think that the academics, ground school and classes, in addition with the structured professional environment make for a great benefit and I would rather do that than read a Gleim book and take my chances with a local and an instructor that I don't know if he will be good or not.

My question to you is: If a double major (aviation/xxx) is affordable without the need of financial aid, is it worth it, ESPECIALLY if the section 217 of public law changes?

and

Is a double major of Economics and Flight possible?

Thanks!
Alex

Edit: Another pro for going FBO/college is I have lots of great Universities to choose from in all parts of the country, in contrast with aviation universities where there are only few good ones.

Cruz5350

You kind of sound like you want to take the shortest route possible which is not how you want to jump into this industry. I've done both 141 and 61 for my ratings and my quality of instruction was way better 61 than 141. Most of the College instructors I had didn't care about you it was hours to them and a job when the graduate and I expect that to be the same now. Plus the age factor is another issue. Some young 141 instructors are mature, but a majority are not and are just in a hurry to get out. Take everything I say with a grain of salt as you will hear differing opinions.

pilot1278

"If a double major (aviation/xxx) is affordable without the need of financial aid, is it worth it, ESPECIALLY if the section 217 of public law changes?"

No. First, I doubt you can do it without financial aid. Second, there is still no guarantee of a job at the end of it all. You'll still have to pay your bills, and you need to ask yourself how IF you can't immediately get a job at a regional/small cargo. How useful will your Aviation/Economics degrees be in the non-aviation world? Will they help to bring in the cash to pay off your bills while you wait for a flying gig?

This reeks of kickbacks to the FAA from these Universities. Yet another incentive to spend spend spend what you don't have.

aviatoralex

I'm kinda confused by your post. I'm pretty sure an Economics degree is useful in the non-aviation world, right? I can use it if I decide against flying for a short time or I get furloughed/lose my medical.

From what I understand, you would recommend the Economics degree and FBO, rather than a double major of Flight and Economics, due to the cost, am I right?
I though seniority prevails? Wouldn't I get seniority from going to the airlines faster?

fjetter

I would wait to commit funds for something that might happen, I would stick with the original college/fbo route in economics. Maybe focus on schools that also have an aviation program so that you can maybe pick it up a year or two into school. All of your licenses up to that point can transfer over to a certain extent. Maybe find a FBO that also runs a 141 program. This will make transferring into a college's flight training program easier as you get more credited flight hours.

There are a lot of maybes in this business, when it comes to you shelling out cash for college, make the best decision you can based on how things are now versus how you think things may be in the business.

Just my $.02

zondaracer

I thought that was just what the flying schools would say to try to get you to spend all your money with them ASAP, aka marketing gimmick

pilot1278

"I'm kinda confused by your post. I'm pretty sure an Economics degree is useful in the non-aviation world, right? I can use it if I decide against flying for a short time or I get furloughed/lose my medical."

I don't know how useful an economics degree is, and I don't know what one would do with an economics degree. You would know more than me, since you are the one doing the research for it. However, you should be relatively sure you can get a backup job with that economics degree should you not make it to the airlines quickly. Otherwise, you're throwing your money away.

"From what I understand, you would recommend the Economics degree and FBO, rather than a double major of Flight and Economics, due to the cost, am I right?"

Correct. There is no reason to double major and besides, if you read through these forums, you'll see the a flight/aviation degree is pretty worthless outside of aviation. Some would even argue that it's pretty worthless within aviation too.

"I though seniority prevails? Wouldn't I get seniority from going to the airlines faster?"

Seniority prevails ONLY after you get hired by a company. Just because the FAA lowers the job minimums for a few college grads doesn't guarantee them a job, an interview, or even a phone call. The FAA can lower the hours to 0 if they want to, but that doesn't mean that the companies will interview someone at 0.

Keep in mind these are only my opinions. Maybe someone else has a better opinion of the college/FBO bundle, but I think you pay more for the same thing at those.

love2av8

Save your money, go part 61. Then...
Go buy a cheap 152/172 and fly it. It will cost you less and you'll have a plane. If you play your cards right, you can find a flight school and lease back the plane (and do your ratings there).

Bellanca

Look at the money. I know at the college I went to flight fees were in the ballpark of what FBOs in the area charged. It was the tuition + flight fees that was the killer. But if you're already going to pay the same price for tuition and are able to get both degrees done in 4 years, I'd go for it.

However, if you're talking a significant difference in money to do the ratings at your university instead of an FBO then do your ratings at the FBO.

zondaracer

If I had to do it over again and knowing what I know now (and if I didn't have the GI Bill), this is what I would have done