So I'm in a bit of a tough decision
04-13-2012, 10:42 AM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 35
I have heard with the speeds of those planes, especially at altitude that they are nearly impossible to hand-fly and keep passengers happy.
Unless you are getting a very specialized degree (engineering etc. ) then having a degree gets you into the door at a number of places. There are many people out there with degrees that aren't in their field of study. With that being said, if it would save you money to do an aviation degree go for it. If it were me, I would do a fast track program and get your CFI so you can make money and build hours while your working on school. And remember, a Bachelors's degree isn't mandatory till the Majors( and not necessarily mandatory then either), you could be working on said degree while you are CFI'ing, corporate flying, freighting, regionals etc.
This is coming from a person that got my B.S. in Aviation Management 8 years prior to finally getting my commercial license, I ran out of money for flight school way back when and was out of aviation for 8 years. If i did it the other way I would be in a much different position than I am now. I would of most likely been a captain at a regional by now, where as of now, i am just completing my CFI's at the age of 32 and wasted the past 8 years of my life bartending and serving tables. I am not bitter, just happy I am finally here. Take it for what its worth, good luck!!
Unless you are getting a very specialized degree (engineering etc. ) then having a degree gets you into the door at a number of places. There are many people out there with degrees that aren't in their field of study. With that being said, if it would save you money to do an aviation degree go for it. If it were me, I would do a fast track program and get your CFI so you can make money and build hours while your working on school. And remember, a Bachelors's degree isn't mandatory till the Majors( and not necessarily mandatory then either), you could be working on said degree while you are CFI'ing, corporate flying, freighting, regionals etc.
This is coming from a person that got my B.S. in Aviation Management 8 years prior to finally getting my commercial license, I ran out of money for flight school way back when and was out of aviation for 8 years. If i did it the other way I would be in a much different position than I am now. I would of most likely been a captain at a regional by now, where as of now, i am just completing my CFI's at the age of 32 and wasted the past 8 years of my life bartending and serving tables. I am not bitter, just happy I am finally here. Take it for what its worth, good luck!!
04-16-2012, 05:50 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 744 CA
Posts: 4,772
Originally Posted by rcfd13
You can hand fly the plane all you want. Someone who turns on the autopilot 60 seconds into the flight and twists knobs does that because they choose to do it.
I still enjoy flying for fun. Almost every pilot I know at the airlines flies for fun, is involved in aviation groups or owns their own plane and has great stories. It seems that the people on this board most of the time are just the ones who want to complain about the job and the pay and how much they hate flying. I've never had any interest in hanging out with those people.
The career is what you make of it. If you're going to hate flying and make yourself miserable then don't do it. If you're going to hang around with positive people and develop some hobbies then it's a great career. I've had some bad things happen to me in the industry, but I still have never regretted getting into it.
I still enjoy flying for fun. Almost every pilot I know at the airlines flies for fun, is involved in aviation groups or owns their own plane and has great stories. It seems that the people on this board most of the time are just the ones who want to complain about the job and the pay and how much they hate flying. I've never had any interest in hanging out with those people.
The career is what you make of it. If you're going to hate flying and make yourself miserable then don't do it. If you're going to hang around with positive people and develop some hobbies then it's a great career. I've had some bad things happen to me in the industry, but I still have never regretted getting into it.
04-16-2012, 11:46 PM
#13
On Reserve
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 16
You may want to look into it but I believe you can't use the GI Bill to pay for your PPL, just certificates after that. Also, you may want to consider the fact that come August 2013 you will be required to have 1500 hrs and an ATP to get into the regional airlines as a first officer. However, if you have a aviation 4 year degree you will only need 1000 hours. It took me 8 years to get a 4 year degree because I worked full-time and did my flight training at the same time. The regionals don't require a college degree and everything is based on senority number. The sooner you get in the better off you will be. If you are totally focused on being an airline pilot I would hold off on college and try to get in by August 2013. While you are a regional pilot you can work on your degree on-line. Good luck.
04-17-2012, 03:02 AM
#14
Where's my Mai Tai?
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: fins to the left, fins to the right
Posts: 1,730
Originally Posted by jerjon7
I have heard with the speeds of those planes, especially at altitude that they are nearly impossible to hand-fly and keep passengers happy.
04-17-2012, 08:22 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 194
Originally Posted by Swedish Blender
The autopilot is pretty much required to be used in RVSM airspace, so you don't have to worry about it.
As for the other guy who mentioned Part 121 requirements for use of automation, this is only partially correct. There is now some thinking in the industry (and Congress) that there needs to be less "reliance" on automation to keep pilots from getting complacent.
Southwest actually requires approaches to be hand flown. It's a great way to keep the skills sharp.
04-17-2012, 10:39 AM
#16
Where's my Mai Tai?
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: fins to the left, fins to the right
Posts: 1,730
Originally Posted by trafly
Autopilot is ABSOLUTELY required in RVSM airspace. If you have an autopilot failure, you must exit the RVSM airspace.
04-17-2012, 04:55 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2010
Position: Toilet warmer.
Posts: 337
My girlfriend is a 12 year former marine officer finishing up her 2nd MBA in business administration thanks to the GI bill. She got her first MBA in Enviromental Engineering. And, with virtually no student loans!!!
Something to seriously consider.
Also, probably biggest advantage to going the college route is the much greater "flexibility" in job options that a degree will provide you that flight ratings won't.
Something to seriously consider.
Also, probably biggest advantage to going the college route is the much greater "flexibility" in job options that a degree will provide you that flight ratings won't.
04-17-2012, 09:27 PM
#18
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by mixflyer
You may want to look into it but I believe you can't use the GI Bill to pay for your PPL, just certificates after that.
If you just go to the local FBO that is a Part 141 school that isn't associated with a university, then you cannot use the money for the Private rating. Additionally, you can only get reimbursed for 60% of the cost of flight training (after you paid for the lessons up front, you are reimbursed each month).
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about the straight Part 141 school under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. My ratings were done under the Montgomery Ch. 30 GI Bill, and I got reimbursed each month (4-6 weeks after the paperwork was submitted. Going to do my helicopter ratings through an IHL which will cover 100% of all flight and groundtraining costs, including the Private.
Hope that helps.
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