Flaps15

Okay, so I've read the 1,000s of threads... i've done (most of) my homework.. now I have a question.

I know that E-RAU is super expensive but so is flying in general. My question is this: Do I let the GI Bill (4 years a/d Air Force) pay for my schooling and go to Riddle or another 4 year flight school or do I get a degree at a regular 4 year institution in an unrelated field and take a large loan out to pay for my ratings and licenses and pay it off later on?

The GI Bill will NOT pay for my Private License. What they will pay for is a pilot training program associated with a four-year degree program such as a 141 op. If I were to do ERAU, I would certainly save up for my PPL and get that before I go to Daytona so that I have at least that going into it. GI Bill also pays for multi engine.

Any and all input is appreciated, thanks!

Flaps

bcrosier

There are a number of schools (universities) which have aviation programs and produce good pilots. ERAU certainly does, but at an exorbitant cost - IMO far exceeding any extra value produced. Find another quality school, major in something OTHER than aviation, and minor or double major in aviation if you must do so. Research other schools besides ERAU - there are better choices which will give you more options down the road, and options are always good to have.

SongMan

I went to ERAU. I got my rating however from outside ERAU. I have 3000 hours of flight time now and a master degree. oh and I also grabbed an A&P lic along the way. Knowing what I know now:

1. I would go to regular (not ERAU or other flight specialized college) university.

2. I would go to ATP or other multi driven school for flight training.

Let's just say I worked with a co-worker who went to ATP. He now flies for Regional and I am still instructing. I"m still stressing to meet regional minimum of 100 hour multi when my friend has more than 200 hours of multi only after being with ATP for 1 yr.

Flaps15

oh yeah, i know their costs are outrageous.. and not to sound like a jerk, but I'm not the one paying for it. Uncle Sam would foot the bill for me on this, fortunately enough for me. So cost really isn't a concern. And I know they put out typically trained pilots, nothing golden about a riddle grad.

I guess what I'm asking is do airlines or cargo lines, 135s or fractionals look down on a Riddle grad? I'm certainly not the one to be snooty after graduating from a school like that, and I don't want people to think that since i'd be a riddle student that i'd be someone who thinks im better than i am.. you know?

ddd333

Get the best of both worlds. Research a little more and find a University that has a major that you are interested in and also operates a part 141 flight training department.
I am also a vet. I went to SIUC and majored in Aviation Management. I did this under the old GI Bill which did not pay for flight training. However, I did have a College Fund kicker and the Illinois Veteran's Grant, so things worked out with minimal debt. I graduated there in 3 years with my B.S., CPL- SEL, MEL, Inst., CFII, ect. I was hired full time immediately after graduation and acquired my MEI later on, but the school reserved the multi-engine instruction for the most senior instructors who were lifers and never going to use the multi time to advance their careers. If I could do it all over again I would follow these guidelines:
1. Research flight schools more. Choose one that flies a lot of twins, if not primarily in twins, and that hires it's own graduates to teach in the twins.
2. Find a school that has at least some glass-panel aircraft and/or sims.
3. Find a school with an RJ sim and/or jet aircraft.
4. Take a turbine/jet transition course.
5. CHOOSE A MONEY MAKING MAJOR OUTSIDE OF AVIATION. Such as IT, or healthcare or something.... anything.
6. Join the flight team/club or any group that can get you extra flight time and experience.
7. NETWORK HARD while you are there and attend every job fair or special event you can.

I'm sure there is more, but the bottom line is don't limit your choices to ERAU only. If you go to a 141 school, DO NOT waste your time and money trying to "get ahead" by getting your PPL prior to attending. Most 141 schools will require some sort of refresher course to make sure you are up to speed with their expectations of a private pilot anyway. Your private pilot training is where you'll learn how the school operates, it's expectations, check ride ins and outs, and personalities/quirks of the check airmen. Having your PPL prior to attending a University 141 school is really no advantage.
Lastly, under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, let Uncle Sam pay for everything you can. Be sure to continuously attend and train/take classes over breaks, vacations, summer sessions, and intersessions if you can in order to maximise your GI Bill benefit. Good luck.

EDIT: Read what Songman said above. Read it twice. The multi time is key. If I knew then what I know now, I would have considered ATP or Aerosim like schools too.

rcfd13

There are a lot of four year universities that offer aviation ratings along with getting a normal degree. I knew people who used the GI bill or similar military funding to get their flight ratings and also unrelated majors. I'm from the midwest so the ones that come to my mind are Purdue, Southern Illinois University, Ohio University, Western Michigan, University of Illinois (for a few more years at least).

ERAU is definitely not the only university where you can learn to fly. Look around and see what other schools with aviation programs can offer you and see if the GI bill covers it.

Flaps15

thanks very much. It looks like the major consensus is to go to a 141 school and not take out the loan after all. I can concur with that.

pilot0987

GI Bill should take care of your private if its an approved program. When I was working at a flight school this was an issue until they approved it for veterans. Look around they should mention it on the sites. I would take the education in a university with a flight program as most banks have stopped lending for flight certificates. Also there is second party banks that would finance this but there rates are extremely high near the 20 percent, not worth it. Read the fine print.

SewerPipeDvr

Always go to a state supported school instead of a for profit. Check out TSTC-Waco. They are a state junior college with agreements with La. Tech and Baylor. Their flight team has been very competitive. Good weather most of the time even in winter. Good equipment and sims. There was (back in my time) a program with United. You would do an internship there. Sit in on interviews, get a rating in the sim and one guy went on a delivery trip o a brand new 747-400. Got some right seat time supposedly. Lots of GI bill folk there. Good contacts with a lot of airline folk. Just another option.

kingsnake2

Although I fully support going to Baylor (I am a student there) may I suggest US Aviation in Denton too?

I am by no means an expert on the industry, but from what I've seen and heard, it seems that a 4 year degree in aviation is not necessary for commercial flying positions, but more so for government and FAA positions.

So if you want to fly, you may consider a degree in something else you like with a minor in aviation, followed by a professional flight oriented school, like US Aviation Academy.

That gives you expertise in the field beyond certificates as well as a way to earn a living while you learn to fly, build hours, or, as is often the case, while laid off.