phoenix23684

OK As a someone that attended ERAU, I have to reply to this post.

First let me begin by saying that I pursued the Aerospace Engineering route rather than Aero Sci, but obtained a minor in flight from Riddle. I got my private, instrument and multi at the regular FBOs and I have to say that obtaining my commercial from riddle was the best thing I could have done for my flying career. The amount of knowledge that was missing and was provided to me at Riddle was impressive and will never compared to the training that I got at the regular FBO and from my CFIs, which were great by the way.

Riddle is known, that's a fact. Like previous posts, only a few percentage of students really take advantage of what's available and those will become far better pilots for it. Sure a Capt with 10 years of experience is no questions better than a recent ERAU grad, but this same grad will be by far a better F/O than most and after 10 years as a Capt sustantially better than the other Capt. It's a fact and unless you went there and took advantage of their program you have no grounds to argue.

Uncle Bose

Here's another fact: you have no experience whatsoever flying as or flying with an FO or a CA in an airline capacity, so don't presume to know what your skills relative to them are.
ERAU flight training is just fine. What isn't fine is the associated aero sci degree program.

LAfrequentflyer

Does ERAU hire non ERAU grads as CFIs?

-LAFF

Uncle Bose

Yes, but priority is given to recent and soon-to-be graduates.

SikPilot

There are MANY 4 year degrees that are completely worthless in the real world. No sense picking on one particular one. And since many employers want a 4 year degree, you might as well get one in a subject you enjoy.

LAfrequentflyer

Aero Science is the only one where you can get the same knowledge thru FAA approved/issued materials /books.

You want an Aero Science degree? Just buy the Jepp PPL, IFR, Commercial, ME, and CFI manuals and there you have it. Did I miss any? Maybe the FAA instrument / airplane flying books. Maybe the USAF instrument flight manual.

-LAFF

Uncle Bose

That old, old tired argument again? On this forum, there is sense in picking on this particular one. Why? Because this is an aviation forum, and many people come here seeking advice on aviation training, often specifically about this degree. If this were a general college forum, there'd be a lot more advice against any random useless degree.

Doing what you enjoy isn't a blank check to throw caution and self-preservation to the wind. Paying $12745 a semester (tuition only), just because it's something you enjoy is behavior not associable with common sense, and better left to those with plenty of money to burn.

SikPilot

That statement is ridiculous. You can get knowledge out of books for ANY degree so your statement is completely inaccurate. My point was if you need a 4 year degree to move up the ladder, get the degree in something you can enjoy since it won't matter what it is in. Many times peoples career they are told to go back to school and get a B.S. or they will be stuck where they are. The company does not care what the degree is in.

LAfrequentflyer

Its accurate and far from rediculous - especially when it comes to aero science. Tell me something in aero science I can't get from a FAA published / approved book or manual?

The only thing missing in the 70+ year old F-86 pilot explaining how to use an plotter for the first day of class followed by war stories the rest of the semester...You can rent 'The Right Stuff' and have it playing in the background while you read the Jepp manuals if you want to 'experience' the wisdom of old age...

-LAFF

ERAUdude

How would you know it's accurate and not ridiculous unless you've gone through it yourself? I'm under the impression that you didn't go through and only go off what you've read here and what stories you read. Your statement about the FAA/Jeppesen flight manuals is accurate for the flight portion of the degree ONLY! There are plenty of classes outside of flight that are taken. There are courses on systems, avionics, CRM, aerodynamics, performance, physiology, safety, operations, dispatch, and FMS....to name a few. I am in the Aero Sci program (go ahead, flame it) and I'm enjoying every second of it. The professors and CFIs are awesome and very knowledgeable. Having no aviation background is actually what pushed me into the degree and the school, not the "kool-aid." After reading what I could've done with my aviation goal has not made me second guess my decision coming here at all. Pay a little more attention to the positive testimonials and don't make assumptions.