Any of you guys graduate from a flight school with a 4 year degree? I'm just wondering which is the best route to take, Military or the degree at a local flight school, and which I can build up more hours, quicker and get the most out of my time.

 

I have a 4 year degree from UND (BS/Aeronautics w/major in Commercial Aviation).

While I think that some of the schools out there that specialize in aviation have very good programs, I highly encourage you to look beyond just an aviation degree.

I have no problem recommending a 4 year university that has a flight program. But it should be a 4 year UNIVERSITY where you can study and major in other curriculum as opposed to aviation. My recommendation is a major in a business related field, with either a minor or second major in aviation, if you want to fly for a living. That way you have a fall back if you ever lose your medical or your job...

The quickest/cheapest way to get a full time flying job is probably by going to a local FBO and just training outright to get your ratings. A motivated student that has the money can usually knock out the Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and Multiengine ratings in about a year an a half, if they are flying full time. Of course with this route you don't get a degree or have the benefit of some of the hiring agreements that larger flight programs have. Even so, after about two and a half to three years, you should have enough experience to get a job with a regional (which is about 2-3 years quicker than somebody that attended a collegiate aviation program)

 

Post a bit more and then use the search function. This topic has been debated too many times here

 

They don't even have to be useful posts. Just find one of SkyHigh's threads and post "rama-lama-ding-dong" or some other pointless BS. Whatever you need to do to hit 10!

 

I just graduated w/a four year aviation degree. It was ok, and I have a regional job 6 months after graduating. But in the long run, probably better to get a different type of four year degree for a backup, and do the ratings at an FBO. Wish someone would have told me this 5 years ago. Oh well, I'll just pray I never lose my medical...

 

Just get a degree, and then do as you chose. I would recommend a degree in something other than aviation. You don't need that to get a flying job. Military is a totally different topic. You will get the best training, at no cost to you, you will be getting paid to do it, fly some cool planes, but the military is less forgiving when it comes to training. Every flight is graded, you are on there dime, not yours. But in the long run, do what you want, not what I or anyone on these forums are saying.

 

I doubt that another degree would give you any type of advantage in getting a new job if you lost your medical. After about 5 years after you have a degree that hasn't been used (i.e. you did not work in that field) it just becomes a 4 year degree. If anything you are at a disadvantage, you are competing against people with either a brand new degree (meaning they have been taught the newest methods, on the newest technology, probably had an internship somewhere etc.) or someone who has worked in the field for 5 years, your chances og beating either of them with an old degree and not working in the field are not good.


The best advice is if you want to fly for a career, major in something YOU like, something that interests YOU. Something YOU will do well in. If thats an aviation degree, or a degree in Medieval History, or Geology, so be it, you just need a degree, so choose something you want to learn.

 

I recommend you research APT (www.allatps.com) flight school - you'll find they offer the best deal out there for your money / time.

I also recommend a 4 year degree. Get one before you start training. Go to college, have fun, drink beer, graduate then go out and fly...

Good luck. PM me if you need info on ATP. However, you'll find plenty of information about them on this site.

-LAFF

 

The good thing about an aviation degree is, honestly, its not that hard...

 

You must be getting paid for this.