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Flight Schools and Training Ratings, building hours, airmanship, CFI topics

Looking for Advice

Old 08-10-2015, 03:43 PM
  #1  
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Default Looking for Advice

Hey guys,

I want to be a pilot, and am currently making my way through lower level college. I've read through the website that details what the airline industry is really like, and I want to work through it. I'm single, 26, and an Army veteran. I have about 24 months left on my GI bill (was making my way to engineering, but I would much rather fly), and am currently living in Houston.

My real question is how much it matters where I get my pilot's license or degree. Do I see any real advantage in dealing with the price tag of Embry-Riddle versus a smaller level college, such as LeTourneau? Or getting my pilot's license at a flight school and transferring into a college for the Aeronautical Sciences or Aeronautics degrees?

And if anyone has any information on other veteran programs such as Hazlewood or Yellow Ribbon program, I would greatly appreciate it.

Just sort of overwhelmed with all the different options and curious as to what my best bets are.
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Old 08-29-2015, 02:21 PM
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Hello Spainops, first off thank you for your service.

I will answer this question the best I can however note that I am private pilot working on my instrument rating and not an airline pilot as of yet. Where you attain your licenses from will have no relevance to success in this career. Rather, dedication, networking and timing plays a more significant role. My personal suggestion would be to attain your licenses at a local FBO and with as little debt as possible. You can also focus on college at the same time in order to earn a degree.

Many people choose aviation schools such as Embry Riddle to knock both birds out with one stone however my personal suggestion would be to attain a degree in something other than aviation/piloting due to the instability and turbulence in this industry. Therefore, should you ever get laid off or lose your medical, you have something other than a pilot degree to fall back on. Hopefully your GI bill will make these options more affordable.

Whether one attends an aviation university or local state college is really up to them. You should ask yourself what is the most affordable and efficient way to earn your licenses and earn a degree in a field besides flying that interests you. Also stick around the airport/pilot hangouts/forums to network. Good luck with which ever route you choose!
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Old 08-29-2015, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Spainops View Post
Hey guys,

I want to be a pilot, and am currently making my way through lower level college. I've read through the website that details what the airline industry is really like, and I want to work through it. I'm single, 26, and an Army veteran. I have about 24 months left on my GI bill (was making my way to engineering, but I would much rather fly), and am currently living in Houston.

My real question is how much it matters where I get my pilot's license or degree. Do I see any real advantage in dealing with the price tag of Embry-Riddle versus a smaller level college, such as LeTourneau? Or getting my pilot's license at a flight school and transferring into a college for the Aeronautical Sciences or Aeronautics degrees?


And if anyone has any information on other veteran programs such as Hazlewood or Yellow Ribbon program, I would greatly appreciate it.

Just sort of overwhelmed with all the different options and curious as to what my best bets are.
In my opinion, it does not matter where you get your flight training and how you build enough time to get you to the regionals. I'd also skimp on the degreee and go for the easiest degree you can get. It doesn't matter what your degree is in as long as you have one. But of course, if you don't make it to the airlines, then you might have to fall back on your degree to earn a living.
I see you are an Army Vet. Thanks for your service. I joined the Marines right out of high school, did a tour in Vietnam and was 20yrs old when I got discharged. I just kept plugging away and eventually got hired by a Major and will soon be retiring. It's been a great job. Remember this - it's not the best pilots who make it to the Majors; it's the LUCKY ONES. Best of luck
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Old 08-30-2015, 04:30 PM
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Thanks for your service!

My personal recommendation since I am going through the same scenario now is to run through your private training at the local FBO for as cheap as possible. This will allow for two things to happen. Confirm that you want to go down this road and allow you to attain your PPL for as cheap as possible. Most colleges will charge $10k-$15k for the PPL alone which is outrageous. If you're focused and cruise through your PPL you should be able to get it done for well under $10k.

As of now, the positives of going to college for the aviation degree and 141 training for Instrument - Commercial you'll only have to get 1,000 hours for the R-ATP versus the 1,500 otherwise. No matter what way you look at it, 500 hours not a small amount.

Lately I am leaning towards to college route because Federal Financial Aid can be applied towards your flight training "lab fees" along with the R-ATP 1,000 hour rule. I think this would help you even further since you can use your GI Bill.

Good luck!
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Old 09-01-2015, 08:10 PM
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Hey,

I started my flight training through Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 24th (last week) with 0 hours. I live in Jacksonville, Florida which is cool because Liberty University has many flight training affiliates nationwide in which they send money to for you every month as long as you're a student of theirs. I can go to school year round and I fly at least 3 times a week. They pay for all your equipment (headset, books, flight bag, etc.) as well. Their program is growing at an alarming rate and getting the attention of the FAA and the airlines. They are also one of the best universities to attend in the country that cater to veterans. Not only do I receive a book stipend from the VA every year for books, but one of Liberty's "military discounts" is that you get up to a $400 book voucher PER SEMESTER. My books for the fall were just over $300 and I didn't pay a dime out of pocket and took home the VA book stipend money. I am an Army veteran and have some college complete and decided to go this route. I turn 26 in November and getting married in December and the way this is set up financially still didn't make me blink deciding to start so close to our wedding date. I extremely recommend you looking into it because the school is great and I guarantee they don't become training affliates with any flight school across the country. I attend Sterling Flight Training here in Jacksonville and this place is first class. My instructor is my age and is extremely knowledgeable and works with my schedule. I enrolled for a BS in Aeronautics in the commercial pilot program. The online classes that I do through the university are not too difficult and are extremely easy to understand. I can imagine most if not all of your credits will transfer which would put your graduation date in the near future (if you go to school year round). I thought about ATP here in Jacksonville for the longest time and just read too many things that scared me. There is no other way to do this being a veteran. I can't wait to fly tomorrow!

Good luck!
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Old 02-16-2017, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by tccharlie0821 View Post
Hey,

I started my flight training through Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 24th (last week) with 0 hours. I live in Jacksonville, Florida which is cool because Liberty University has many flight training affiliates nationwide in which they send money to for you every month as long as you're a student of theirs. I can go to school year round and I fly at least 3 times a week. They pay for all your equipment (headset, books, flight bag, etc.) as well. Their program is growing at an alarming rate and getting the attention of the FAA and the airlines. They are also one of the best universities to attend in the country that cater to veterans. Not only do I receive a book stipend from the VA every year for books, but one of Liberty's "military discounts" is that you get up to a $400 book voucher PER SEMESTER. My books for the fall were just over $300 and I didn't pay a dime out of pocket and took home the VA book stipend money. I am an Army veteran and have some college complete and decided to go this route. I turn 26 in November and getting married in December and the way this is set up financially still didn't make me blink deciding to start so close to our wedding date. I extremely recommend you looking into it because the school is great and I guarantee they don't become training affliates with any flight school across the country. I attend Sterling Flight Training here in Jacksonville and this place is first class. My instructor is my age and is extremely knowledgeable and works with my schedule. I enrolled for a BS in Aeronautics in the commercial pilot program. The online classes that I do through the university are not too difficult and are extremely easy to understand. I can imagine most if not all of your credits will transfer which would put your graduation date in the near future (if you go to school year round). I thought about ATP here in Jacksonville for the longest time and just read too many things that scared me. There is no other way to do this being a veteran. I can't wait to fly tomorrow!

Good luck!
I am looking at these programs and it seems almost too good to be true. Get to learn in my home town, still work, and get federal student loans. How did the loan process go? I already have my private, but if I could get a deferred student loan that would cover both school and flight school I would seriously look into it. Did they give you an estimated all-in price, how long it would take, and what ratings/hours you would leave the program with?
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Old 02-17-2017, 06:34 PM
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Who has done something like Liberty University online and ATP or Aerosim at the same time??
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Old 05-28-2017, 01:06 PM
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I too have been looking into this program. Currently a former LOU student and instructor pilot in the Army, 1600+ hours in need of my add on PPL, as well as my other fixed wing ratings. I'm hoping to use the GI Bill with this program and use the regional bonus to pay for time building.

Anybody on here have success with this?
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Old 05-29-2017, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Dustoff944 View Post
I too have been looking into this program. Currently a former LOU student and instructor pilot in the Army, 1600+ hours in need of my add on PPL, as well as my other fixed wing ratings. I'm hoping to use the GI Bill with this program and use the regional bonus to pay for time building.

Anybody on here have success with this?
I don't know man. I've got some co-workers in the same boat thinking the same thing. If I hear an answer from them, I'll pass it on.

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