Alisito

So good afternoon captains, FO and other pilots. Well I've created a thread earlier about a college degree but now it's different. Ok I currently have one more year left of high school and I have to make a clear decision and not be all over the place since I've dropped the ERAU choice due to the amount of debt I'll be left with. I've been dreaming about becoming an airline pilot since phhhhh I was a little kid, I have 0 flight experience except for the scholarship I won to attend ERAU summer program where I flew a c172 twice and in a sim. Ok now comes the real question so I live in FLORIDA and an airline pilot told me to go to
faapilottraining/ pilot training center which is at Miami.
But I'm thinking about Trax air here at Orlando. Does anyone know which one is cheaper and better if any of you have experience or have done research.

And I'm wondering were to get my online bachelors in Aeronautical science better at Erau worldwide,or UVU online while taking flight school.

Another q - is it a good plan to do the degree and flight school ate the same time? And let's say I finish flight school first I'm a able to complete my degree while at a regional if I don't finish it at the same time as flight school? since I'll need the degree of a major.
Thanks to all a lot. Sorry I asked so many questions and you all may be thinking ''damn do your research'' lmao and I have its that the more research the more confused I get lol. Thanks

80knts

I would say your plan sounds just fine to me. Just remember no matter what you need your degree. I would recommend you finish your degree before you apply to even the contract airlines. Think about it this way. What happens if the economy tanks and you're sitting right seat in an RJ? Furloughs come and you're on the street with no degree and all you have are ratings that are useless since nobody is hiring. Either way, if I were in your shoes I would start flight training immediately after graduating high school. Just try to do it without taking on enormous amounts of debt(preferably no debt at all). In your situation, if you are motivated enough the online college path makes sense since it will leave more time to focus on your flight training. Remember you won't be able to even take your ATP tests until you are 21 so that is a few years down the road. For now focus on getting your degree and finishing your ratings. Don't rush any of it and enjoy it while you can.


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Alisito

yes sir Thanks a lot man for the advice

MartinBishop

First thing is first, see if you can get a 1st class medical. If you can, then you're good.


Then you have to make a decision, do you go to college before or after flight training?

Either way, FL has a great community college system, and you can go there and get a very inexpensive bachelor degree. You'll want to be diverse, so don't get a degree in aviation... get a degree in business, or finance, etc. Something where you can fall back on if you lose your medical or there is a downturn in the aviation sector.


If you go to college prior to flight training, that is fine, but realize the current pilot shortage window could be closed by the time you graduate. On the other hand, if you go to college after flight training, realize it will take a lot of discipline to do school part time while flying. If you can handle it, then that might be the better route. If you don't think you are disciplined enough, or think you might get tied down with family obligations over the next few years, then go to college first.

You MUST have a bachelor degree to work for the major airlines, so unless you want to be stuck at the regionals forever, then you need a degree. It's just a matter of how and when.

MaxThrustPower

I can't speak to your questions about the flight schools in Florida.

I would like to talk about the degree portion.

Yes, you definitely need to get your degree if you want to fly for the majors one day.

It's generally true that what specialty your degree is in is not that important, as long as you have one. That being said, if I was sitting on a hiring board and looking at two candidates to fly for my airline, the one who majored in a more rigorous course of study at a brick-and-mortar institution would definitely get the edge with all other factors being equal.

While "online" degrees are certainly available now and are becoming more mainstream, I believe that a degree completed in a classroom environment with a professor and other students is looked upon much more favorably by an employer, airline or otherwise, than an "online" degree. There are some "online" programs that are not up to the standards of a traditional education.

Personally, I don't understand pilots who insist on getting their degree in "Aviation". I fly for a major airline and the great majority of our pilots have degrees in areas other than "aviation". The airlines don't care or value that any more than a non-aviation degree, I don't believe. And I've known MANY pilots who have left the industry over time before full retirement age, even after reaching the major airlines. While the reason they leave can be a desire to pursue something different, it's more often related to some medical condition that prohibits a Class One medical. And it happens more often than you would think.

So, then what???? That "aviation" degree is not going to do much for you in any other field. You might be able to work as an airport manager or something like that. Maybe. But why not major in something completely different but marketable in other industries?? Yes, the coursework might be more stringent but you'll have something you can actually USE if you need it. Outside of the airline or airport world, that "aviation" degree is going to be looked on with skepticism and bemusement by HR managers.

I have the perception that many of those "aviation" programs such as ERAU charge a much higher tuition that you would pay at a public state university. You can save some money by completing the core classes in freshman and sophomore years at a community college and then transferring to a 4-year university to complete your degree, all while working on your ratings and building flying experience at the local aviation schools.

Either way you decide, good luck with sorting all this out and with pursing your career.

Alisito

Thanks Captain about this info toward the degree stuff really helped me a lot view on getting a degree online or not. Thanks a lot have a great day wish seeing you in the future.

Alisito

I was thinking at the same time for instance... Go to a college and get my degree while doing flight school, I will probably get the flight school done first. so I will have all my certificates while finishing my college degree so in the meantime I'll get a job flying so I can build my hours so probably one year after I finish college I'll be set . Let's see idk if it's a good plan . Thanks for he tips bro. Really appreciate it

Alisito

Ok ok 17 I don't think Ima start flight school this summer but should I get my FAA medical exam done already you think?

Flyhayes

Don't discard mom and pop flight schools. You can save substantially by doing that, and perhaps live at home while training (more savings). In any even, I have an airplane located at the Orlando Executive Airport that's available for flight training. $112/hr wet (plus flight instructor $50/hr). If you want more info you can PM me here or email [email protected]

Alisito

For the PPL?Around how much do the licence in total