My thoughts exactly. I'll admit my aviation degree had too much junk I didn't like. However it was a great university. Beautiful women, fun night life, good baseball team to cheer for, beautiful campus, ect. Most universities are full of fluff however. All the british lit., American Constitutional developments, religion classes, ect. dont really help many out. But it's the diversity of knowledge and the fact that you were able to handle the workload and flex the mental muscle that pays off in the long run. Those things you don't get from ERAU

 

FAR/AIM ect. if you could read. FAA publications on weather, AIM procedures, Oral guides, Pilot's operating handbook, instrument flying handbook, handbook of aeronautical knowledge. These are all you need. The rest is things you don't learn in the classroom but from being up in the sky which is why you have those *pesky* hour requirements to get those ratings.

There is nothing you can learn in an aviation classroom you can't learn in a book. You're just paying to have it read to you. Chemistry, calculus, physics... Those are different. But a professor telling me the different types of fog doesn't do much.

My knowledge isn't limited to one book. It's limited to several books. Good ones. My experience is limited to the experiences I've had over the past 6 years flying from swamplands to deserts to moutains. So I don't know it all but I've been around enough to "know what I know" thanks to redundancy. I don't comment on the regionals or majors working manners. That's the limit of my knowledge. What's yours?? How much school debt do you have only to make how much as a CFI there? Since you're wanting to toss stones and all.

 

Toiletduck,
In your original post you made it sound like all you needed to know in aviation was found in the FAR/AIM as I quoted. I, in no way, intended to insult your experience as an aviator, just simply that comment. I don't work for Riddle, I did however went there and spent 4 great years that I in no way regret whatsoever. In another note I don't think my finances are of any of your business but if you must know they are healthy. By the way, I am not rich; I just live within my means and take opportunity of anything that comes my way. As I always state, you are entitled to your opinion and i'm not going to bash that.

 

I was actually there when the tornado hit. My crew and I were the lucky ones that got to spend Xmas there. We were the first flight out of there and it was definitely something to see.

 

TD - i suppose you would want to learn on your own classes like aerodynamics and advanced aero which are both strong in physics, long range nav, classes about systems and turbine engines, aviation management, aerospace law, human factors. etc etc the list could go on. your nuts if you say yes and think you can get the same amount out of simply reading the books vs. a qualified professor actually teaching you.

im not saying you have to get an aviation degree because i certainly didnt graduate under commercial aviation. However, if im the one on a hiring board i would probably look more seriously at the person who was taught by respected professors.

 

I agree with TD. Intelligent people read books when they want to learn something. I don't need someone there to tell me stuff right out of a book. Real science/ math classes are a different story. They require higher thought and are on a different playing field than the rote memorization classes. I'd say about half or more of a Bachelors degree is a waste of time.

 

Yes I truely believe a class is a waste. I took Aviation Calculus I,II,III,IV(called special topics in aviation sciences), atmospheric chemistry, air pollution and sampling, meteorology I,II,III, nav I,II, turbines, systems I &II ect. Picked up my degree in aviation sciences from Baylor which is a great school. However, and this isn't trying to talk mess or anything. I don't think there was anything there I carried into the cockpit that I didn't learn from a good CFI. Engineering ect. is great. However a couple classes don't help you get anywhere. Unless you persue a career in that field it's a waste. Most students don't go from a turbine class to flying a turbin and 2-3yrs later with not using that info it's already forgotten. Plus there are several differences between engines ect.

I only push the point because I consider a good university based on the other knowledge you pickup while there. For instance if they start laying guys off again that degree won't help me any. However the bud with the business degree will be better off. If I could do it again I would have gotten my degree in engineering. I wasn't talking down about an education in general. Being taught by grade A professors is awesome. I just don't think putting all eggs in one basket is a good idea nor does it make you handle a plane any better.

 

True. The general ed at ERAU almost seems like an afterthought. It's community college-quality at best. And don't even get me started on the women and sports....

 

No I'm not. However, if I did work there or go there for training I'd gladly wear the t-shirt. I believe you have to as policy.

-LAFF

 

TD - i totally agree about not putting all eggs in one basket. and i would suggest to anyone to get a degree outside aviation. and that can be done at most aviation schools

i did graduate with a business degree and im glad i did, cause when stuff hits the fan i'll be ready. but im also greatful to have studied aviation under some very good professors. there is no way i would have gotten my flight internship right out of school had i tried to do everything myself. and the training would have been way tougher. after school i was prepared to go out in the real world, and they are a big reason why