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Originally Posted by BosoxH60 (Post 2663760)

It really depends on what degree you go for. That's exactly what I did with my school, since the Army paid for all of my ratings, I just used the FAA cert to show that it was completed, and checked the block for the credit. You usually have to be careful that you don't go over arbitrary numbers for how much external credit you have, though... That's stuff you need to talk with your adviser about, though. There are plenty of respected (read: regionally accredited) schools with online programs that you should be able to apply aviation ratings towards credit. You just have to find what's right for you.

I believe Utah Valley University has an online professional pilot program, and is regionally accredited. (I was looking at going there years ago when I was a helicopter guy, and not interested in fixed wing...).

Excelsior has online degree programs as well, and I had good communication with them, just never got into it.

I ended up at Bridgewater, if you care, but they don't have much of an online presence for aviation just yet. (I was only able to get I think two major courses done that way.)

I started my Masters with Florida Tech; not sure what they have for Bachelor's online with aviation focus.

I’ve been looking at UVU as you suggested. How many online classes do you think is realistic to do as a regional pilot per semester? I’m just curious about what a rough estimate would be, so I can guess how many years it’d take to get my bachelors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWeatherman (Post 2663778)

It comes down to this. What if you suddenly have heart problems, Epilepsy, or something else one the long list of conditions that will disqualify you from a First Class FAA Medical? That aviation degree is worth about as much as the paper it is written on. Diversify, get a degree in something else you are interested in so you have something to fall back on in-case the unexpected happens. The only instance where an aviation degree can be beneficial is when an R-ATP is attached with it. Otherwise you are right, all it is worth is a box check.

Wouldn’t an aviation degree still be valid within the aviation field? Like aviation security, airport operations or whatever else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macchi30 (Post 2663833)

Wouldn’t an aviation degree still be valid within the aviation field? Like aviation security, airport operations or whatever else?

Remember that it’s not just about loss of medical. It’s also about the economy taking a turn and aviation in general getting hit hard. In those cases not only are you out a pilot job but they don’t need additional management people in aviation either, so your aviation degree becomes useless. Get your degree in business or accounting or something that doesn’t involve aviation to better hedge for the unknown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macchi30 (Post 2663363)

It sounds flawed to me when they advertise 6-7 years but in reality it may be closer to 15. At that point, it’s not really worth advertising, to me at least.

That’s assuming EVERY PSA stays for the flow. There are things like PSA CA lifers that choose not to flow, loss of medical, and attrition. PSA pilots get on with many other carriers. So I’d argue that it actually is closer to 7-10 years for flow. In any case, it’s an awesome back up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macchi30 (Post 2663833)

Wouldn’t an aviation degree still be valid within the aviation field? Like aviation security, airport operations or whatever else?

True, but those jobs are limited and a lot of them are given through the 'good ole boy' rather then someone who may be truly qualified.