Quote:
Originally Posted by B767
Now im just going to chime in. Sure i dont have the experience as most of you (if not all) as i am still a senior in high school. However i will be attending ERAU in PR next year. i used to work at an FBO that intructs with 6 aircraft...all cessnas. The cheapest price we had was $95 (1972 C172L) an hr and $40 for instruction. Now i know (or am assuming) that UND's and ERAU's cannot be too much higher than that (if theyre even that high). Also we had a twin ( C310I )that was $240 an hr...and i certainly hope that UND or ERAU prices are lower for a twin.
Taylor
ERAU's flight costs, as far as instructor and airplane are not an issue to me. You will find some places cheaper than others, but for the most part, rental rates, and instuctor rates are identical, or at least, within a given range, anywhere you go. You will probably spend $20K+ for your ratings alone at ERAU, and a local FBO, although some local FBOs are a bit cheaper.
The issue to me with ERAU, is that is costs over $100K, or close to that in tuition alone.
After thinking about the whole situation, and listening to advice, I've come to this conclusion;
Certain career fields require a certain degree. Most people who desire to work in a specific career field, major in that field. This is no different for some pilots. Aviation, however, is not a field that requires a specific degree. All that matters is having a degree.
You can get your ratings from a local FBO, and major in something else from a local college, and spend a 1/3, or even a 1/4 of what you will spend at ERAU overall. Getting your ratings from a local FBO or ERAU; neither one is better. The ratings are the same in the eyes of the FAA, and the airlines, afterall, they are looking at total time, and experience, not where you got your ratings from. And, it is always good to have a backup.
As far as the benefit of being able to get on with a regional with 600TT as compared to 1000TT for someone who didn't go to ERAU, or UND. In my opinion, that 400+ extra time the non ERAu or UND grad has, before the airline job, makes him a more experiences, and better pilot. More than likely that extra time was gained instructing, and many here have said that instructing is some of the most valuable, and quality time the gained.