My son is interested in the Flight Program at Ohio University (Athens) Any Alumni out there? , opinions, costs, etc etc
Thanks Alot
Vito

I went there. But it has changed a lot since I have left. The course fees are crazy high. I think they're charging $125 / hour for a PA28-161. The thing is all glass too.

The Chief CFI, Ron, is a super nice guy and the program turns out pretty good pilots. However the head of the department, BJ is an idiot. They only have one multi engine airplane (BE-55) and one high performance/complex aircraft (BE-33). They're nice planes but because there is only one of each this creates a log jam. The Baron blew an engine last year and was down for months. People were not able to graduate with a multi engine rating.

Here is what I would recommend for anyone thinking of doing the flying thing for a career.

If he really really wants to fly, have him go to college for something other than aviation. While he is in school for a non aviation related degree have him go to a small airport and learn to fly. It will be way cheaper than any flight program. Consider buying an IFR C-150, cub, or champ to learn in. You could try to put it on lease back to an FBO. There are a ton of student instructors at OU looking for hours that would be more than happy to teach your son to fly.

Have him fly his ass off. Get his CFI as soon as possible (before your multi engine) so you can start flying and getting paid for it.

I don't think any potential employer is going to overlook you for a pilot position because your Bachelor's degree is in a non-aviation field.

I did like OU and Athens. Pretty town.

If you have any questions let me know.

AGREED 100%!!! Shop around!! for a small fbo flight school, or even cheaper, go with the suggestion of buying a small single engine and flying the heck out of it! Still ends up MUCH cheaper than any big flight school!

I also went to OU.

Athens is a really pretty town but its also a big party town (and so is the school) so it is easy to get distracted from your schoolwork.

Its a good school and the flight program is descent. At least when I was their they had 7 Warriors with the Avidine, a pair of 172 and a pair of 152. The bad part is they have no back ups for complex or multi since they only have one bonanza or maybe it was a debonair (BE33) and one baby Barron (BE55). Everyone I worked with in the department were nice and willing to help. I had some really cool instructors but I did meat a few their that seemed like they were way to serious and would not be enjoyable to fly with, luckily I never had to fly with them. That being said it is way over priced! Not only is the flight fees overpriced but out of state tuition at OU was considerably higher than other out of state schools (I am a NC resident).

I had already completed my private elsewhere before going their and after staying for a year I realized I was getting myself in far to much debt for what I was getting in return so I transferred out and completed my degree elsewhere while gaining the rest of my ratings at the local FBO. This proved far cheaper both for the flight training and completing my B.S.

On cool thing about OU, they do have a really cool DC-3. I don't no what they use it for as the entire time I was their I only saw it pulled out of the hanger twice and saw it actually fly once.

Bottom line I would say if you are getting in state tuition their it would not be a bad school but I don't think its worth it for out of state because of the cost. My personal opinion is that you are always going to get a better value for your money training at your local airport as long as you get a good CFI. As for the degree I would highly recommend one in a field not related to aviation, you will be far more marketable in fields outside of aviation and airlines want to have a degree, They really don't care if it is in aviation or not.

Good luck in whatever he decides.

Also went to OU and I agree with what has been posted so far. The Bonanza has been replaced with two Arrows and the rumor is that the Baron will be replaced with something more economical. In addition to tuition you also pay flight fees so it becomes expensive really fast. I went in to the program with my private and saved about 4k doing my private pilot training at my hometown airport.

I was able to finish my flight training in 3 years. In the OU aviation courses, only take the minimum required to graduate. If not you'll end up paying too much. For example, there is a multi engine cross country course that costs about $3,000 and you only log 5 hours. For $3000 you could buy 15 hours of multi time elsewhere. This course isn't required, but some people think they need the multi time that bad. One of my classmates graduated with $120,000 of debt. He was an out of state student and took a few extra classes, but if you are in state I would plan on at least $80,000.

Here is a break down of course descriptions and fees. http://www.ohio.edu/aviation/courses/upload/Courses.pdf

They use it for research through various grants. When I was there they had the largest grant awarded by NASA. Once a year they load it up with all sorts of sensors and take it to FL and try to get it struck by lightning.

I worked the gear in their King Air C-90 one day when they were testing a new gyro for spacecraft.

Thanks alot guys! I'm a Military type so these prices and fee's are eye opening. I'd have to assume the prices are higher as well with the cost of fuel etc. Keep the information flowing and thanks for the input
Vito

If you are planning to give him your 9/11 GI bill keep in mind that the rules and caps are changing. I think that the date is October 1.


Also my wife went to OU and I grew up about an hour away. That is a hidded gem as far as party schools go so make sure your son is prepared for that type of environment. My wife knew a lot of people that didn't go crazy partying in high school and then got to Athens and lost their minds and dropped out.

I've had some of their former students come through USAF IFS. They're humble to learn despite their experience level, they have a good common sense head on their shoulders for aviation, and they actually seem to know how to fly an airplane. I can't say that about some of the larger university aviation programs. Ohio seems to have their act together but haven't gotten so large that many just slip through the cracks.

Went to OU graduated in March. BJ is not the Chair anymore. They now have 2 arrows to do the Commercial training. No more Bonanza. Course fees were really not that bad compared to everywhere else, aviation is expensive.