Aero Science Poll

[airforceusaf]

Id like to get peoples view on the Areo Science degree.



:beer: cheers!

 

[Air 1]

Let the FLAMES begin! :angryfire

 

[airforceusaf]

Let the FLAMES begin! :angryfire

LOOK IF THIS IS POTENTIAL FLAME BAIT TELL ME BECAUSE I AM JUST LOOKING FOR PEOPLES OPINIONS. IF IT IS A PROBLEM ILL TAKE IT OFF IMMIDIATLY.

 

[mar]

No offense but you're new here

All you gotta do is a search to find the myriad opinions on Air Science.

But I can sum it up for you:

Too much specialization is a bad thing. It's a better idea to study a field unrelated to aviation so that when the bottom falls out (again) you can keep your head above water.

And, oh yeah, don't think the world owes you anything just 'cause you graduated ERAU.

Good luck.
'mar' ERAU PRC '90

 

[Air 1]

Like mar said, get something to fall back on. I'm sort of in the same situation as you. I started as pro pilot at my school, so I could get my tailwheel endorsement. I then switched over to maintenance so I can get my A&P. I know its still in the aviation field, but there's no other major that would interest me enough to keep me in school. Just something to use if I was to lose my medical.

 

[General Pee]

Dont do it, go to a real college equiped with a liberal arts program and women. You will be able to spell unlike alot of pilots, myself included. And if your all rotc go anywhere! UM is a hell of a place compared to ERAU

 

[LarryinTN]

I've found my aeronautical science degree to be very helpful. It put me ahead of everyone else in all of my airline ground school classes, helped in all of my interviews and is even useful when flying the line.

Additionally, at each airline interview I was interviewed by an ERAU alumn as part of the process which certainly didn't hurt. At the regional level it was the Captain who did the technical interview. At ABX it was the sim instructor doing the app ride. In both cases we spent part of the interview talking about people we had both known from the PRC campus.

It has certainly been worth the money spent for me. Of course tuition was less than $2000/semester when I went through.

LJ... PRC '89

 

[gkrangers]

Is it worth it now? No, I don't think so..not from a job point of view. Yeah, you'll gain a wealth of knowledge....but I'd recommend a different degree, something more practical in the job market should you need it.

And yes, you are starting to sound like a flamebaiter...

 

[Ralgha]

It's not worth the paper it's printed on. It won't put you ahead of anyone else in a 121 ground school. Get a real degree, it will help you out in many ways. Consider this, I have a degree in engineering, and I found 121 ground school to be easy.

 

[AeroBoy]

I graduated DAB '95 with an Aero Science degree. Yes, it is quite specialized; however, I did learn a lot and think it was well worth the money spent. And for the smart a$$e$, I can spell and write just fine--in fact, I write and edit copy for a major aviation magazine.

Your decision should come down to what you want to do–my intention on enrolling at ERAU was to fly for a corporate outfit. But as in life, those plans changed over time. Also don't forget that your education doesn't have to stop at graduation–why not earn a second degree (non-aviation, if you prefer) on the side after you enter the workforce? After all, a good pilot is always learning...

 

[CA1900]

Worth every bit as much as a degree from Subway University.

Seriously, in aviation, no employer cares what your 4-year degree is in. But your family's going to care that it's in something else, because it'll be your key to paying the mortgage when you get furloughed, because you'll be somewhat trained in another field.

You seem to think everybody's whizzing in your cornflakes because you're excited about your training and career -- we're not. We're people who have been there, and are trying to offer advice so you don't make the same mistakes others have. It's certainly your choice to heed it or ignore it, but in today's aviation market, you're nuts not to have a back-up plan.

 

[Occam's Razor]

I'm going back to school for a degree in "Aircraft Trying To Take Off On a Moving Conveyor Belt".

For the major you must:

1. Actually care.
2. Build a contraption to test your conclusion.

For just the minor:

1. Read the longest, stupidest thread ever posted here.

 

[Alex429595]

Id like to get peoples view on the Areo Science degree.



:beer: cheers!

Not to be rude or anything, but didn't we just have this thread?

And weren't you very active in that thread?

 

[mar]

No matter what, education is never a waste

In a broad sense, it doesn't matter what you study as long as you study *something*. Get an education in anything....even basketweaving.

But it's a fact, that for pilots in particular, you do reach a point of diminishing returns with continued education.

In other words, get enough to make yourself competitive. Anything after that will just contribute to your own personal growth and probably not help your earning power.

 

[troy]

I like beer

 

[Zulu]

I’d recommend against an Aero Science degree. I have an undergrad in engineering and a MS in Aero Science, and I can honestly say that the MS was a joke compared to my “real” degree.
On another note, I was talking with a buddy the other day about the myriad of less than desirable flying jobs he’s held since being furloughed by AAL. I asked him if he’d considered doing something outside of flying, and his reply was “Well, I went to Riddle and majored in Aero Science, so I’m really not qualified to do anything else.” Just some food for thought.

Z

 

[skycaptain11]

Wish I was majoring in accounting/business/finance. Unfortunatley before college I didn't do too much research so I'm getting stuck with my bachelor of science in aviation. Fun and interesting degree but not much to fall back on if ya know what i'm sayin.

 

[troy]

I should have majored in beer rather than education.

 

[Fugawe]

My Hotel and Restaurant Admin degree has served me well over many years of flying!

I instructed quite a few years in military basic and advanced flying and saw almost all types of degreed students. Embry grads, AF Academy grads, barely grads, etc. Degree made no difference in flying ability generally, especially in advanced tng (T-38). Once you get beyond the high cambered, straight wing stuff (T-37), innate ability takes over.

Sometimes the guys with CFI, CFII, etc backgrounds had the toughest time. They smoked the academics, and tore up basic flying, but once the speed and complexity of the flying increased they no longer had an edge on the rest. They were generally great pilots who did well, but some were frustrated that their pace of learning slowed. Wasn't that they stagnated, it was just that everyone was in a new arena, including them and they had no experience to draw on that was similar to the faster jet. Those with hands and the ability to think quickly did the best in the T-38, no matter what their degree or flying background was.

Move on to airlines now. No one knows or cares what the degree is, and no one even knows what your flying background is unless it comes up in conversation. You gotta do what you gotta do to fill squares to get the flying job you want, but I'll agree with the others that the flying degree doesn't seem to make a hill of beans difference. Maybe some that have been airline interviewers can chime in, but it has seemed for years that it's just been experience, hours, and some type of degree are the prereq's.

I didn't go the civilian route, so I don't know the ins and outs of that path, but I've flown many years now with civilian trained, military trained, both US and non-US trained pilots, and generally if a pilot has accumulated enough hours to get the job, he/she flies the same as anyone else.

Get the hours you need. Get a degree in something you like and will serve you in the future.

My 2 cents,
Fugawe

 

[navigator72]

I think a degree in computer networking would be better

 

[skycaptain11]

I should have majored in beer rather than education.

Hahaha, drinking beer should be a graduational requirement of any higher educational institution. :beer:

 

[Fugawe]

Hahaha, drinking beer should be a graduational requirement of any higher educational institution. :beer:

Ha, I'm quite sure it is, and always will be.

Beer worship does eventually subside as 'life' kicks in (job, bills, marriage/hookups, etc). But, the need for this educational refreshment never completely goes away.

Fugawe

--Evolution of an airline pilot:
----What is a good layover?
-For a new-hire flight engineer/copilot, it's a drunken evening with the Flight Attendants, followed by all night sex.
-For the experienced, older copilot, it's a good movie, maybe some drinks, and a meal.
-For the old captain, it's a nap, some oat bran, a bowel movement, and 12 hours sleep.

All can use a little beer though

 

[cezzna]

If you have interest in anything else, major in that. I know all you can think about is flying right now, but some day it's just going to be a job and a paycheck. One thing that annoys me in aviation or any other profession is myopic people. Try to develop interests outside of aviation. Flying seems to attract lots of people who think ONLY of flying. Even if you don't major in something else develop an interest in something you can make a living at, like swinging a hammer or real estate. I've been around too manny people who think only about flying on and off the clock. When the bottom drops out these are the ones who have NO idea what to do.

My 2 cents

 

[pgcfii2002]

Doing well, scored a 4.0 last semester, but yeah, its a second degree for me....for obvious reasons.

 

[Fugawe]

Hahaha, drinking beer should be a graduational requirement of any higher educational institution. :beer:

Oh yeah, meant to ask, is 'graduational' one of them new fangled aero school or high tech words?

Fugawe