Embry-Riddle

[skyybudha]

Why does it seem like there is so much disdain for Embry-Riddle? I understand that it is overpiced, but it is still a quality education.

 

[StrykerFL]

INCOMING!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4dzV9ckiIrM

 

[Daytonaflyer]

No good reasons, really. People just like to trash talk. I went to ERAU, and it was a great education. I'm glad I went there.
Some people claim that there are a lot of stuck up people that went to ERAU, but in my experience, that just hasn't turned out to be true. In fact, other ERAU grads have been some of the coolest and nicest people I've flown with.
For some reason, most flight schools compare themselves to ERAU. They build disdain for the school into the minds of their students even though they really know nothing about it.

I think the main issue comes from the fact that tuition costs have sky rocketed at ERAU in recent years. Some guys feel the need to feel superior to others, so they make fun of guys who spent a lot of money on their education.

 

[dollacrackho]

i think embry-riddle is a little bit of a scam. i dont know what they call it, aeronautical science or aviation science or whatever the major is but come on. in these times what the fu(k is the point of getting a degree in aeronautical science. get a degree in math or computer science or foreign languages or something that actually can help you in the long run. then go to a fbo or one of those pilot mills like atp. then down the road if you decide to get out of this mess of an industry you actually have something marketable for employers instead of your aviation science degree.

 

[Daytonaflyer]

That's one of the stupidest things people say on these boards. "Study something other than aviation". Why would you ever go to college to study something you're not interested in? You don't see accountants majoring in music; you don't see journalists majoring in biology. Studying something "just in case" the rare occasion occurs that you lose your medical is dumb.
If you received you bachelor's more than 5 years ago, new employers don't usually consider the major anyhow because you've already forgotten most of what you learned.
Most jobs that require a bachelor's degree don't care what you get it in. The only jobs which require specific degrees usually require additional education/certification (accountant, lawyer, doctor).

 

[GogglesPisano]

Go to a decent local college (Majors don't matter. Study astronomy or the history of porn.) After you graduate go to a local FBO to get your ratings if they guarantee to hire you on as a CFI.

Put the extra money you saved by not going to Riddle in a mutual fund.

10 years later you'll be much better off.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Why does it seem like there is so much disdain for Embry-Riddle? I understand that it is overpiced, but it is still a quality education.

Embry Riddle or any other university/college program are probably equally good & bad in terms of an aviation education. The problem is they all just take too long to teach what can be learned in 6-months to 9-months at a flight school that focuses on just teaching you to fly.

So the thing to do is to go right after high school to one of these 9 month programs until you have your CFI. There may be one near where you live. Then go to any of the aviation universities where you will surely be able to get a job as a CFI. Since there is such a short supply of CFI's, getting such a job will be no problem. Major in anything you want, an aviation degree is not necessary to get a job as a pilot. If you really love aviation and are mechanically inclined, then get a degree in Aviation Technology (A&P Mechanic program) so as to learn more about the inner workings of the airplane. Or you may choose to major in the various aviation degrees where you will probably get up to a year or more of credit just for your previously earned FAA certificates and ratings. That means you'll graduate in just 3-years plus you'll be light years ahead of others who are your same age. When you graduate, you'll have probably 1,000 hours and fully ready to go to the Regionals. Plus while you're in school the ladies will be impressed that you already are an instructor at the college/university with a flying job making money too. College girls like a guy who has his life figured out and has a goal. Just take them for an airplane ride and you'll have it made. It works every time if you want a nice girl, or even if you just want lots of girl friends to spend time with.

I hope you fully understand what I've written because this is the only correct answer to your situation. To do anything else will be a mistake that you'll only realize once you're in school for a year or so wondering why your progress is so slow and the expenses so great. Plus you will probably meet someone using the plan I've outlined who has all the money and girls and you'll say, "Man, I really screwed up, I should have listened to UndauntedFlyer. Her really did have the key to success in this business."

Good Luck!

Undaunted Flyer

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

skyybudhaskyybudha:

As I now see your BIO you're already have 200 hours so your almost done. Unless you'er already in an university/college program you're 90% ready for the CFI job in college.

 

[GenericPilot]

I went to riddle in the late 80's/early 90's. Great Deal for me.

I trained and flew at a local FBO and lived in a fly-in home owned by an airline pilot. Attended class 2 days a week (tues and Thurs) for three of my 3.5 years. Flight instructed about 40 hours a month. My instructor for all my ratings was an academic professor at ERAU. Worked for a warbird restoration operation too.

I graduated in 3.5 years at age 21 with 1400 hours, a bachelor's degree, and a slot in Navy flight training.
It was a great experience being immersed in aviation, living near the beach, and living on an airport. Rolled right out of there into a good job.

Could have gone to a state school back home and saved some bucks and flown at our local FBO,but I would have not made the connections or learned about opportunities in the aviation career field.

Would I recommend it today......not sure. the business has lost the earning power that it used to have. I'd still recommend going to a school near the beach and to do some flying, but I'd look at more lucrative career options for pay and benefits.

ERAU...Don't knock it unless you have tried it.

later

 

[GenericPilot]

Ps..

I taught for the Navy in their flight training program (T-34 turboporps). Embry-Riddle aviation students did very well in our porgram because the ERAU program was very standardized. Part 61 guys seemed to have more porblems

 

[aircowboy]

Don't forget Embry Riddle is full of Dudes..............= why pay out your ace to go to a sausage fest!!!

 

[aircowboy]

In all seriousness Undaunted Flyer is right on.

 

[PURPLEHAZE21]

Regardless of what school you goto...it's always gonna be an "Ego-Fest" with pilots...

Question: How do you pick out the pilot at a party ?

Answer: Don't worry, they'll let you know...

 

[dollacrackho]

That's one of the stupidest things people say on these boards. "Study something other than aviation". Why would you ever go to college to study something you're not interested in? You don't see accountants majoring in music; you don't see journalists majoring in biology. Studying something "just in case" the rare occasion occurs that you lose your medical is dumb.
If you received you bachelor's more than 5 years ago, new employers don't usually consider the major anyhow because you've already forgotten most of what you learned.
Most jobs that require a bachelor's degree don't care what you get it in. The only jobs which require specific degrees usually require additional education/certification (accountant, lawyer, doctor).

you don't see accountants majoring in music because they need a degree in accounting to do their job you freakin moron. journalists major in journalism becuase it actually makes them better writers. it is retarded to get a degree in aviation because this job DOES NOT REQUIRE A DEGREE IN AVIATION . and if this job absolutely 100% does not require a specific aviation degree why would you waste your time and money going to college to get one. if you are actually going to go to college why not get a degree in one of your other interests to make yourself a more valuable commodity to another employer when you decide to get out of aviation after being furloughed for the third time. or are you that boring a person that your only interest in life is aviation. if thats true i feel truely bad for the people that have to fly with you.

 

[highsky]

I got an Aeronautical Science degree from ERAU Daytona in late 80s/early 90s. I went to Prescott for the first couple of years...Daytona is better.

Although I did a little training at a local FBO, most of my flight training was with ERAU instructors at ERAU. I have been a CFI at some FBOs, and was a CFI with ERAU for a couple of years after graduating.

Later, I went through USAF UPT (T-3, T-37, and T-38), then flew C-5s for 11 years. Now I work for an enormous U.S. cargo airline.

The FLIGHT training I received in the USAF far exceeds anything available to civilians. Why? Multimillion dollar jets, discipline, sink-or-swim (no extra training for the weak/no second chances), diversity of training (instruments, aerobatics, formation, low-level, combat training), standardization, and did I mention discipline? UPT costs about $5 million. There's no way any civilian program could compete with that.

That said, the flight training program at ERAU is the closest thing to the military available to civilians, in my opinion (I assume other strong aviation schools like UND are similar). For starters, the program was largely developed by retired military pilots. It's very well standardized with a lot of discipline. It ties in well with all the academics. Most of the CFIs have an aviation degree from ERAU. I've never seen that kind of quality at an FBO. I haven't seen all FBOs, but I've seen many. If I'm a pilot interviewer with a great airline, I'm definitely going to hire the guy with military flight training or a civilian aviation degree from a strong aviation school. I know what I'm getting. Why would I take a chance on hiring some guy who learned how to fly at Chuck's Flying School of the Ozarks? I have no idea how good his training was, or what kind of pilot he'd be. I'm not going to put some unknown in the front seat of our $150 million dollar jets. Are there any fools or tools coming out of ERAU or the military? Of course, but they're few and far between.

Moreover, the aviation ACADEMIC training I received at ERAU far and away exceeded anything I learned in the Air Force. It has been very helpful to my career, both in job interviews, and in the daily performance of my job. Does an aviation degree make me a better pilot than another pilot with a business degree? Who knows. But it does make me a better pilot than myself, had I not gotten an aviation degree. Who do you think makes a better CEO of Exxon...the guy with an art degree, or the guy with a geology degree, finance degree, or MBA? When your life is at stake and you require the best medical attention, do you want the doctor with an undergrad in air conditioning repair from ITT, or the guy with an undergrad in biochemistry from Stanford? I know who I'd want.

I agree with a previous poster; it's stupid to get a degree in something you're not going to do with your career. College isn't a square filler; it's preparation for what you're going to do with the rest of your life.

I don't know why SOME bash ERAU. I can tell you though that those people are not on the hiring boards in the military, or in the HR departments at major airlines, because those people have respect for ERAU. In 20 years of professional post-college aviation, valedictorian from ERAU has opened many doors for me. I wouldn't be where I am today without it.

It's a great education. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Good luck with your decision!