Embry Riddle

[Big Dog]

W. Mich would be great for you! I was another that looked at Riddle, didn't like it and went to a large school with a small aviation program. The truth is you don't even need an aviation degree, just a degree, preferably something you either enjoy or something you can fall back on. Getting your ratings at the local FBO is just as good, really. Get you CFI's as quickly as you can. You will then more than likely have opportunities to instruct while you finish your degree.

 

[smellthejeta]

I went to a private non-aviation school and got the aviation bug after my "freshman" (academically, more like sophomore) year. Don't ask, I don't know how, I just got it. I did look at transferring out to a place like Riddle, and I realized what's the point. The flagship school where I would have qualified for instate tuition didn't have an aviation program, and the local flagship state uni on out of state tuition would have cost me the same as my private school tuition. Because of where I was in the course of my program, it was actually cheaper just to finish it and check the "degree completed" box where I was at.

I pursued my flight training with a local FBO and flying club. To be honest, I really enjoyed that experience -- it was a way to share something unique with a lot of people. I honestly thought it was better than hanging around with a bunch of aviation dork males 24/7.

 

[BE58 Driver]

Get a real degree!

Like many here I went to Riddle and actually had a good time. I disagree I think you can have a good college experience at Riddle. You just have to get off campus and meet others that are not at Riddle. Does this disqualify it as a college experience maybe, But between the people from Riddle and friends that I met in off campus jobs I had a real good time. The thing that did it for me was getting furloughed and trying to get a "real job." What is your degree in, what is that for is all I heard. I think we were looking for someone with different qualifications. If you go to Riddle I recommend getting a real degree (computer Science, Business Management, etc) and fly off campus you will save a ton of money and still get great training because all the instructors are from Riddle anyway. Good luck and have fun with your decision.

 

[Turtlesfly]

Another one - went to Riddle; don't regret it but it certainly did not help get any sort of regional job. The career placement people do nothing but schedule interviews for internships which are only of questionable value (I did 2). My first regional job came through an FBO/141 school whose head had some good connections.

And please, for the love of God, do not go to these fasttrack places; ATP, RAA . . .

. . . honestly your best bet is, like everybody else is saying, get a degree in something else and impress the crap out of the people at your local FBO.

Best of luck

 

[BRA]

I graduated riddle in 2000. I liked the weather! It was almost worth it just for that. I didn't like the flight training on campus though. The system was really overwhelmed when i was there though. I did private through multi in the fixed price program. I did learn a lot however, but it was too stressful.

 

[SeaLord]

I went to Riddle, instructed there for a couple of years post-graduation, and left there about 6 years ago. I've worked with alot of pilots who went to other schools and can honestly say the Riddle grads aren't better pilots. That being said: I feel the part 141 guys were a bit more professional and prepared for airline life than the FBO guys. I know I'm gonna get crap about that, but the college pilots (Purdue, Auburn, UND, etc) just seemed a touch better and handled the demands of ground school better.
If you're super interested in professional aviation, and truly need to have the best and most up to date instruction, Riddle is probably for you. If you're an average student with other interests away from aviation it may not be necessary. Also, if you'll spend half your last two years drunk and looking to score with chicks, better go elsewhere. I had good sucess with chicks at ERAU and never went too long without a steady chick, but I know other guys who didn't hook up once in a year. Keep that in mind too.
Riddle is also crazy expensive and that's a tough pill to swallow. But the friends and connections I made there have helped me land a regional job, and get me on at AirTran. Tough to put a dollar sign on that.

 

[Bjammin]

I went to Riddle and I can honostly say it truly did help. Why? The flying and classes got me through the Military flight program with ease which allowed to me select any airplane I wanted to fly. Because I flew jets I was able to accumulate many good PIC turbuine hours and get an interview with a major international carrier. The classes I took at Riddle helped me tremendously in the technical part of the interview.

Would things have worked out so well if I didn't go to Riddle? Probably not.

 

[CaptainMark]

The Riddle Frats are gay and the Sorority girls are nasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

amen to that...agreed..screw the air science degree...get a bs in business or something else...fly outside of the school..i graduated with 1500 hrs and 500 multi vs 200tt... but those guys had cool leather jackets and could dead reckon with the best of them..

 

[744]

There is more to life than aviation.

My opinion, and it is of course just an opinion, is that one is better served by going to a “normal” college and flying at the local FBO. Major in something other than Aviation, and make a point of flexing your mind. It is an overused and much abused phrase, but life really is a journey. And I have to say that most of the really, really good pilots that I have met in my 33 years of flying have thinking minds and the broad range of interests/knowledge that go with curiosity. Conversely, a narrowly focused mind does not make a superior pilot. IMO

Offered by an old (47) geezer.

Good luck.

 

[Bjammin]

I agree with "Lifs a Journey" However, at 36 I have reached the pinnicle of what I wanted out of aviation, some thanks to ERAU. Now I have a bunch of days off and a good paycheck so I can take up many other passions without the need to worry about moving up the aviaiton ladder.

My advice, if you truly want to make aviation your career do everything you can to make yourself maketable, then once you have acheived your goals move on to other things you want to do.

 

[RiddleRat]

Riddle

Well I might as well add in on this one, its been a while since i've posted anything. I went to the Prescott campus. Don't know much about the Daytona campus, so ill strictly speak for PRC. It was a good education, it is helping me get through UPT and I feel it doesnt hurt on a resume either, strictly because it can create convo since everyone knows of the place. That being said don't shut the door on any other place too, remember its just a name. I was an instructor @ Riddle, so I saw both sides of the place being a student and IP. The downside to Riddle now are those sims they have replacing flight time, and going part 142. You go to other aviation schools you will see a part 141 environment and somemore flight time.

Remember the name or degree won't get you a job, YOU will. I also feel that ERAU gets you an interview, you get yourself the job. Anyplace is like that too remember. I fly w/ guys from Iowa state, Zoomies from the Academy, and other schools, who are all good and bad sticks. Im sure the majority of pilots on this forum can say that your skills in the airplane usually arn't from how you learned @ ERAU, rather how you learned after ERAU. I think an aviation degree will teach you good habits (checklists, etc) to be a good professional pilot as you accumulate hours.

Just keep your options open, its an expensive place and certainly not worth the money if you are not 150% committed to going to school there and working on your degree. I know a handful of people who flew outside of ERAU, came in also w/ there own ratings,and had 2 years of Junior College under there belt or from somewhere else. There are always options and different routes.


Hope this helps...

 

[barracuda]

Dont go.

hey,

My two cents...the bottom line is you'll get the same ratings anywhere you go and end up flying the same jobs. I've worked with plenty of guys from riddle (very little personality, a doorknob is more fun) and even though they are very knowledgeable and mostly decent pilots its just not worth the money. Go somewhere cheaper otherwise you'll want to kill yourself when your flight instructing for 10 bucks an hour and have a 100k loan.

Go to a local FBO or one of the universities you mentioned. If you need further proof of ERAU's lameness check this out........ http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...64016731046366

good luck!

 

[djsk]

I know a bunch of people that went to a bunch of different schools. Everyone ends up at the same place at about the same time as long as they get their CFI ratings as soon as possible.

 

[EMB170Pilot]

Went to Riddle 1996-2001....I met my wife there so do not regret going there (no she didn't go to riddle and not that nasty high school down the street)...looking back now would I have gotten a different type of degree instead of an aviation degree... YES!!! (something to fall back on incase I want to get out of aviation) Airline companies dont care what type of degree you have..but if you have a "degree" it helps you get a job..certainly doesn't hurt you

Luckily, My older brother was a Pike at UCF sooooo the partying lifestyle was fun! As I still go to college football games and have a blast! Riddle doesnt have that whole atmosphere college lifestyle. It is very laid back! I missed out in that..oh well..that is why I guess I still go to college games.

I enjoyed the classes, the professors were very cool. Flight training I did some on campus and some off campus. (off campus was cheaper/faster)

Overall I enjoyed my college years! Important thing is to have fun! Good Luck

 

[RockbrigadePC1]

I suggest going to ERAU so you can make videos like the one posted in the General forum!