Erau

[CoAPorT]

I know ther must have been many posts about ERAU, but I do really need help, as I am going to my senior year of HS, and really contemplating on wether to be a pilot or not.

I want to take a course at Embry, but don't know if it is worth it. Thinking about Aeronautical Science program, because I want to be a pilot. There is an extended learning campus here in Jersey, can i take that program here? Also at Embry do we have to take the licenses with them, or can we take the licenses with another flight school, of course because of the price. My grades this year were pretty horrible, copare to my freshman year that were outstanding, and sophmore year which were alright. Now this year i really want to jump on the ball and do good in school. I still haven't taken my SAT's and will probably be able to take it only once, maybe even twice, but I doubt it. I was wondering is Embry worth it? and is it hard to get in?

Any other choices. There are many experienced, cool people on this website. Choices being, ditch Embry, go with another school/university, or flight school. I'm looking to get good training, and go to places which are gonna look better on a resume when going for a pilot job. Oh also any advice as to talk to my parents about this, they are not in favor, but i haven't really talked to them about it yet. And wont until maybe for a couple months, but I would like some advice on things to say to them, as they can better see the aviation world, and not be scared, etc. Thank you. I really appreciate all this help. There are so many choices in my head as to what to do as a career, and i want to search this career. Other career choices are Business/Economy, Computer Tech, and Automotive Technician. I love to fly, and I guess that is what makes me want to be a pilot. Once again. I thank in advance, and appreciate any help. And I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

 

[groundpointsix]

If you're not quite decided on what you're going to want to do, i would suggest going to a school other than Riddle. Find a four year school that offers an aviation degree, (preferably one with a good general education/liberal arts program) and spend some more time figuring out what you want to do. This way, if you decide aviation is for you, you've got a good part of your degree out of the way and you can concentrate on the flying. If you figure out that aviation just isn't your thing you can choose from however many other majors the school offers. If you go to a place like Riddle you are stuck with aviation unless you want to go through the hassle of transferring elsewhere. There are many good four year schools with aviation programs along with general education; take a look in one of those college guides your counseler probably has and see what's out there that might be of interest. If you have any questions about any of those programs, there's probably someone on the board who went there or knows someone who went. I've intentionally left out specific school names from this post so as not to sway you in any one direction. Good luck in your search.

 

[rltoma]

Another choice is to go to community college (11.00 per credit unit) for the first 2 yrs then transfer to embry's extended university(which is much cheaper @ 164.00 per credit unit ). They will give you crdit for any certificates and ratings you obtain,no matter where you get them. This is the road I have taken and so far it is working out good for me. My associates degree has cost me around 2K and I was able to transfer 50 credits from community college and I will recieve another 16 for my commercial MEL/ Inst airplane (I'm getting my multi in august) There are alot of options, but going to a local community college will get you through the first 2 yrs of school the most economically along with allowing you to be able to work for flight training funds(if you need to) since you can take most classes at night.

 

[bobbysamd]

ERAU

I was a flight instructor at ERAU-Prescott for two and a half years beginning in late 1988. There is a member of our board who was one of my CFI students at Riddle, and I gave a stage check to one of our moderators when he was a Riddle student. The former student made it to United Airlines and the latter student is a highly successful corporate pilot. I had other students at ERAU who went on to the commuters and to such places as FedEx. There is no doubt in my mind that ERAU facilitated their success in a tough business. In all fairness, I would say that students I had at FlightSafety and Mesa who went on to the airlines and elsewhere were successful because of the training they received at those schools

Riddle is expensive, but I feel that it offers an excellent aeronautical education. It is not just a platinum-plated flight school. You receive a broad education by taking such courses as technical writing and flight physiology. Courses such as these contribute to your ability as a pilot by teaching you how to write intelligently and helping you understand why you react the way you do in a flight environment. You have to be able to write intelligently to apply for jobs.

ERAU carries high name recognition in the industry. That is both good and bad. The good is the industry knows the university and its reputation for having a good program. A Riddle Aeronautical Science degree means something. So do aviation degrees from other good aviation schools. The bad is a lot of people leave ERAU with an attitude. Many of them leave thinking that they are G-d's gift to aviation, and that turns off people. I believe they acquire that attitude because many of their campus instructors indoctrinate them into thinking that way.

You have to go to either Daytona or Prescott to earn the Aeronautical Science degree, and you have to earn your ratings in that program. You can learn to fly elsewhere and earn an ERAU degree, but not Aero Sciences.

I recommend ERAU highly, but only if you are absolutely committed to aviation. Once more, Riddle is expensive. You need to shop carefully. There are plenty of other good university aviation programs that will provide a quality education for less money.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your senior year, and good luck with whatever you choose for college.

 

[banned username 2]

Re: ERAU

I recommend ERAU highly, but only if you are absolutely committed to aviation.

EXCELLENT ADVICE!

If you aren't sure whether you want to be a pilot or not at this point, you most likely will not be successful in your career... Aviation is something you live, eat, drink, sleep and breath... especially early on...

This industry is a very long, hard and bumpy road... You have to put up with major boat loads of BS before you get the brass ring... (and there is absolutely no guarantee whatsoever of ever getting the "Brass Ring") If you are not totally and unconditionally committed to aviation, don't bother... Get a job you would enjoy and rent or buy a plane and fly for fun.

 

[stillaboo]

I would say start the process to get a 4 year from somewhere other than Riddle (2 years at a community college and then transfer in to a 4 year program if cost is an issue). If it turns out you like aviation, you can transfer into Riddle. If not, you can transfer into somewhere else. There are many pilots who are now furloughed who wish they had a degree other than Aeronautical Science; while it's great to have that degree if you're a pilot, it's very limiting in that it's not a good base from which to jump into non-aviation.

I don't know of any situation where the deciding factor in hiring was the BS in AirSci degree. Would you rather have that guy or the guy with the Harvard degree flying your airplane? I'd say it really shouldn't matter. Pilots should be judged only by their skill and competency for the job of commanding an aircraft. But the guy who has a degree in something else can do more than just AS (and he can talk about something besides aviation on every single leg!).

I don't see why anyone would limit themselves and get an AS degree, personally, but, since you're not sure you want to be a pilot anyway, enrolling at Riddle as a freshman isn't what you should do at this time.

-Boo!

PS- I have nothing against Riddle, despite wht this post might appear to imply.

 

[CoAPorT]

Hey I appreciate all the help. Thank you!

I guess getting a 4 year degree at a college or university would be a good idea. While getting my degree, I can go to a flight school and get my licenses while working. For one its cheaper, and then I could have two careers, just in case. I've been thinking about this route. What do you think? Thank you. Oh I also do not want to go the military route. Thanks.

 

[bobbysamd]

Aviation career planning

I guess getting a 4 year degree at a college or university would be a good idea. While getting my degree, I can go to a flight school and get my licenses while working. For one its cheaper, and then I could have two careers, just in case.

Plenty of people do that and are successful. Just bear in mind that training for an aviation career is also a full-time commitment. There is plenty of studying and preparation required, just as for going to college. Be sure that you can handle both. Not being fully prepared for your flight lessons will cost you more money in the long run, just as not being prepared for class in college might cost you more by earning you an F.

Once more, good luck with your plans.

 

[ktulu34535]

my .02

Okay Riddle is a step above your average flight school. There are so many procedures, steps and it is very detailed an highly organized training. Some people don't like it and think that Riddle is anal, but would you like to be a passenger in a 737 with a pilot who doesn't care about procedures? So while it is over the top at Riddle for C-172s it does get you familiar with how things work, and how to be professional.

I was a Meterology Major at ERAU and then I switched to AeroSci with my PPL already out of the way. I chose this because due to the fact that I was on an ROTC scholarship I wanted something that I not only was interested in but something I could do well in as well. Since I am going into the military it would be stupid of me to not explore continuing education opportunities. But with an AeroSci degree your choice of post graduate education opportunities are very limited. So I will most likely go back and get another bachelors and then go on to a Masters program.

Having said that, you could also come to Riddle, major in something else and minor in flight, you could do the two year thing at community college and then transfer you could do whatever you like.

If I weren't getting my tuition payed for, and getting a large chunk of my tuition payed for when I go on active duty, I would have definitely majored in something else or double majored.

Don't worry about your grades so much, I have this to say for Riddle in the difficulty department. AeroSci is cake. I have a 3.5 and the only reason it wasn't higher was that I was going to transfer to USF after my freshman year so I slacked off because as long as I got a C in my other courses I would be able to transfer the credit. MOST of the courses at Riddle will not be difficult, I would liken it more to high school when you are taking Technical Writing classes, and anything not associated with aviation like math, physics, humanities etc. So if you are looking forward to exploring the writings of shakespeare and his impact on modern literature don't be suprised when you basically read a bunch of lame short stories in class. But then again I was the exception to that, most of my classmates were pleasantly suprised.

As far as doing my ratings at riddle, It shocked me to find out how much my CFI for my private stunk, and it really shocked me when I did my CFI off campus at Phoenix east. Those are the only ratings you can take off campus that you really do need (CFI,CFII, MEI)

Good luck!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Just some advice..

I think ERAU offers a decent education. I graduated DAB in 1995. Aero Science is an easy program, maybe too easy. It is very expensive, sometimes you will wonder if its worth it. My first year after a 100K education, I made $17,000....pathetic.

I don't think you will be any better of a pilot than the next guy out there, but you will knock off that 4 year degree requirement and all your ratings at the same time, which is nice.

The best thing ERAU gives you is THE NAME and CONTACTS.

I was hired at all my jobs because of the above mentioned!

so I guess it was worth it...