Erau

[jknight8907]

This is a training question, but not really a flight training question.

I'm looking at engineering as a possiblity for a college degree. I was looking at some colleges for this, the closest one is about 2 hours away from home. Then at another time I was looking at the ERAU page, and noticed they have a Civil Engineering and a Mechanical Engineering program. I'm thinking that would be a nice place to take the classes because I could also take a few aviation classes. (they have a ATC Tower sim that looks really interesting)

I'm sure some of you here have gone to ERAU. I've heard a lot of bad things about getting an aviation-related degree from ERAU, but since this isn't an aviation degree....

Any opinions about ERAU in general, or their engineering program, or engineering in general?

 

[jknight8907]

Well, I want to be a pilot, but you need a college degree and I hear it's best to get a non-aviation one.

The daytona campus is the one I was looking at. I would love to get into MIT but I doubt if I could. Are there any scholarships for ERAU?

Mind if I shoot you a PM with some more questions?

 

[jknight8907]

About what would the price difference be between a state school and ERAU?

pm on the way....

 

[FlyingBuckI]

^big. I transfered from daytona a few years back (AE major)...state is waayyy cheaper, at least in Ohio.

Also, if you go the route of flying off campus, ERAU charges more per credit hour for non-aero sci students, so they'll get you either way.

If you want to fly AND go to riddle, stick with an AS degree. My suggestion: go in-state and find a good FBO.

 

[jknight8907]

Hmm thanks for the info. Sounds like I'll probably go with something other than Riddle.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

I currently go to the DAB campus. I like it. Sure the costs are high. But I went to a state school for 2 years and then transferred. Plus I'm in the business program which is nice. I saved money by not coming here right away, but will finish here.

Just be aware that when ERAU claims to be #1 in AE or whatever its really only for schools w/o a docterate.

 

[wheelsup]

Just be aware that when ERAU claims to be #1 in AE or whatever its really only for schools w/o a docterate.

They didn't "claim" it, US News and World Report ranked them that. They beat out the military (Air Force and Navy). Not too shabby...

~wheelsup

 

[Bjammin]

I went to DAB ERAU from 88-92. LOVED IT!! Jot a job on campus and was a Coast Guard reservist on the weekends bust'n drugies and doing search and rescue. Got the GI bill to pay for some of the Riddle bill. Did the flight training thing and jot on with the Navy right after school. Then they taught me the flying thing as well, was a liitle redundant and an expensive way to train for training. Flew EA-6B prowlers for 4 years, became an instructor pilot in an advanced tactical jet training squadron in TX, and will start with Cathay Pacific in 2 weeks flying 747-400's out of LAX while still flying T-45's for the Navy reserves.


Could not have worked out better and I truly believe the education at ERAU got the ball rolling.


Good luck and have a ball, it only gets better.
bjammin

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

They didn't "claim" it, US News and World Report ranked them that. They beat out the military (Air Force and Navy). Not too shabby...

~wheelsup

Yes I know they were ranked it, but when you are visiting they leave out that detail that has several people on campus ticked off once you get here or realize that.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Actually Patmack, you will spend a buttload of time and money repeating a good deal of your private, instrument, multi, commercial, etc training in order to get credit. If you want that precious aero sci degree anyway. The licenses and ratings are only worth 1 credit anyway.

Kids coming in with their private, has taken them nearly a semester and a half to take a bunch of dual and solo flights in a 172. Redoing everything pretty much, doing all the private XCs again..etc...

I'm not sure how they would treat a student that came in with Private, Instrument, Commecial..but I can't imagine they would just start them on their CFI. Things have changed.

I came in with my private and didn't have to do anything but show my FAA license and I got credit for that. Although I am a business student so it may be different. I *think* I saw something recently where there is a new class for students coming in with certain licenses just like a refresher and to get used to the ridiculous ERAU policies.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Do you fly on campus?

Thats a big NEGATIVE. No way would I ever think of doing that.

I know a little about the Aero Sci b/c my bf graduated in spring 03 with that degree. He claims its just a worthless piece of paper and I've heard many others claim the same.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Yes, it is a worthless piece of paper. Where do you fly?

Boyfriend? OMG YOUR A GIRL!?!??!

LOL--YES! There are a few females around here! (umm...esp with a user name such as AVIATRIX...last I knew that was a female pilot lol).

Anyways, I did my stuff over in Ocala (where I'm from)...got my private over 2 years ago and have hardly done squat since then (moved out west for 2 years where flying didn't happen). Don't fly much here, but when I do its usually with the man of the house and he did his CFI at Falcon so we go there.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Then where would you reccomend?

Epic? Phoenix East? Air America? Umm...drawing a blank now.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

I'd stay away from Phoenix East like the plague obviously...despite Air America's prices I'm starting to hear bad bad things.

I fly at Epic...64/hr 172R and 80/hr 172SP for Riddle students. Planes are new (less than a few years old) and the maintenance is great. They have planes in Daytona now too...but scheduling is hard enough since they are getting so busy cuz of the prices. I need to stop promoting

I work at the Jet Center and get to deal with PEA all the time...don't think I would fly there for several reasons. I heard Epic has some great 20hr block deal thing. Oh well...maybe if I decided to hack out the instrument I'll look into it.

 

[MKaprocki]

Actually Patmack, you will spend a buttload of time and money repeating a good deal of your private, instrument, multi, commercial, etc training in order to get credit. If you want that precious aero sci degree anyway. The licenses and ratings are only worth 1 credit anyway.

Kids coming in with their private, has taken them nearly a semester and a half to take a bunch of dual and solo flights in a 172. Redoing everything pretty much, doing all the private XCs again..etc...

I'm not sure how they would treat a student that came in with Private, Instrument, Commecial..but I can't imagine they would just start them on their CFI. Things have changed.

I don't know where you got this information, but it is most definitely incorrect. I came in with my private, and didn't have to do anything besides show them my license. I started on Instrument the first semester I was there. Yes, I am an AS major. Yes, I do fly on campus.

 

[MKaprocki]

That's true...with the new 142 program, new students probably would have to take private over again if they don't have their multi. I started 3 years ago, long before the 142 program.

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Thats what I'm finishing up right now and I've been happy with them. How'd you guys do during Speedweek?

It was CRAZY. Absolutly insane. Pilots were stacked 20 deep in the lobby all the way around the front desk yelling they had been there and ordered fuel 5 hours ago and hadn't gotten it yet. Then I had to try and be calm and say "Sir you just here 45 minutes ago, how is this possible?" Seriously...that happened several times. I'm just glad its over!

 

[AviatrixMorgan]

Yeah there seemed to be quite a few aircraft over on 16..I can't believe how quickly they got all the planes out after the race ended.

This was my first 500 working and we apparently had more aircraft than ever. We have a aerial shot form the 2001 500 and we were def more packed than then. Just glad its over....for now.

 

[Flyguy2k8]

2 Dual Training, 2 Dual X country solo, 2 local solo, 2 Xcountry solo


If you come in with your private, thats what you do before you can move onto multi

 

[abaile]

The new 142 program at riddle is pretty much worthless as far as Im concerned. I feel that the 141 program was much more efficient and better for the student. They claim that this 142 program is saving students money because of all the sim work, but I have seen first hand that this is not very true. And as for coming in with your private, you get put into the FA133M course, which as mentioned above, consists of an oral, 2 dual x-countrys, 2 dual locals, 2 solo x-countrys, and 2 local solos, all before you can get into the multi. Even then you have to do a bunch of CPT crap, doing flows on posters at the flight line. The 141 program was much better.