Is EKU a good school for training?

[nickm347]

I am new to the boards, and im also new to aviation. I am currently a freshman at Xavier University. I just decided i want to go into aviation, so I am going to transfer to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). I was wondering if anyone knows how good the program at EKU is? They offer a bachelors in Professional Flight, which is what im going to major in, and they also offer a bachelors in Aviation Management, which i think im going to minor in. Can anyone give me any info or feedback? thanks a lot in advance

 

[nickm347]

Does anyone know anything about Eastern Kentucky University's aviation program?

here is thier site: http://www.aviation.eku.edu/

 

[dkelly]

nickm. I did not attend the program, but recently completed some training with their flight provider. PM me if you want to know more.

 

[BoilerUP]

I'm originally from Lexington (as you can tell from my avatar), but decided to attend Purdue for their program as opposed to EKU. EKU uses Kentucky Airmotive at IOB as their training provider, and although I haven't done any training there, I hear the planes are fairly well maintained and that its not a bad place to train. Only problem is the airport is in Mt. Sterling, EKU is in Richmond.

Since you are in Cincinnati, why not try Sporty's Academy out of Cleremont County Airport? You can get a degree through the University of Cincinnati and do your flying training at Sporty's for college credit. Can also use student loans, if I'm not mistaken, which may or many not be a help to you.

My opinion on EKU is if they would just let their program die, Kentucky residents could attend better, neighboring out of state schools with established aviation programs (Purdue, Indiana State, Sportys/Cincinnati, Ohio, Middle Tennessee, Southern Illinois, etc) for the cost of in-state tuition. Yes, I know that is a harsh line to take. EKU would have been MUCH cheaper than out-of-state tuition at Purdue (like, free), but I have recieved opportunities I never would have gotten at EKU.

PM if you would like more info, I also have done flight instructing in the area. Good luck with your decision...

 

[jaxpilot]

How would EKU shutting down their aviation program enable students to go to neighboring aviation programs and pay instate tuition? I am from Nevada and there are no aviation programs in the state so I moved to Florida so I was just wondering what you are talking about and if I missed something.

 

[BoilerUP]

I believe the state of Kentucky has a reciprocal law with surrounding states that says if the program you desire to take isn't offered, you can to go a reciprocating state for the cost of their in-state tuition. I've never personally confirmed this, but I've heard enough people talk about it, including the leadership of my high school, to believe it is true.

I have friends from high school who claimed to be going to Georgia Tech to study nuclear engineering for the cost of going to UK. Us in 'tucky ain't smart enough to teach all them atoms and what not

 

[nickm347]

Thanks for the feedback. By the way, i am a resident of kentucky, so it will be a lot cheaper( especially with the Keys money i have-money they give u towards college for goodgrades/ACT scores). I wanted to go to amore accredited school like Embry Riddle, Purdue, or even OhioState.....but my dad wouldnt pay for it. He wanted me to be a doctor, and thats what i started out to do, but i decided i didnt want to do it, so he wasnt too keen on paying a lot of money for an education he doesnt want me to get. I know Xavier isnt cheap either, but the only reason i came here is because of the scholarship i got.
so i pretty much have to take what i can get....what other advantages would you get from another school, like Purdue, over EKU?

 

[BoilerUP]

Probably the biggest benefit of a more-established school would be contacts within the industry. Alumni, industry, coop/internship opportunities, etc. They are PRICELESS. I have interviewed multiple times for internships and have already gotten jobs from my contacts...and I havent even graduated yet!

Experience in transport category aircraft is another big benefit. Four semesters of 727 simulator (soon to be 737NG if the stupid thing ever get delivered) and ground school makes flying jet-powered aircraft a snap. I got to fly a King Air for free as part of our curriculum and was one of 10 students selected to fly the University's Beechjet. They sent me to FlightSafety for an SIC endorsement that is good for one full year, and didn't cost me a dime. That training and subsequent experience flying as a required crewmember in a university airplane is priceless, as are the looks on other pilots faces when we pull into an FBO somewhere and they ask "How old are you, and how the hell are you flying that thing?"

Airplanes are relatively brand new, and maintenance is top-notch. Nothing gets deferred, everything gets fixed. Fleets are standardized. Faculty are widely known and well respected, and have been in the industry for a long time. GREAT teachers, not just professors. Ability to be qualifed for an ATC or Dispatcher job through academic classes, and the flexibility of a major public state college.

I'm not trying to brag, but these are some of the things that steered me toward Purdue. You can get some of these things at any other established aviation school, but probably not the whole. I have friends and acquaintences in all the programs I've previously mentioned, and all are good options if you could go that route.

With your KEES money, I might suggest going to UK or another state school and major in business or some other degree with which you can obtain gainful employment if you don't end up flying for a living. You can always get your ratings on the side, or do a summer accelerated program like at ATP. I might also suggest Aero-Tech in Lexington for a good accelerated program that will lead to a CFI job, if you want to stay close. I instructed there for two summers, and its a pretty good gig, especially while you are in school.

For what 4 years at Purdue will cost me out-of-state, I could have done a 4 year undergrad at UK in management, 2 year MBA, done the complete accelerated course at Aero-Tech, flown 100 hours in their Twin Commanche at full rate AND gotten both a 737 and Citation type rating. I could have done most my flying my first year of college, spent the next 3 as a CFI building experience, and still had money left over for beer and a new car. Kind of puts stuff in perspective, doesn't it? I wouldn't trade my decision for anything, but there are LOTS of ways to go. Pick what is best for you, given your situation. Best of luck to ya...

 

[JP1]

Eastern is a great place to go to school. However, if I had to do it over again, I would major in something more diversified. Many people that are professional pilots have gone very far without aviation degrees. My opinion is that you can earn your ratings on your own and go just as far...

 

[nickm347]

Thanks again for the additional info and feedback

I have heard a lot about getting a degree in something else, but i thought maybe Aviation Management would also help in other buisness areas? imnot sure though

I also thought about studying something else, but im not really interested in much else, which i guess isnt a good explanation. I jsut figured if i am working for a buisness and they are going to lay people off or whatever, they would keep the pilots that have degrees(say professional flight/aviation administration) over pilots without.
But again i dont have that much experience with it all, so i wouldnt know

 

[abexpilot]

I was one of the first few graduates from the EKU program when it was introduced in the early 90's. Overall, the flight instruction and academics was pretty good. The cost is nearly unbeatable compared with most others. As far as I know, EKU still doesn't offer some of the advanced aircraft training (ie types or engineer certificates) but in my opinion those options are a big waste of money anyway. As far as Richmond goes, it's a great little town. I had a great time while living there. I also however must agree with JP1. One would be wise to major or at least co-major in another degree program. I have interviewed with a number of regionals and two major airlines and can tell you that from my experience, an aviation oriented degree gives little or no advantage. (No matter what a college program recruiter will tell you, a degree in engineering for example will always look better on a resume than a professional pilot degree) I would recommend (and if I had it to do over again I would) majoring in a program whose graduates are in demand in the general workforce. I knew of a guy at the regional I used to work for who had an RN degree (nursing). In fact, he made more working a couple of shifts as an agency nurse per week than he made as a first officer. Such a degree could not only help offset the low first year wages but would also provide a reliable cushion should the airline career not go as planned.

 

[nickm347]

it sounds like another major is the way to go...im actually visiting the campus next week for my spring break, so when im there, i will take a look at some other majors and see what they have to offer

thanks again for all the help

 

[abexpilot]

I meant to mention this in my last post, but I feel the best route would be to major in a separate, more practical field, then get a minor in aviation. You could also supplement the minor by using aviation courses to fulfill the various elective requirements.

 

[nickm347]

thanks, thats also a great idea, i will have to really start thinking about it before i start any classes

 

[abexpilot]

nickm347,

I live in the Cincy area as well. I moved up here several years ago when hired by Abx Air. Would be glad to talk with you more about EKU if you'd like as well as to give my 2 cents worth on aviation careers. PM me if interested.