Top Schools

[bobbysamd]

Lane C.C.

I'll throw in a plug about what I've heard is another good program. I have a friend with the FAA who used to rave about the aviation program at Lane Community College in Portland. She was the POI for this program. Even though she is with the FAA , she's one of my best friends in aviation, is a great pilot and instructor, and 100% credible. So, while I don't have first-hand knowledge of the Lane program, from what my friend has said, I don't hesitate passing along this plug.

Which continues to prove there are other good flight programs besides Riddle and FSI that will get you started and help you get there. Choose what is best for you.

 

[need2AV8]

OH YEAH! Well, MY Dad can beat up YOUR Dad . . .

 

[Humty72]

LOL

 

[racerX]

The original poster didn't mention if they wanted a college degree or not. If so, as stated before, there are plenty of good colleges with aviation programs and all will drain the pocket book. As for flying schools, several have hit it on the nose. The best schools in the world have great instructors and crappy instructors. Aviation knowledge will come from your ground schools. I went to a large 141 school that swamped us with knowledge that I thought I would never need. I was wrong. That education was invaluable.

If you want a good aviation education it will cost you. If you spend a great deal of time listening to people like us, the only lesson you will learn is that there are many good schools out there. All of which have good and bad instructors. If you get a bad one, demand a change as soon as you know. Remember, they all cost a lot of money and they won't want to lose yours. They will give you a new instructor. Before you spend too much time looking for the discount school of your dreams, remember..."You get what you pay for!"

p.s. I have never had an employer ask about or comment on my aviation school.

 

[KingAirKiddo]

I debated heavily even bothering to reply to this thread since its obvious intent was to start a flame war, but then I thought what the heck.

It's well known and well documented that you do not need a degree from ERAU, UND, Purdue, etc. in order to realize your goals in aviation. The same outcome can be achieved by attending a state university and obtaining your certificates from a local FBO for a fraction of the cost. However, being a 2000 ERAU alumnus myself, I have seen firsthand that being a product of these institutions can enhance your aviation career, although not necessarily guarantee your success.

I have numerous friends who took advantage of the "bridge" programs and are now flying for the regionals. Most of them are fine individuals and top notch pilots who probably would have succeeded without the programs eventually. Having said that, I'd also like to say that these programs have always left a bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps it's an antiquated view, but I have always tried to work hard and earn my place in the world. My grandfather started as a welder with a natural gas company in 1950 and retired in 1990 as its Vice President of Operations. His success in life has always been the barometer that I compare my own to. I decided early on that I would try to match this ethic in my own career as a pilot. I don't feel that instructing for a minimal amount of time and riding around with friends in a Seminole or Seneca gives one the proper amount of experience or confidence needed to fly a very high performance jet with dozens of lives in the back dependent on the pilots' abilities to safely accomplish the flight. I get much more satisfaction knowing that I'm capable of flying a 180 knot twin by myself in hard IFR. Someday, when the economy has improved and I have plenty of solid experience, I hope to make the next career move that puts me into the right seat of a regional airliner, but not before.

The advantages of attending ERAU include obtaining a solid aviation education, building a large network of fellow pilots, and "name brand recognition".

The disadvantages include the high amount of debt incurred (nope, Daddy didn't pay...sorry to disappoint the flamethrowers), as well as "name brand recognition". How's that for a Catch 22?

I have a younger brother who is now preparing to embark on his own journey as a professional pilot. I have used my own situation to guide him and help him make the best decisions through my own 20/20 hindsight. I was his flight instructor for his Private certificate at a Part 61 school (worthy of a whole other thread). In addition, I recommended to him that he attend a community college to get a lot of the general classes out of the way, which he has done and is getting ready to graduate from with an A.S. in Aviation. He will also be attending ATP to finish all of his other ratings and then transferring to ERAU in the fall. I feel that this is a good tradeoff, and allows all of the advantages and few disadvantages. I only wish I had a time machine so that I could do it the same way...

Never was a part of the flight team. They, too, always left a bad taste in my mouth.

Guess I'd better start using Tic-Tacs, huh?

Anyway, that's my $.02...I suspect I'll probably get flamed for some of my comments, but oh well. Good luck and safe flying to all...

Later,
KingAirKiddo

 

[bobbysamd]

KingAirKiddo

Excellent post.

 

[bobbysamd]

KingAirKiddo

Check your private messages.

 

[Simon Says]

You must be a dorky pilot if you respond to this thread............and Since 1926 I bet you are itching to wear a nomax flight suit with fire retardent gloves while flying your 172. I fly with your types all the time and want to shove my foot so far up there a$$es that they could tie my shoe with there tounge.

Later days, and I hope you dont apply to Mesaba.

 

[jball2]

AUBURN!!!

I am not about to flame anyone. I want to put a plug in for my alma matter, though. Most people think of Auburn as a big Football school in the South. It is, but it also has a great aviation program that prepares you for the contingency the flying jobs are gone or your health deteriorates etc. The nice thing about AU is that it offers the full COLLEGE EXPERIENCE. You can utilize their flight school or go down the road like I did. You can major in avitaon or education or physics or mechanical engineering or pretty much anything you want. They have internships with many airlines and most grads find employment easily after graduation.

For guys, the best part is GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!

I know that sounds shallow but what are you looking for in your late teens and early 20's. Auburn was 51% Women when I graduated in 97 which equated to about 13000 women.

Auburn does have the flight team folks who sleep in their raybans and leather coats at night but they got some pretty down to earth folks in the aviation department as well.

I did my flying at a part 61 flight school as opposed to the University's just because I had always flown that way and the flight school owner treated us very well.

By my senior year I had 1700 hrs and 300 multi and thanks to an Auburn professor's connections, I landed a great job at ACA. After 5 years, with no regrets, at ACA, I am going to Southwest. I could not have done this without the connections I made at Auburn.

I am not trying to brag about myself in any way but I figured It was a good example of an Auburn success story that is one of many.

Everyone needs to find the place to fit their mold. I work with pilots from all over the country and can say everyone has got something to say about everyone and every place. Only you can visit the schools yourself and make YOUR decision.

Good Luck!

 

[Simon Says]

Thanks jball2,

Now thats a good post about a positive experience at an aviation school.

 

[jaybird]

jball,
i envy you. what i would give to go back and have a real college experience with women. oh well, at least spring break is right around the corner and it looks like i'll be here for that.

 

[Goffer]

The best?

I am very lucky to have an older brother to help me along the path to a carrier in aviation. He is an FO for an Air Whiskey 328 in Chicago, and he went to the same school I am going to. Its a great school, with good pilots/friends. Most important thing of all outstanding flight instructors, the majority of which where trained at the school. The school is a community college with an aviation program, relatively low costs. The one drawback I've run across is the school's location, Douglas, AZ. The jewel of southeast Arizona.
Oh yeah, the name of the school is Cochise College.
A good flight school is one that doesn't rob you blind, gives you what you've earner, and provides the necessary tools to help you achieve your goals.

 

[Jboss]

Hello all

Just want to interject here, partly in an effort to dissuade folks just starting out from making a big mistake. Please do not assume that a career in aviation must start at one of these "aviation universities". Don't limit yourself like that. Not that they are bad....just consider your BEST option when choosing a college (cause we all need that college degree, not just to "get a job" but for the education). ERAU, UND, etc. are good schools, no doubt, but they are not the end all be all of aviation education. Don't let talk of their "connections" convince you. I went to one of the top twenty colleges in the nation, got a degree in English Lit, and got the same internship that ERAU, UND, etc. advertise. Most of the other interns (the ones from the programs) are good folks and seem to be good pilots, but there was the occasional clown among them. There were some awful attitudes, too. Some of these people really believe that the company owes them something because they went throught "the program". Some believe they were given a shot at an airline job with 600 hours because attending one of these aviation universities has crafted them into above average pilots. Some find out the hard way that there are no gaurantees; that it all really comes down to hard work and dedications, not a school's "connections".

I did all my training part 61. Spent probably less that 1/4 what one might shell out at ERAU. And here I am. And I went to a great school, got a great education, and had the time of my life. There is, after all, life outside of aviation. Hell, I look foreward to my time off if you can believe it. Lots of good fishing in this part of the country. Don't let aviation rule your life. It's still a job, even if it is tons of fun. Think about going to college for the sake of GOING TO COLLEGE. Your career can wait, I promise.

And for the record, I've met a few of those flight team jockeys. I'd rather take a dump on my own forehead than hang out with some of those clowns.

 

[bobbysamd]

Cochise College

Cochise College in Arizona has had a flight program for many years and has a good reputation. Douglas, Arizona, isn't exactly the garden spot, though.

 

[73GDog]

Auburn is the place! They offer majors in just about every field, business, veterinary medicine, engineering, pharmacy etc. etc.. Girls are plentiful and for the most part very easy on the eyes. Great sports teams and parties. More CEO's of Fortune 500 companies than any other southern school except I believe Duke. R.O.T.C. program is top notch for those interested in the military path. Auburn is a good place to get a well rounded education and experience what college life is all about. Dont forget to visit the War Eagle Supper Club if you ever visit.

 

[Flightjock30]

Many Delta Airlines pilots graduated from Auburn. I talked to a Delta 757 copilot that was an Auburn grad and highly recommended the program. You will get a more well-rounded college experience there than a Riddle, UND, but then again those are good flying colleges and give you the resources for success in this competitive industry. My brother got hired by American Airlines at age 25 without any internships and a degree from a state college in New York. He was a private pilot since his senior year of high school and flew on weekends his first two years of college. Then during the last two summers of college he went full time to flight schools down south and came out with all his ratings to start of his senior year of college plus about 75 hrs multi. From there he instructed part time his senior year and graduated with around 600TT/100 multi. Upon graduation he went to Arizona to instruct at Accelerated Flight Crew Training, where he previously earned his Commercial Multi and MEI ratings. This school had all twin engine Apaches so he was logging all multi time. In 6 months he was up to 1300TT/800 multi and got hired on with Comair at 22 1/2. 3 years there and then got on with American at 25 1/2. The key is to work your butt off during your college years and a few years after and youll be seeing success by age 30 in whatever realm of aviation you want to embark on. Good luck wherever you go!

 

[bobbysamd]

More food for thought

Good post. Interesting points, but it also helps a little if the airlines are in hiring mode, as we saw during the latter part of the '90s. If there is no hiring, everyone is mired in the muck while the clock ticks. Some people try for years to get that airline job and never get hired. It helps to have luck on your side, too. Without luck, you could be Class Member Number 1 at Top Gun at Nellis and still not get hired.

They say that all things cometh to he who waiteth . . while he worketh like he11 while he waiteth. Sometimes.

 

[AWACoff]

I hate to break it the kids still attending ERAU who think they are the "greatesth"...but ERAU isn't the center of the universe and no, the sun does not revolve around you. I'm sure there are a lot of levelheaded people at ERAU but the majority of the ERAU people on this board are arrogant, egotistical, and obtuse. I went to Parks College of Saint Louis University. It's a small school. The people on our flight team were total prima donnas...not necassarily the best pilots by any means. Just the ones that kiss butt the most. Private schools are also not that expensive once you figure in grants and scholarships. I paid my own way and graduated with less than 25k in loans. The only in state school for me (Wisconsin) was Winona State and I wasn't impressed with the school so I chose to attend out of state. Even with my non-ERAU education, I managed to land a job at Great Lakes shortly after graduation (with low flight time). I spent my time there and moved onto a more stable (pre 9/11) carrier (AWAC...which is essentially a bunch Lakers anyways). Interships are a great thing that Embry-Riddle has. Lots of schools have internships. Many offer guaranteed interviews. But a guaranteed interview is a bit different than an interview they have chosen to give to an applicant. They are interviewing you because they have to...not because they "want" you. The only way to get a job is to know how to sell yourself. Going to parties, socializing, "getting laid", etc. helps you to grow as a person. You become a more rounded person I believe which will help you sell yourself at an interview. Of course this could all be a lack of braincells due to indulging in alcohol and the fairer sex when I should have been playing with my E6B. DOH!
Just my $1.50 and a ham san'wich

 

[73GDog]

The only way to get a job is to know how to sell yourself. Going to parties, socializing, "getting laid", etc. helps you to grow as a person. You become a more rounded person I believe which will help you sell yourself at an interview. Of course this could all be a lack of braincells due to indulging in alcohol and the fairer sex when I should have been playing with my E6B. DOH!
Just my $1.50 and a ham san'wich [/B]

AWACoff is obviously a smart man. May be you should have been a high school/college guidance counselor!

 

[Slug]

USAFA

USAFA ---whooooo pep rally