Hi I am going to start going to college soon and I was wondering if it’s better to go to an expensive flying college and have all my ratings when I get out or go to a cheap college then do flight training after at atp or something
Flight school in college or after?
- Thread starter Jubjub86
- Start date
RingLaserGyroSandwich
Pre-takeoff checklist
The answer probably depends on a multitude of factors. For example, are you trying to become an airline pilot? How are you planning to finance your way to ATP?
I’m getting a non-aviation related degree and doing my ratings on the side.
jordane93
Touchdown! Greaser!
You can do your ratings concurrently while getting your degree in something else besides aviation. I got a BA in economics at an inexpensive state school and flew on the side while going to school.
By all means learn to fly while you're in college, if you can afford it, but don't waste your money doing it at an expensive aviation college.
Ravioli
Ejection Handle Pulled
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
- Messages
- 8,022
- Location
- Somewhere else
- Display Name
Display name:
Unwanted Guest - Perma-ban Pending
Unless that school is Ohio State or Perdue. Then you're solid. Don't bother with ERU.
Personally never been a huge fan of schools like ERAU, especially if you don’t even have your PPL yet. I have seen way too many people starting their PPL journey ready to go all the way through to the airlines and not make it. Please don’t commit that hard.
Also, you can go to a much cheaper school and easily have the same money to get ratings as if you went to ERAU. Best of luck!
Also, you can go to a much cheaper school and easily have the same money to get ratings as if you went to ERAU. Best of luck!
old_biker
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2019
- Messages
- 126
- Display Name
Display name:
old_biker
However multiple degrees make decisions harder. When you enjoy multiple fields, and jump around your whole life. I may be building car engine 1 week, doing body work doing panel replacement the next, welding projects, maybe doing Floral arrangements on the side, repair or modifying someone Harley, and just was asked to help open a shop and be chief mechanic fixing Harleys, I declined, plus I am a butcher, and merchandiser. Whatever it takes. Lol
Ravioli
Ejection Handle Pulled
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
- Messages
- 8,022
- Location
- Somewhere else
- Display Name
Display name:
Unwanted Guest - Perma-ban Pending
Please list the degrees needed for each of those lines of work, if any.
old_biker
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2019
- Messages
- 126
- Display Name
Display name:
old_biker
yes I do have degrees, 19 in total, how about you? I worked hard in my youth, & only stopped going to college when guns were no longer allowed in class, due to govt blackmailing colleges to withhold funding if didn't ban guns, & yes I am 100% serious.
I have auto-mechanics, auto-body, welding, I even have one in antique Harley restoration, plus worked in a "club" shop for over a decade of my youth, floral design, as for being a butcher & merchandiser, on job training. so yes I can back it up, not a flunky.
19 degrees? You mean certificates? (Half serious)
But really though, are they actually degrees or certifications? I’m pretty sure you can’t get a college degree in floral design, being a butcher and antique Harley restoration. Not to mention that a degree isn’t even required to work as an auto mechanic even though various trade schools offer it. An ASE certificate is really all you need.
Nonetheless, kudos to you for all of your hard work.
Last edited:
Ravioli
Ejection Handle Pulled
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2014
- Messages
- 8,022
- Location
- Somewhere else
- Display Name
Display name:
Unwanted Guest - Perma-ban Pending
I have one degree. Maybe I'm a flunky.
Well, I also have a Private Pilot Certificate. Is that a degree in your view?
I'm not diminishing the skill, knowledge, or commitment that go into working trades. I'm just plain saying it isn't what the Major Airlines are looking for.
And I won't bother with math problem on 19.
old_biker
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2019
- Messages
- 126
- Display Name
Display name:
old_biker
Thanks, & yes was crazy hard work.
yes many of my 19 are certificates, some were only 6-9 months, but my 2 year business management, 2 Year auto-mechanic, Welding & Auto-body were diplomas, I took programs in metal work, machining, some were night classes, as well as was full time student for many years. I even took 2 night classes at College while I was still in High School, I am not a pilot, when I do become one I wont consider it a certificate, I look at it more like a License & a privilege
sourdough44
En-Route
$$$ is usually an issue. Do what you can afford, try not to borrow to much. Maybe be extra nice to Mom & Dad, they don’t need no fancy vehicles.
The faster track is to do it all at once.
The faster track is to do it all at once.
Jeff Oslick
Final Approach
My philosophy on raising kids: Get them hooked on aviation, they'll never have money for drugs.
old_biker
Pre-takeoff checklist
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2019
- Messages
- 126
- Display Name
Display name:
old_biker
If I had it to do all over again, I would skip all the screwing around and substance use during my college years in favor of spending that time flight training.
I think.
I just drank, but teachers fussed at me saying i could do so much better, but I stayed on Deans list almost whole time, but I do regret being drunk nearly everyday in class. Unsure if I would have pursued flying at that age, all I wanted to do was street race. I paid for majority of my college street racing, I quit it over 20 years ago. But in my youth I would cancel a date just to work on car to make sure I was in top shape for the race.