I love this...
Im a current UND Student, Both my parents are in the aviation industry, I've went the FBO path, Flew our own SR22 / DA42, heck, i've even towed gliders for a glider club, flew grandcaravans in Africa, and now i'm at a collage.
here's my 100% truthful rant.
DO NOT COME TO UND unless you have a job lined up for you once you graduate (and that's NOT 99% of you out there) Sure, the aircraft here are in pretty good shape, and it's no ma and pa operation, but there is a LOT of BS that comes along with that.
Flight training here is EXPENSIVE
Flight training here is in-personal (141 TCOs)
Lots of dumb UND regulations...
The list goes on...
And when the average student graduates... they'll be stuck in the UND Bubble.
GPS everything, FOLLOW THE PINK LINE!! (i was asked why i flew my x-country leg with VORs and not with the GPS... :dunno: [i was on a victor airway])
Glass everything, no idea how to do ILSs on the 6pack (especially true now that all steam warriors have been phased out, and all we have left are 6p are Semis and arrows... which is due to be phased out soon from what i hear)
$100,000+ in debt:cwm27:
Why am i here?
Well because my parents wants me to get a 4 year degree before i go into this industry of long hours and crappy pay, and being the lazy pile that i am, what's easier then getting a BS (no, not the science kind...)degree like commercial aviation or Flight ed!?!
Tuition and flying is being paid for as part of my dad's pension.
If it wasn't for that, you wouldn't find me dead here in this frozen wasteland...
Reasons to go to a local collage/university + flying on the side?
Sure, it might cost roughly the same, but at lease you'll have a useful degree!
Wont be trapped in the UND Bubble
Can take the flying step by step instead be being pushed thru (money wise and skill wise)