I’ve got three questions I’m hoping you all can help us with.
Background:
My son is a sophomore in high school and will be getting his private this summer when he turns 17. (This is at a very small part 61school at our local FBO.) He wants to be a professional pilot – probably for the airlines, but he is keeping an open mind. Right now, it appears that collegiate aviation is best for him, so we are exploring that option in more depth. I’ve been reading the forums here and realize that some people don’t think collegiate aviation is the way to go right now, but if I understand correctly, it is because of the necessity of a quality non-aviation backup degree. We think he can accomplish this either through a program like the Professional Pilot program at the University of Illinois which is combined with a non-aviation major, or by doing a double major or double degree.
Question 1:
I was wondering what colleges have a reputation for having a program that trains outstanding pilots. I’ve got a long list of colleges that have flight programs and I want to narrow it down. I know other things will go into the decision, but this question is about the quality of the flight program. I know they all train to FAA standards, but some have got to be better run than others, and there may be other aspects of the program that give advantages.
Question 2:
Which colleges with flight programs do you think have the best overall non-aviation academic reputation?
Question 3:
We have visited Illinois and liked what we saw (although we are looking around for other options.) Because of the way the Illinois curriculum is FAA approved, the Commercial and Instrument is combined, so if my son went there it wouldn’t work well if he got his Instrument first. We have also been told that freshman coming in with both their Instrument and Commercial are often not successful. Do you have advice about what he should be doing with his flight time during the next two and half years if not pursuing his Instrument and/or Commercial, that would give him quality experience and build excellence?
Background:
My son is a sophomore in high school and will be getting his private this summer when he turns 17. (This is at a very small part 61school at our local FBO.) He wants to be a professional pilot – probably for the airlines, but he is keeping an open mind. Right now, it appears that collegiate aviation is best for him, so we are exploring that option in more depth. I’ve been reading the forums here and realize that some people don’t think collegiate aviation is the way to go right now, but if I understand correctly, it is because of the necessity of a quality non-aviation backup degree. We think he can accomplish this either through a program like the Professional Pilot program at the University of Illinois which is combined with a non-aviation major, or by doing a double major or double degree.
Question 1:
I was wondering what colleges have a reputation for having a program that trains outstanding pilots. I’ve got a long list of colleges that have flight programs and I want to narrow it down. I know other things will go into the decision, but this question is about the quality of the flight program. I know they all train to FAA standards, but some have got to be better run than others, and there may be other aspects of the program that give advantages.
Question 2:
Which colleges with flight programs do you think have the best overall non-aviation academic reputation?
Question 3:
We have visited Illinois and liked what we saw (although we are looking around for other options.) Because of the way the Illinois curriculum is FAA approved, the Commercial and Instrument is combined, so if my son went there it wouldn’t work well if he got his Instrument first. We have also been told that freshman coming in with both their Instrument and Commercial are often not successful. Do you have advice about what he should be doing with his flight time during the next two and half years if not pursuing his Instrument and/or Commercial, that would give him quality experience and build excellence?