Aviation College

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Carlos Cabrera

New Member
Hello, I'm new here my name is Carlos Cabrera. I have been a truck Driver for the past 4 years but I would like to go to University for Aviation. I have my Private license and fly cessna 172 mostly. I have a question, I would like to study something technical and work in the airport. I would like to work outside airport fixing lights and technical things. where do I start and which schools are good for career like that thanks.
 
What state are you in?
I'd start by checking out the local in-state colleges first.
Maybe even start at a Community college and then transfer to a four-year institution if they have a transfer program.
Also try to avoid any loans.
 
Where are you?

Where do you want to be? Freight, Military, Charter, Corporate, Airline...?
 
Airfield maintenance personnel typically don't have college educations at our airport - more likely experience in a trade (electrical work, plumbing, etc. etc.).
 
I live in New Jersey. I have consider becoming Commercial Pilot but I am only PPL and I do not have University Degree. At the moment I enjoy flying for pleasure. How to qulify for a position like this FAA Airway Transportation Specialist? Is this similar to becoming Engineer?
 
Carlos Cabrera said:
Hello, I'm new here my name is Carlos Cabrera. I have been a truck Driver for the past 4 years but I would like to go to University for Aviation. I have my Private license and fly cessna 172 mostly. I have a question, I would like to study something technical and work in the airport. I would like to work outside airport fixing lights and technical things. where do I start and which schools are good for career like that thanks.
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Hello, there are a few county colleges in NJ that offer a degree in aviation such as Bergen Community College and Mercer County Community College. The only 4 year school that offers a degree in aviation is Thomas Edison State College. There are several schools on Long Island and in NYC that offer aviation degrees such as Farmingdale State College (my alma mater), Dowling College, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, and CUNY York College. If you want to become an aircraft mechanic the Teterboro School of Aeronautics at TEB in North Jersey offers an A&P certificate. Hopes that helps!
 
ktsai91 said:
Hello, there are a few county colleges in NJ that offer a degree in aviation such as Bergen Community College and Mercer County Community College. The only 4 year school that offers a degree in aviation is Thomas Edison State College. There are several schools on Long Island and in NYC that offer aviation degrees such as Farmingdale State College (my alma mater), Dowling College, Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, and CUNY York College. If you want to become an aircraft mechanic the Teterboro School of Aeronautics at TEB in North Jersey offers an A&P certificate. Hopes that helps!
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Thanks very Much. I did look look into Thomas Edison but it's for people who have experience. Bergen only has management. I am not totally interested in Aircraft Mechanic but would like something like Aeronautics Engineer where I work with systems or Navigation equipment. I believe community college first because I have been away academic study for so long. Do you have any experience with Vaughn College in Queens, NY?
 
I never went to Vaughn College but have visited the campus years ago. It is a very small campus with a dorm, an academic building, and I think they now have a separate library. It is right next to LGA. This is just my opinion, but I think Vaughn have good academic programs and they know plenty of aviation employers in the NYC area and on Long Island.

If you want a college experience, I think Rutgers is good, although I never been to Rutgers. They have Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering programs.

By the way, I live in NJ too but went to and graduated from Farmingdale State College on Long Island and they have Pro-Pilot and Aviation Administration majors in the Aviation Department. I was an Aviation Administration major so if you have any questions about the aviation program at Farmingdale, particularly the Admin program, or just the college in general, I will do my best to answer your questions.

Hope this helps!
 
Carlos Cabrera said:
Hello, I'm new here my name is Carlos Cabrera. I have been a truck Driver for the past 4 years but I would like to go to University for Aviation. I have my Private license and fly cessna 172 mostly. I have a question, I would like to study something technical and work in the airport. I would like to work outside airport fixing lights and technical things. where do I start and which schools are good for career like that thanks.
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I am studying aerospace engineering (sometimes interchangeable with Aeronautical engineering). I am also a commercial pilot. I got my Aviation degree first at Southern Illinois University and then went to IIT to finish up Aerospace. I want clarification if you mean you are thinking about studying Aeronautical engineering. If so, i can definitely tell you all the course work to expect and potential jobs after you graduate.

Edit: I have also heard about an Aeronautical science degree. But don't know too much about it. With that degree you are eligible for R-ATP at 1000 hours if i am not mistaken.
 
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drupilot54 said:
I am studying aerospace engineering (sometimes interchangeable with Aeronautical engineering). I am also a commercial pilot. I got my Aviation degree first at Southern Illinois University and then went to IIT to finish up Aerospace. I want clarification if you mean you are thinking about studying Aeronautical engineering. If so, i can definitely tell you all the course work to expect and potential jobs after you graduate.

Edit: I have also heard about an Aeronautical science degree. But don't know too much about it. With that degree you are eligible for R-ATP at 1000 hours if i am not mistaken.
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Would this career field require Engineering Degree? https://www.faa.gov/jobs/career_fields/aviation_careers/ At the moment I only have PPL, but will continue to fly and possible become Commercial pilot or FAA Technician. I would just like to specialize in aviaiton.
 
Carlos Cabrera said:
Would this career field require Engineering Degree? https://www.faa.gov/jobs/career_fields/aviation_careers/ At the moment I only have PPL, but will continue to fly and possible become Commercial pilot or FAA Technician. I would just like to specialize in aviaiton.
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Might want to narrow that down, as aviation is chock full of specialties from navigational aid testing to interior reupholstery. The industry needs pilots, as I'm sure you're aware. ATC definitely does not require an engineering degree.
 
@Carlos Cabrera I am a bit more confused now because you just sent a link for ATC. Maybe i made it confusing for you so i will clarify:

Aerospace/Aeronauical engineering - 4 year program typically, has nothing to do with flying an airplane but you will be able to work for companies like Lockheed, Boeing, SpaceX etc. designing airplane components.

Aeronautical science - http://www.fit.edu/programs/7103/bs-aeronautical-science#.ViqSpH6rTIU From that website, it says one can choose either a flight (flying) or a non flight major (ATC or others listed).

Hope this helps. PM me if you need anymore help.
 
https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/atp/media/Institutional_Authority_List.pdf

Make sure to verify with this list. @drupilot54 brought up a great reason to get an aviation degree for the rATP minimums... if you choose to fly the in the 121 world. If you want to be a 121 pilot, then definitely go to a school that has approval from the FAA. At this point, schools that don't have rATP minimums for their students aren't very good. Don't get yourself into a school's flight program that could be falling apart drastically.

It will also tell you the degrees that allow for the rATP minimums and you could get them reduced by 500 hours. The school you attend will have a course schedule list of the classes you must take and the amount of credits you need to qualify for the rATP.... but at least you know what programs are eligible.
 
I meant to say in the link is the Airway Transportation Systems Specialists or Electronics Technician. For this job, I assume an engineering degree is needed? Which profession has better prospects, Airline Pilot or Aeronautical Technician? I enjoy flying, but I would also enjoy working with the FAA.
 
Carlos Cabrera said:
I meant to say in the link is the Airway Transportation Systems Specialists or Electronics Technician. For this job, I assume an engineering degree is needed? Which profession has better prospects, Airline Pilot or Aeronautical Technician? I enjoy flying, but I would also enjoy working with the FAA.
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Are you asking which has more potential for job placement? If so, aviation is a huge broad area and it really depends on what you wanna do. You can be an instructor, airline pilot, cargo pilot, private, crop duster, etc.... But as it looks, pilots are needed. The industry could change but I have no idea about technicians or FAA jobs.

If you want to know what qualifications you need, you should look around for those jobs online. Look at the minimum and preferred qualifications. Don't just assume. I've browsed on SpaceX positions and saw "no aviation technology/science degrees" on many job requirements ...so I knew I was an automatic disqualification.
 
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