Headed to UND

B

belleauwoodsman

New Member
I'm set on going to UND this next year for Commercial Aviation. I've already talked quite a bit with the school and received a lot of information, but there were a few extra things I was wondering about.

First, I've got my Private already, but I really would like to have the redundancy of going through UND's flight program as well (GI Bill is paying the bills so money isn't an issue). Do they normally require you to go through the exact same courses and flight lessons that they would require of a student with zero hours? If so, that's no problem, I can't complain when it's free! I'd just like to know for planning purposes.

If I do need to go through those courses, would you adivse that I take them during the summer and get it knocked out early?

Lastly, what is the availability usually like for UND's aircraft? I know they've got a big fleet, but there's a lot of students too.

If you're UND Alumni or current student I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks!
 
belleauwoodsman said:
I'm set on going to UND this next year for Commercial Aviation. I've already talked quite a bit with the school and received a lot of information, but there were a few extra things I was wondering about.

First, I've got my Private already, but I really would like to have the redundancy of going through UND's flight program as well (GI Bill is paying the bills so money isn't an issue). Do they normally require you to go through the exact same courses and flight lessons that they would require of a student with zero hours? If so, that's no problem, I can't complain when it's free! I'd just like to know for planning purposes.

If I do need to go through those courses, would you adivse that I take them during the summer and get it knocked out early?

Lastly, what is the availability usually like for UND's aircraft? I know they've got a big fleet, but there's a lot of students too.

If you're UND Alumni or current student I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Congrats on making the decision. You have chosen wisely :D

Anyway, to answer your questions....

1. Since you already have your PPL, you will be place in what we call AVIT 112. Its an abbreviated course that consists of 7 lessons going over everything that a PPL should know. Your 7th lesson is like retaking your PPL checkride. Along with those 7 lessons, you are placed in AVIT 102 ground school. This is the private pilot ground school, and you will be in this all semester.

I too came in with my PPL this semester. I finished 112 a month ago and am now just have to focus on passing the ground school tests.

2. You will most likely never have a problem scheduling a plane because flight students are put on a schedule system. Either the student will have a permanent launch Monday, Wednesday, Friday or they will have Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. In 112, you have no permanent launch, so you have to schedule on your own, but I never had an issue with getting a plane.

If you have any other questions at all, feel free to PM me.
 
To piggyback on what the last guy said...

1. I did the same thing and took Avit 112 when I entered UND. I previously recieved my PPL at another 141 college on the East Coast. Mind you I did this in 03-04 so things may have changed but when I did took it was something like 12 lessons. What you should know is that UND is very high speed and makes you memorize checklists and between the 20 something practice areas, complex departure and arrival procedures (for VFR) and everything else it will probably take you more than 7 lessons. I don't say this with angst or bitterness, just letting you know it won't be 7 lessons of "oh okay, your good" checking boxes and such. UND has verrry specific ways it wants you to do something. To the point where its handholding sometimes...

Also I went to a Part 141 Ground School (as stated above) so I didn't have to go through Avit 102... don't know if that holds true today though.

The scheduling is good but like anywhere... not perfect. I know they're flying Cessnas now too. When I was there it was all Warrior for Avit 102, 221, and 222. They do have solid blocks MWF, TRS, which helps quite a bit but the key to be successful is to fly as much as reasonably possible. This will help at the end of the semester when your running out of time to finish a course. Most of the scheduling problems we had were with the Seminole, Glass Warrior, Cirrus, and Arrow. This was because there just wasn't nearly as many planes.

Either way it feels good to talk about this, its been quite a while. Good Luck to you and stay warm! :beer:
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
The scheduling is good but like anywhere... not perfect. I know they're flying Cessnas now too. When I was there it was all Warrior for Avit 102, 221, and 222. They do have solid blocks MWF, TRS, which helps quite a bit but the key to be successful is to fly as much as reasonably possible. This will help at the end of the semester when your running out of time to finish a course. Most of the scheduling problems we had were with the Seminole, Glass Warrior, Cirrus, and Arrow. This was because there just wasn't nearly as many planes.
Click to expand...

I can not agree with you more. This is the key to being successful here at this college. When the weather "turns south", it turns very quickly. Even if you are not scheduled, call up the airport, ask to fly. They will find you a plane and a CFI usually with no issues.

I'll also agree with the above that their is alot to learn regarding UND's Policies and Procedures. We do have specific departure routes, but those are easy. "Climb runway heading to 2500', then turn 30 degrees away from the airport continuing a climb to 3500'. So not that difficult. We do have arrival routes, but once you fly these a few times, you get them down pat. Ya know, its college, gotta study lol:rawk:
 
middies10 said:
I'll also agree with the above that their is alot to learn regarding UND's Policies and Procedures. We do have specific departure routes, but those are easy. "Climb runway heading to 2500', then turn 30 degrees away from the airport continuing a climb to 3500'. So not that difficult. We do have arrival routes, but once you fly these a few times, you get them down pat. Ya know, its college, gotta study lol:rawk:
Click to expand...

I'm a Socal pilot so it can't possibly be worse than the airports down there. They write down tail numbers around a lot of the airports if you don't follow the recommended procedures, then the school gets half a dozen nasty phone calls later in the day.
 
They've pretty much covered it all...

If the GI bill is covering flights, then i'd go crazy and just fly XCs all day, everyday... d=

oh, don't worry about any of the ground school classes... they're a joke until CFI/II, I hear.
 
belleauwoodsman said:
I'm a Socal pilot so it can't possibly be worse than the airports down there. They write down tail numbers around a lot of the airports if you don't follow the recommended procedures, then the school gets half a dozen nasty phone calls later in the day.
Click to expand...

Your location says St. Paul, but are you really from Socal? Are you sure you're ready for the ND winters and lack of culture and stuff to do in Grand Forks? If you're questioning moving there at all, really think seriously about what you're doing. Otherwise, have fun flying and pay attention in class. :)

I'd probably recommend doing the Avit 102 test course in the summer. You should very easily be able to get the flights done in time for the start of the Fall semester. And the flight (ground school) courses at UND aren't that bad. They can be boring at times, but that's common at any college. Just pay attention and you'll be good to go.
 
juxtapilot said:
Your location says St. Paul, but are you really from Socal? Are you sure you're ready for the ND winters and lack of culture and stuff to do in Grand Forks? If you're questioning moving there at all, really think seriously about what you're doing. Otherwise, have fun flying and pay attention in class. :)

I'd probably recommend doing the Avit 102 test course in the summer. You should very easily be able to get the flights done in time for the start of the Fall semester. And the flight (ground school) courses at UND aren't that bad. They can be boring at times, but that's common at any college. Just pay attention and you'll be good to go.
Click to expand...

Born and raised Minnesotan my friend, and I'm as thick-blooded as any North Dakotan. I'm just stationed in Socal, and that's where I got my private as well.

Yeah, I'm going to push really hard to get started this next summer, so I hope that works out.
 
belleauwoodsman said:
Born and raised Minnesotan my friend, and I'm as thick-blooded as any North Dakotan. I'm just stationed in Socal, and that's where I got my private as well.

Yeah, I'm going to push really hard to get started this next summer, so I hope that works out.
Click to expand...

All I will say to chime in on this, is say that Minnesota is a much more diverse fun state then No Dak. Be sure you are willing to move to an ugly town where the only recreation is drinking. If I had the GI Bill Daytona would sound much more interesting to me personally. Just my opinion though from bad experiences at UND that led to me leaving
 
Thunder-Robo said:
If the GI bill is covering flights, then i'd go crazy and just fly XCs all day, everyday... d=
Click to expand...
I have had a 102 student who was retired air force and he wanted to do the same thing. Anything outside of the training course outline is not covered under the GI bill.
 
challenger said:
Be sure you are willing to move to an ugly town where the only recreation is drinking. If I had the GI Bill Daytona would sound much more interesting to me personally.
Click to expand...

Really?!? You're honestly telling me that Daytona is a better place to live than Grand Forks? I've looked and have yet to find a truly "bad side of town" in Grand Forks.
 
belleauwoodsman said:
I'm a Socal pilot so it can't possibly be worse than the airports down there. They write down tail numbers around a lot of the airports if you don't follow the recommended procedures, then the school gets half a dozen nasty phone calls later in the day.
Click to expand...

Really? Where are they doing that and what did you do to piss somebody off so much?

FAYEV said:
Really?!? You're honestly telling me that Daytona is a better place to live than Grand Forks? I've looked and have yet to find a truly "bad side of town" in Grand Forks.
Click to expand...

The bad side is on the upwind side of anywhere the snow is drifting.
 
FAYEV said:
Really?!? You're honestly telling me that Daytona is a better place to live than Grand Forks? I've looked and have yet to find a truly "bad side of town" in Grand Forks.
Click to expand...

I like beaches and good weather better then cold ass weather and UGLY drab city. Luckily since I left I only have to deal with the cold weather, much more to do around here and it has proven to be much easier to get a job to my suprise
 
challenger said:
I like beaches and good weather better then cold ass weather and UGLY drab city. Luckily since I left I only have to deal with the cold weather, much more to do around here and it has proven to be much easier to get a job to my suprise
Click to expand...

You know what surprises me? The fact that you left out "whining" for your interests in your profile. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top