Pro's cons of ASU/MESA program

Maximilian_Jenius

Maximilian_Jenius

Super User
Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Anyone know the pro's cons of the ASU/MESA program.

I know next to nothing about that program only that there located at ASU East and fly out of IWA.

What kind of aircraft do they use? Is there fleet pretty modern ie newer aircraft. Do there aircraft have GPS and DME.

How is the program laid out. What are the requirements to be accepted to the program. Is it easy to be accepted to the program or is it competetive?

Is the program cheaper then other programs such as ERAU. How does the program compare to other programs such as ERAU and other 141 programs?

Are the instructors well versed and knowledgeable? How are the CFI's are they friendly. Do they have a general method of instructing students that is across the board or do they teach according to how each student learns.

When are classes typically in the morning or afternoon or evening or do they vary? Can you take classes/fly in the summer? How are the hourly rates for flying in the ASU program?

Are they competetive or do they jack them way up cause they know that you can only get college credit for flying using there planes?

Is the program cliche, are the people (peers) in there all arrogant pilots: ie I have this many hours and I fly this and I'm a better pilot then you any day of the week, or OMG it took you that f__king long to get that I completed that rating in X hours.

Lastly...I have my PPL will I get credit for that and the flying that I have already done towards my IR? If I don't get cedit for the flying that I have completed toward my IR thats cool cause don't have to many hours put in yet. But don't want to have to take my PPL over again.


Matthew
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Excellent well thought out questions Matt, I'll try to be as frank and honest as I can.
[ QUOTE ]
Anyone know the pro's cons of the ASU/MESA program.

[/ QUOTE ]pros:
-excellent training
-knowledgeable professors (all are pilots: ret AF general, 2 AF colonels, army helo, retired airline, etc...)
-well maintained aircraft (so I'm told)
-good instructors
-small program (about 120 total students at the begining of the year and 80 after)
-KIWA is about the coolest airport one could train out of in AZ. Not many people get the opportunity to taxi out behind an F/A-18 or T-38 in a warrior or bonanza!
-affiliation with Mesa
cons:
-more expensive than an FBO
-required aviation degree, not a good back-up
-some people may argue that you are not "paying your dues."
-You're supporting MAG, which many argue is lessening the pilot profession with lower pay, poor work rules, etc...
-afffiliation with Mesa
[ QUOTE ]
What kind of aircraft do they use? Is there fleet pretty modern ie newer aircraft. Do there aircraft have GPS and DME.

[/ QUOTE ]We have 9 PA-28-161 warriors, 2-4 B A-36 Bonanzas (these we're constantly exchanging with FMN), and a B-58 Baron when needed (also FMN). 5 of the warriors are new III's with the garmin 430, the others are all mid 80's warrior II's. The bonanzas are between 5 and 20 years old, most dont have GPS, but all have RMI, HSI, DME. For pictures search airliners.net under IWA and ASU.
[ QUOTE ]
How is the program laid out. What are the requirements to be accepted to the program. Is it easy to be accepted to the program or is it competetive?

[/ QUOTE ]The ASU part is 4 years, the flying is supposed to take no longer than 2.5 years.
Application Process
Eligibility
[ QUOTE ]
Is the program cheaper then other programs such as ERAU. How does the program compare to other programs such as ERAU and other 141 programs?

[/ QUOTE ] Don't know if it's cheaper or not.
costs

Never been a student at ERAU or UND so my ability to compare would be limited. I can't imagine that riddle or UND could be any more/less difficult though. Accreditation
[ QUOTE ]
Are the instructors well versed and knowledgeable? How are the CFI's are they friendly. Do they have a general method of instructing students that is across the board or do they teach according to how each student learns.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm not an instructor so I can't comment on teaching styles. The instructors here are a mix of program graduates and "career instructors" with 2000 hrs. Yes, the CFI's are friendly (for the most part). The check instructors can be a different story, but they're not supposed to be your friend anyway. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

The bottom line is that your instructor is going to want to see you suceed. They will not hold your hand and it is your responsibility to study, be prepared, and address any problems/deficiency you might be having.
[ QUOTE ]
When are classes typically in the morning or afternoon or evening or do they vary? Can you take classes/fly in the summer?

[/ QUOTE ]Classes are at all times of the day and because the program is so small most classes only have one time meaning there's not a lot of scheduling flexibility. Summer school is availiable and you are required to fly during the summer. You are required to fly at least 8 times a week and technically you arent supposed to leave ASU for more than a month but I doubt they (the higher ups) would notice.
[ QUOTE ]
Are they competetive or do they jack them way up cause they know that you can only get college credit for flying using there planes?

[/ QUOTE ] The warriors are a good deal, not sure about the 36 & 58 though. You dont get "college credit" for flying. Obviously if you're working on a certificate under 141 training getting 61 training somewhere else isn't going to count towards getting the certificate under 141 training.
[ QUOTE ]
Is the program cliche, are the people (peers) in there all arrogant pilots: ie I have this many hours and I fly this and I'm a better pilot then you any day of the week, or OMG it took you that f__king long to get that I completed that rating in X hours.

[/ QUOTE ] The only people that are arrogant are the freshman. The arrogant people are the first to go usually. As people progress farther into the program they'll get to know their place. Overall the student base is composed of a great bunch of people and provides for an encouraging environment.
[ QUOTE ]
Lastly...I have my PPL will I get credit for that and the flying that I have already done towards my IR? If I don't get cedit for the flying that I have completed toward my IR thats cool cause don't have to many hours put in yet. But don't want to have to take my PPL over again.

[/ QUOTE ] There are three stagechecks during the private pilot syllabus. Private pilots are required to pass all three of these tests before they can begin commercial training. They wont take anything more than private so training on your IR will not count.

phew...

Hope I got most of your questions answered!
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Thanks for answering "MissedAppro" I had thought to e-mail my questions to you but wanted to see what the whole group might have heard about the ASU/PACE program.

Thanks for your many answers. I did leave out one question though I attended a 141 program with the University of Cincinnati in combinations with Sporties.

There were always tons of scheduling problems. Is this a factor at ASU? Cause if I'm scheduled to fly at 1pm I would like my plane on the ground and fueled and ready to go. Not hear oh so & so has your plane they left late.

That happened so frequently there it was annoying there were many days I couldn't fly cause they cut so deep into my time that I had to either leave for work or to my next class.

I'd like to seriously consider the ASU program but also thinking about attending the ERAU extend campus program here locally and flying out of a FBO we will see what I decide it all depends on time and money. I'd like to be done with all my stuff reall soon.

Please intorduce yourself to me at NetworkJC if I should happen to not see you I'd enjoy the chance to talk to you in person. I'd look for you in person there but I figure thatyou don't look like Will Ferrel. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif


Matthew
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

[ QUOTE ]
There were always tons of scheduling problems. Is this a factor at ASU? Cause if I'm scheduled to fly at 1pm I would like my plane on the ground and fueled and ready to go. Not hear oh so & so has your plane they left late.

That happened so frequently there it was annoying there were many days I couldn't fly cause they cut so deep into my time that I had to either leave for work or to my next class.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well next year all the freshman will be flying 600-900 in the mornings. Scheduling wont be a problem for the freshman as we have about 3 more warriors than we need right now. If someone delays your flight for longer than 15 minutes for whatever reason they will be fined and will recieve a letter of reprimand. The only scheduling problem that you might have is in waking up early enough, but I can assure you that the trains do run on time!
[ QUOTE ]
I'd like to seriously consider the ASU program but also thinking about attending the ERAU extend campus program here locally and flying out of a FBO we will see what I decide it all depends on time and money. I'd like to be done with all my stuff reall soon.

[/ QUOTE ] Best thing to do is to keep your options open and to continue researching.
[ QUOTE ]
I'd look for you in person there but I figure thatyou don't look like Will Ferrel.

[/ QUOTE ]I fixed my avatar to more closely resemble my appearance, I'd say its spot on. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Well...not trying ta hit ona dude but always found Mr. Dynamite to be attractive guess I'm just odd.

My friends said I have a nerd fetish. Not sayin that your nerd or anything.

If you should really look like him lets hope that you have better glasses...hehehe /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/insane.gif

Thanks fer answering my many questions.


Matthew
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Someone told me before, this goes for both locations, that while you are in the program, mesa will use everything you have done during your education and training during the interview. This is good and bad. The bad is: no-shows, bad grades,...stuff like this may haunt you during your interview.
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

[ QUOTE ]
Someone told me before, this goes for both locations, that while you are in the program, mesa will use everything you have done during your education and training during the interview. This is good and bad. The bad is: no-shows, bad grades,...stuff like this may haunt you during your interview.

[/ QUOTE ]You can recieve a "letter of reprimand" that will go with you to your interview for any of the following reasons:

-Being 15+ minutes late to a flight/ground/briefing
-bringing a plane in 15+ minutes late (never really inforced unless someone else has the plane)
-No show
-Missing a class (141 ground schools) not enforced if its made up
-Dress Code
-Preparation (expired chart, AFD)
-Profane language

They're really more of a scare tactic than anything. I know people that have been hired with 15+ letters before. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Is the dress code similar to ERAU's? Just that they don't want you wearing shorts or skirts during training?
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Hello Cristl,

A nice young lady wearing a skirt or shorts during flight training wouldn't be conducive to good instruction or flight safety (eyes outside, please!) unless the manly flight instructor is very, very disciplined! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Happy Landings,

JR
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

[ QUOTE ]
Is the dress code similar to ERAU's? Just that they don't want you wearing shorts or skirts during training?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know......you know, professional airline training school and all. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

[ QUOTE ]
Is the dress code similar to ERAU's? Just that they don't want you wearing shorts or skirts during training?

[/ QUOTE ] No skirts of course (for the reason marinenav mentioned /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ). Slacks when its less than 95F, shorts when its above, worn with the white or blue uniform polo.

Yeah, it gets old after a while, but at least we dont have to wear little airline pilot uniforms like some schools! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

MikeD,

How am I supposed to know that a flight training program affiliated with Mesa Pilot Development would call for a dress code?! Yeah, see, I study things like that all the time...And I suppose the degree to which I just think it's silly to enforce such a policy is reflected in my ignorance of how widespread this phenomenon is! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I can understand dress requirements for safety reasons when training, maybe something like no 5" heels lol...but geez they're down to colors and everything! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Yeah yeah yeah, I suppose if you're training kids to be airline pilots, especially representative of your company and through your program, you may want to introduce them to such a structure early on before they get out there in FO land!

BUT I STILL THINK IT'S SILLY!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

I think we just couldn't wear shorts at ERAU. Which kind of made sense after a while, I guess.
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Hello MJ (is that tag OK?),

Obviously, I've never met Alicia Keys (or Beyonce), but I dig on her personna and, of course, her music. At first her talking voice surprised me, but now I know why many guys dug Lauren Bacall in her day! I kind of miss my youth, when there was (or seemed to be) much more R&B and Soul on the air waves. Speaking of music, don't you hate it when artists release or perform music that you dig that's not on their albums? I recently came across some material from Alicia, BSB and others that I never heard before. I came across it on the net by accident That's the kind of thing that's going to keep P2P (KaaZaa, LimeWire, etc.) going!

Regards,

JR
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

I actually kinda like it when they do that. As long as it's not done in a "get yours, dollar dollar bill ya'll" way. If it's on a compliation CD, a lot of times it'll open you up to similar artists that you didn't know existed before. Dream Theater used to release Xmas CDs to their fan club that had like acoustic versions of their songs and cover songs. Not sure if they still do that, though.
 
Re: Pro\'s cons of ASU/MESA program

Hello Kell,

...or I can always wait for the box set to come out in 20 years!

JR
 
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