questions about the COLLEGE

C

chrisrhee

New Member
hi

first, can i get private pilot certificate, intrument rating, and commercial certificate if i major in aircraft pilot?

i saw some kind of book that had all the majors for University of Oklahoma

so i looked at aircraft pilot part, and it said something about private pilot certificate, intrument rating, and commercial certificate, but i can't remember what it really meant

second, do airlines care about what college i graduated (do you get any advantages after graduating a good college), or do they only care about the bachelor's degree

if yes, what are some good colleges for future pilots

please reply,
thank you
 
[ QUOTE ]

so i looked at aircraft pilot part, and it said something about private pilot certificate, intrument rating, and commercial certificate, but i can't remember what it really meant

[/ QUOTE ]

http://jetcareers.com/ratings.htm

[ QUOTE ]
second, do airlines care about what college i graduated (do you get any advantages after graduating a good college), or do they only care about the bachelor's degree

[/ QUOTE ]

The short answer is that the airlines really don't care as long as you have a bachelors degree.


[ QUOTE ]
if yes, what are some good colleges for future pilots


[/ QUOTE ]

Any accredited university.
 
I would suggest that you major in something else other than aviation in case aviation dosen't work out. Then after college you can learn to fly. If you are really bent on going to an aviation college here is a list of aviation colleges searchable by state.

Aviation Colleges Searchable By State

There is also a book called the Collegiate Aviation Guide put out by the University Aviation Association, you can by this book at any bookstore for around $30. The airlines don't care where you went to college, they don't even care what degree you have, just as long as you have one.
 
I agree with the other posts that considering a degree outside of aviation would be wise. If you decide to go that route, one thing that you can do is try and do some ratings on your summers off. Go ahead and do your private the summer before your Freshman year of college... it'll be something to talk about when meeting new people, and it'll give you a hobby that'll get you off campus. Then, between your Freshmen and sophomore years, go and get your instrument rating... or instrument and commercial, whatever you choose. This will eliminate having to wait four years to get all of your ratings, and it'll give you plenty of time to think if aviation's right for you-- all while not interfering with your classes.
 
Check out the current issue of Private Pilot magazine (June 2004). They have a small article on Aviation Colleges and Universities.
 
Getting a degree outside of aviation is a smart idea. With that being said, for many of us who eat, sleep and breathe aviation, that is really not an option. I'm in Professional Flight Technology at Purdue University. Purdue is truly a top notch place. If you're going to get a degree in aviation, I would advise you to check Purdue out. Also, one thing that cannot be understated is that Purdue and some other universities do have partnerships with airlines, allowing lower flight times to interview, etc.
 
I think Roswell hit it right on the nose. I'm not going to be biased towards any particular university - at least not in this post
smile.gif
- but it comes down to motivation and desire.

If you're bent on becoming an airline pilot, a degree in aviation might be a wise choice because:

a) you're motivated to excel in school, and
b) you will study aircraft, the industry, etc for the sole purpose of flying professional - something that is severely lacking at the local FBO.

Also, as was previously stated, GET ANOTHER DEGREE. I plan on pursuing another degree besides a BS in Aviation Technology. Who knows what it will end up being, but I plan on having a backup.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
 
"With that being said, for many of us who eat, sleep and breathe aviation"

Believe me, I eat, sleep, and breathe aviation. I also have a life outside it now that I didn't have when I was young. If you have other interests outside of flying, it would be wise to not major in aviation. You can involve yourself in aviation to a high level without having a degree in aviation.

Also, the advice to get two degrees leaves me scratching my head. I'm all for education but this is a very competitive business. One needs to get the four year degree and then get out into the job market and build time. If a second degree will interrupt this process, I think it's a bad idea.

The comment about aviation universities having internships is well taken. It's an advantage but, in the overall scheme of things, I still don't advise going that route unless you have NO other interests worth pursuing.
 
Also, the advice to get two degrees leaves me scratching my head. I'm all for education but this is a very competitive business. One needs to get the four year degree and then get out into the job market and build time. If a second degree will interrupt this process, I think it's a bad idea.
___________________________________________________
Not necessarily. I agree that it would be a bad idea if it hampers the entry into the aviation job market. BUT, I plan on dual majoring that way, with I few extra classes I can add an additional degree while also having fun with aviation in college. I can really afford to do this though because when I graduate high school, I will already have enough college credits to enter college as a sophomore.
 
Dual majoring isn't a bad idea and generally won't cost you too much extra time. In fact, if you're willing to go to school year-round, taking courses in the summer, you might be able to hammer out a dual major in the same 4 years.

While I may be attacked for this comment given the alumni that frequent this board, I would be slightly hesitant about Embry-Riddle. Not because of quality, but because of options. If you go to a traditional college or university and decide aviation isn't for you, then you can easily change majors into something of greater interest to you. With maybe a couple of exceptions, you wouldn't have that opportunity at Riddle and would have to transfer schools, leave friends, etc.

Somewhere like Purdue, SIU-Carbondale, Parks at Saint Louis University, or my alma mater Central Missouri State University (among many others) will give you good aviation programs but also offer many alternatives if you change your mind down the road.
 
[ QUOTE ]
While I may be attacked for this comment given the alumni that frequent this board,

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think you'll get attacked. I would say a good chunk of ERAU alumni leave there pretty jaded about the whole thing. I, for one, wish I had never heard of the place. Going there was the biggest mistake I've made thus far in my career. These loans are killing me.
 
[ QUOTE ]
If you go to a traditional college or university and decide aviation isn't for you, then you can easily change majors into something of greater interest to you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can attest to this fact, though mine wasn't aviation, it was engineering. I recieved a hefty scholarship to go to Michigan Tech, however besides being in the middle of nowhere, if i decided i didn't like engineering i was SOL. My mom convinced me to not go to a predominantly engineering school, and i ended up here at University of Michigan (which has a killer engineering school) but also has a million other programs. Which was a good thing because after about two years i decided that engineering wasn't for me and have since switched my major. Due to the classes i took (plus i'm going all summer too) I am actually graduating early in 3.5 years instead of 4. It is possible to change majors at the end of your soph. year and still graduate on time
smile.gif


also, the last thing i wanted to add was don't be afraid to change your major either. It's scary (i know, i did it) but if you're not happy doing what you are currently in, you're not going to like doing it for 4 years (and no, it won't get easier/better, it'll just get worse cause you'll hate it more). While the work isn't any easier in my new major, it is much more interesting to me and i have an easier time doing it and making myself study...which i should be doing now seeing as i have a final tomorrow and a bunch next week...oops
tongue.gif
 
How come nobody has suggested a degree in General Studies. I think it is a great major, you get a variety in classes, and I guarantee you a much more well rounded individual once graduated.
grin.gif
 
Really, you should major in whatever makes you the happiest. The ultimate goal for you should be to do well in whatever area of study you choose. If you feel that you can do the best in an aviation program- go for it. That being said however, if you have other interests outside of aviation that college can expound upon-- then by all means, study that subject. Personally, I have a degree in Political Theory... a degree that in most other career fields would be deemed useless- yet in aviation, it looks good on my resume. Really, how many careers other than aviation give you the freedom to study whatever you want in college?
 
Major in what you will finish. I started out as a theatre major since that's what I did all through HS. Hated it in college, but I loved science and animals. Oh, I'll switch to Vet Med! Bad idea. Classes weren't bad, but competition to get into Vet school is more intense than Med school. That depressing fact led to me leaving school. Fast forward about 7 years, and I'm actually (get ready for it) MISSING school. I longed for the days of learning and cramming for tests. Well, I've always loved airplanes, and I was in flight training. I started looking at ERAU since it was pretty much right next door. Now I'm doing the distance learning thing, I actually DO they homework (unlike before when I just drank until I passed out and rolled into class the next day), and I'm passing the classes. Should be done by the end of next year. Luckily I was able to test out with some CLEP tests (highly recommended) and all of my prior credits transferred.
 
Ya know...I hear all this "major in something else besides aviation so you have something to fall back on" stuff around here a lot. Why does it HAVE to be OUTSIDE aviation??

I'm double majoring in Aviation Flight Science (the flying degree) and Aviation Administration and Management. If I'm not flying I still want to be in aviation.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top