Visited ERAU Prescott Last Week

T

tripleseven

Well-Known Member
I cant believe I forgot to mention that I went on a tour last week for my birthday (9/11). My family and I flew out to Phoenix and then drove up to Prescott on the 10th for the tour. All I have to say is, amazing. The campus looked so small but when we went through it there were labs, after labs, rooms, and construction going on. They are almost finished building a new building to hold offices and the new Meteorology department.

I saw all of the flight simulators they had which was so cool. Also the guy giving the tour said that they were getting rid of the 727 sims and airbus is donating an A320 sim which will be ready next year!

After the tour we had a meeting with the admisions counselor and he said I was competitive enough that I should have no problem being accepted. Now, Im really focused on finishing the rest of my GE at the community college I go to and transfering to ERAU. I was just so impressed by what they had to offer. I dont think I could ever find anything similar here in California.
 
Ive considered UND but for me its too far. Also, I dont think I could handle the cold. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I did fine last week when it was 108 in Phoenix.
 
Glad that you had a good experience here.

[ QUOTE ]
I saw all of the flight simulators they had which was so cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, they are pretty cool. But, do you see yourself sitting in one for a good bit of your primary flight training? They're pretty fun to play with, but keep in mind that you cannot log total flight time while training in them. ERAU pilots going through the new Part 142 program are coming out with less total time than their competition. Sure, you'll save good money, but that's not the only thing that counts.

Before you start here, have a look at the other aviation programs...not just Aeronautical Science. Have a good look at Aeronautical Studies and Professional Aeronautics. They're both 4-year degrees, and you can get your ratings on the side (will cost you much less). Check out North-Aire and Skyschool if you're interested in that.

I'm admittedly a bit biased, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Talk to as many Aeronautical Science students/grads as you can, and form your opinions there.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Before you start here, have a look at the other aviation programs...not just Aeronautical Science. Have a good look at Aeronautical Studies and Professional Aeronautics. They're both 4-year degrees, and you can get your ratings on the side (will cost you much less). Check out North-Aire and Skyschool if you're interested in that.



[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, do lots of research and consider what it would cost overall to do your ratings on the side. On the way to my overnight I was talking to a new hire in the van who went to ERAU Prescott. (I attended ERAU CCE at a nearby Navy base, transferred CC credits and did my ratings on my own.) She told me if she had to do it all over again, she wouldn't. She liked my route better in retrosoect. The costs didn't outweigh what she felt she got out of the program. After graduating she still flight instructed for a while to get her 1,000.Being in debt while doing that and now being a $18K first year F/O with high student loans was not worth it.

Food for thought.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ive considered UND but for me its too far. Also, I dont think I could handle the cold. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I did fine last week when it was 108 in Phoenix.

[/ QUOTE ]
I would never trade California or any nice state for ND.
 
[ QUOTE ]
After graduating she still flight instructed for a while to get her 1,000.Being in debt while doing that and now being a $18K first year F/O with high student loans was not worth it.


[/ QUOTE ]

That quote is absolutely something to consider. Take a few days to really consider before making any major decisions. A fellow CFI went to ERAU (Prescott) and we both have the same exact ratings on our FAA pilot and flight instructor certs., but I have less debt. That may not mean much now, but when you're supporting yourself it will. Unless your lady is supporting you....then go for it...hahaha

Good luck man

Surf
 
[ QUOTE ]
A fellow CFI went to ERAU (Prescott) and we both have the same exact ratings on our FAA pilot and flight instructor certs., but I have less debt. That may not mean much now, but when you're supporting yourself it will. Unless your lady is supporting you....then go for it...hahaha

Good luck man

Surf

[/ QUOTE ]

No lady supporting me yet. LOL. My parents are still "helping" me out.

But that is something I have considered, the cost. I have considered the other degree programs at ERAU too. Especially, Meteorology and Global Security and Intel. Studies. Here are some questions though: Would minoring in flight cut costs or just doing it somewhere else be cheaper? Would I still be able to participate in the flight related internships and clubs if I wasnt an Aero Sci major? Finally, since I have done a lot of my GE at a community college, wouldnt the cost of an Aero Sci degree be cheaper?

One again, thank you all for your advice and replies. It really helps.
 
If I could do it over, I wouldn't even consider an aviation degree. I'd get a degree in Business Administration or Finance. Just consider what life would be like if you weren't able to fly... and think about some things you could do to possibly prepare for that. I know, it's hard. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Ive considered UND but for me its too far. Also, I dont think I could handle the cold. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I did fine last week when it was 108 in Phoenix.

[/ QUOTE ]
I would never trade California or any nice state for ND.

[/ QUOTE ]
Sure, why not? It's for a purpose. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I visited both campuses and the prescott campus's academic buildings reminded me of a summer camp. Then if you go to Daytona, everything looks real high-tech.

I liked both but i picked Daytona because it was a little closer to home.
 
There are also live webcams. The weather isn't looking too good there.
 
Funny you should metion that...

"If I could do it over, I wouldn't even consider an aviation degree."

I'm exactly the same. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't go to ERAU and I wouldn't get an aviation degree. Education, counseling, or youth ministry would have been a better way for me to go.

But...here's the big question. When did we both figure it out? You're much younger than me and I'm curious when you came to that conclusion. I bet for both of us, when we were in our late teens we couldn't see past the aviation degree.

Why is that? How much does your aviation degree help you with your day to day life as a pilot?

For me, I'm gonna say not at all....but that's just me. I could have/did learn what I needed to know from my flight training/experiences and the airline ground schools I've attended.

I know your internship gave your career a big boost. Could you have gotten that without your aviation degree?
 
Re: Funny you should metion that...

That why I'm in aviation management. You get all your ratings up to commercial with IA and MEA and the you get a buisiness degree in management along with it. I'm also planning on getting my instructor ratings too and doing the CRJ sim, which is probly a waist of money but its something I want to do. Heck Im only 19 and I see the problem with only having a degree in aviation. But there are also other jobs that dont require a specific degree either. I mean at most retail stores you can work your way up to a store manager with out a degree in buisiness. That's at Office Max anyway, if you get a chance to work there pass on that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Tom
 
Re: Funny you should metion that...

If you go to a JC or community college, and get your ppl-commercial or even CFI, and then decided to go to ERAU as a major would you have to retake everything through ppl again? ERAU is comming to SO cal on Oct 17th well there admissions Director guy Mr. Jake Houston I beieve, I have RSVP'ed for the event.
 
Re: Funny you should metion that...

For me, I realized I should have picked a different degree program in my senior year of college. I would have gone with Personal Finance, Business Administration, or Business and Technical Communications. I just see myself doing one of those career fields before working in Aviation Human Factors research.

Up to this point, I've actually found myself utilizing information from my degree program quite often, but strictly for personal benefit. Understanding procedures, applying CRM, etc. I hope in the future here at ExpressJet to work in the Human Factors department to better develop the CRM and Human Centered Automation Training programs.

For day to day operations, my degree hasn't helped much... but it's helped a bit I imagine. Just understanding WHY we do certain things.

I also should say that there is really no doubt that my degree program had some bearing in being selected for my internship.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top