ERAU: The other reason to go to school there.

[mission_aviation]

I've read many topics and many folks that do nothing but complain about the ERAU. But I actually have some good things to say about the school. First off, I don't attend Prescott or Daytona campuses. I'm worldwide out of Phoenix, Sky Harbor. I have a military background and I'm using G.I. Bill to pay for the academics. I'm currently going for an MAS in Aeronuatical Science. Let me be the first to say that if it weren't for ERAU, I wouldn't have been able to network and promote myself into full-time employment. Long story short, my classmate was one of the assistant deputy director's of Sky Harbor. He turned me on into getting the airport side of aviation. I was skeptical at first, but soon realized how amazing the job really as well as the airport side of aviation. So when I interviewed for the job, I just so happen to be interviewed by the Ops Manager and Training supervisor (also an ERAU instructor) that were both ERAU alumni.

If you would have asked me two months ago where I wanted to go in aviation, I would have to you airlines all the way (I, like most of you have the flying bug also). But now, I think I have a real bright future on the airport side. I wouldn't advocate going for flight training at ERAU, because you're right, its very expensive. But I would recommend at least going for academics. By the way, worldwide tuition is cheaper than the campuses. If flying is your passion, then go the 61 route at and FBO near any ERAU worldwide campus. Yes I'm still going to flight train, but 61 all the way. I'll be making enough of an income to support my family as well as my flight needs.

So moral to the story: I recommend ERAU academics, not flight training. ERAU is an aviation school that is taught by aviation professionals who are either working in, or has worked in the industry. There are plenty of networking opportunities among fellow students and/or faculty and staff no matter the campus. Your questions, comments, or concerns.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by mission_aviation

So moral to the story: I recommend ERAU academics, not flight training. ERAU is an aviation school that is taught by aviation professionals who are either working in, or has worked in the industry. There are plenty of networking opportunities among fellow students and/or faculty and staff no matter the campus. Your questions, comments, or concerns.

ERAUs academics has always been their strongpoint. Lots of experienced people from many different backgrounds there. Flightline was not so much, mostly new CFIs. And tuition continues to not be worth it to me. But I very much enjoyed the academic portion of the school.

[falconvalley]

Most of the complaining I've noticed comes from people who have actually attended Daytona Beach or Prescott. I did ERAU online and loved it. It was a little pricey, but a lot less expensive than attending in person and taking flying lessons through them. I also used my GI Bill and had my tuition reimbursed.

[KSCessnaDriver]

I'd agree. I generally think that the academic classes I'm in currently, and have taken in the past, are very good classes. Pricey classes, but they are very interesting and in some ways, unique. I may complain a bit about ERAU, but its primarily aimed at the flight department, not the academic side of the school

[Kestrel452]

Embry Riddle is a first tier school, I will give it that much. As for the attitudes of the people who go there, that's a whole different story.

[rjmore]

I think a lot of the Riddle attitude is urban legend. I know lots of alumni that don't have it, myself included. The industry is full of Riddle alums and lots in high places but unless you ask them you'd never know it. The tools, however, always make themselves known.

[mission_aviation]

Originally Posted by rjmore

I think a lot of the Riddle attitude is urban legend. I know lots of alumni that don't have it, myself included. The industry is full of Riddle alums and lots in high places but unless you ask them you'd never know it. The tools, however, always make themselves known.

Excellent point. I've heard its the pilots that have trained at ERAU are the tools and make it known to everyone. Whats that about?

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by mission_aviation

Excellent point. I've heard its the pilots that have trained at ERAU are the tools and make it known to everyone. Whats that about?

For many it's a shared experience, and many go through the program so they like to find out if they shared instructors. Others feel they paid so much they want to broadcast it like it is a status symbol. A few of us like to share stories of steep turns in the old m-20j's at 24" 25. For many, school was a simplier time and it's fun to talk to people about it and share memories.

Made a lot of good friends, some who've become like family from riddle.

A lot of people have disdain for the school, which I understand, it's a sort of working man's superiority complex because riddle is for a buncha rich kids. When I went there I was on scholorship and tuition was less than in state u mass amherst. Flying was 60 bucks an hour for a brand new 172 with gps and we bitched when it jumped up to 67.50. Had time in a 1900 sim, my first 121 gig, and a silly rj course, and now I'm being downgraded to the -900 so I suppose I'll use some of that crap.

Riddle now is different from Riddle years ago. Of course I've said that a million times.

[Roger, Roger]

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

Riddle now is different from Riddle years ago. Of course I've said that a million times.

My extremely unscientific observation is that the same thing has become true of many university flight programs in the last 5-10 years.

[mission_aviation]

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

For many it's a shared experience, and many go through the program so they like to find out if they shared instructors. Others feel they paid so much they want to broadcast it like it is a status symbol. A few of us like to share stories of steep turns in the old m-20j's at 24" 25. For many, school was a simplier time and it's fun to talk to people about it and share memories.

Made a lot of good friends, some who've become like family from riddle.

A lot of people have disdain for the school, which I understand, it's a sort of working man's superiority complex because riddle is for a buncha rich kids. When I went there I was on scholorship and tuition was less than in state u mass amherst. Flying was 60 bucks an hour for a brand new 172 with gps and we bitched when it jumped up to 67.50. Had time in a 1900 sim, my first 121 gig, and a silly rj course, and now I'm being downgraded to the -900 so I suppose I'll use some of that crap.

Riddle now is different from Riddle years ago. Of course I've said that a million times.

Perhaps theres alot of folks that feel because they invest in so much money at Riddle, that they feel obligated to be employed. As much as I would have loved to go to one of their campuses, I glad I didn't. But I'm very satisfied with the campus I'm at. I hoping I get to teach there so day.

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by mission_aviation

Perhaps theres alot of folks that feel because they invest in so much money at Riddle, that they feel obligated to be employed. As much as I would have loved to go to one of their campuses, I glad I didn't. But I'm very satisfied with the campus I'm at. I hoping I get to teach there so day.

I've seen my share of folks who are entitled in this industry. I haven't seen more from Riddle or UND than from FBO land. Bitches and Bitchers from all backgrounds.

[at1024]

I go to ERAU worldwide and I think it's great. Since all of the classes are scheduled in the evenings, most of the instructors currently work in the industry and have detailed knowledge of what is going on TODAY, not 10 years ago.

[Mily]

Great thread, mission aviation. I completely agree. I don't understand why people think that the two main campuses are their only options. Embry Riddle Worldwide and online ALL THE WAY!!

[KSCessnaDriver]

Originally Posted by Mily

Great thread, mission aviation. I completely agree. I don't understand why people think that the two main campuses are their only options. Embry Riddle Worldwide and online ALL THE WAY!!

You mean its not worth paying whatever we currently pay to watch the occasional CRJ blast out of DAB?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by KSCessnaDriver

You mean its not worth paying whatever we currently pay to watch the occasional CRJ blast out of DAB?

Back in Doug and I's day, it was paying what we paid to watch the Golden Pacific C-402 or later, the Mesa Airlines C-208 Caravan blast out of PRC....

[KSCessnaDriver]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Back in Doug and I's day, it was paying what we paid to watch the Golden Pacific C-402 or later, the Mesa Airlines C-208 Caravan blast out of PRC....

I saw a Saab 2000 today. Does that count

[mission_aviation]

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

I've seen my share of folks who are entitled in this industry. I haven't seen more from Riddle or UND than from FBO land. Bitches and Bitchers from all backgrounds.

Lessons will be learned from this.

[mission_aviation]

Originally Posted by at1024

I go to ERAU worldwide and I think it's great. Since all of the classes are scheduled in the evenings, most of the instructors currently work in the industry and have detailed knowledge of what is going on TODAY, not 10 years ago.

I would suggest to start networking.

[mission_aviation]

Originally Posted by Mily

Great thread, mission aviation. I completely agree. I don't understand why people think that the two main campuses are their only options. Embry Riddle Worldwide and online ALL THE WAY!!

Glad you agree with me. I was beginning to think that there weren't any other worldwide folks with me.

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Back in Doug and I's day, it was paying what we paid to watch the Golden Pacific C-402 or later, the Mesa Airlines C-208 Caravan blast out of PRC....

You know, we literally walked to class, uphill, in the snow both ways, if you lived on campus.

Remember when people were kissing Risely's butt and getting single-engine ATPs to fly that Caravan for Mesa?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

You know, we literally walked to class, uphill, in the snow both ways, if you lived on campus.

Remember when people were kissing Risely's butt and getting single-engine ATPs to fly that Caravan for Mesa?

LOL yes! That was back when, if you were a Riddle CFI and you "made it" to Mesa as a Caravan Capt, or even better, a 1900C FO (they didn't have 1900D's yet)...you were THE MAN!

[Doug Taylor]

I still remember Risely at the DLC saying "I wish I could HARE y'all but I got rid o' my Caruh VANS"

[Mike Lewis]

I remember I got to fly shotgun on one of the Mesa Caravan flights out of Prescott. The pilot tells me I can plug my headset in and listen if I wanted to, but I explained that while I was a Riddle student, I was an engineer, and thus, no headset.

He turns to the back and asks if anyone had a headset I could borrow. About six headsets pop up, so I borrowed one.

Bet you couldn't ride shotgun any more after Sept 11.

I used to be into finding old archeological sites - mines, Indian ruins. There was a set of Indian pueblo ruins about 5-10 miles south of Prescott Valley that I was never able to find, but that day, we flew right over the top of them. I'd never find them again in a million years.

Death Pac went bankrupt before I got to fly in the 402. (Actually, I was supposed to fly them once before, but THE airplane was broken. Yes, that's right, their ONE airplane was broken, so I had to take a van. No wonder they went out of business...)

[mission_aviation]

The Riddle force is strong within everyone.

[Nomas]

I don't really get where all this riddle hate is coming from. I transferred to the Daytona campus this year and I'm having a ball. Everyone here is moving in the same direction, and quickly.

People make it out to be some factory that pumps out sub par pilots with cocky attitudes. I came here because most of the pilots i've met have come from here, and strangely enough I think some of the most respected people on this forum came from riddle.

Truth is, pilots will come from everywhere. Riddle isn't a factory just because it can handle more training than the local FBO and if you burned the place to the ground today, we would all continue our training somewhere else. Most of the people i've met here are all Engineers anyway, very helpful when you have questions on physics.

I can understand why all the old timers give us lip, your replacements can be seen massed together, very disheartening. I'm just glad you cranky old bastards aren't my CFI.

The price is too much for some, good. Less people to take my internship. Those of us who stay love it here, no one would pay 100,000 dollars if they didn't. You're paying for connections anyway, of course you'd be pissed if you didn't complete the program.