Entering flight school and taking a degree prog. Soem questions.

[Eff]

Hi all, I will be entering a US flight school and taking a aviation related degree at a uni (probably ERAU hopefully)

I have a few quetions regarding flight school and degrees.
Would it be more expensive and slower to take the flight course offered by the uni together with the degree program?(ERAU for example)

Would it be cheaper and faster, if i took just a degree at ERAU and signed up at a ATP flight school, and took both seperately?
Could I get credits to the degree as well by taking the flight program seperately?

Also another thing is, I hope to fly at one of the national carriers back home, unfortunately, there are only 2 which operates the 777/747 and the A320. How would I go about getting the rating for the aircraft after i get a MEI cert?

[Mike Lewis]

When I was at ERAU 15 years ago (sidenote: has it really been that long ago?) they had a program called Aeronautical Studies, which was all of the Aero Science course work without the flying. What a LOT of people were doing was getting the Aero Studies degree and flying at the local FBO for much cheaper, and when they graduated, they had a Riddle degree and their ratings, but for substantially less. When I graduated, they were phasing that program out, but then I heard from someone at the school that it was back.

I'd say get your degree somewhere and fly on the side. It's much more expensive to do it through ERAU, if cost is a major consideration.

Go to ERAU because you want to go to school there. An ERAU degree is really no different than any other degree.

Check out the ERAU forum, as this has been a topic of discussion there repeatedly.

[SharkFisher]

I agree with Mike. Airlines do not care whether you have an aviation degree or not. But if you have a very strong interest in pursuing an aviation related degree and you have the money to pay for it go for it there is no question about that! That's actaully what I initially thought, but of course I couldn't afford it. To Share a little bit of my story, I am a liberal arts major and I am hoping to graduate with a bachelors degree aside from a pilots license such as, hopefully a CFI rating. Good luck!

[AFdude411]

[ QUOTE ]
When I was at ERAU 15 years ago (sidenote: has it really been that long ago?) they had a program called Aeronautical Studies, which was all of the Aero Science course work without the flying. What a LOT of people were doing was getting the Aero Studies degree and flying at the local FBO for much cheaper, and when they graduated, they had a Riddle degree and their ratings, but for substantially less. When I graduated, they were phasing that program out, but then I heard from someone at the school that it was back.

I'd say get your degree somewhere and fly on the side. It's much more expensive to do it through ERAU, if cost is a major consideration.

Go to ERAU because you want to go to school there. An ERAU degree is really no different than any other degree.

Check out the ERAU forum, as this has been a topic of discussion there repeatedly.

[/ QUOTE ]



I just graduated from ERAU 2 weeks ago. That degree program you speak of is now called Professional Aeronautics. It's offered on the main campuses, extended campuses, and distance learning courses. It's pretty much the Aeronautical Science degree w/out the flying portion. As for myself, while i was enrolled at ERAU I knocked out the PPL and Inst. at a local FBO. Now I'll be off to ATP in early November for their 90 day program.

I hope that helps.

[Eff]

Hi again, thanks for all your replies. Its given me some insight on how I should plan my route.

Another question, where would be a good place to gain a A320 type rating/and or build turbine time? Are there flight centres which let you build those sort of time/ratings?

Also, how would the certificate route be?

PPL > CPL/IR/MEI > CFI > ATP?

is it something like this?

Also, what are all the different parts, part 61, 121 and 135? Could someone enligten me what those are?

[Doug Taylor]

[ QUOTE ]
Another question, where would be a good place to gain a A320 type rating/and or build turbine time?

[/ QUOTE ]

America West, maybe? They've got A319's and A320's, the training is free and they even pay ya!

[ QUOTE ]
Are there flight centres which let you build those sort of time/ratings?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure, but I wouldn't reccommend wasting the money on such if you're targeting working in the US. I don't know what the market is like in Europe, but a type rating without significant experience in the aircraft doesn't mean jack unless they specifically require you to have one to apply.

[Eff]

Hi thanks for your reply, I'm not in Europe but Asia. I dream of flying for Silkair but they operate A320s. Could you recommend a most practical, cost effective route to this?

[Eff]

Ok, at this point after looking through lots of threads and post. As well as browing through other aviation related forums, my dream seems pretty far away, if not impossible to get.

On top of getting the full ratings required
PPL
CPL/IR/MEII
ATPL
(thats all the required ones right?)

I still have to get A320 type rating, as well as building the hours? How would you build hours on a A320 or for that matter, any turbine craft?

One of the requirements for a S/O is something like this

An ICAO Airline Transport Pilot's License (ATPL) (obtained without exemptions) or ICAO Commercial Pilot's License (CPL) (obtained without exemptions) with passes in all ATPL ground examinations
A Valid Multi-Engine Instrument Rating
A minimum of 1000 hours fixed wing (preference will be given to applicants with turbine or multi-engine experience)



Any idea how I could obtain that?

[Doug Taylor]

I'm really unaware of any information about Singapore whatsoever. Silk Air may be targeting former Singapore military pilots for recruitment? They might have a 'cadet style' program, but I wouldn't know where to start with that.

[iiabiag9]

[ QUOTE ]


I have a few quetions regarding flight school and degrees.
Would it be more expensive and slower to take the flight course offered by the uni together with the degree program?(ERAU for example)

Would it be cheaper and faster, if i took just a degree at ERAU and signed up at a ATP flight school, and took both seperately?
Could I get credits to the degree as well by taking the flight program seperately?

Also another thing is, I hope to fly at one of the national carriers back home, unfortunately, there are only 2 which operates the 777/747 and the A320. How would I go about getting the rating for the aircraft after i get a MEI cert?

[/ QUOTE ]


As far as getting a degree and flying, I would get a degree in a non-aviation field, just in case anything doesn't go according to plan. Also, it doesn't matter wether it's from ERAU or not. As Mike said, a degree at ERAU in aviation is the pretty much the same as far as an airline is concerned than if you were to get a different degree.

I think it is nice to go at your own pace with the flying, perhaps take your time a little and let everything soak in. I am working on a Geography degree at a public university at a fraction of the cost of a school like ERAU, and doing my flying at the local FBO (laboring away at my CFI). So far, so good. Whatever you decide, best of luck, and never give up.

With wanting to fly a specific a/c, I wouldn't worry too much about that. A 767 captain once told me "don't put all of your eggs in one basket, make it easier on yourself" (I only wanted to fly a 777. Don't really care anymore, as long its a jet!

[Maximillian_Jenius]

[ QUOTE ]

Would it be cheaper and faster, if i took just a degree at ERAU and signed up at a ATP flight school, and took both seperately?


[/ QUOTE ]

Thats what I'm doing...only going to UVSC!

I'd think that Asian airlines prolly being state owned have there own cadet/ab inito training program.
Prolly located here in the states...

-Matthew

[Eff]

Yup most do, but there are direct entry programs as well.
I'm pretty confused as what to do, and what route to take, but i'll sort it out, thanks for all your responses!

if anyone could look me up on AIM, I would like to discuss more about this, my screenname is Effeeavo

[Doug Taylor]

If you want to work for Silk Air, it might be worthwhile to just call and see if they offer any cadet programs since you live in Singapore.