Aviation Mgmt or Comm. Aviation?

SYRFlyer · January 11th, 2006, 11:38

Hi all, I have be accepted into the Fall of 2006 class and am having a difficult time deciding between B.B.A Aviation Management and the B.S.Commercial Aviation degree types. My feeling so far is that having a solid business degree would help if flying does not work. If anyone has any opinnions on these two it would help a lot. My ultimate goal is to become a commercial or corp pilot. Thanks!

eglplt · January 11th, 2006, 12:59

Please, please, please for your own sake get the BBA in Aviation Management. The other degree isn't worth the paper it will be printed on! I went the management route back in the day and don't regret it one bit. My friends were all commercial aviation majors and made fun of me for wanting to be a business geek. Now, the tables have turned! One friend in particular, the most vocal of the group is finding out how important that degree can be. He recently lost his medical and was pulled off of active flight status with the airline he is flying for. He has no choice but to go back and get a degree in something that will net him another career. What choice did he make you ask? He is going back to get an MBA in accounting. He called me a while back and actually apologized for giving me such a hard time when I switched majors. The management degree will expose you to numerous opportunities in other fields. I have been offered numerous job interviews outside of aviation because of the degree. I still love to fly airplanes and wouldn't even consider taking a non-flying job right now, but it is a nice peace-of-mind knowing that other opportunities exist if the need arises. The business classes will make you a better student because they take your skills to another level. They are much more difficult than the aviation classes. They will teach you study skills, communication skills, and numerous other skills you didn't know you had. Good luck.

CRJDriver · January 11th, 2006, 13:23

SYRFlyer,

Are you sure you want to come to UND?

I agree with eglplt, definitely do the Aviation or Airport management degree.

SYRFlyer · January 11th, 2006, 13:42

Well, I'll know what to expect weather wise!

JaceTheAce · January 11th, 2006, 13:46

Well, I'm earning my BBA in Avit Mgt here at UND. I'd go that route IF (and that is the key) IF you are interested in business and economics.

UAL747400 · January 11th, 2006, 13:48

Dont however take aviation management just because it seems like the easy "end all way out if flying doesnt work out" thing. I was an aviation management major and found I was NOT interested in it at all. Not even a little. Not even enough to put up with it for 8 or 9 classes. Prof. Ness for accounting one didnt help that out any. I switched to commercial aviation this semester and am also going to pick up a minor in meteorology.

I know eglplt says he's been offered jobs with the degree he has, but just looking at the curriculum, it seems too general and too "introductory" to seriously compete with someone with a regular business degree more specialized in a certain area. I mean, will a company seriously consider someone to be an accountant thats only had 3 accounting classes, over someone that majored in it? When I was deciding to whether or not to switch majored, I asked lots of people their opinion on this. Then general concensus I've come up with is that with an aviation management degree you can A) fly airplanes or B) use you basic understanding in business to go back to school and take more business related courses to become more specialized in a certain area. This was not something I decided overnight and neither should you. Think about it for a long time before you decide. Luckily I had taken classes that fit both curriculums up to this point. Had I waited any longer I'd be pretty far behind.

I see no difference in a doctor studying medicine, a lawyer studying law, or a pilot studying aviation/science.

UND is a great school, oh hell its the best, but to be honest I kinda wished I would have more seriously looked into going to a regular college closer to home and recieved training at an FBO.

Bottom line of all this blabber is study something that you enjoy both while in school and actually using it.

Im not bashing the aviation management program whatsoever. If I was interested in it, I would definetly be going that route.

CaptainChris87 · January 11th, 2006, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by UND_Flyer

SYRFlyer,

Are you sure you want to come to UND?

I agree with eglplt, definitely do the Aviation or Airport management degree.

As a second semester frosh whose had numerous friends transfer, givin a lot of thoughts and other options a look into, I concur with the quote. Verbatium.

airplanerik · January 11th, 2006, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by eglplt

Please, please, please for your own sake get the BBA in Aviation Management. The other degree isn't worth the paper it will be printed on! I went the management route back in the day and don't regret it one bit. My friends were all commercial aviation majors and made fun of me for wanting to be a business geek. Now, the tables have turned! One friend in particular, the most vocal of the group is finding out how important that degree can be. He recently lost his medical and was pulled off of active flight status with the airline he is flying for. He has no choice but to go back and get a degree in something that will net him another career. What choice did he make you ask? He is going back to get an MBA in accounting. He called me a while back and actually apologized for giving me such a hard time when I switched majors. The management degree will expose you to numerous opportunities in other fields. I have been offered numerous job interviews outside of aviation because of the degree. I still love to fly airplanes and wouldn't even consider taking a non-flying job right now, but it is a nice peace-of-mind knowing that other opportunities exist if the need arises. The business classes will make you a better student because they take your skills to another level. They are much more difficult than the aviation classes. They will teach you study skills, communication skills, and numerous other skills you didn't know you had. Good luck.

I totally agree. I'm also doing Aviation Management for the very reasons listed above. I cannot believe the amount of people around here who are majoring in Commercial Aviation (ONLY Commercial Aviation!) What are they thinking?!?! Whenever the question arises in class as to what everybody is majoring in...it is like 95% of the people are doing Commercial Aviation, and there will be a couple lonesome hands up for Aviation Management. I don't get it. Don't they understand they can still fly/get all their ratings, and have the business side of the degree as a backup?? Oh well, I guess it is their loss.

JaceTheAce · January 11th, 2006, 15:12

I've noticed a big trend in students switching from Commercial Aviation to Aviation Management. Perhaps that is just my perception - only statistical information will tell.

JaceTheAce · January 11th, 2006, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Prof. Ness for accounting one didnt help that out any.

Ness was DEFINATELY difficult. That was most challenging course I have ever taken in my life. I got a B in Acct 200 and then a C in Acct 201... and that was struggling. I was interested in the course material, so that's what helped me get through it. The stocks/bonds/cost accounting in Acct 201 was dry and boring and difficult to understand however...hence the reason I got a C. The class average for the test scores was 68% in the 201 class. UND needs to seriously consider restructuring the test difficulty in the Accounting course.

SYRFlyer · January 11th, 2006, 15:55

Thanks everyone for the insight! I guess I just wanted to hear about taking the management side from some one other than my mom haha. But, I do have a big interest in business and it's what I would be majoring in if I didnt have the aviation interest as well. Now, I just wait to hear from Auburn to make my final choice =).

BZNflyer248 · January 11th, 2006, 17:03

I would agree that its deffinitly not a bad Idea to have another option education wise - good luck in your decision with majors and schools - some people may really get down on UND and are rather sour about it but really its a top notch school with excellent opportunties. Sure the weather can really bite sometimes and some sour grapes can wine all day about it not having mountains or big city attractions or arizona warmth and clear skies (i.e. I'm anxious to leave out west for some of those reasons) - BUT its a great environment to learn in, you get great airplanes with top notch maint, friendly staff etc. etc. If you work hard and are generally an easy person to work with you WILL come out of here with a lot of connections. I did - so take all the advice you can but don't be swayed by one or two opinions. Good luck!

TXaviator · January 11th, 2006, 21:38

Quote:

I cannot believe the amount of people around here who are majoring in Commercial Aviation (ONLY Commercial Aviation!) What are they thinking?!?!

well, im thinking that theres no way in hell id be happy in life if i was stuck in a business type career!! i have my backup plan elsewhere (im one of those hippy librul artsy types and have lots of experience working with graphic design, music, etc ad nauseum....enough that i can/have/and will be able to get jobs in those fields should the need arise)

having a backup plan = mandatory

having your backup plan be a business degree = only if you could see yourself doing business

airplanerik · January 11th, 2006, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXaviator

having a backup plan = mandatory

having your backup plan be a business degree = only if you could see yourself doing business

-------
It is just the people who I talk to that answer my questions (see below) that are getting themselves into a possibly bad situation...

Me: "So, what are you majoring in?"
Them: "Commercial Aviation"
Me: "Anything else?? Do you have ANY sort of plan or backup in case you lose you medical for some random reason?"
Them: "Uhh...no"
Me: "Well, what do you plan on doing if you lose an eye or something?"
Them: "I'll go live in my parents' basement and eat cookies and watch cartoons."

Chris_Ford · January 11th, 2006, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by airplanerik

Them: "I'll go live in my parents' basement and eat cookies and watch cartoons."

Gosh, you say that like it's a bad thing

It's the same way at Purdue. Don't worry, karma/the gods of irony will get those people and they'll lose their medical at 40, and they start hoping that their wife makes enough to support the fam.

SYRFlyer · January 11th, 2006, 22:43

Everything sounds good to me...I noticed with the flying part though, aviation management only goes to multi, I'm guessing you can continue on after that..

UAL747400 · January 11th, 2006, 23:45

Yes, you can continue past multi. My plan was to go all the way through the flight courses and even some of the non-flight courses like turbine engines, flight physiology, ect. because it interests me.

What would I do if flying didnt work out? God only knows. I've wanted to be an airline pilot or some kind of proffessional pilot since I was probably 4. I've never really put much thought into what else I'd want to do for a living. I like cars way to much to want to work on them for a living so thats definetly out. But meteorology has always interested me too, hence why Im getting a minor in it. If you do do commercial aviation, definetly get a minor or double major in something else.

Bignellyxx · January 12th, 2006, 15:50

Acct is definitely hard as hell. I would suggest taking Acct 1 here with Carlson and take 2 at the air base. I was the only one of my friends dumb enough to battle it out and ended up with a B & C. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the best bonus to taking business classes. The fact that there are girls, good looking ones on the east side of campus. I am currently taking a class that is in the nursing building and all i have to say is damn...i feel bad for the commercial majors that only know the two genders as male and she-pilot

JaceTheAce · January 12th, 2006, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bignellyxx

Acct is definitely hard as hell. I would suggest taking Acct 1 here with Carlson and take 2 at the air base. I was the only one of my friends dumb enough to battle it out and ended up with a B & C. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the best bonus to taking business classes. The fact that there are girls, good looking ones on the east side of campus. I am currently taking a class that is in the nursing building and all i have to say is damn...i feel bad for the commercial majors that only know the two genders as male and she-pilot

That indeed quite true.

TXaviator · January 12th, 2006, 18:47

yeah i was actually going to sign up for some gen eds this semester just to be around some girls.

even though im already done with all my gen ed classes.

CRJ700 · January 13th, 2006, 18:06

If you do aviation management do you still get the reduced hiring minimiums and stuff like that? Coming from UND I thought you would have to do commercial aviation to get all these airline reduced times. Maybe not?

eglplt · January 13th, 2006, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRJ700

If you do aviation management do you still get the reduced hiring minimiums and stuff like that? Coming from UND I thought you would have to do commercial aviation to get all these airline reduced times. Maybe not?

As long as you are an UND Alumni the reduced hiring mins apply. I was an Aviation Management major and was hired a couple of years ago with the "reduced" mins for a collegiate aviation program. Someone also asked about getting more ratings beyond comm., inst., amel/asel. You can do that as well, I went on to get cfi, cfii, and mei.

JaceTheAce · January 14th, 2006, 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by eglplt

As long as you are an UND Alumni the reduced hiring mins apply. I was an Aviation Management major and was hired a couple of years ago with the "reduced" mins for a collegiate aviation program. Someone also asked about getting more ratings beyond comm., inst., amel/asel. You can do that as well, I went on to get cfi, cfii, and mei.

Very good to point that out. The flight training is the same no matter what aviation-related major. Even engineering majors can take 102 and get their Private (I'm not sure if they can go on though all the way through?). One of my flight instructors had a mechanical engineering student who just wanted his Private.

eglplt · January 14th, 2006, 11:31

If I remember correctly, and it has been a while, there is some type of aviation minor listed in the catalog. I believe that minor will allow for you to go all the way through 325. You can always work with flight ops to continue on with more courses. There is no reason you can't design your degree coursework to suit your needs. My suggestion would be to get in touch with your advisor and have them guide you. You should have a very good relationship with your advisor in the first place.

stuckingfk · January 14th, 2006, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by eglplt

If I remember correctly, and it has been a while, there is some type of aviation minor listed in the catalog. I believe that minor will allow for you to go all the way through 325. You can always work with flight ops to continue on with more courses. There is no reason you can't design your degree coursework to suit your needs. My suggestion would be to get in touch with your advisor and have them guide you. You should have a very good relationship with your advisor in the first place.

It's a professional flight minor. To get that minor, you can't be majoring in any other aviation major (if I understand the wording correctly).

January 11th, 2006, 11:38	#1
SYRFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SYR Posts: 68	Aviation Mgmt or Comm. Aviation? Hi all, I have be accepted into the Fall of 2006 class and am having a difficult time deciding between B.B.A Aviation Management and the B.S.Commercial Aviation degree types. My feeling so far is that having a solid business degree would help if flying does not work. If anyone has any opinnions on these two it would help a lot. My ultimate goal is to become a commercial or corp pilot. Thanks!

January 11th, 2006, 13:23	#3
CRJDriver Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: CVG Posts: 1,101	SYRFlyer, Are you sure you want to come to UND? I agree with eglplt, definitely do the Aviation or Airport management degree. __________________

January 11th, 2006, 13:46	#5
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 7,624	Well, I'm earning my BBA in Avit Mgt here at UND. I'd go that route IF (and that is the key) IF you are interested in business and economics. __________________ "Time spent flying is not deducted from one's lifespan."

January 11th, 2006, 13:48	#6
UAL747400 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND (UND)/ Davenport, IA Posts: 2,204	Dont however take aviation management just because it seems like the easy "end all way out if flying doesnt work out" thing. I was an aviation management major and found I was NOT interested in it at all. Not even a little. Not even enough to put up with it for 8 or 9 classes. Prof. Ness for accounting one didnt help that out any. I switched to commercial aviation this semester and am also going to pick up a minor in meteorology. I know eglplt says he's been offered jobs with the degree he has, but just looking at the curriculum, it seems too general and too "introductory" to seriously compete with someone with a regular business degree more specialized in a certain area. I mean, will a company seriously consider someone to be an accountant thats only had 3 accounting classes, over someone that majored in it? When I was deciding to whether or not to switch majored, I asked lots of people their opinion on this. Then general concensus I've come up with is that with an aviation management degree you can A) fly airplanes or B) use you basic understanding in business to go back to school and take more business related courses to become more specialized in a certain area. This was not something I decided overnight and neither should you. Think about it for a long time before you decide. Luckily I had taken classes that fit both curriculums up to this point. Had I waited any longer I'd be pretty far behind. I see no difference in a doctor studying medicine, a lawyer studying law, or a pilot studying aviation/science. UND is a great school, oh hell its the best, but to be honest I kinda wished I would have more seriously looked into going to a regular college closer to home and recieved training at an FBO. Bottom line of all this blabber is study something that you enjoy both while in school and actually using it. Im not bashing the aviation management program whatsoever. If I was interested in it, I would definetly be going that route. __________________

January 11th, 2006, 15:12	#9
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 7,624	I've noticed a big trend in students switching from Commercial Aviation to Aviation Management. Perhaps that is just my perception - only statistical information will tell. __________________ "Time spent flying is not deducted from one's lifespan."

January 11th, 2006, 12:59	#2
eglplt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KDAL Posts: 164	Please, please, please for your own sake get the BBA in Aviation Management. The other degree isn't worth the paper it will be printed on! I went the management route back in the day and don't regret it one bit. My friends were all commercial aviation majors and made fun of me for wanting to be a business geek. Now, the tables have turned! One friend in particular, the most vocal of the group is finding out how important that degree can be. He recently lost his medical and was pulled off of active flight status with the airline he is flying for. He has no choice but to go back and get a degree in something that will net him another career. What choice did he make you ask? He is going back to get an MBA in accounting. He called me a while back and actually apologized for giving me such a hard time when I switched majors. The management degree will expose you to numerous opportunities in other fields. I have been offered numerous job interviews outside of aviation because of the degree. I still love to fly airplanes and wouldn't even consider taking a non-flying job right now, but it is a nice peace-of-mind knowing that other opportunities exist if the need arises. The business classes will make you a better student because they take your skills to another level. They are much more difficult than the aviation classes. They will teach you study skills, communication skills, and numerous other skills you didn't know you had. Good luck.

January 11th, 2006, 13:42	#4
SYRFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SYR Posts: 68	Well, I'll know what to expect weather wise!

January 11th, 2006, 15:55	#11
SYRFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SYR Posts: 68	Thanks everyone for the insight! I guess I just wanted to hear about taking the management side from some one other than my mom haha. But, I do have a big interest in business and it's what I would be majoring in if I didnt have the aviation interest as well. Now, I just wait to hear from Auburn to make my final choice =).

January 11th, 2006, 17:03	#12
BZNflyer248 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 71	I would agree that its deffinitly not a bad Idea to have another option education wise - good luck in your decision with majors and schools - some people may really get down on UND and are rather sour about it but really its a top notch school with excellent opportunties. Sure the weather can really bite sometimes and some sour grapes can wine all day about it not having mountains or big city attractions or arizona warmth and clear skies (i.e. I'm anxious to leave out west for some of those reasons) - BUT its a great environment to learn in, you get great airplanes with top notch maint, friendly staff etc. etc. If you work hard and are generally an easy person to work with you WILL come out of here with a lot of connections. I did - so take all the advice you can but don't be swayed by one or two opinions. Good luck!

January 11th, 2006, 22:43	#16
SYRFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: SYR Posts: 68	Everything sounds good to me...I noticed with the flying part though, aviation management only goes to multi, I'm guessing you can continue on after that..

January 11th, 2006, 23:45	#17
UAL747400 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Grand Forks, ND (UND)/ Davenport, IA Posts: 2,204	Yes, you can continue past multi. My plan was to go all the way through the flight courses and even some of the non-flight courses like turbine engines, flight physiology, ect. because it interests me. What would I do if flying didnt work out? God only knows. I've wanted to be an airline pilot or some kind of proffessional pilot since I was probably 4. I've never really put much thought into what else I'd want to do for a living. I like cars way to much to want to work on them for a living so thats definetly out. But meteorology has always interested me too, hence why Im getting a minor in it. If you do do commercial aviation, definetly get a minor or double major in something else. __________________

January 12th, 2006, 15:50	#18
Bignellyxx Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 171	Acct is definitely hard as hell. I would suggest taking Acct 1 here with Carlson and take 2 at the air base. I was the only one of my friends dumb enough to battle it out and ended up with a B & C. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the best bonus to taking business classes. The fact that there are girls, good looking ones on the east side of campus. I am currently taking a class that is in the nursing building and all i have to say is damn...i feel bad for the commercial majors that only know the two genders as male and she-pilot

January 12th, 2006, 18:47	#20
TXaviator Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ARB - in a backpack Posts: 2,471	yeah i was actually going to sign up for some gen eds this semester just to be around some girls. even though im already done with all my gen ed classes.

January 13th, 2006, 18:06	#21
CRJ700 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: BOS/GFK Posts: 297	If you do aviation management do you still get the reduced hiring minimiums and stuff like that? Coming from UND I thought you would have to do commercial aviation to get all these airline reduced times. Maybe not?

January 14th, 2006, 11:31	#24
eglplt Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: KDAL Posts: 164	If I remember correctly, and it has been a while, there is some type of aviation minor listed in the catalog. I believe that minor will allow for you to go all the way through 325. You can always work with flight ops to continue on with more courses. There is no reason you can't design your degree coursework to suit your needs. My suggestion would be to get in touch with your advisor and have them guide you. You should have a very good relationship with your advisor in the first place.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode