Flight training at a big aviation university VS an unaffiliated flight school?

Question

Flight training at a big aviation university VS an unaffiliated flight school?

Answer 1

I've flown at a large "get done quick" school (airsafety, it's out of Texas somewhere now I think, and no I'm not endorsing them) and a few local FBO flying clubs.



The way I see it, the school is going to provide you with the airplane and the prices, the quality of instruction comes from the CFI. Given that, I say begin your search for a school that has airplanes you would want to fly, and with prices you can live with. The first person to answer makes a GREAT point about staying away from the fancy glass cockpits for your training. The transition from steam to glass is easy, but glass to steam is more difficult. I wouldn't say it's hard if you have a Solid understanding of the fundamentals, but it's still not going to be easy. Factor in the additional cost, and it's just not worth it in my opinion. Next, realize that cost is an important factor. An extra $10 an hour adds up quickly and becomes a sizable amount of money before you know it. At the same time, money typically buys quality (by no means is this always true. I spent $110 for a 152 at the above mentioned school and they were awful). There is nothing wrong with flying old planes, nothing at all unless they are poorly maintained, which usually means low prices. It's not worth it for me, but it is for some.



When I look at a new place to fly I look first and foremost at prices. If they are too high or two low I just move on unless they have a very good reason for their prices. Next I look at what they fly, how their planes are equipped and ask myself how it fits what I plan to do. If I'm just flying to fly, I don't care what I get. If I'm planning on doing some IMC work, I want good equipment. Lastly, I look at the airplanes. How well are they kept? If you find ripped seats, broken plastic, pealing paint, etc. It's a good indication of how the rest of the airplane is maintained.



Once you have a school, you need a good instructor or it's going to be a waste of money. Ask to Interview a few CFI's. A big school isn't likely to let you do this, but a small club will. Treat it just like you're interviewing for an employee. You want to find someone with enough experience that you're comfortable, and someone you want to spend a lot of time with.



You pick a CFI, one thing I always do and would recommend anyone else do the same, is make it clear that either of you can call the whole thing off at any point. I've had instructors I couldn't stand and I know there have been instructors who couldn't stand me, but neither of us wanted to say anything to avoid any hard feelings. Just make it clear in the beginning, just in case it doesn't work out.



I think I answered your question in a round-a-bout way. But really, only you can answer this question for yourself.

Answer 2

Yeah, for sure it's not what it once was. Low pay, harsh schedules. Aircraft maintenance shortcuts and anything else to save a buck. I can read the excitement in the posters post, but you're just as well off learning to drive a Greyhound bus. Either way, it's not a big deal.

Answer 3

The following is an excerpt from an English (UK) web site that vividly describes the common plight of young pilots who try the airlines with no military experience to back them up. "I may now be unemployed, 33, living with my mum, totally broke, single and unable to get work of any sort ... even McDonalds don't want pilots, but I am one of the lucky ones. One of my friends never found pilot employment and his wife just left him because he keeps chasing his dream, plowing any money he has into it. He had 2 young kids with her. I know a young woman who trained and having not found a job in 3 years and heavily indebted, is severely depressed. But rather than seek help because she is afraid taking anti-depressants will invalidate her medical (which in all honesty doesn't get used anyway) she sits around cutting herself and removing her hair strand by strand in case an airline might call."

So much for civilian pilot training. However, if you are dead set on going ahead. Get a degree in whatever you have an interest and aptitude. You can fly with about any educational background you can imagine. You do not need to know how to build or maintain any airplane you want to fly. All the aerodynamics you need will be taught as part of conventional ground school. Earn a degree in something that can support you. The degrees that the pilots had in my squadrons were across the board, from aeronautical engineering to foreign languages to journalism to mechanical engineering. None of us wound up on the dole.

Beware of the flight school hype. This is an elaborate process to separate you and your parents from a lot of money. There are almost no seats available now and those that are open are being filled mostly by former military pilots. The least qualified of which have more hours and infinitely better training than you could ever obtain in those pseudo-aviation colleges. Probably you do not have a ton of cash to squander, so invest your time and effort in training for an occupation that will put food on the table.

Finish flight training after you complete college. Take your lessons as close together as possible. If you do you spend too much time between them you will spend half of your in review. Reviewing costs as much as instruction time.

Answer 4

As a graduate of the "Big University" school there is some biased opinion here.

First.. Cost. The schools charge ALOT more per flight hour than your local airport. They usually have newer aircraft, with all the bells and whistles (glass cockpits) that they like to show off, and brag about. Glass cockpits are nice for joy flying, as they greatly increase your situation awareness, but training IFR in these i think does not help a student. Most entry level jobs, being that of CFI, commuter, banner towing, jump pilot..etc, do not have these and put you at a disadvantge of having to learn to fly by "steam" guages. My personal opnion is to learn on the steam guages and then tranisiton to glass after mastering the art of flying instruments on these, as the transition is much easier. Its almost impossible now to go from a newly minted Commerical to the Regionals without having at least 1200hrs.

As for getting a job with the school.. its hit or miss. Depends on the school, the turnover rate.. and YOU. Some schools turn out more CFI's than they can employ due to the economy not hiring.

Does training at a big school help.. I dont know. I kept telling myself that , as i handed over 75,000 in student loans, and still not flying for a living.

I do think the instruction is better, but remember that your local school and the university both train pilots to meed the same standard with the FAA, and it really depends on the instructor.

Flying is expensive, so anywhere you can save a few dollars towards your next lesson is well spent, if the instruction is good. I would recommend getting a degree in something other than avaition (I wish I would have listened back then). I dont know any one that is running an airport with a Aviation Managemnt degree right now, and know lots of people that have them. I do know some people flying for a living, but half did it at the small airports, and others at the big school. Its all about hours and A degree..does not have to be in Aviation.



Just my 2 cents..

Answer 5

Get the least expensive degree you can get -

Same for flight training -

Get in the least expensive flight training - all licenses are the same -



Would they hire you as a CFI after training ... ?

Ask yourself if there are enough training to keep all CFIs busy...?

There are plenty of people with CPL+I/R+CFI in their wallet -



I repeat and repeat and repeat -

There are plenty of pilots who get trained to get licenses -

And not enough jobs for them to survive after their training is done...

Every year there are 3000 new pilots and... 1000 pilot job openings -



And 250 hours in your log book is no help -

Add a 0 - make it 2500 hours - maybe that will make it better...?

Answer 6

I am not familiar to the policies of Ohio State or Purdue; but generally, they have their own Standard Operating Procedures ("SOPs") and will require you to fly to their standards. You will likely receive at least *some* "credit for having a PPL and instrument rating;" but you will probably have to take an equivalency checkride with a university check pilot... irregardless of whether the PPL and instrument training was done under Part 141. As to whether they employ you as a CFI, that would depend on if they are hiring; if they are hiring, I would see no reason to why they wouldn't hire you (assuming that you've completed their program to satisfactory standards).



Being a graduate of one of the largest aviation universities in the nation, I'd suggest that you attend an in-state public university. Out-of-state tuition at a public university is often equal to or more than the tuition of private universities; you'd be better off going to a private university if you are considering an out-of-state public university (specifically, due to better value and smaller class sizes). In-state university tuition at a public university is a bargain -- and you'd save yourself a ton of money and potential loans (depending on your financial situation). Even better... consider community college for two years; then after you graduate, transfer to an in-state public university.



Nonetheless, if you're set on attending a big aviation university, be forewarned that such universities rarely afford an advantage over students trained at small flight schools. Perhaps you will be afforded preference for internships at major and/or regional carriers and the opportunity to network with future aviation professionals; however, the advantages generally end there. Moreover, by attending a Part 141 -- or Part 142 -- university program, you will be spending more time in the classroom and less time flying (the little flight time that you accrue will be charged at a premium). There is no difference between a flight certificate earned at a Part 61, Part 141, or Part 142 program; nor do airlines care to where you earned flight certificates. I highly suggest a backup degree in a subject other than aviation. Nonetheless, you asked for the "pros and cons" -- and I will provide you with my following opinion:





AVIATION UNIVERSITY:



Pros:

- Opportunities for internships which may lead to reduced hiring minimums (depending on current economic conditions).

- Opportunities to network with future aviation professionals; such networking may lead to future job opportunities.

- More of a structured environment -- as in addition to your ground school classes, you will likely be taking classes to further enhance your knowledge to aviation (ex. Aerodynamics, Aircraft Performance, Aviation Law, Engines and Turbines, Meteorology, Systems, etc.).

- You will breathe, eat, and live aviation; ask yourself, is that something you really want? If so, then go for it... but weigh the pros and cons carefully.



Cons:

- Generally, flight and instructor rates are much greater; you will pay more.

- Less scheduling flexibility.

- More time in Flight Training Devices (FTDs), Flight Simulators, and cockpit mockups.

- No difference in the FAA certificates that you receive.





"UNAFFILIATED" FLIGHT SCHOOL:



Pros:

- Complete flight training at your own pace; then afterward, flight instruct to accumulate flight time. Flight time is one of the most important factors in getting hired (*much* more than where you attended college - or - where you completed your flight training). You can work as a flight instructor at a small flight school while completing your college degree. Then once you graduate, you will have valuable CFI/PIC time that will likely qualify you for the regional airlines.

- Generally, cheaper flight and ground instructor rates.

- If you train under Part 61 or 141, you will certainly get more actual flight time when compared to training under a Part 142 program (some aviation universities operate under Part 142 requirements).

- No difference in the FAA certificates that you receive.



Cons:

- Generally less sophisticated aircraft.

- Less of a structured environment.

- Less opportunities for aviation-related internships and arguably, networking.

- You won't get to totally immerse yourself in aviation (if that's what you really want).



In summation, I cannot stress the importance of becoming a flight instructor to build hours (PIC)... there is rarely a way around it (except for perhaps the military route); multi-engine PIC time is particularly important to getting hired by a regional airline (ex. Seminole, Seneca, etc.). Moreover, try not to fail -- or "bust" -- any checkrides; they have become increasingly scrutinized since the crash of Colgan Flight 3407. Some airlines have even established a limit of no more than two busted checkrides to get hired as a first officer.



Whatever option you select, fly safe, fly smart, and study hard!