jsfBoat

I'm @ a two year school to get my associates in aviation. I'll be finished with my course work at the end of this semester & am wanting to transfer to out to start my bachelors in biology (it's my other insterest). However in order to graduate from my current school we have to complete our CASEL. I've finished my commercial (except for the complex requirement), and am about half way through my instrument. So I have to finish the other half of my instrument, recieve the complex endorsement, review all my instrument/commercial manuvers, then take the ride for both. I'm NOT going to be done with my CASEL by the end of the semester 'cause of my finances.
Do I stay here at my current school to finish the CASEL, and then transfer into the fall semester? Or do I say to hell with it by transfering out to start my B.S., and complete the CASEL on the side? Or do I comeback during spring and summer break? I would like to recieve my associates, but I'm 25 and need to get my B.S., and I like my current school. Also I am flying on a small scholoarship that I've won under the assumption that i would stay to complete my CASEL and graduate.
Not sure what is the best thing to do. Any ideas?

LAfrequentflyer

Stay. Finish what you started then transfer and get your Biology degree.

-LAFF

rickair7777

An AA in aviation is almost useless...in your case it is entirely useless since you are going to get a BS anyway.

I assume you can finish the CASEL later on, and still be awarded the AA at that time? If so, move on to your BS and finish the AA when you can.

If you are going to lose money (due to the scholarship?) or be disqualified from the AA then you should probably stay.

I don't know what the terms of the scholarship are, but if it was a government thing I wouldn't be too worried about it. If it was awarded by another organization in good faith then you might want to finish it...aviation is a small community.

Also do you plan on a pilot career? If so, the sooner you get your CFI and start building time the better...it might be to your benefit to be able to CFI while finishing the BS.

Pilotpip

Out of curiosity, why do you have to get your instrument rating to get the commercial? Is it a part 141 requirement for your program?

If not, don't worry about the instrument stuff. Just get the commercial and then go back when you have the time/money and get the instrument.

mcartier713

... where are you getting an AA in aviation?

jsfBoat

I'm going to a community college in NJ. I spoke with the head of the program who said that I could come back during spring and summer breaks to finish the training, then upon completion I would receive my AAS.
I'm wanting to make flying my career, but the biology degree will be something in case to cover all the "ifs" in continuing as a pilot isn't possible, permanently or temporary.
Our Pt 141 program is laid out so that after earning the private (in order), we learn the commercial manuevers to PTS, get the 40 hrs of solo XC time, the instrument training, the complex signoff, then the ride for both.
If I stay, I'll be finished with my licenses at the end of the next semester, I can still take Biology courses that will transfer for the fall semester. On the other hand I feel like I'm getting to be too old to NOT have a BS, and want to get through it, and the sooner the better.
My CFII is saying that a semester isn't that big of a deal, it will go by fast, and I will get my tickets sooner. But I've been working towards this AAS for 3 years now, I feel it's time to move on and finish when I have a break. I know that if I decide to transfer and not come back, it will take a month or two before I get back into it. I'm worried about loosing what I've learned so far. Any further thoughts?

andy171773

Leaving a rating and coming back later, or doing it on the side with a different instructor/different environment can be risky.

Regardless, i do not recommend putting it off. BUT, you do need to get your degree.

Good luck!