Tmaxxfreak11

Hello all, I am currently a junior in high school at a school in Washington state. I have been looking into various different options for flight training and the best option seems to be attending a public university to keep options open. I have searched about Central Washington's program but have not been able to find out much about it. I have known about UND for years and it has become a more realistic option recently when I found out that I am eligible for a lower tuition rate than the out of state tuition. The cost of the training itself is lower at UND but with tuition factored in they have relatively similar costs. Now I have a few questions, I have searched and am sorry if these have been posted many times before.

1. Would you suggest UND or CWU, which would be better for quicker entry into an airline (I know that both have had programs with Horizon in the past)?

2. I've looked at UND's programs and am wondering, between their Flight Education program and the Commercial pilot program, what are the major differences? I see that their commercial pilot program does not get you your MEI, while the flight education program does, yet the flight education program does not include use of their altitude chamber lab. (This is simply what I have read on their website, please don't flame me for this).

3. I've read here that it would be a good idea to get some sort of degree in something besides aviation in addition to the aviation major. Many on here claim that a business minor/degree is not a good idea, does anybody have any suggestions?

waflyboy

Disclaimer: I haven't attended either UND or CWU, so keep that in mind.

It is true that Horizon gave some level of preference to UND students when they were hiring. I believe this was mainly because Horizon's chief pilot went there or for some other reason had a strong preference for those students. However, I don't think Horizon is likely to be hiring again anytime soon.

In the current environment, I doubt either one will get you to an airline faster. UND does have a relationship with Cirrus, which might foster an opportunity for you down the road... but again, who knows when Cirrus will be hiring again.

If you MUST major in aviation, I would go to CWU, just because it's closer to home. But my stronger suggestion is to major in something that you're interested in (other than aviation) and get your ratings on the side. I see an aviation degree as a technical degree, and having one doesn't typically get you special treatment at an interview.

WalkOfShame

Hey Tmaxx,

I am a UND grad and have had several friends from Washington that went to UND's flight training center (FTC) located in Spokane. You would complete all your training through single-engine commercial and then transfer to UND to complete your multi, CFI, and CFII. I don't know much about the undergrad school work there but I know that my friends only had to take aviation classes because they did all their general credits at home.

Just something to look in to. Here's the link the Spokane FTC: UND Aerospace

-Walk

Riverside

I went through the SFCC/UND program if you have any question let me know and I'll answer them.

Vedalir

Tmaxx, I am a Washington Resident (Lived in the Tri-cities) who was faced with the same questions you have. I chose to go to UND and am currently enrolled in the Flight Education major, with a second major in English, and planning on pursuing teaching certification.

To answer some of your questions, Your major determines what courses you must take to complete the program and get a degree, however you are more than welcome to add courses to this. For instance, I am going to add the altitude chamber and CRJ course to the courses I will be taking.

If you're looking to stay in state you can consider the UND branch campus in Spokane, or if you want Moses Lake Community College also has a flight program.

I hope that this helps you, and if you do decide to come to Grand Forks perhaps I'll see you around

-Max

Rabid Seagull

Tmaxx,
As an alumni of CWU I would say it was a great place for flight training. I have no idea how much the cost are these days, but I would like to think it would be cheaper to stay in state.

As for CWU you should be able to find the cost of the 4 year degree on their website and then add the flight training on top off that. Back in "my day" all the training was done in ELN at Midstate Aviation. I'm sure they have a website with all the costs...start selling body parts on eBay

I have friends that went to Moses lake, Big Bend C.C., for two years (got all their flight training completed there) and then transferred to CWU to finish out their four year degree.

I think BBCC is cheaper on the flight training costs and the flight training credit hours are part of your academic quarter. Meaning that if you're taking 16 credit load part of that (maybe 4 credits) is your flying. At CWU all your flying is extra from your "credit hours".

BBCC (back in my day) flying was scheduled, you would fly Tues and Thurs or other days. At CWU, since Midstate Aviation is an FBO, its up to you when to schedule your flights...including weekends. I certainly don't want you to think that means CWU is "faster", but it might be a better option if you like flying on weekends or trying to schedule around a part time job or classes.

Hope this helps. Like I said this was how it was in my day, 18 years ago, but at least it'll give you some ideas and questions for the folks at those schools. Good luck

RomeoSierra

I graduated from CWU recently and know a few people that went to UND also. Form the job placement stand point Im not sure what UND does but at CWU most of the graduates find jobs pretty quick when they graduate and the program is reletively small so you get to know all your classmates and the teachers really well. Good for networking when you looking for flying jobs. For hiring I know that CWU has a program that allows you to get hired by horizon at lower minimums then on their website if you complete the dash-8 course at central. Both are good schools good education and good flight training. CWU has a class where you go to an altitude chamber at an airforce base, pretty cool since you get to where the fighter pilot helmit and mask. I would recommend CWU since you will be close to home and can go home on weekends to have mom do your laundry.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions

FlyingGuide

I am from Washington and graduated from UND. I looked hard at CWU since it was only 2 hours from home. I decided with UND. (This was in 2001/2002)
UND's equipment was far superior to Embry riddle and CWU. Central was still in a portable and the training was done by an FBO. The WUE Western Undergraduate exchange is a pretty sweet deal!

UND has a Horizon program and I was offered an interview with a lot less than the mins. I didn't go to the interview because I was flying somewhere else and couldn't fly to UND. Would have been furloughed any ways... One Furlough down, a second Voluntary Furlough Now...
UND has a Altitude Chamber in the aerospace building.

The Flight education major gives you some more Training/Education classes. You still have the chance to take other classes in the commercial aviation major. I was a commercial aviation major and I got my MEI.

I would go look hard at both schools. See which one you like. Ask questions when you are there.
I would be happy to answer any other questions you have about UND.

Tmaxxfreak11

Thank you all so much for your replies! Believe me, I really value them. I am going to an open house at CWU's aviation department in April and will most likely be visiting UND also sometime in either spring or summer.

I have looked at the other campuses of UND (I guess you can call them that) but I feel like personally, I would prefer to be able to integrate school and flying and do it at one place, which is why I feel that CWU and UND are my best options.

Also, for those of you who went to or are currently going to UND, what is the area like around there? What is there to do?

And I guess this can go out to anyone, of how much benefit do you guys think a MEI rating would be?

Thanks again for your guys' help so far.

SkyHigh

The best answer of all is to pay in state tuition and avoid getting an aviation degree.

SKyhigh