SailorMan

Hello guys

I am 23 and getting out of the navy in a few months to obtain my pilots license. Looking to end up either commercial or corporate pilot. The VA is going to pay for $80,000 for 36 months of school. In your opinions., what is the best way to go about this? I have heard scary stories about Embry-Riddle but have also heard they are a great school for this. Can anyone please clear this up for me?

Thank you.

rickair7777

You need to do a lot of research, this forum (and jetcareers) is a good place to start. A few thoughts...

1. You are not in a hurry, the industry is in a serious downturn right now and there will likely not be much hiring until 2012 (or later).

2. You will need a four-year degree. Do not kid yourself, rationalize, or listen to stories about old-timers who got to the major airlines without a degree. That was in the past, and the past is now officially over.

3. The post 9/11 MGIB will help pay for flight training, but unlike the old MGIB, you must attend a university flight training program. ERAU, UND, ASU, and Utah Valley State College (name changed I think) are four that come to mind, I'm sure someone will point out the rest. The good news here is that you can get your degree and flight training knocked out at the same time. Normally I would not recommend aviation colleges, but it might be worth it with the new MGIB.

4. If you were eligible for the old MGIB you might be grandfathered under the old rules to do flight training at small local airport schools.

5. Your priority for the MGIB should be a college degree first, then flight training. Don't blow it all on flight training first.

atpwannabe

^ - yeah....that!!!!

Or you could "bang out" all your licenses and ratings at a Community College and get an Associate's Degree, then transfer to an aviation or state university that will accept all or most of your credits. You can finish up the Bachelor's program say in business/accounting/hospital administration or something to that effect.

It just might be cheaper that way as well. The ole cut & paste way of doing it.

All the best though.




atp

BURflyer

Finish your degree first, preferably at your local college before worrying about flying. Your military experience will no doubt be an advantage when looking for a flying job, so all you need is a degree to complement you. Don't worry about going to big name schools and if you have to go to riddle do not get an aviation degree. It's a waste of money and not very useful. Online is a good way to go as well, if it's an accredited online school.

GrUpGrDn

If I remember correctly, the MGIB will only pay for anything part 141 post private. You will have to foot the bill for your private, then after that I think its either 60% or 80% of each cert/rating. Anyone, please correct me if I am wrong.

20kDoLlOrPilot

Riddle is a good place to go man. Yes its filled with a bunch of dorks and meat-heads but there are a lot of good people there. Make what you want of it. I had a good time there. But my best advice to you.....don't go into the aviation world. But if you do, get a degree other then Aeronautical Science.

zondaracer

Http://flighttraining.aopa.org/image...odirectory.pdf

Check out the AOPA website because they have all colleges with aviation programs and you can see which ones take VA. Only you can decide what's best for you and hopefully that site will gve you an idea what some of your options are. Personally, I got my degree in something nonaviation and started working on my private on the weekends while in college.