Tegguy

Ok I am sorry for another thread about ERAU but I have a question I couldn't find the answer other places. I am getting ready to get off Active Duty and I have my full GI Bill which will pretty much pay for all my costs are ERAU including flying. I am thinking about getting an aeronautical science degree as well as an aviation maintence degee.

I really want to fly professionally but I want something to fall back on. I have been in for 5 years and I have been a B1-B Bomber mechanic. My job is Aerospace Repair/Reclamation. I am thinking about trying to buy a plane with a friend when I go down there to build time cheaper especially if I get my A&P soon. Do you think this is a good route to go for degrees and to get to where I want to be? My flight will only be paid for if it is towards my degree requirment. Currently they will pay $64,000 in fees per year I believe which flight costs fall under. I know a lot of people say don't get the aeronautical science degree but I was thinking in my case it is best.

What do people on here think? Any advice would be great. Thank you

rickair7777

Normally I would say get a real degree, and also knock out the A&P.

But if the new GI BIll will only pay for flight training in conjunction with a aero science degree, you are stuck.

But check out some other schools, ERAU is not the only one that has that kind of program. If you ever have to look for work in the real world, people know what Purdue University is...but non-aviation people have never heard of ERAU, they will assume it is a diploma mill at first glance.

Cubdriver

Is ERAU the only school they will pay for? An aeronautical science degree is not very useful in itself, and the money would be much better spent in engineering at ERAU. Although the flight portion would not be covered you could still add enough flight ratings by working part time jobs to cover it, and you would get to the same point on your own that way. I studied for an engineering degree while I flew in my spare time, and worked weekends driving trucks to pay for it. I came away with zero debt for the flight training. University of Florida also has a great engineering program.

Tegguy

I can goto any school I want to as long as I can get accepted. What they pay varies by state though. I have just always wanted to goto ERAU and thats why I applied there and got accepted. I really don't know what else to major in I am not an engineering type of person though. As far as a part time job goes I will only be making like 1000 a month tops right now the way I am figuring it.

If I were to attend Purdue they would cover a max of $321.75 per credit hour and $12,438 max fees per term. If tuition goes over that amount. I can apply for Yellow Ribbon but only 50 students get that and it will cover a max of 2,000 per year.

I am going to contact the VA and see if I minor in flight if it will still pay for flight costs. I am really looking for the best way to get me into flying as a carrer but also something to fall back on.

Tegguy

I have been doing some thinking cause people say aeronautical science is too specialized which I agree with and I found out the GI Bill will pay for flight if it's a minor. I know I want to stay aviation related becuase I love everything about aircraft. I have been looking at an aerospace engineering degree. Having that (I would get my masters) with my pilots ratings and my A&P license. What do you guys think?

McCroskey

I would recommend getting your aerospace eng. degree and then get a Masters in Business Administration. This would open the door for many career opportunities later on. You can add your pilot ratings and A & P license as you work on your MBA. Good luck to you.

Tegguy

Won't it take a while to get an MBA after a degree in aerospace engineering?

Would you reccomend ERAU or is there better out there? I have been looking a little bit at Purdue.

Cubdriver

An MBA is never a bad idea but there are a number of reasons to be an engineer in industry for a few years before getting one. You may not like management duties for one thing, and there is no way to know without being in it for a while. Also, managing other engineers is difficult without having been one. Most engineers who get an MBA see it as an extension of their careers as engineers, rather than an end in itself. At least do a coop rotation or an internship before going for the masters degree would be my advice.

I have a number of friends who have decided to get MBAs. They do so because they want more money, and there is nothing wrong with that but the ones who decide not to get an MBA tend to become engineering specialists and can make as much money. In the aviation industry it is common for them to become designated engineering representatives (DERs) rather than move into management. A DER is an FAA authorized engineer who can sign off on major changes to a design or a system. They work for the company, not the FAA.

Tegguy

Thank you for the advice. I know I would like to get my masters I just don't know what I would want it to be in Aerospace engineering or MBA.

Could you provice recommendations for good schools to goto for aerospace engineering that also has a flight program? This is so I can minor in flight and some of the expenses will be paid by the GI Bill. I would like somewhere farther south than South Dakota. I am tired of -20 weather that I have been living in for the past 5 years. I want a good school is #1 college experience isn't high on my list education is. Never been big into college sports so that isn't a factor.

Thank you

Tegguy

Ok I am really leaning towards an Aerospace Engineer degree. Purly on the quality of the education where would you go; ERAU, Purdue, Cal Tech these seem to be the big 3 schools people talk about. Although I am not sure if I would be able to get into Cal Tech