Is my aviation and engineering plan in San Diego a good idea?
I'm looking to major in Systems Engineering at the University of San Diego and majoring in Professional Aeronautics at the nearby worldwide campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the same time. I'm also looking into taking flying lessons to become a commercial pilot at a flight school somewhere in San Diego. I've been looking around Google and other answers for some opinions for a good flight school in the area but I couldn't really find any good answer so I figured I'd ask with my own question. So basically, I'm looking for a good flight school in San Diego; I don't care about the price all I need is a quality school with quality training. Lastly, I'm wondering if the above mentioned scenario is a good idea. I could just go to ERAU in Daytona Beach, FL and study solely in aviation; nonetheless, I'm thinking it would be a better idea to major in something more flexible in a university focusing on many different fields of study just in case I can't do aviation for whatever reason in the future. I could also take advantage of the fact that ERAU has the worldwide program and major in an aviation related degree as well. (I should add that although Florida is a great state, I prefer California) I realize this may be a lot of work but I'm up for the challenge. I need opinions on how this would work for a 27 year old; I'm planning on starting this in January. Also, I'm looking into on-campus housing. Would a 27 year old fit in?
Higher Education (University +) - 2 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Fun and games are what you or your parents will purchase at ERAU. If you can not turn a post-secondary education into a job then you have squandered a lot of time and money. Money you can recover, time you can not. At 27 you are on the outer edge of ever qualifying to do much as a pilot. 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 and your wife and children (when that happens). 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. I never met a pilot with a ERAU education. Just because they wear a uniform does not mean that they are any more professional than an CFI who operates out of a local flight school. The requirements are the same, no matter where the school is located or how fancy it is. ERAU has no inside track to any airline. 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 Every day there are military-trained pilots with better experience and qualifications than you will ever obtain at a civilian flight school who are competing with you for what few seats are available. I had my PPL when I graduated from a 4-year college and went straight into Navy flight school. I was appalled when I realized how little about flying I actually knew and that I was legally eligible to go kill myself and anyone else in my airplane or on the ground. My friend, dreaming of being an airline pilot is a wonderful thing. Don't squander your money and time.
2 :
You don't have to have an aviation degree to fly. Most airlines want a 4-year degree, but they don't care what kind of degree. In fact, it would be an excellent idea to diversify just in case something happens like you said. I think you would be better served by funneling money you would spend on the second degree into high quality flight training. According to what I've read, ATP has a location in San Diego and they offer student housing for the duration of your training. Additionally, it looks like American Flyers Inc. has a location there. I don't know the demographics of their students, but I don't imagine you'd have trouble fitting in as a 27 year old. -- Matthew Everett private pilot and aviation blogger
