Aviation School?

If I go to a school of aviation, or flight school, and I get by bachelor's in aviation or aeronautical science. When I graduate, can I fly? In other words, do they only let some students fly and some other have to just get the degree and thats it? How does flight school and flying work? I am new to this and I know I need instrument ratings and airtime but do I get a normal degree? Is the flight time included in the cost of tuition or do I have to take private lessons? This school I am going to go to has airplanes at the campus and they have an airport so I would think that you get your ratings at the school AND a degree in aviation? It is a college. They stress that there are other jobs in aviation besides flying but that is the only one I want to do. Am I going to get sucked into this school just to be told I can't fly?

Public Comments

1. If you just want to fly, then you don't really need to go to a aviation college. Just go to flight school and learn to fly. Of course this will be expensive but you will learn to fly. Naturally you will need to pass your medical exams as well as the flying and written tests. If you are looking for a career in aviation, go ahead with the college route. Many people will want to get an aviation or aeronautical engineering degree. And if you are ever thinking of space, you'll need more than a pilot's license. My suggestion.. go to college, get a degree in aviation and put in for flight school. I doubt it is just included in the curriculum since many people don't want to learn to fly but would like a career in aviation. If they have a flight school, fine. If not, find one nearby and learn to fly. That way you can be more assured of finding work. Pilot positions come and go depending on the economy. Ground aviation jobs are more plentiful. Knowing more than one skill gives you the advantage when applying for a job.
2. When I went to school you could get your degree with or without flying. The flying part was divided by the licenses you would get from the FAA (private, instrument, commercial, multi, CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP). The flying was charged by the school which could be paid by your loans, grants, scholarships, parents etc... When you get your Commercial lincense with Instrument and multi ratings you would have approximately 250 - 350 hours of flight time. Technically you can get a job flying aircraft under 12,500 lbs as Pilot in Command. But no one will hire you because of lack of experience. Most people also get the CFI (certified flight instructor) CFII (instrument instructor) MEI (multi engine instr.) licenses and teach students how to fly until they have enough PIC (pilot in command) time to get hired by a private company or commuter airline.
3. So much of your question depends upon the hiring situation in the aviation community (civil, military and airlines/commuters). Also your physical condition (ability to pass a class 1 physical, eyesight, etc.) If there are laid off pilots everywhere, your chances of getting a job right after school are slim. However, if, as it is now in most aviation areas, there is a shortage of pilots, you are in luck. Most companies now do not even require a college degree to be hired, only a commercial, instrument and around 500 hours (this is even variable depending upon the needs of the company and who passes the medicals - which are also simplified compared to earlier times). By the time you are finished and graduate things could be different (although I do not see a glut of pilots coming - many pilots are looking to retire early now). But it is always a crap shoot. I was offered a job by United while a sophmore in college in 1965 - they were that short - and they called me in my dorm without my knowing of them. By the time I graduated there were to many pilots. During my airline flying career I was with 3 different airlines and was laid off 6 times. I just retired after 35 years with one. If your current school has airplanes they probably use them in their flight training and also for transportation of faculty members. Many time selected students are taken along as copilots on these trips. Some schools also have a cooperative program with local FBOs, 135s or commuters to use some of their (usually senior) students as copilots. Both of these are invaluable ways of gaining experience and learning the business. Airlines often have intern programs where you can work at an airline (not as a pilot but often in pilot training programs) - and they often hire their exceptional interns. Good luck.
4. Getting a "bachelor's in aviation or aeronautical science" will get you a diploma. You can fold it up into a paper plane and make it fly. That is as close to flying as that diploma will get you. Flight school is highly aircraft dependant. You learn the theory of flight (I am sure you will have a leg up on that part) and then the equipment, then as a passenger you learn with an instructor and finally you solo. If you don't come back from your solo you DON'T get your flight certificate. Then you go on to increase your certification with multi-engine rating, instrument flying etc. Unless of couse you are Middle Eastern and have ready cash, there IS some couse work out there that will let you do navigation only without all that pesky extracurriculiar landing and takeoff stuff. You know, like wanting to be an electrical engineer but not wanting to take advanced mathematics. OH! Sedeek, what is this lever for?