Expert: David A. NewMyer - 2/24/2008

Question
Hi, my name is Justin Hall and I知 an aspiring Pilot. I chose to contact you because you seem to be the most knowledgeable in the areas that I have questions about. I live in Atlanta, Georgia and I am familiar with most aviation schools around Georgia. I am currently looking at a well know school called ATP (Airline Transport Professionals). I知 considering getting both my Private and Airline Transport licenses from their facilities. Their programs run at $55,000 for an Airline Transport certificate and $9,000 for a private license. All together it would cost me about $64,000. I知 not sure if this is high or low for pilot training.  Any feedback on the choice in school or the prices would be greatly appreciated.  I also have a question about aviation degrees. I知 looking into getting a degree in Aviation Science, but I知 having an extreme hard time finding schools in Georgia that offer this degree program.  The reason why I really want to go to a school in Georgia is because Georgia has a scholarship program called the HOPE scholarship for outstanding students who maintain a 3.0 or higher in school. I would greatly appreciate any knowledge on schools that offer ANY type of aviation degrees.  If possible can you recommend any flight schools and or colleges that are in Florida in case Georgia colleges have nothing much going on? My last question is about scholarships. I see that you can answer questions about scholarships. Right now I知 looking into getting as many scholarships as possible; I know they池e out there, but having a hard time trying to find them. If possible can you please provide any info that you have so that I can look into them? Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to your response
--Justin Hall


Answer
Hi,

Thanks for your questions....I will try to assist.

ATP Prices:  I do not know what all of the private flight schools charge, but, from what little I do know, these prices seem pretty fair.  You might compare by checking with Flight Safety Academy, Delta Airlines Academy, Gulfstream Academy, etc.  They are all competitors to ATP.....

Aviation Degree offerings:  I am not sure of all of the aviation programs specifially offered in Georgia, but, you might order a copy of the COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE from the University Aviation Association at 334-844-2434 or on the web at www.uaa.aero   This is a comprehensive listing of aviation-oriented university and college programs in the USA.  I am aware of at least one aviation flight program in Georgia at Middle Georgia College, Aviation Campus in Eastman, Georgia.  As far as college flight schools in Florida, there are two well-known ones and they are a Florida Insittute of Technology in Melbourne, FL and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL.

Aviation Scholarships:  The University Aviation Association, contacts listed above, offers a COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING.....cost is about $15.00.  Also, each college aviation program has its own list of aviation scholarships that it can offer departmentally or programmatically.  So, check with each school that you apply to for possible scholarships.

I hope that this helps!

Best wishes to you and, if you have any other follow up questions, by all means, please ask.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale