Expert: David A. NewMyer - 4/26/2004

Question
Hello Mr. Newmeyer,

   A while back you were kind enough to give me a lot of great advice about careers in aviation and flight training.  One of the leads you passed on to me was Dr. McCurry at Arizona State Univ.  I contacted him and he graciously invited me to meet with him to discuss the program, which I plan to do.  I also looked into their "bridge program" with Mesa Airlines.  It sounds good, however the flight training seemed a bit pricey, at over $40K, in addition of course to ASU tuition.  

    Do you feel that it is worth the extra cost to train with them, based on the only advantage I can see, which is a greater chance of gaining employment with them as a regional pilot?  Will it help me progress faster to a job (hopefully) with the majors one day, or a corporate job?

    The other option I am seriously considering is attending UVSC's online degree program, along with training at a school in Phoenix such as Westwind or Pan Am academy.  I just wonder though if I will receive the same quality education as a traditional classroom atmosphere like ASU.  Being 30 years old, I just want to give myself the best chance possible for success.

    Thanks again, your advice has been very helpful to me.

Scott

Answer
Hi, Scott:

First of all, I would be surprised if the flight training costs at ASU/Mesa were that much more than those found at Westwind or Pan Am Academy.  Also, check out the costs carefully and see what you are getting for the money at ASU/Mesa vs. at Westwidn or Pan AM in terms of quality of training, speed of delivery of training, placement, etc.

Second, I think that taking UVSC's program on line vs. taking ASUs program in person is a definite case of in person vs. on line education:  Which do you prefer?  My preference is for in person education with an instructor present (vs. a "facilitator" over the internet or phone).
My opinion is that the quality of the face-to-face instructional devlivery will be higher than that found on the internet just from the value added in terms of questions and answers and other instructor interaction items.

Third, the ASU/Mesa package is one that has been worked out to work together.  YOU on the other hand are assembling a package of either UVSC or ASU ground schools to go along with Westwind, Pan AM or ASU/Mesa flight courses.  To me, the value of using the ASU and ASU/Mesa combination is obvious.  The other combinations were not necessarily designed to go together.

As far as which one will have value with an employer.....ASU hands down.  UVSC is not known in the industry.  They are known on the internet, but, more for their convenience than for their quality or their graduate placement.

I hope that this helps!

Best wishes!

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu