Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/20/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I am thinking about a career as a pilot. I know that most airlines and larger companies want pilots with degrees. Does it matter what degree you get and where you get your flight training?
         Thanks,
         Amy



Thank you for answering my first question. Could you tell me where I can get some information about the aviation scholarships that are out there?
         Amy

Answer
Hi, Amy:

In general, it does not matter a whole lot which university you get your degree from, or, what you get it in.  HOWEVER, if you get a BS or BA degree in aviation that includes flight certification, then, you will "kill two birds with one stone" in that you will both get a degree AND get flight certification.  If you go to an FAR 141 flight school instead (a private school that does nothing but offer flight training), then, you will get your flight certification and then have to go elsewhere to get your BS or BA degree.  Also, the flight certification is built in for credit in most aviation degrees, so, that is an advantage as well.  If you earn a NON AVIATION degree, then, the flight certification semester hour credit earned is not normally counted toward such degrees.

As far as flight-related colleges, I believe I gave you information on ordering the COLLEGIATE AVIATION GUIDE from the University Aviation Association (uaa@auburn.edu or 334-844-2434).  Their list is very comprehensive.  The schools that are best known for flight training at the four year level are:

University of North Dakota
Embry Riddle Aero Univ
Parks College of St. Louis Univ
Purdue University
Western Michigan Univ
Southern Illinois Univ Carbondale (where I work)
Univ of Illinois Champaign/Urbana
Ohio State
Florida Tech
Kansas State
Arizona State
Auburn Univ

You just about can not go wrong picking one of the above schools, but, like any choice, there will be some that appeal to you more than others based on what you are looking for in terms of costs, location, campus setting, faculty characteristics, how they structure their curriculum, placement, internships available, etc.  I would recommend doing some research on each school via the web and by ordering program materials to be sent from each one....select the top three to five and visit them.  When visiting, keep a common set of notes centered around the various items that are most important to you in making your choice.  Good luck!

As far as scholarships, two keep things:

1.  Again, the UAA (contact info above), publishes a good listing of aviation scholarships entitled THE COLLEGIATE AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP LISTING.  There are $1.4 million in aviation scholarships listed.  Cost is around $20.

2.  Check this website;  www.avscholars.com  for some good aviation-related finanical aid and scholarship information.

Sincerely,

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