Expert: D. Norkus - 8/23/2006

Question
I would like to go to Embry Riddle avation School to get a BD in Aeronotical Science and aquire my licens to fly planes. can you provide me with some information that isn't sugarcoded about the school. and comming out of that school do I get a licens to let me be able to fly a 777, or do I have to go to a seperate school to get that. Thank-you

                -Justin Hall

Answer
Justin

While ERAU is no doubt a top notch school, you definately pay for it and will continue to do so for well over a decade (maybe two) after you graduate. After 4 years there, you can expect to be in debt for about $100,000. I know a few people who did the entire 4 year program on campus and two say they would definately not do it again due to the cost. That is a hefty loan to have over your head, especially when you start out making $20,000 as a new hire regional pilot. After 3 or 4 years, you will be lucky to break the $35K mark.

That price was far too steep for me, so I attended their Extended Campus for a far better price after transerrring from a local Community College where I got my 2 year degree. I enjoyed it very much (works around a career) and got my academics via ERAU for substantially less than attending campus. I also did not get my pilots certificates via ERAU but the local flying club where the costs were very, very reasonable compared to flight schools and universities.

"...and [coming] out of that school do I get a [license] to let me be able to fly a 777, or do I have to go to a seperate school to get that."

A grad would still have to go out and build up flight time by instructing in Cessnas/Pipers or other jobs just like every one else to even be hireable by a commuter/regional airline. ERAU gets you a degree & your pilot qualification but no experience. (Unless you instruct while attending college.) You will need 1,000 flight hours to even meet regional airline hiring minumum qualifications. To fly a 777, well that requires aircraft specific training and upon graduation you will not even be close to flyng anything of the sort. American carriers, unlike some aboard in Asia or Europe, only hire pilots with substantial jet experience gained through regional airline or corporate flying jobs. It takes many, many years of flying other jets to get to the cockpit of a Boeing 777 (as well as several thousand flight hours). Pilot positions in the airlines are awarded based on company tenure and widebody flight crew are the most senior slots at the airlines. Once hired at a major, even then it will take many years to progress to a 777 as a First Officer/co-pilot.

Check out my site about flight training & airline pilot careers. It seems you need a bit more background info on the industry and the career:

http://www,geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

I also have a section that explains pilot pay (which may be a bit eye opening for you) and scheduling.

Additionally, DO visit http://www.jetcareers.com and http://www.flightinfo.com

Both sites have very active message boards for current and aspiring pilots. There are literally hundreds of posts on ERAU, a lot from former students, and can give you insight on the campus experience. You can also post questions after you register. Jetcareers.com even has a folder just for ERAU.

The Jetcareers site in general is also very much "required reading" for any aspiring airline pilot.

Hope this helps.
Dottie