A question for all Pilots
Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog
A question for all Pilots
i wanna be a pilot and im going to sault college next year but im not sure how good of a school it is. so for all you pilots what school did you go to and what are you currently flyingand with what airline? thanks a lot for answering
- complexintentions
- Rank 10
- Posts: 2186
- Joined: Thu Aug 19, 2004 3:49 pm
- Location: of my pants is unknown.
What is this "school" thing you speak of?
Seriously, it won't hurt to have it, but as you will hear over and over from everyone except the flight schools, the most important thing is getting the rating(s) and getting into the industry while it's moving.
You don't need the diploma/degree while things are moving, and it won't help you one bit when things aren't. (Get a flying job that is.) Now, a university degree in something tangible like engineering or finance, that WILL be a help...but if you can't be persuaded otherwise and MUST attend one of these fine aviation institutions, I wouldn't stress about which one. They all seem to be the same thing: Transport Canada material dressed up as "MET 101" and "AIR LAW 200", costing an arm and a leg. You'll learn more about actual flying from the likes of Cat just reading this forum.
Cheers.

Seriously, it won't hurt to have it, but as you will hear over and over from everyone except the flight schools, the most important thing is getting the rating(s) and getting into the industry while it's moving.
You don't need the diploma/degree while things are moving, and it won't help you one bit when things aren't. (Get a flying job that is.) Now, a university degree in something tangible like engineering or finance, that WILL be a help...but if you can't be persuaded otherwise and MUST attend one of these fine aviation institutions, I wouldn't stress about which one. They all seem to be the same thing: Transport Canada material dressed up as "MET 101" and "AIR LAW 200", costing an arm and a leg. You'll learn more about actual flying from the likes of Cat just reading this forum.
Cheers.
I’m still waiting for my white male privilege membership card. Must have gotten lost in the mail.
- fingersmac
- Rank 7
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:17 pm
A school like ATP is useless if you don't have a right to work in the US. All that fancy training won't get you an RJ job here in Canada as quickly as it does in the US.
Sault and Confed are subsidized by the government which makes flight training affordable. Plus you can qualify for student loans and bursaries. Both have produce numerous "airline" pilots who are flying for various companies both in Canada and overseas.
As far as costs go, I think both are similarly priced. Tuition at Confed is about $8K and my MIFR done privately cost about $8K too. $16K total is a little more than Sault, but the program is a year shorter and offers a float rating and 24hrs of float time. Like I said they are similarly priced.
Sault and Confed are subsidized by the government which makes flight training affordable. Plus you can qualify for student loans and bursaries. Both have produce numerous "airline" pilots who are flying for various companies both in Canada and overseas.
As far as costs go, I think both are similarly priced. Tuition at Confed is about $8K and my MIFR done privately cost about $8K too. $16K total is a little more than Sault, but the program is a year shorter and offers a float rating and 24hrs of float time. Like I said they are similarly priced.
Do your research carefully. Some schools are absolutely great, others are on the verge of bankruptcy. Look for schools who have classroom instructors with a background in military or airline flying, and who's instructors have ATPL's. Their experiences are invaluable learning lessons.
You will learn a lot more about aviation at a good college than from an instructor who just got his commercial license two months ago at the local flying club. I can say that because I went to a great college and then instructed afterwards. I did every thing that I could to make professional pilots out of my students, and many are flying for the airlines now. But my experience at a college was by far superior to anything that we could have taught with the limited resources at the flying club.
When it comes to finding your first job, the degree will be completely meaningless, and you may even find yourself deleting it from your resume so you don't come across as a college snob. But in an industry where many of us have seen good friends make mistakes that have cost them their careers, or even their lives, the more knowledge the better.
You will learn a lot more about aviation at a good college than from an instructor who just got his commercial license two months ago at the local flying club. I can say that because I went to a great college and then instructed afterwards. I did every thing that I could to make professional pilots out of my students, and many are flying for the airlines now. But my experience at a college was by far superior to anything that we could have taught with the limited resources at the flying club.
When it comes to finding your first job, the degree will be completely meaningless, and you may even find yourself deleting it from your resume so you don't come across as a college snob. But in an industry where many of us have seen good friends make mistakes that have cost them their careers, or even their lives, the more knowledge the better.
Go to University!
This is an insane business, at least with a full University degree, you have something tangible.
Take the flying on the side, plan your four years to Graduate University with a Commercial License, Class one Multi IFR.
In a perfect world. maybe even nab a flying job in the summers.
The University Degree is held in higher regard than ANY Aviation College.
This is an insane business, at least with a full University degree, you have something tangible.
Take the flying on the side, plan your four years to Graduate University with a Commercial License, Class one Multi IFR.
In a perfect world. maybe even nab a flying job in the summers.
The University Degree is held in higher regard than ANY Aviation College.
That's what I was gonna say too. Man up and get a real degree. If things don't pan out the way you want them to, you've got a great back up plan already on your wall in a really nice frame. You can do your flight training while going to uni. It's a good break from school and doubles your loans instantly!
Everything comes in threes....
you dont need a degree. it doesnt make any difference. you have to prove to them that you can study hard and pass their exams. a degree is one way of doing that, but it isnt the only way to do it. if you want to go to aviation college, whether its 1 year or a hundred years, its the same stuff. just be smart, proffessional, and hard working.. thats all you need. good luck