I am about to start my freshman year of college at a university that does not have a flight school or any related fields of study. I have a full scholarship that will cover 4 years of school there; however, I want to be able to work as a commercial pilot after college. My family does not have the money to pay for college or flight school. I am planning on going to a local flight school while in college to get at least my PPL and maybe all the way up to an ATP. I also have been looking a lot at Embry-Riddle. Would it be better to get my ATP at a local flight school and get my degree in a different field or would it be better to transfer to Embry-Riddle after my freshman year to finish college and flight training there?
Lake,
First off you will not be getting your ATP at your local flight school, Riddle or any other flight school for that matter. You’ll earn your Commercial license and then need to build the required 1500hrs to get hired by a Regional and they will train you for your ATP (I recommend you visit or FAQ section for more info on the process).
Now you say your family doesn’t have money for college or flight school so unless your scholarship will cover Riddle that’s probably the most expensive route there is. Personally I believe you should get your degree paid for. Do well and then complete your flight training after. It’s always a good idea to have your degree in something other than aviation in case things don’t pan out. Ultimately the choice is yours.
Adam
Lake,
I will be honest, I am not a fan of Embry Riddle. While they offer a solid education, they are incredibly expensive. I would recommend finishing your education, then taking out a loan for flight school. I recommend that you take a look at the FAQ section as there is a lot of good information there.
Chris