I just know I want to fly planes

College Search & Selection
1

Alright this is an awful lot about me… if anyone has tips on majors or schools I would appreciate it!!

Background on me:

My classes this year are: AP Psychology, AP Macroeconomics, AP Computer Science. Chorus, IB Spanish Year 2, AP English Literature, IB Chemistry Year 2. Personally my class rank and such is not a big deal however I can tell you that I am second in my class. My unweighted GPA is a 3.99/4.0.

Many of my friends are looking into going to MIT, Colombia, Princeton, etc and I really dont have that “perfect school” in mind at this time. I know that I want to be a pilot because I like the concept of flying for convenience. Flying lets you get further quicker and to more remote areas. I would love to take people clean water and resources with my life.

The way that scheduling worked out at my school this year, I had to choose between IB Chemistry Year 2, AP Calculus BC, and AP Spanish as they were all offered only during 7th period. As a result I dont have a math class this year. Strangely, I really miss it and am independently studying the class in hopes of taking the AP exam in May.

In my free time, I run my own blog, watch documentaries, crochet, and read books. I also value community service and help out a various organizations in my area, whether that means distributing diapers to families in my town or gleaning produce from local farmers.

This summer, I went to an aviation camp. We were able to fly Cessna 150s and 172s and it was my first experience in a small plane. Before that, I had only flown last November when I went to Costa Rica with my Spanish teacher and a small group. Before this camp, I sort of knew that I would like it very much. When there, I loved learning the basic physics of aviation and, of course, being up in the air.

It was a Christian camp with a strong push towards missionary aviation, and I could see myself going into this sort of work easily. However, in college I am uncertain that I would like to go to a Christian college for the reason that although religious classes sound interesting, I would prefer to take classes more focused on my major.

That said, I am unsure of what that major will be:

-Aviation (flight) would allow me to fly and have a college degree to help me into a job. Many of the 4 year aviation schools are are somewhat religious and I feel like I would sacrifice some of the math and science for religion classes at these schools.
-Similarly I could go into the military to learn to fly. There is about a 1% chance that I will do this option, however I have not ruled it out either.

-I probably want to attend a school with A&P Mechanics, however I doubt that I want to work as a mechanic as a career. I just know that many missionary organizations require this as other mechanics might be hard to find in remote areas. This is understandable.
-Another common major is aerospace engineering, however I am much more interested in aircraft than spacecraft. I understand that aeronautical is a subset to aerospace but I dont see myself enjoying learning the aerospace aspects. The reason to take this or aeronautical is for the creativity and math and science aspects.
-Of course, aeronautical is also on the list. This option is offered at fewer schools but sounds much more enjoyable than aerospace.
-I have noticed that the classes taken in the first few years of mechanical engineering are similar to that of aerospace/ aeronautical. Because of this, I could almost go into mechanical as a college freshman and then transfer to a school with more of an aviation focus later. That said, I am not interested in mechanical engineering itself and know that I wouldnt complete a whole program. Neither mechanical engineering or aerospace sounds very interesting, however I do understand that aeronautical falls under aerospace and that both of them take many of the same classes as mechanical.

If I would imagine “where I want to be” I would love to be regularly flying. Engineering sounds almost intimidating…I believe that I am being called to give people aid through aviation so I dont think I would be content in a aerospace career alone. Also, in my mind I have reserved engineering for smart people and I dont see myself as smart. I feel intimidated by it, not excited. Also (sorry I use also a lot) I dont want to be an engineer because, well… its not flying.

Current restrictions on schools give me NOTHING so thats not being helpful.
.
-4 year school (I want a 4 year degree)
-coed
-non religiously affiliated
-not for profit
-somewhat selective (I guess this could go? not sure)
-Gives AP (and if possible, IB) Credit (because paying for college)

In the end, I can see myself maybe going into some sort of Missionary Aviation (which combines planes and helping people) and many of those relief groups like you to have an A&P degree. Welding etc isnt something I would want to do, but I get that if you are in another country taking people clean water, knowing how to fix a plane is important!

2

A friend of mind has a child who is studying to become a pilot (wants to fly commercial planes) and he decided to go to Western Michigan as they have a very good flying program there. It’s a state school most people have never heard of, but their College of Aviation is one of the top 3 in the country. They also have all the different engineering courses including aeronautical engineering.

3

Unless you’re flying a helicopter or seaplane, there’s not much spontaneous flying to random places without runways.

You seem to be all over the place with what you what to do with the aviation industry.

If you want to be a commercial airline pilot, you don’t even need a bachelor’s degree, although most major airlines strongly prefer it. And the degree can be in ANYTHING.

The surest path to working as a commercial pilot for the majors is the military path. The majors strongly prefer hiring military pilots. Otherwise, it is extremely costly to pay on your own accumulate enough flight hours. The people who do it on their own often start out working for a regional airline, flying “Barbie” jets. At the regional airlines, the hours are long and the pay is truly shockingly low.
https://skift.com/2013/08/28/the-u-s-airline-pilots-who-barely-make-minimum-wage/

If you just want to fly as a hobby, then it doesn’t matter what you choose as a profession. I know lots of people who enjoy flying their own private plane, and they have zero to do with the transport industry. They just have enough income to support their expensive hobby, because buying/renting a plane, hangaring a plane, maintaining a plane, insuring a plane, fueling a plane is beaucoup bucks.

Flying a plane and designing a plane are nowhere near the same thing thing. Don’t go into** aeronautical engineering** unless you are into engineering. If you do want to work in the aeronautics industry, you don’t need a specialized degree in aeronautical engineering. A plain vanilla type of engineering degree will also get you to your goal. Therefore, don’t limit your college search to just those schools with an aeronautical engineering major, because that could eliminate a lot of feasible school that could offer good FA.

If you just want the benefit to** fly often as a passenger**, then working for an airline (any job in the airline) will entitle you to free & discounted flying for yourself and your family/partner. If your retire from the airline, you might have the flight benefits for life.

4

Eastern Kentucky University has a highly regarded Aviation 4 year degree. I know someone there now that has already lined up a job flying after graduation. Check it out.

5

What kind of flying job? With a major or with a regional?

6

You sound like an ideal candidate for Embry-Riddle. Outstanding school for aspiring pilots and engineers. It won’t be your cheapest option, but for a pull-out-all-the-stops experience, it doesn’t get any better.

Check out the [Arizona campus](http://prescott.erau.edu/) as the flying conditions there are superb.

7

A path many of my friends took was engineering/sciences @ a school with AFROTC, then active duty flying bombers or cargo planes. You’ll get multi-engine certification with lots of hours. If you went directly to commercial you’d be flying commuter planes for years anyway, so why not train courtesy of Uncle Sam? ROTC will pay your tuition and you’ll have a guaranteed job when you graduate. You could also serve in the ANG if you like flying but have other career interests.

8

Air Force or Naval Academies are also options.

9

If you want to help people’s water (or sewer) issues, then look into Civil Engineering.

You can also get a major in something else and volunteer on the side.

10

Nice! A number of state U’s have aviation programs. Not everyone who flies well does so for a living, but most I’ve known who do fly everything they can.
An A&P coupled with some business classes seems like it ought to be both useful and take the edge off knowing you’ll need a first or second class medical all your working days. Even JAARS will need someone who can run the front office, and if that person can fly and wrench too, so much the better.
ROTC can work, as a lot of bases had aero clubs back in the day, so even if you don’t get into flight school, you can continue to build time and ratings in a highly structured environment. It may get delicate going in country as a vet though, so maybe contact Wyclyffe or whomever and get another voice on that.

I’ve landed in a couple of pastures, and Dad used to more that I should admit, so I totally get what you’re saying.
North Dakota, St Coud State, Western Mi, Auburn, Purdue, all come to mind as options. I’m confident eaa daht org has some list.

Someplace where the weather can be really harsh seems likely to teach useful skills… Maybe somewhere in Colorado? Altitude, Chinook winds, and violent air … North Dakota will have winds, overcasts and 30 below, also useful. Florida will be gentler overall by comparison.

This is exciting! Best of luck!

11

You need to think about MONEY.

Reading between the lines, I gather you’ll be needing Financial Aid for college-- students from monied families typically don’t fly as a commercial airline passenger for the first time in their life as a late teen.

If Financial Aid is critical, then do NOT limit yourself to aviation-themed schools. Boeing & defense firms don’t just hire from aviation-themed schools; they also hire plain vanilla engineers from regular universities. If you need money, then don’t go deeply in debt for an engineering degree in an expensive aviation-themed school. To be a commercial airline pilot, the college you choose & the major you choose are NOT critical. Go to what’s affordable.

If you do want to pursue the military path to becoming a pilot, then be aware that ROTC is NOT essential. You can finish your bachelor’s degree independently of the military, then enter OCS after you graduate. The military is not a commitment you have to make now.

If you eschew the military path and decide to get your commercial pilot’s rating on your own, again, pick an affordable college. You’ll need to conserve money to pay for flying hours.

.

12

Thanks everyone!!

My best friend is applying ED to Columbia and I really want to be able to visit her so there are a lot of factors!

Ive heard of Embry-Riddle and a few other schools in Arizona, Florida, Texas, etc and they are all just so far away… I am from PA myself and there would be no way to visit Arizona anyway so I almost feel like Embry-Riddle is out?

I’m going to get back to a few individual comments, but if you dont get a reply its not anything personal.

@50N40W

Youre right though about the weather thing.

@PrimeMeridian

Lots of good information. I am thinking of aeronautical because it would pay for me to do plane things. I was thinking the same thing about planes being expensive.

(I might end up doing a well-paying job half the year and then some sort of mission/relief work the other half? Not sure.)

To clarify, flying as a passenger is not what I want most, and neither is flying extremely large planes. I want to use aviation to make people’s lives better, likely in another country.

This goal favors the Aviation and A&P side of things but I also need something that will pay well for 1) college 2) flying.

I listed military because someone recommended that option but I am pretty sure that my health isnt good enough for that. I like it because I could get hours, but again, I dont dream of flying commercial. I could do commercial as the “working half of the year” in theory though.

Also, when it comes to money, my parents have lots of money but I dont expect any help paying with college. But, because they are rich, need based financial aid will not be a thing. Merit based financial aid might.

13

If your family is so rich, then why not just fly there and visit?

You’ve got a naive idea of what flying for a charity is about. Almost all NGOs sub-contract (outsource) their aviation needs. These NGOs don’t keep a fleet of planes to take their staff on ad hoc trips to some remote village to deliver clean water-- that would be prohibitively expensive. Generally, it’s rich individuals, rich corporations, and the military who can afford to maintain their own private planes & afford to retain private pilots to take their clients on spontaneous trips.

To fly for one of these sub-contracted companies, you need a commercial pilots license, These aviation sub-contractors don’t give a crap about Kumbaya philosophy. They only care if you are a good pilot. THEY ARE A BUSINESS.

“Commercial” doesn’t mean flying large planes. It means having a license that permits you to be a paid pilot. It takes a lot of hours to qualify for a commercial pilots license.

14

Thanks, PrimeMeridian for the info. Youre super helpful!

My parents and I dont get along. Technically, I could go on my own but in light of the fact that I am 16 (I started school early, I am a senior this year) and dont have a phone it would be a bad idea to use my own money for a solo trip.

I really appreciate you explaining charity aviation things. The camp I went to over the summer was pushing for us to go into “missionary aviation:” which is flying people Bibles and things. It was actually a really painful week as the camp was very strict about their doctrines (racism, anyone?) and sure I had a roof over my head, but I got a taste of what it is like to go to bed hungry and afraid.

But I left with a crush on planes (if that makes sense) and feeling like I really want to create environments where people are welcomed, their basic needs are met, and they have someone to talk to. Innocent ideals? Sure, but I also feel like maybe I am “supposed to” go into aviation to meet that goal. This couples with my experience in a tiny town in Costa Rica where it took forever to travel back to civilization and the simple lifestyle was fascinating to me. Even if its just on my own, I would like to fly to make things better for people.

Some of the missionary-themed groups are volunteer only and there obviously is a lot of religious aspects that go into that as well. I dont see myself as a “missionary” at all and prefer a word like “relief” but I’m clearly still learning about how everything works.

Anyway, I was creating a distinction in my mind of regional v major airline/commercial in my mind and its good for everyone to have the same definitions, thanks for picking that up. I would prefer major airline to regional (for reasons already discussed) and I am somewhat familiar with different levels of getting a licence. Commercial probably is something I am looking for.

Still, its hard to narrow down things:

I might need some sort of A&P, I would like to do engineering if I could make money from that, and possible degrees to couple with pilots license certifications? It seems like the engineering is more selective/competitive and something like A&P is only offered at a 2 year college. My school college advisor has pushed that I should focus on getting into aerospace because I am one of the top students, but I dont think I would like that.

Some of the smaller aviation options are religiously affiliated and have ridiculous amounts of required religious classes, and the engineering would give me math and science but engineering itself isnt what my top priority…

15

I suggest you seriously consider aeronautical/aerospace engineering as your major, and work on getting a pilots license at the same time (some state schools help you do this - I mentioned Western Michigan - , though it costs extra tuition, but much cheaper than getting it straight with a private flight school). That way you have something solid which you can either leverage as part of - or to get into - a flying career, or instead of flight if flight becomes something you do on the side (philanthropic).

16

Take a deep breath. I am a sophomore aerospace engineering major, and I completely understand having a “crush” on planes - I’ve had one of of those since I was born. :slight_smile: Anyways, there are many ways to get into aviation, but unfortunately they all require one thing - money. I flew a lot during high school through Civil Air Patrol. If you’re only 16, you should look into that. It’s not a flight school, it’s an organization that is funded by the Air Force, but there are any opportunities to fly with them.

There are many aviation schools without a religious emphasis. Google flight schools in PA, I’m sure you will find many. Some are not 4 year colleges, they just teach people to fly. Others are more broad, with tech degrees and sometimes engineering.

Look into the EAA, AOPA, possibly Women in Aviation for some scholarship ideas. Don’t expect full rides to schools or anything like that, but maybe there’d be some money to get you going.

There are several levels of pilots. There’s Private Pilot, which means you can fly passengers without pay. There’s Commercial Pilot, which means you can fly for compensation. There’s also instrument ratings, multi-engine ratings, and other such ratings you may have to get depending on how complicated you may get with your flying.

Aviation is a hard field to make much money in. It’s expensive and time consuming. I don’t think flight schools give financial aid like regular colleges can, but I’m not the best authority to ask on that.

Your ideals and dreams are not bad. Hang on to those if you can, but do research and figure out what plan of action is the most realistic to make that happen. There may not be a direct route is all we’re trying to tell you.

17

Okay. This is what I gather from your posts:

  1. You want to fly airplanes, but probably not as a dedicated career
  2. You want to do development in poor countries
  3. You’re not into religion

This is what I suggest:

  1. Just get your pilots license and don’t worry about linking it to your college major. My family members, friends, and associates who are either commercial airline pilots or just private enthusiasts, all have college degrees that have ZERO to do with aviation.

  2. My friend (a very senior official in the UNHCR) advised my kid on what major to pursue for a career in the United Nations and multinational NGOs. He said to go become skilled in something (medicine, nursing, engineering, urban planning, finance, computer sci, anything practical). People with bleeding hearts are a dime a dozen. These organizations need people with skills.

  3. The UN and plenty of NGOs are non-religious. Get a job with them and you won’t have to deal with the proselytizing.

18

I am a current Airline Pilot. I attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in AZ.

They call it Harvard of the Sky for a reason. …In my opinion it is the best Aeronautical Education out there- be it Aeronautical Science, Engineering, Management, Meteorology, Air Traffic Control and now even Homeland Security.

It is not religious at all. They have huge campus in Daytona Beach if AZ is too far for you.

If you decide to apply and are serious, PM me as I can write /fill out an Alumni Endorsement Grant that will automatically give you $1000 towards tuition renewable for all 4 years - total of $4000. The form must be submitted by Jan1 though.

19

Eglider daht org is, I believe Knauf and Grove’s web site. Near State College PA, it’s one of the best known soaring sites east of the Mississippi, Harris Hill, near Corning NY is the other. I think both have training camps and bunkhouses and can, with decent weather, get a student to solo in 10 days or so. Soaring isn’t exactly bush flying, but it is all about energy management and constant decision making. These are very good things.

20

Alright. Good info, everyone.

I talked to my school college adviser and she recommended going to a flight school for A&P and learning through a private instructor and then going to college for something entirely different. Whatever that would be should lead to a well paying career. I will do that for part of the year to pay for volunteer flying during the remainder of the year.

This is very similar to what PrimeMeridian has suggested.

That said, I have no idea what I would like to do for the working part of the year. Like no idea. She is pushing some sort of engineering but I dont “want” to go into engineering… I just know I want to fly planes.