Central WA University - Aviation Program

[Stephanie]

One of the reasons I enjoy WIX so much is because of the vast information of knowledge that everyone brings to the table... so, I thought I'd take a stab in the dark and see what I come up with.

I am thinking about applying for admission at Central WA University and starting with their flight program. (http://www.cwu.edu/~flight/)

Does anyone here know anything about, or have any experience with this program? Obviously I have read their website, etc., but I just thought it'd be nice to try and get information from people that know about it, have been through it, etc.

You can post her or PM me, but any information you guys have would be SO helpful!

I just feel like I'm not getting any younger and if I want to fly professionally, I really need to get on the ball!

Thank you guys so much!

Stephanie

[Randy Haskin]

I just feel like I'm not getting any younger and if I want to fly professionally, I really need to get on the ball!

More importantly, what are your professional aviation goals? Going to a 4-year university's flight program may not be the best (or financially the most feasable) way to get where you want to go.

I recommend the JetCareers website (http://forums.jetcareers.com/index.php), where there are many people who want a pro aviation career and are looking for advice from people who have been there.

I'm almost certain you'll be able to find something useful there.

[Stephanie]

Randy, thank you for the link, I did find some good information there, and even some on CWU in particular.

Seems like just when you have things figured out you read something or discover something that throws you all off. I am really having the hardest time with this decision...

Thank you for the site though, I appreciate it.

P.S. The long term goal is to fly cargo, FedEx, UPS, Cargo 360, etc...

[Broken-Wrench]

You have been going on about this for months! You have all of the information, now you have to decide. You need to commit to do it or forget about it..

[Stephanie]

You have been going on about this for months! You have all of the information, now you have to decide. You need to commit to do it or forget about it..

I appreciate the support...

The problem that I have is that I also do not have my degree. So I need my 4 year degree and I need my ratings.

I run into confusion because... I have to do this all on my own. I don't have a husband or boyfriend to help support me, and my family isn't in a position to help. I have a mortgage to pay for, which requires working full time. I need to go to school and I need to fly and do the studying that flying requires. I don't know about you, but my days only last 24 hours, therefore, I am trying to figure out the most cost effective and efficient way of doing things is.

I don't have mom and dads house to go back to either, so as long as I want a roof over my head I have to keep paying for my home. So, while I appreciate your being direct with me, it doesn't do me much good.

Maybe it's time I realize that I waited too long and that I don't get to fly commercially now... but I am trying to make an educated decision about this, rather that just jumping willy nilly into something and making a bad decision.

The facts are, that I have to be able to support myself 100%, I need a roof over my head and food, I need a degree (I also WANT my degree) if I want to fly for the companies that I want to fly for, I need the ratings and the hours, and it's going to be a terribly difficult thing to balance, so like I said, just looking for input and suggestions, not the obvious. I know I need to get out there and do something... but I want to do the right thing, not just anything... and in the meantime I am back in school, working towards the desired ending while trying to figure out the flight component.

[Stephanie]

You have been going on about this for months! You have all of the information, now you have to decide. You need to commit to do it or forget about it..

P.S. CWU flight program costs are over $110k for 4 years... if $110k isn't good enough reason to be a little particular about my flight training then I don't know what is. Like I said, I am a single woman, every penny that isn't covered be financial aid I get to come up with on my own... I feel being particular is a good choice.

My expected financial contribution for next year is $11,000 out of pocket, not something I just have laying around.

[Saabmeister]

You have been going on about this for months! You have all of the information, now you have to decide. You need to commit to do it or forget about it..

P.S. CWU flight program costs are over $110k for 4 years... if $110k isn't good enough reason to be a little particular about my flight training then I don't know what is. Like I said, I am a single woman, every penny that isn't covered be financial aid I get to come up with on my own... I feel being particular is a good choice.

My expected financial contribution for next year is $11,000 out of pocket, not something I just have laying around.

$110,000, just for the aviation part?!?!? Not including general tuition?

[Stephanie]

$110,000, just for the aviation part?!?!? Not including general tuition?

No, that's 4 years of tuition and the flight program. So it includes both, but that's just about $28,000/year.

[Stephanie]

Midstate Aviation, Inc. (the airport CWU uses) indicates the estimated flight training costs for Private, Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and Multi-engine flight training is approximately $52,750 (as of 08/15/06). These flight costs are in addition to the estimated four-year CWU fees (tuition, books, transportation, etc.) of approximately $65,000 (2006-2007 estimate total costs).

Hopefully some of that would be slightly reduced if I go up there private pilots license in hand, but I am still waiting for a call from the office to verifty whether or not that is the case...

[Broken-Wrench]

I worked 3 jobs ( Commuter Aircraft Mechanic, Ticket agent, Cargo Load master ) working my way thru college. Not to mention all of the Sheet jobs. I was a double major. Indiana State, B.S. Aviation Administration, B.S. Professional Pilot. I went to school alot of times reaking of Jet A but I did it all without student loans! Whew. I never went anywhere or even to spring break because I was working all the time.! There isn't an easy button... The profession demands sacrifice.. Rand did the military route and it has it own set of sacrifices.. You need to get rid of things that are going to hinder you from obtaining your goals if your going to do it or your chances of making it are very slim. Most students don't have a house or fancy car. Flight students live with about 3 or 4 people and eat craft macaroni and cheese and drive junk cars just to get that flight time that will get them that $23,000.00 F/O job to start working their way out of poverty.. You can always do student loans or the military but without sacrifice your not going to make it. P.S. I had my Instrument before I started and recived credits for all of my cerificates before enroling. And I saved some cash.

[Stephanie]

I worked 3 jobs ( Commuter Aircraft Mechanic, Ticket agent, Cargo Load master ) working my way thru college. Not to mention all of the Sheet jobs. I was a double major. Aviation Administration, Professional Pilot. I did it all without student loans! Whew. I never went anywhere or even to spring break because I was working all the time. ! There isn't an easy button... The profession demands sacrifice.. Rand did the military route and it has it own set of sacrifices.. You need to get rid of things that are going to hinder you from obtaining your goals if your going to do it or your chances of making it are very slim. Most students don't have a house or fancy car. Flight students live with about 3 or 4 people and eat craft macaroni and cheese and drive junk cars just to get that flight time that will get them that $23,000.00 F/O job to start working their way out of poverty.. You can always do student loan or the military but without sacrifice your not going to make it.

I am not stupid, I realize there is a sacrifice involved in this and I am absolutely fine with that... I can't seem to find a roommate to save my life... my house is the only asset I have and the only real source of school money I have is the equity in that... so I need to keep the roof over my head... I paid my car off a couple of years ago so I don't have that debt either. I work full time and then I have a part time job as well. So it's not like I am not trying...

But like I said, I want to do the most cost effective thing and make a smart decision. I just don't know if I go to school first, and fly later, try to do it all at once, or get my degree and then enroll somewhere like flight safety.

I commend you for what you were able to do though. I think it's impressive. I just know that I have one asset right now and thats my house, so I should do my best to hang onto that, and that's a big chunk of money each month.

Anyhow...

[Broken-Wrench]

You won't need the house bcause when you get on with an airline you'll be working all over the place.. You whole life will be in your flight bag. When I was working for the commuters as a pilot I worked 4 on 3 off. It took a whole day to Jump seat back home ( If you could get on?) (I stayed at the Girl Friends house.) home a day, and a Day going back.. You couldn't be late but once and then they would fire you! Then I had to pay for a crash pad in Denver..Once again with four guys. I couldn't buy a house because I could be stationed there for 6 months and then rotated to Clevland or Houston.. It is a Gypsy lifestyle. Airlines are constantly starting up and dying. You need to go to the airport and have a hard no B.S. talk with some commuter pilots.

Further, At $26,000.00 per year ( Probably $17,000.00 after taxes) your probably not going to be able to afford your house. unless it has wheels.
Do the math, after you pay your car insurance , Buy food, crash pad rent, there isn't much left.

Last edited by Broken-Wrench on Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[John Cotter]

I have an Aviation degree and it is not worth much in the real world. I would suggest you get your 4 year degree in something else that is marketable and do all your flying on the side. Airlines don't care what the degree is, just that you have one.

And when (not if) the down cycle in aviation happens, you will have another skill set to fall back on if you would happen to get furloughed. Plus get your time as fast as possible. I just spoke with a guy that is interviewing with Colgan and he is saying some of the regionals are hiring with less than 500 TT , but you have to have the 100 multi.

By getting the time quickly, you can get hired somewhere and finish you degree while building time for FedEX.

[Broken-Wrench]

Come on! you know FEDEX is going to touch anyone with out 4 year unless you got an inside track!

[Stephanie]

Come on! you know FEDEX is going to touch anyone with out 4 year unless you got an inside track!

Yes, this I do know.

Edit: I did just re-read what John wrote...

Yeah, I could always get my hours and ratings, etc., and then try and finish the degree after that. And then apply for FedEx once the degree is complete. That's an idea.

Last edited by Stephanie on Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.