Worth getting a degree with flight school?

[darbyjack]

Hi all,

Total newbie here. I'm 25 and about to bite the bullet and embark onto flight training (I have a Class 1 med cert). So far I have my eyes set on the Shoreham flight school and was wondering how much of a benefit would it to do the course with a degree included (at Buckinghamshire New University)

From what I've gathered, the pilot market is saturated with not too many jobs going round for airlines. I know this is going to be a tough and grueling journey. To the best of my knowledge, there are no open windows for airlines taking on zero hour applicants at the moment. Rather than sit and wait for one of those opportunities (which has no guarantee of getting selected) I may as well go ahead and learn to fly, and would the degree help much?

Realistically, I'm beginning to think that flying a big jet is a big dream but might end up having a job flying smaller aircraft.

Anyway, would like to have some thought and input on this whilst I dig more information from this forum and other places.

Thanks

[pineappledaz]

Get a degree in something else..find another job that pays well. Find a good place to hire an aircraft and fly to your heart content with no BS. You will love the flying and you will probably have more $$$ in your pocket at the end of the day.

[darbyjack]

Thanks, but not quite the answer I was looking for. My biggest worry upon completing flight school is finding a way to get 1500 hours. I'm guessing going for this afterwards will help to an extent: FAQ - CTC Aviation (http://www.ctcaviation.com/ctcflexicrew/faq)

Trying to get my head round all this.

[mad_jock]

the degree bits of these scheme's are all marketing fluff.

They are worthless in the grandscale of things.

[Genghis the Engineer]

A proper Bachelors or Masters degree is worth something. These "Foundation Degrees" (basically the old HNC) as my friend the deranged scotsman says, are largely valueless.

There's another thread running on this page about aviation degrees, discussing a piece of research about this, and even this (very pro university) research paper being discussed there confirms that.

That said, the Bucks course has become quite well regarded in recent years, and they're using a good training provider in Booker Aviation - so I'd not discount them, but the "degree" element is indeed fluff.

[mad_jock]

its weird I think, foundation degree is worthless.

But even 10-15 years ago if I heard someone had a HND from RGIT it was a huge plus point. And it definitely added to there skill set in away that my BEng didn't. Especially when it came to practical fabrication.

[Q1W2E3R4]

Jack,

Don't do a degree in aviation save your money, later on it could help you to get a Type Rating.

All the best ! :ok:

[Earlydownwind]

Don't degrade your CV with this noddy degree

[charliegolf]

I second all the advice so far given, maybe with a bit less slagging off of the FD. A foundation degree isn't what people think of as a 'degree' (BSc, BA, BEng etc) which is a level 6 qualification of some 360 credit points. You can use a foundation degree 'on the way to' a proper, level 6 qualification. It's a pile of points after all.

Do a saleable degree, earn money, go flying.


Oh, and don't think ANY degree (proper one) will help you get into the front of a jet!