Suggestions on flying while going to University?

[Parkex]

Hey guys this is going to be my first post so I hope it's in the right spot!

Anyways I'm 21 and working up north right now as an F/O. Flying has always been my passion but i'm really interested in the science of airplane design - particularly the engines.

When I was offered this job i was in my first semester of University. I was going to be studying mechanical engineering but i decided to take this opportunity instead.

In an ideal world i would love to go back to finish up my degree and somehow continue flying.

Anyone have any suggestions on how I could fly part-time and go to school full time (or vice versa).

I'd rather not have to instruct but i don't see any other way?

Thanks in advance!

[andy.air]

It's a bit difficult to juggle unless you are flying fixed scheds like 704 work and you happen to live near a University. You can try distance learning with places like Athabasca University, though you won't necessarily be able to finish an engineering major unless the school offers it.

Instructing doesn't make it any easier either, since often it is your students who governs your schedule. It does have the benefit of being closer to a city though, and likewise, closer to a school. I have seen people who have successfully finished their degrees while instructing, though it would be a lot of work, and it requires your employer to allow you to work around your schedule.

[davecessna]

As an engineering graduate (Mechanical, aerospace/control sys) let me warn you that working in a job that is not a "beer fund" job during your studies is going to be very, very difficult. Not impossible, but very close. Mechanical engineering is one of the most difficult and demanding undergraduate degrees (for most people). It's 4 years of brutal courseloads, especially seeing as you've hinted towards turbomachinery. Congratulations, you picked the most difficult undergrad, with its most difficult specialization stream! (Good for you!)

When I started I was still working as a nightshift forklift driver, let me tell you about bad ideas.

[cgzro]

Agreed, focus on the degree. Then when you graduate buy a plane and fly the crap out of it.

[Parkex]

As an engineering graduate (Mechanical, aerospace/control sys) let me warn you that working in a job that is not a "beer fund" job during your studies is going to be very, very difficult. Not impossible, but very close. Mechanical engineering is one of the most difficult and demanding undergraduate degrees (for most people). It's 4 years of brutal courseloads, especially seeing as you've hinted towards turbomachinery. Congratulations, you picked the most difficult undergrad, with its most difficult specialization stream! (Good for you!)

When I started I was still working as a nightshift forklift driver, let me tell you about bad ideas.

Well my plan right now is to work here until june-july build up as much multi-ifr time i can and then make a decision on what i'd like to do.

I've found my passion and the industry i'd like to work in, i'm just torn between flying the planes or building them . Being a test pilot would be a happy medium (in my dreams )!

[davecessna]

If you haul ass, you can get done in less time, i.e. do full-time summer course loads. One of the perks of living in "La Belle Province" is my university education cost me about what I paid for my PPL.

Btw you can be a test pilot without having an engineering degree.

As for the glamour of engineering, just remember: in the end it is a job with all the ups and downs of any job. The schools will try to sell you being a rock star working for NASA on weekends and having 7 Bugatti Veyrons to choose from to drive to your consulting job at Tesla.

[JBI]

I was in a similar position as you when I decided to go back to university (10 years ago this month - yikes I'm getting old!). I ended up doing a BA and then a law degree. I had left my airline on good terms and thought that there would be a chance I could return during the summers to fly during some busy times. As happens with airlines, about two months after I left, they closed shop.

I wasn't able to fly during school. I decided that I wanted to focus on my studies and get back working as soon as possible as a lot of the schooling was financed by loans. During undergrad I took additional courses each semester and took courses during the summer. However, I do know of pilots who have been able to go to school during the year and then go back up north and fly (mostly floats) during the summers.

The key is how many hours you have and what experience you have right now. Do not stop flying until you have at least 1000 hours, preferably an ATPL. You'll be in a much better position to get back into a flying job afterwards.

While you're flying, you can still do a few distance ed elective courses through your school, through University of Waterloo and/or Athabasca. Just be sure to check what courses you can use towards your degree requirements. Not too much point in doing an elective course that you can't credit towards your degree.

While in school, if you're taking a full-time course load it would be difficult, though not impossible to have a flying job. Depending on the location of your school, instructing part-time may be an option. However, that has its own difficulties as it requires first investing in an instructor rating and then your availability for your own students is decreased.

[Pavese]

Agreed, focus on the degree. Then when you graduate buy a plane and fly the crap out of it.

+1

My advice would be work on the degree, fly in the summer or even better talk yourself into a work term job at one of the aerospace manufacturers.

I didn't know I was interested in airplanes at that point in my career.

D

[Pop n Fresh]

...being a rock star working for NASA on weekends and having 7 Bugatti Veyrons to choose from to drive to your consulting job at Tesla.

That sounds ok but, I'd rather trade 5 of the Bugatti Veyrons for some restored late sixties Chevys and Fords. Maybe add an airplane in there.

[AuxBatOn]

Btw you can be a test pilot without having an engineering degree

You at least need a very strong science background and a military career (or a ton of money).

[davecessna]

You at least need a very strong science background and a military career (or a ton of money).

Yes, of course. Coupled with 10k+ hours on type or similar.

I will say this however, having both an engineering degree and a pilot's license has given me a couple of interesting career options as an engineer. As a pilot though, should I choose to pursue it as a career, I'm just another 200 hour wonder looking for time building job that's not the military.

[AuxBatOn]

You at least need a very strong science background and a military career (or a ton of money).

Yes, of course. Coupled with 10k+ hours on type or similar.

I will say this however, having both an engineering degree and a pilot's license has given me a couple of interesting career options as an engineer. As a pilot though, should I choose to pursue it as a career, I'm just another 200 hour wonder looking for time building job that's not the military.

You actually just need 1000 hrs total time (for folks flying fast jet) or 1500 hrs (for everybody else), with a section lead or Aircraft Captain qual.

[Pop n Fresh]

Well Parkex, I think you should continue flying for at least a couple more years to bulk up the log book while the gettin's good so to speak. This seems to be the tricky hurdle.

As a pilot though, should I choose to pursue it as a career, I'm just another 200 hour wonder looking for time building job that's not the military.

You are sitting in the cat bird seat. I would say you have plenty of time to go to university. If you were 31 I might suggest you go right away. I think my brain broke several years after that age. Maybe even a decade.

If I were to take classes now it would have to be for something pretty fun to off set the extra work required to study for classes. Like billionaire playboy school.

[Parkex]

If you haul ass, you can get done in less time, i.e. do full-time summer course loads. One of the perks of living in "La Belle Province" is my university education cost me about what I paid for my PPL.

Amen to that, i'm orignally from Montreal hence my username.


And thanks to everyone for the advice, i'm just worried that when i go back to school ill only be graudating at 26, 27 and be like 4 years behind everyone, but I guess it doesn't really matter in the end.

[DanWEC]

Lots of good opinions here. I'll offer mine, and it's ONLY an opinion.
I wouldn't worry what age you graduate. Under 30 it's all the same. You'll see there are people of all ages at Uni, and lots of people to hang out with, you won't be the old guy, by far!!

Flying a plane and getting a CPL is a LOT easier than getting a 4 year degree. A... Lot...

BUT- Getting your first job, then 1500 hours with multi time and an ATPL in only a couple years is much, much harder in my opinion. You've got that in the pipeline.

If you plan on a career as a pilot, I'd agree with the previous poster that said said to get a few more hours to make yourself more marketable while you're part time or taking a break.

On a side note, definately get the degree, don't think twice about it, but don't wait too long.

[JBI]

If I were to take classes now it would have to be for something pretty fun to off set the extra work required to study for classes. Like billionaire playboy school.

I went back to undergrad at 25 for an Arts degree after being in Northern Manitoba for almost 4 years. Even though I drove a Firefly and lived in a basement bachelor apartment, I felt like I was in billionaire playboy school!

[davecessna]

Then you're all set. If you'd rather study in French, ETS has an excellent mechanical engineering program that is very highly regarded in the Montreal aerospace industry. They also offer evening courses, I believe. I went to Concordia myself, and my colleagues' origins cover every single university from Montreal to Windsor.