University of Oklahoma Aviation?

Ryan A

Ryan A

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austinrc
Hi all-

I know collegiate aviation isn't a topic that is discussed often on here, but I was accepted to the University of Oklahoma's Aviation degree program starting this fall and am trying to decide if I will go there or go elsewhere for a different degree and fly part 61 on the side (my goal is to become a commercial airline pilot).

Before you tell me not to get an aviation degree (I've heard that plenty of times,) I should note that I have GI bill benefits that will pay for my instrument, commercial, cfi, and cfii, only if I go through a collegiate program.

Does anyone have any experience with OU aviation? Any overall thoughts, good or bad? Or know any experiences from others?

Thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.
 
I think having the GI Bill to pay for it makes the decision easy. The only question is which program to enroll in.
 
@RussR is based in the OKC area and may have some information to share.
 
Ryan - at one point in time - Okla State University - had a solid aviation program as well.

Dean
 
OU has a great aviation program. Although I don't have personal experience with it, I can say that I've heard only good things.

codeeno said:
Ryan - at one point in time - Okla State University - had a solid aviation program as well.
Click to expand...

This is still true, from what I understand. On top of that, they are getting a brand-spanking-new flight center built at KSWO this year (or next) and have gotten a slew of new SR-20's for training.

Edit: Also, with my entire immediate family being alums, OU has been a lifetime rooting interest. I'd be derelict in my duty if I didn't extend you a hearty "Boomer Sooner!"
 
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Only problem I’m aware of is the football team. Can I get an amen @OkieFlyer ?

Go DAWGS. :)

Wish you luck in your aviation future and thanks for your service!
 
codeeno said:
Ryan - at one point in time - Okla State University - had a solid aviation program as well.

Dean
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my son in law went through the OSU program and is a airline pilot now. Go Pokes!,,
 
One of my CFI’s was a graduate of that program, and I have spent some time looking at that program as a result. After instructing for about 2 years, he went to the regional airlines (Skywest) for a few years and then became the Chief Pilot for a corporate flight department. I can say he was very well trained and was great at adapting his style of teaching to your style of learning. Based on our discussions, it seems the program was about equally interested in turning out quality people as quality pilots. Probably more interesting was he was also a male cheerleader for 4 years. Unfortunately I was never really able to tap that reservoir of stories but I gotta believe he had more than a few.
 
@Ryan A - What are the exact rulez for the GI Bill?

Does:
Ryan A said:
only if I go through a collegiate program.
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Mean it must be your major? Can you double major and still be "in the program"? Can it be your minor?

The usual advice against the "aviation degree" is that is less useful in the general market if something goes wrong. (Medically, Employment contraction, etc)

So if you can double major and fulfill the requirements for your GI Bill, that would not be a "no-brainer", it would be a "brainer".

[And I don't give a flying **** about collegiate sports or ring knocking, but an BSE from ERU is a nothing burger to me]
 
Ryan A said:
Hi all-

I know collegiate aviation isn't a topic that is discussed often on here, but I was accepted to the University of Oklahoma's Aviation degree program starting this fall and am trying to decide if I will go there or go elsewhere for a different degree and fly part 61 on the side (my goal is to become a commercial airline pilot).

Before you tell me not to get an aviation degree (I've heard that plenty of times,) I should note that I have GI bill benefits that will pay for my instrument, commercial, cfi, and cfii, only if I go through a collegiate program.

Does anyone have any experience with OU aviation? Any overall thoughts, good or bad? Or know any experiences from others?

Thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.
Click to expand...


I live about 15 miles from KOUN. I think OU's aviation program is fine. I have never heard anything negative about it. I do hear them a lot on the radio.
 
Ravioli said:
@Ryan A - What are the exact rulez for the GI Bill?

Does:


Mean it must be your major? Can you double major and still be "in the program"? Can it be your minor?

The usual advice against the "aviation degree" is that is less useful in the general market if something goes wrong. (Medically, Employment contraction, etc)

So if you can double major and fulfill the requirements for your GI Bill, that would not be a "no-brainer", it would be a "brainer".

[And I don't give a flying **** about collegiate sports or ring knocking, but an BSE from ERU is a nothing burger to me]
Click to expand...

It can't be a minor, but double-majoring is certainly a possibility and something I'm considering.

Even if it could be a minor, I would prefer to major so I can get 60 credit hours and thus the restricted-ATP.
 
Ryan A said:
Even if it could be a minor, I would prefer to major so I can get 60 credit hours and thus the restricted-ATP.
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Again, rulez I'm unaware of, but you can take 60 credits of anything you want at most Universities. They have 'minimums' to graduate but no 'maximums'.

A double major with something easy like Economics might be your best bet.

[So sayeth the guy with a BA in Economics because it was the easiest useful course of study]
 
Ravioli said:
Again, rulez I'm unaware of, but you can take 60 credits of anything you want at most Universities. They have 'minimums' to graduate but no 'maximums'.

A double major with something easy like Economics might be your best bet.

[So sayeth the guy with a BA in Economics because it was the easiest useful course of study]
Click to expand...

R-ATP requires 60 credit hours of aviation coursework, which usually means it has to be a major.
 
Ryan A said:
R-ATP requires 60 credit hours of aviation coursework, which usually means it has to be a major.
Click to expand...

Double check that. In the California State University you may take as many hours of anything you want, so long as you pay the tuition, and they need not be in your Major field of study. So, doing the time while also fulfilling the requirements of "some other major" should probably work.

But as I said, just a question to ask before you commit to one major or another.
 
Radar Contact said:
Only problem I’m aware of is the football team. Can I get an amen @OkieFlyer ?

Go DAWGS. :)

Wish you luck in your aviation future and thanks for your service!
Click to expand...

This must be settled in the air. Chief Pilot from each school. Flour bombing run. Must split the goal posts on each end. Closest drop to the 50 yard line wins.
 
luvflyin said:
This must be settled in the air. Chief Pilot from each school. Flour bombing run. Must split the goal posts on each end. Closest drop to the 50 yard line wins.
Click to expand...

That'll be fun. Goalposts are 18 1/2' apart, so a BD-5 will have the edge, a Cri-Cri would work, and most anything else will become the clipped wing variant of whatever it started out as.
 
GaryM said:
That'll be fun. Goalposts are 18 1/2' apart, so a BD-5 will have the edge, a Cri-Cri would work, and most anything else will become the clipped wing variant of whatever it started out as.
Click to expand...

5ollG-JUgQnmPcjcyOYwiYv-XeqEczn9g-NdlwYz4F5ULFJPmV68bJg32OYuqAyylYb-YqjpeBfdf6vCdpWcki8vnen05rGsnNiIrMmabw2w5L9IsaqHicvA5uX6kbFuj_LoiD5RkwFK


Lack of imagination, I say.
 
Ryan A said:
Hi all-

I know collegiate aviation isn't a topic that is discussed often on here, but I was accepted to the University of Oklahoma's Aviation degree program starting this fall and am trying to decide if I will go there or go elsewhere for a different degree and fly part 61 on the side (my goal is to become a commercial airline pilot).

Before you tell me not to get an aviation degree (I've heard that plenty of times,) I should note that I have GI bill benefits that will pay for my instrument, commercial, cfi, and cfii, only if I go through a collegiate program.

Does anyone have any experience with OU aviation? Any overall thoughts, good or bad? Or know any experiences from others?

Thanks for any advice you may be able to provide.
Click to expand...
As a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association I have had the opportunity to follow several flying school programs. Google NIFA and look at the success of the school programs in the contests and that will reveal which programs have a good training environment. If I were you I would consider Oklahoma State University over OU. Kansas State University has a good program in Salina and if you can stand the weather North Dakota State is highly regarded. Southeastern Oklahoma seems to draw numerous students from Texas. Parks in St. Louis has a long history, NW Missouri at Warrensburg has a program as does the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Oklahoma State has had a highly regarded program for 60 or 70 years with the added benefit of having multiple other degree programs you can branch into such as engineering, business, science etc. where some of the other schools are more limited in additional majors. If you have any questions PM me and I will be happy to call and talk with you.
 
Briar Rabbit said:
As a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association I have had the opportunity to follow several flying school programs. Google NIFA and look at the success of the school programs in the contests and that will reveal which programs have a good training environment. If I were you I would consider Oklahoma State University over OU. Kansas State University has a good program in Salina and if you can stand the weather North Dakota State is highly regarded. Southeastern Oklahoma seems to draw numerous students from Texas. Parks in St. Louis has a long history, NW Missouri at Warrensburg has a program as does the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Oklahoma State has had a highly regarded program for 60 or 70 years with the added benefit of having multiple other degree programs you can branch into such as engineering, business, science etc. where some of the other schools are more limited in additional majors. If you have any questions PM me and I will be happy to call and talk with you.
Click to expand...

I'm so happy you replied with this because as a matter of fact just since I made this post I started considering Oklahoma State again and am now pretty sure that I will go there. I have also heard great things about their program and I got a fantastic feeling visiting there - felt much more welcoming that OU. Also, they are just finishing building a brand new flight center and have bought several new aircraft in the past few years, which to me shows that they are really investing in the program.

I did consider the Kansas State program but I just don't want to spend 4 years in Salina at the extension campus.

Looks like Oklahoma State is at the top of the list for me.
 
Radar Contact said:
Only problem I’m aware of is the football team. Can I get an amen @OkieFlyer ?

Go DAWGS. :)

Wish you luck in your aviation future and thanks for your service!
Click to expand...

Yes. Such a terrible football program, Kevin. :rolleyes:


I have no direct experience with the OU program. From what I hear, it's a solid program. OU in general is really a top notch institution in nearly all respects with a great campus. Norman, being the southernmost suburb of OKC has quite a bit to offer without a big city feel, and only minutes away from either big city livin' or bona fide countryside. However, like most universities these days, it and the city of Norman have become quite liberal in its curriculum and its politics. As an aviation student, I'm not sure how much time you'll be spending on the main campus, or how much that aspect would affect you personally. That may be your preference for all I know, but it's worth mentioning. If it is not your preference, then as much as it pains me to say it, OK State might be more suitable. The only thi It is also more rural, being 50 miles or so from OKC and Tulsa As a country boy, my preference would be the Southeastern Oklahoma State program, as it is in a relatively small town on a relatively sleepy airfield. I feel like a student can get more quality attention from instructors, and have more freedom in terms of flight schedule in a smaller program like that.

All that said, I've never heard a bad word about the program at OU, and I would bet that your experience there would be fruitful.

If you do go there, you will be doing some of your practice over the tiny town of Lindsay, OK. They use the sleepy little strip for touch and gos regularly. This is my home drome, so if you ever have the time, feel free to stop in and visit with the Redneck Pilot.

Good luck!
 
Briar Rabbit said:
As a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association I have had the opportunity to follow several flying school programs. Google NIFA and look at the success of the school programs in the contests and that will reveal which programs have a good training environment. If I were you I would consider Oklahoma State University over OU. Kansas State University has a good program in Salina and if you can stand the weather North Dakota State is highly regarded. Southeastern Oklahoma seems to draw numerous students from Texas. Parks in St. Louis has a long history, NW Missouri at Warrensburg has a program as does the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Oklahoma State has had a highly regarded program for 60 or 70 years with the added benefit of having multiple other degree programs you can branch into such as engineering, business, science etc. where some of the other schools are more limited in additional majors. If you have any questions PM me and I will be happy to call and talk with you.
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To clarify, it is the University of North Dakota (UND), not North Dakota State (NDSU) - that's where they teach people how to scrub udders. ;)

Ryan A said:
I'm so happy you replied with this because as a matter of fact just since I made this post I started considering Oklahoma State again and am now pretty sure that I will go there. I have also heard great things about their program and I got a fantastic feeling visiting there - felt much more welcoming that OU. Also, they are just finishing building a brand new flight center and have bought several new aircraft in the past few years, which to me shows that they are really investing in the program.

I did consider the Kansas State program but I just don't want to spend 4 years in Salina at the extension campus.

Looks like Oklahoma State is at the top of the list for me.
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about Kent State in Ohio as well - a bit farther for you, but if you're going to look at this career field travel is something to get used to.
 
I'd second the matriculation with a degree you can use if the aviation thing doesn't pan out. What goes up always comes down, and when that's the economy pilots can go wanting. Other professions not so much. America always seems to need engineers.

And of course thank you for your service. I'm glad to see it getting you benefits you can really use.
 
steingar said:
I'd second the matriculation with a degree you can use if the aviation thing doesn't pan out. What goes up always comes down, and when that's the economy pilots can go wanting. Other professions not so much. America always seems to need engineers.
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I see this advice a lot, and I agree that an aviation degree won't help much if/when you get furloughed from a flying job, but from my experience none of the engineering companies I've worked for are going to rush to hire someone with engineering degree if they haven't used it in the 10 years since college. It's probably still better than an aviation degree, but I would temper expectations that you can fly for a decade, get laid off, then jump into an engineering job easily. But there are a lot of engineers on POA -- so maybe others have different views? Maybe a more general degree like business would more versatile?
 
ColoPilot said:
I see this advice a lot, and I agree that an aviation degree won't help much if/when you get furloughed from a flying job, but from my experience none of the engineering companies I've worked for are going to rush to hire someone with engineering degree if they haven't used it in the 10 years since college. It's probably still better than an aviation degree, but I would temper expectations that you can fly for a decade, get laid off, then jump into an engineering job easily. But there are a lot of engineers on POA -- so maybe others have different views? Maybe a more general degree like business would more versatile?
Click to expand...

I've heard this same idea a lot. I'm going with the aviation degree because of two reasons:
A) There are plenty of non-flying jobs that an "Aerospace Administration and Operations" degree would work for
B) I don't want to spend 4 years studying something I have no interest in or intention of using

Hoping it will be a good decision, but time will tell!
 
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