r/erau • u/graciemaclol • 11d ago
Aeronautical program ERAU
So my daughter has started ERAU Daytona as a sophomore but is in the Aeronautical program. She plans to finish her PPL by summer of 2027. She wanted to switch to Aeronautical science but the counselor said she can’t since she is starting as a sophomore she wouldn’t have time. She wants to obtain her FAA License through Embry since it requires less hours . Are there any suggestions or advice?
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u/Quirky_Performer3991 Daytona Beach 11d ago
As far as I know aeronautical science is full as it’s the most popular major (if not number 2). Switching in is incredibly hard and requires more classes / flight blocks that fulfill the part 141 requirements.
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u/graciemaclol 11d ago
Would that mean she would graduate later if she was able to get in? She was initially accepted but didn’t pick housing and was told to try Prescott. So she switched to Aeronautics to start this fall. Is there a wait list?
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u/Optimal-Mountain-144 11d ago
When I switched out of AS to Aeronautics (I'm entering Freshman this year) I was told that I wouldn't be able to switch or at least easily switch back to AS. Believe it's either you have to go in a waitlist or send in an application. Would also try to ask the admissions people. And would recommend finishing your PPL outside and start IR with AS, from what I remember people end up taking year+ or so to just do PPL because of limited capacity and other factors.
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u/mrdickhead 11d ago
As an ERAU parent, I've been less than impressed with my student's counselor. Same sort of responses... short and unhelpful. Like they have a script and aren't that interested.
However, ERAU has been great otherwise.
I suspect the "problem" may be that the counselor doesn't believe that starting instrument training as a junior would leave enough time to finish the required flight training for AS before finishing the academic classes (i.e. flight training may take more than 2 academic years).
Have your student be persistent with the counselor(s). It's her education and training. The counselor's job should just be to advise.
Also, check the ERAU parents group on Facebook and/or feel free to DM me if you'd like me to connect her with my daughter.
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u/Chemical-Pie-4384 11d ago
The counselor is likely correct. Since she is already a sophomore and still needs to complete ppl (est summer 2027? Why so far away ?) there is not much time left in her academic career to start instrument rating as a junior. Remember she must also complete commercial and multi engine certs and then apply for CFI / CFII summer fast track (only top 10-15% get selected from
Hundreds of applications ) in order to have a shot at a flight instructor job at Riddle Daytona). My advice (I’m an alum and we have 4 generations of pilots in the family) is to just complete her degree while getting her ratings at a part 61 school. If she can get a flight instructor position somewhere, 500 extra hours is just 6-8 months of flying(so is the rATP at 1000 instead of 1500 really even worth it?). The BIG IF is finding a flight instructor job since the low time pilot job market is oversaturated by more than 23,000 pilots(see Seth Lake’s video on Pilot supply in 2026 on YouTube for a very informative state of the industry review). Wishing your daughter blue skies!
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u/graciemaclol 10d ago
This is a sound plan. I was thinking the same. I think the reason for her doing her PPL in the summer of 27 was because she wanted to do it at Atlas in Tampa, but she may have to just complete it in Daytona. I think she just set this goal for such a young age to complete everything and I told her it’s OK if it’s completed later. I get that it’s a saturated industry, that’s why it’s important for her to complete her bachelors at Embry. She was thinking to just finish her AA and focus on flight school, but I rather her complete her bachelors. We did so much research but I wish we did a little more. I told her if it takes one more year at Embry to complete flight training that is fine.
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u/Important-Dinner-592 9d ago
My son graduated in aeronautics. He also now has an A&P. He is also taking engineering classes post graduation. He didn’t really like the 141 flight program on campus or 141 in general. It seems there are so many now that are NOT getting picked up at 1000 hours, even 1500. The 1000 hour to airlines seems to be over for a bit. JMO
Also through our experience and understanding, Its good to have a back up career just in case of a medical issue.
When our kids are in high school and decide they want to be a pilot as parents we are so proud of their decision because it is so unique. ERAU looks prestigious. However, truthfully in the end when they (the airlines) see the ratings. It won’t say ERAU/ppl and ERAU/ commercial. It will just say FAA/ instrument etc.
The experience at ERAU was wonderful in so many ways. The academics are great. I am going to miss our visits to Daytona. He had some truly amazing professors! Made lifelong friends. My son does not regret his time there. He is just choosing a different flight path.
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u/platniumpoint_eagle 9d ago
I have an estimated graduation of spring 2028 as a freshman and I was told that I need to focus on my flying+ take a light load of classes but it’s attainable for sure.
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u/KrabbyPattyCereal 11d ago
Unless they recently changed it, you can indeed start late. I started with my ppl and instrument already completed and in junior year. The issue is probably that the AS program is already full and she’d be on a wait list.