Spartan College Tulsa Flight Campus
Posted by nitedairlines@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 19 comments
I'm considering embarking on the Aviation Flight program at apartan college in Tulsa. I have noticed that the college has 'digs' on the other side of the city - actually on the main campus just south of KTUL. However, the flight campus is located ar KRVS: a 25 minute commute. I am considering different accommodation options from digs to renting accomodation nearer to the Flight Campus, in maybe places like Jenks or Bixby. The 25 minute commute seems to be quite far.
Is anybody familiar with student life at spartan? Where do most flight students (non Tulsa native) live? Do they stay in college accommodation and commute? Do they team up to rent/share properties closer to KRVS? I hear that college accommodation leaves quite a bit to be desired, but maybe it's cheap enough to ignore. How much can the average student look to pay in rent off campus...I had a ballpark figure of approx $1,200 a month? Would appreciate if anyone can chime in.
P.s. I'm not necessarily looking for opinions on the flight program per se.
Downtown_Database402@reddit
Tulsa Community College has a building right next door to Spartan at RVS. They may provide a better overall experience as they are more geared to individual instruction while Spartan has (historically) catered to big contracts. Nothing wrong with either way, but if you’re not part of the “big contract” at Spartan, you may not be their first priority. Something to consider.
As far as housing, you really can’t go wrong with any of the newer apartments in Jenks. It’s an easy commute and a nice area. Bixby is a great area too, but the commute can be a headache because it is on the other side of the river. There are only two ways into Bixby from Tulsa and they’re packed everyday at rush hour. Nowhere near as bad as true big city traffic, but still an avoidable headache. Apartments along Riverside between 91st and 81st can be hit or miss, just do some research. Would avoid the Riverside area between 71st and about 31st or 41st.
nitedairlines@reddit (OP)
Great insight! To tell you the truth, I would choose other (Part 61) schools if I could for the outcome I want to achieve.
As a foreign student, I have 2 avenues: the M1 visa where I come to the States, get my CPL/CFI and 250 hrs, and go back home, or the F1 visa, get the same ratings +CFI then instruct to 1500 hours before going back home. In the USA, there are literally like 4 or 5 schools that do this atm: (Spartan, L3Harris, PEA, Hillsboro...) All cost roughly the same. All have big contracts and similar pros and cons. Oklahoma is cheaper to live...
I'll have a closer look at riverside for accomodation, currently all I have is insights from real estate apps and search engines.
Downtown_Database402@reddit
Ah, that makes sense! I know I am probably an outlier, but I think the Tulsa area is a great place to live. Really enjoyed my time there. Low cost, friendly people, easy to get around.
ProfessionalMedia250@reddit
Went to spartan and hated it. This was a while back so things might have changed.
nitedairlines@reddit (OP)
How long ago? What didn't you like? Where did you live?
ProfessionalMedia250@reddit
Also they continue to call saying I owe them money but I have all the records showing the training I received was paid for.
ProfessionalMedia250@reddit
I had an instructor who couldn’t speak English. I was given schedules where I could not maintain minimum sleep requirements. Also had harassment issues. Facilities were really bad. I lived in a few apartments but would recommend the Jenks area from when I was there.
Outrageous-Job2684@reddit
From what I’ve heard: spartan usually prioritizes the Chinese students and will give them the first picks on flying slots and get them out sooner. Something to definitely be aware of.
nitedairlines@reddit (OP)
Thanks, from the insights I've gotten from current and past students, including the good, the bad, and the ugly... the foreign contract students don't seem to be an issue. I've heard that their scheduling isn't the best, and they push you to fly as often as possible, sometimes even scheduling you over school breaks. However, as an international student who's looking to study on an F1 visa, I literally only have about 4 or 5 schools to choose from. All of them big box schools with some kind of contract either with the majors, regionals, or foreign airlines from india or China.
I've chosen Tulsa over schools based in FL or OR due to the apparent lower cost of living, amongst other things.
UNDR08@reddit
Doesn’t spartan cater mostly to foreign flight students?
I hear them on the radio a lot when flying in and out of Tulsa , often times being yelled out by ATC.
Definitely do your homework with them…
nitedairlines@reddit (OP)
How would that make any difference? I am asking about student life with regards to accommodation options, preferably for non Tulsa natives (of which foreign students would obviously fall into that subset).
UNDR08@reddit
If your instructor is burnt out by teaching multiple students with a language barrier, that no one wants to admit exists, then the product you receive may be lacking.
Secondly, most of the foreign pilot mills are very expensive because they can get these foreign contracts that pay it.
All I’m saying is, do you research, it may not be that way, but it may be.
nitedairlines@reddit (OP)
The moment you said "pilot mill," I think I know where you're coming from. However, as I said in my initial post, I'm not necessarily seeking opinions on the quality of the school or programs, or instruction quality or anything related to such. I am asking about accommodation and commuting logistics and student life in relation to that.
As for the discourse about pilot mill this and that.... I'm sure it bears semblance to similar tones, the likes private school vs. public, Ivy League vs. state... rich vs poor, etc.
I would also add that I am a prospective foreign student... with "Pilot Mill" money, so in that regard, Spartan should suit me just fine. I do, however, appreciate your input.
UNDR08@reddit
You’re dumb if you don’t think quality of the school and the instruction provided doesn’t matter.
But whatever works for you.
SoDakSooner@reddit
$1200 per month will be tough in the metro. There are some apartments in the KRVS area, but I don't know pricing.
nitedairlines@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I've been looking at rentals in Tulsa. That's about the ballpark figure I've seen. It's half of the reason I'm considering Tulsa vs. more popular locations in FL. ...Cost of living, I hear that dorms are comparatively cheap. I am an older student, tho. The thought of sharing a flat with 21 y/o potential party animals isn't so appealing, lol.
SoDakSooner@reddit
They aren't bad to go back and forth. It's all expressways. Certain times of the day can be tricky and with the current construction in town it can be problematic at times. I would think you would spend most of your time in Riverside. i always thought most of the A&P stuff happened at KTUL. FWIW, I have not been to spartan, but we keep our plane at KTUL and I live in the Tulsa area. My dad did attend and work at Spartan as a CFI in the early 60's. All the flying is out of KRVS.
AE5CP@reddit
I don't know specifics of the school but the riverside area is really nice, and Jenks is decent too. I am sure an apartment in those areas would be comfortable. Lots of apartments and things to do along Peoria avenue from 44 north to downtown.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I'm considering embarking on the Aviation Flight program at apartan college in Tulsa. I have noticed that the college has 'digs' on the other side of the city - actually on the main campus just south of KTUL. However, the flight campus is located ar KRVS: a 25 minute commute. I am considering different accommodation options from digs to renting accomodation nearer to the Flight Campus, in maybe places like Jenks or Bixby. The 25 minute commute seems to be quite far.
Is anybody familiar with student life at spartan? Where do most flight students (non Tulsa native) live? Do they stay in college accommodation and commute? Do they team up to rent/share properties closer to KRVS? I hear that college accommodation leaves quite a bit to be desired, but maybe it's cheap enough to ignore. How much can the average student look to pay in rent off campus...I had a ballpark figure of approx $1,200 a month? Would appreciate if anyone can chime in.
P.s. I'm not necessarily looking for opinions on the flight program per se.
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