[TexasFlyer]

PRIVATE PILOT - 30 days:

So, here I am. At Falcon Aviation Academy. I live in Atlanta since I need to remain sane by enjoying myself on weekends, but I fly full time during the week out of Peachtree City (their main location).

I started on in August 2007 and was finished by September 2007. Yes, 30 days. Ah, but remember, I already had a PPL. I got it way back in 1992 per the above post. Now, when I started here though, I did not fly a plane for well over 12 years. No GPS back then. And all the airspace and things were different. And since my brain was fried from my executive career, I pretty much had to start over to get back up to Private Pilot standards. It took me 16.5 hours of time, but at 16.5 hours I felt like I was back up to par and could move onto focusing on my instrument rating.

My experience in the first 30 days? Interesting.
* I went through 2 different instructors since CFIs were leaving for the ASA hiring spree.
* The aircraft, 99% dispatch rate. I believe only one time I could not fly due to maintenance. So this was good.
* The weather was cooperating nicely for that month, although it was quite humid in Georgia. Something I was not use to.

Overall, while I was frustrated with changing instructors and now my second one was already leaving in a week too, I was happy. I did notice that each instructor was very different. So I'd venture to say Falcon does not have a standardization class for CFI's. But it was clear to me, everyone they hire is very professional and all the instructors are top notch. The quality I expected from an instruction stand point is clearly here. And for the first time in a long time, I was truly happy and the stress of my old life was slowing going away. All in life was finally in order. I was actually pursuing my dream!


* Private Pilot refresher = 30 days and 17 hours in the Diamond DA20
* Books and Supplies for the Professional Pilot Program: $1,380
* Cost: $2,410

Total cost for PPL Refresher plus Program Supplies: $3,790

Note: My supplies cost may seem high. But it includes all books to study, charts, my 1st class medical, and my David Clarke X11 headset (no need to buy an $800 head set, but I do advise it since the cheap ones are not comfortable).