Training Decision

[PGAFlyer]

Besides a beautiful website and a relatively high price, What would I recieve at CPS that I could not recieve at my local FBO?

I am trying to justify moving half way across the country, away from my family and paying an addtional 25k.

Can you help?

[Michael95U]

Originally Posted by PGAFlyer

Besides a beautiful website and a relatively high price, What would I recieve at CPS that I could not recieve at my local FBO?

I am trying to justify moving half way across the country, away from my family and paying an addtional 25k.

Can you help?

Thank you for the compliments, I guess.

What do you get at CPS?

1) Quality instruction tailored to the individual.
2) The majority of our instructors have real world aviation experience (corporate, charter, airline, cargo)
3) One on One instruction throughout your training with instructors that specialize in specific areas.
4) A quality training environment based just outside of Class B airspace, at a Class D airport, but within 5 minutes of the nearest practice area and instrument approaches. We don't waste your precious flight time flying 30 minutes to and from the practice area.
5) A quality fleet. Our entire fleet (except for 152's) is made up of Piper Aircraft. Each aircraft is set up similarly so there is no relearning stepping up from the Warrior, to the Archer, to the Arrow, and to the Twin Comanche.

A lot of our students have summarized CPS as having Academy type programs with the laid back attitude of an FBO. I would say that is a good way to look at us.

Michael

[Michael95U]

Originally Posted by PGAFlyer

Besides a beautiful website and a relatively high price, What would I recieve at CPS that I could not recieve at my local FBO?

I am trying to justify moving half way across the country, away from my family and paying an addtional 25k.

Can you help?

As for FBO pricing, here is what it would cost at one of the local KC FBO's (Instruction is at $40/hour):

Private (50 Hours Warrior @ $95.00) $7000.00-$8000.00
50 Hours SEL Cross Country (Warrior @ $95.00) $4750.00
Instrument (40 Hours Archer @ $125.00) $7000.00-$8000.00
PMEL (15 Hours Apache @ $180.00) $3500.00
ME Time Building (75 Hours Apache @ $180.00 + Instructor) $16,500.00
CMEL (10 Hours Apache) $2200.00
CSEL (10 Hours Arrow @ $160.00) $2000.00

Grand Total without including sales tax, CFI, CFII, MEI, Housing: $42,950.00.

Can you do it cheaper at an FBO? Sure, no one will deny that. But how much cheaper? Some parts of the country could be $25k cheaper, but the quality of aircraft and instruction will be far less.

[wildwezul1]

Usually at an FBO you fly on their schedule and when the instructor is available ( not trying to build time so he can move on to an airline).

Here we have a limited amount of students so that you get the attention and time you need, with out stringing you out. We care about your Education... not our time building.

[akaFlyboy 4]

Originally Posted by PGAFlyer

Besides a beautiful website and a relatively high price, What would I recieve at CPS that I could not recieve at my local FBO?

I am trying to justify moving half way across the country, away from my family and paying an addtional 25k.

Can you help?

My research has led me to CPS for exactly what Michael has posted. In my opinion the CPS delivery appears to be FBO style for Academy type Programs. ATP showed me a successful program but a self study program. This may work for alot people, but for my money I want more time with instructors, time making sure I become a good pilot. Additionally I found CPS 3000 bucks cheaper along with 40 hours more flight time than the ATP program.

CPS compared to my FBO -FBO was about $10,000 cheaper but the gap kept narrowing as rental prices recently went up substantially, partially due to fuel prices. Since a lead instructor left, attention to safety and overall organization has dropped significantly.

I will start CPS in October and will post on my progress and experience. Also keep in mind that I am and others are convinced that two equally intelligent, trainable students can go to the same school and have totally different experience. You just have to research it a lot then make the best decision for yourself. Good Luck

[Patrick]

I will absolutely second the Academy Type program within a relaxed, FBO type environment. The real selling point of CPS is the quality of instruction. You're learning from real, professional pilots at CPS, not the last kid who finished the program a month ago and wants to build his own time. The difference of knowledge and experience you will leave CPS with is staggering.

As to the cost savings, can you do it cheaper at some FBOs? Sure. The one thing I would really caution students at FBOs, however, is this: At CPS (or any other academy) the cost of your instruction is a fixed cost. So whether you learn the material and gain proficiency in 40 hours or 60 hours, its the same cost. As such, you will never be afraid to ask for help or ask to have something explained in great detail (to which you will get an answer here from one of the professional pilots, something you probably won't get from a low time CFI) and have in the back of your mind the "I'm paying this guy $40 an hour, so lets see how few hours of his time I need to pass my ride" tendency, which is something a lot of people at FBOs feel, as they are paying by the hour. That is not the way to become a competent, safe pilot. It also further motivates us to keep only the best instructors on staff.

The ATP programs are largely a self learning curriculum. The majority of their instructors are low time guys who just finished the program themselves a few months ago and are just building their time. Some of them are great, but the majority I'd say are far more interested in their own goals than yours. If you're the type that likes to read books and take tests, you may do OK at ATP, but consider, we match ATP on price and offer an individual, student tailored program where it becomes our focus to watch you learn.

Come down for a visit, I very much think you will like what you see.