American Flyers CFI Academy Feedback, or Suggestions

[LouieP]

Hey everyone. I did a search and can't seem to get any feedback on how American Flyers CFI academy is. From the research I've done they have a 30 day program that will help you earn your CFI and CFII for $3995. The reason why I am looking into this program is because the ground school is very extensive and I feel that it would be a great way to reinforce anything that I have or should have learned up until this point. Also it seems like they teach you how to teach and not just meet minimums to pass a checkride. 30 days seems reasonable to do this. The location I would do it at is morristown NJ since it isn't too far from where I live. Any feedback on American Flyers would be greatly appreciated or if anyone knows of a great place to do this let me know. THANKS IN ADVANCE

[Tiger815]

First, as of late last year, Flyers only offered the CFI Academy at Dallas, but that could have changed.

Second, Flyers business practices leave a bit to be desired in my opinion, but they can deliver in the advertised time frame, if not for the advertised price. Figure you'll spend about $1500-$2000 more than the advertised price, plus the expense of hotels, rental car and meals. If that price is one you'd be willing to pay to get the CFI and CFII in 30 days, then AF may be a good option for you.

Other than the low balling of the cost, I think they have a good program if you need an accelerated CFI program that focuses on getting you prepared to teach. The instructors in Dallas were very good, the program was well organized and the staff was clearly focused on making sure the CFI Academy candidates were successful.

I left feeling prepared to instruct and went straight to work for my local Flight School when I got home. I know a couple of guys from my class went to work for Flyers, and are not happy working for them, but I think they were satisfied with the training they got.

It's a difficult program and you'll likely get burned out towards the end, but it is doable. Plan to work 8-10 hours per day, 7 days a week in order to get the ratings done in the advertised time frame. Flyers staff did a great job of creating a comfortable environment for folks in the Academy with a class room for our exclusive use, a club house to hang out when not studying or flying and lockers so you can leave your flight stuff secured and not have to haul it back and forth from the motel.

There were 12 folks in my class and all but 3 got both ratings within the advertised time. Of those that didn't finish on time, one kid played games on the PC the entire time, wasting his parents money, one had a work conflict and selfconfidence issues and had to leave prior to finishing and I left early due to a death in the family and completed my CFI checkride at home. If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably go back even knowing it would cost me more than I planned.

You'll need to ask about how they are gettng checkrides done since they apparetly are no longer allowed to do the intial CFI rides as they were when I went. Being dependent on the FAA for the checkride could significantly impact you.

If you do a search on American Flyers you should be able to find my previous postings about my experience.

[LouieP]

i hear what you are saying. i must say though that not once have i ever finished a rating at the advertised price. i wouldn't put the blame on not hitting the books hard enough or putting the proper effort into it but just because of the simple fact that when you are learning something new it isn't uncommon that the first few attempts aren't perfect and need more work. i like that you said that they will help you learn how to teach students. i feel that too many other schools that i was looking at were just finding ways to meet minimmums and allowing their graduates to learn everything on the job. if you dont mind me asking what didn't your friends like about instructing for flyers? they are offerring the CFI academy at Morristown, NJ and it isn't far from my home so i will be able to save a lot of money by commutting. possibly during real busy days i will stay in a hotel but the more money i can save the better. thanks for your response to this quote, its been a while since i posted it and you were the first response. any other info would be greatly appreciated. LOU

[BrettInLJ]

I got my IFR rating through the 141 program at MYF. My experience is that they are very expensive, but the training is top notch. I progressed pretty steadily and they even let me do solo work on the Frasca simulator complimentary. You can also find top notch training cheaper elsewhere, so its really a judgement call. Ignoring price, I recommend them highly from a training standpoint.

[Tiger815]

[ QUOTE ]
i hear what you are saying. i must say though that not once have i ever finished a rating at the advertised price. i wouldn't put the blame on not hitting the books hard enough or putting the proper effort into it but just because of the simple fact that when you are learning something new it isn't uncommon that the first few attempts aren't perfect and need more work. i like that you said that they will help you learn how to teach students. i feel that too many other schools that i was looking at were just finding ways to meet minimmums and allowing their graduates to learn everything on the job. if you dont mind me asking what didn't your friends like about instructing for flyers? they are offerring the CFI academy at Morristown, NJ and it isn't far from my home so i will be able to save a lot of money by commutting. possibly during real busy days i will stay in a hotel but the more money i can save the better. thanks for your response to this quote, its been a while since i posted it and you were the first response. any other info would be greatly appreciated. LOU

[/ QUOTE ]

I hear what you are saying and agree fully that not everyone learns at the same pace. What I'm saying is AF KNOWS good and well that if they had a class of Bob Hoover, Patty Wagstaff and Chuck Yeager, none of them would pass the CFI Academy for $3995.

Flyers knows what their average student spends to get through the course. That should be the advertised price, not some made up figure based on the minimum number of hours in the cirriculum.

I know several of my classmates, myself included, expected extra cost and had asked about true costs prior to attending and still got lowballed. I know it's a competitive business, but in the long run wouldn't it be better if I was now telling you they provided excellent training for the ratings I wanted AND gave me an accurate estimate of the cost vs. schmoozing me along as a paid way more than ever discussed?

Flyers can help get you where you want to go, but don't be suprised if you walk away with a greasy feeling. It's dependent on your situation as to whether AF will be worth it. In my case, it was, and I'd do the same thing again if I had to, I'd just double the estimated cost and be happy when it didn't cost quite that much.

Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

Tiger815

[LouieP]

tiger u bring up some very good points there. next thursday will be the deciding factor as i take a tour of their academy in new jersey. if i do decide to go i will study as hard as possible to minimize my amount of hours in the air. im pretty current with maneuvers and will be working hard to make sure that i am instrument proficient once again. ill certainly let you guys all know how it goes.

[highspeed]

So how did the tour go there? Am from NJ also and need to get my CFI done.