Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!!

rayray311 · October 3rd, 2007, 01:44

so I spent allll this time researching schools for the last few years. And for the 1st year or so I thought I was going to be picking up my stuff and moving to Florida to go to a academy to do my training. Now after much advice and more thorough research I think I will be going to a small part 61 school in the LA area.

I have visited about 6 schools and met with instructors and went through a complete list of questions the AOPA has on their website that you should ask every school. I am starting to whittle down my choices and getting excited.

Plus I can complete ALL my training in about the same time as the academies. And I can keep a part time job for like 2 days a week and do flight training about 4 days a week. That way I can help my wife with the bills.

I am somewhat old school in the way I was brought up in a southside irish community in Chicago with blue collar families. This seems more my style. So I have spoken with a bunch of veteran CFI's who have made me feel comfortable at some schools. More of a family feel than at an academy I assume.

No dissing the academies at all. i am just glad I am choosing the right path "for me." I must have posted about 15 threads over the last 2 months trying to get advice and opinions. And it was awesome.

Just gettin excited and felt like sayin thanks to everyone who has helped me.

Senior Ray

bunghole · October 3rd, 2007, 02:42

So Ray...so which school did ya choose? Or at least give us your top three choices if you havent decided yet.

tprops4me · October 3rd, 2007, 04:04

Good job! Glad you were able to find something.

PGA07 · October 3rd, 2007, 08:38

Way to do that research. It is amazing how much a little research (or a lot) and the advise of people on this board can help.

Good luck with your training, I think you will enjoy it!

akaFlyboy 4 · October 3rd, 2007, 10:22

Good for you. Gives us an update on how things go. The best advise I got early in my PPL was "don't forget you are the customer, they are working for you." Of coarse during ground shool and actually flight lessons let them be tough on you it will make you a displined pilot, IMO.

Enjoy

mooneyguy · October 3rd, 2007, 15:21

Thats Great, Now get with it, and stick to it!!! I started flying about 7 years ago, but didnt really decide to switch careers until about 1 year ago(at age 38, 39 now). Since then I have picked up about 150 hours flight time, and I'm 4 training days (OCT 18) from my IR check ride! I was not able to go the academy route myself and am limited to about two days a week for flying, but im getting there! I hope to have the commercial by the end of november!
IT can get tough, just hang in there and slowly step by step you will see the pieces start comming together!
Good Luck!!! and keep us posted on your progress!!!

PGT · October 4th, 2007, 00:11

Congrats. Let the fun begin. I've been reading your posts and have been curious to see what you were going to pick.

MarkE · October 4th, 2007, 17:21

Congrats Ray. I can't wait to hear about your first flight lesson!

rayray311 · October 18th, 2007, 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunghole

So Ray...so which school did ya choose? Or at least give us your top three choices if you havent decided yet.

Well I went and visited with about 6 schools in the LA Area at Santa Monica Airport, Van Nuys Airport and talked to a few at Whiteman.

I went twice to Justice Aviation at Santa Monica and got to meet the manager, the owner and 3 cfi's. I really like it there. Seem like a down to earth group of people with a solid fleet and training staff. Lots of planes and instructors. Good group of veteran instructors too. www.justiceaviation.com

I am just waiting to improve my credit a little bit more before I apply for the loan. Think I'm gonna wait about 6 months and try.

But I havn't made my exact choice yet. I just like those guys so far.

2 years of research coming close to an end. ahhhh

tprops4me · October 18th, 2007, 07:15

Is that average for what people are paying per hour in California? Wow! I guess my rates here in Michigan are not that bad after all. Looks like a good place. Get that credit fixed and hit it.

Remember that loans suck, but if you have your plan in place be sure to stick to it.

falconvalley · October 19th, 2007, 14:01

Cool. Glad you're taking a serious look at part 61 schools. If you find the right one, you can do this just as fast, for alot cheaper. Enjoy the ride!

ClearedForOption · October 19th, 2007, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayray311

Well I went and visited with about 6 schools in the LA Area at Santa Monica Airport, Van Nuys Airport and talked to a few at Whiteman.

I went twice to Justice Aviation at Santa Monica and got to meet the manager, the owner and 3 cfi's. I really like it there. Seem like a down to earth group of people with a solid fleet and training staff. Lots of planes and instructors. Good group of veteran instructors too. www.justiceaviation.com

I am just waiting to improve my credit a little bit more before I apply for the loan. Think I'm gonna wait about 6 months and try.

But I havn't made my exact choice yet. I just like those guys so far.

2 years of research coming close to an end. ahhhh

Hey RayRay... I used to freelance out of Santa Monica Aviation @ SMO... give me a ring, (click on my web link in my sig and my # is under the contact section) or drop me a PM and I can give you the skinny on all the schools in the area.

Rich

October 3rd, 2007, 01:44	#1
rayray311 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hollywood(LA LA Land) Posts: 109	Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! so I spent allll this time researching schools for the last few years. And for the 1st year or so I thought I was going to be picking up my stuff and moving to Florida to go to a academy to do my training. Now after much advice and more thorough research I think I will be going to a small part 61 school in the LA area. I have visited about 6 schools and met with instructors and went through a complete list of questions the AOPA has on their website that you should ask every school. I am starting to whittle down my choices and getting excited. Plus I can complete ALL my training in about the same time as the academies. And I can keep a part time job for like 2 days a week and do flight training about 4 days a week. That way I can help my wife with the bills. I am somewhat old school in the way I was brought up in a southside irish community in Chicago with blue collar families. This seems more my style. So I have spoken with a bunch of veteran CFI's who have made me feel comfortable at some schools. More of a family feel than at an academy I assume. No dissing the academies at all. i am just glad I am choosing the right path "for me." I must have posted about 15 threads over the last 2 months trying to get advice and opinions. And it was awesome. Just gettin excited and felt like sayin thanks to everyone who has helped me. Senior Ray __________________ RayRay311

October 3rd, 2007, 02:42	#2
bunghole Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 246	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! So Ray...so which school did ya choose? Or at least give us your top three choices if you havent decided yet.

October 3rd, 2007, 04:04	#3
tprops4me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 346	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Good job! Glad you were able to find something.

October 3rd, 2007, 08:38	#4
PGA07 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Western Chi-Town Burb's Posts: 596	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Way to do that research. It is amazing how much a little research (or a lot) and the advise of people on this board can help. Good luck with your training, I think you will enjoy it! __________________ Gone Fishin'.....................Once The Lakes Thaw! "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars!"

October 3rd, 2007, 10:22	#5
akaFlyboy 4 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 266	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Good for you. Gives us an update on how things go. The best advise I got early in my PPL was "don't forget you are the customer, they are working for you." Of coarse during ground shool and actually flight lessons let them be tough on you it will make you a displined pilot, IMO. Enjoy

October 3rd, 2007, 15:21	#6
mooneyguy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 506	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Thats Great, Now get with it, and stick to it!!! I started flying about 7 years ago, but didnt really decide to switch careers until about 1 year ago(at age 38, 39 now). Since then I have picked up about 150 hours flight time, and I'm 4 training days (OCT 18) from my IR check ride! I was not able to go the academy route myself and am limited to about two days a week for flying, but im getting there! I hope to have the commercial by the end of november! IT can get tough, just hang in there and slowly step by step you will see the pieces start comming together! Good Luck!!! and keep us posted on your progress!!! __________________ FLY SAFE <>< Tim CMEL CSEL CFI CFII http://desiretofly.blogspot.com/

October 4th, 2007, 00:11	#7
PGT Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: DSM Posts: 2,950	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Congrats. Let the fun begin. I've been reading your posts and have been curious to see what you were going to pick. __________________ PPL 55 hours TT

October 4th, 2007, 17:21	#8
MarkE Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tarzana, CA (KVNY) Posts: 1,494	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Congrats Ray. I can't wait to hear about your first flight lesson!

October 18th, 2007, 07:15	#10
tprops4me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 346	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Is that average for what people are paying per hour in California? Wow! I guess my rates here in Michigan are not that bad after all. Looks like a good place. Get that credit fixed and hit it. Remember that loans suck, but if you have your plan in place be sure to stick to it.

October 19th, 2007, 14:01	#11
falconvalley Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KMKE Posts: 1,924	Re: Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!! Cool. Glad you're taking a serious look at part 61 schools. If you find the right one, you can do this just as fast, for alot cheaper. Enjoy the ride! __________________ British Airways flight asks for push back clearance from terminal. Control Tower replies: "And where is the world's most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?"

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