Fort Collins area flight schools?

mwink13 · October 15th, 2005, 13:34

Just finishing up my private pilots license and have an opportunity to relocate to Fort Collins, CO. Wondering if anyone knows about any of the Flight operations in or around the area. Looking to proceed forward with instrument through CFII ratings. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Matthew

Timbuff10 · October 15th, 2005, 18:07

You should drive down to Jeffco (BJC) and check out McAir Aviation. It is a pretty good drive but just check it out and try and compare any Ft. Fun schools to McAir.

FLY_CRJ · October 15th, 2005, 18:24

Matthew, I'm working on my instrument under 141 at McAir. I've been flying with them for little over a year and a half. You won't find a better school in the state. It's worth the drive considering the saving in your training under 141. You get to use the Frasca FTD, and Cessna CBI kit which save you lots of money. Someone I know just got their private, from a school I won't mention, but he started working on his IR now, building his 50hrs PIC XC time while I fly through the rating at McAir.

BJC is a great place to fly out of, it will give you all the chalenges you need to face to be a great pilot.

We recently had some aircraft leave the fleet due to owner decisions. Right now the schedule can be pretty tight on weekends, but weekdays you have your pick. There is 3 new NavIII 172 on the line with two more NavII comming. Fleet is impecibly maintained, and in my 56 flights only had one no-go because of dead battery.

I've made many friends over there and look forward to instructing there. It's a great time! Check out their website www.mcairaviation.com

djnorton · April 19th, 2006, 18:36

I was just checking out mcair avaition, Called them up, Real friendly, gonna go visit the school, hopefully next week.

Anyone have price quotes from them?

Timbuff10 · April 20th, 2006, 02:10

I believe the glass cockpit G1000 172s go for $115 an hour and the ones with the traditional gauges go for $103 an hour. Instruction is something like $37 an hour. The big thing though, is insurance is included. So you pay a little more for the plane maybe a dollar or two when compared to other schools in the area but you don't have to worry about having your own insurance. At other schools you will need your own insurance which can be really expensive. Also I think most instruction in the area is slightly more expensive.

planejay · April 23rd, 2006, 18:20

I started my training part 61 at fort collins downtown airport (3v5) however from what I hear that airport is about to be shutdown. There is another airport there, fort collins/loveland (fnl) I think they have a part 61 operation there also. Fort Collins is a nice place, it's growing pretty fast and with that comes a lot more people, good and bad. Overall a nice place. With regard to the school mentioned above, I have reseached it soley on the internet and have heard many good things about it. What ever you choose, best of luck.

wicksters18 · April 25th, 2006, 01:27

I know I tell alot of people this on here but if you're going to be in the ft collins area I would look into Aims CC, it is a little further away because its in greeley but I'm there currently and enjoy the training there. Everyone is very friendly and really willing to help with whatever. And plane jay is right, ft collins downtown is supposedly going to close around december of this year (06), so opportunities there will of course be limited but good luck. And yes I know aims is not your typical FBO its more of a training center but from some of the prices i've seen around the area for aircraft they are very competitive.

Timbuff10 · April 25th, 2006, 20:07

I would say to go around to every flight school that you would be willing to drive the distance to get to and do a discovery flight at each one. Weigh out the prices of what it would cost to get your private based on the national average not what they quote you using the FAA minimums. Decide if you want a newer plane, or will be happy with an older cheaper plane. Decide if you like the CFI you get paired with and also ask about insurance. Is the student covered? If you bang up a plane, find out what that will/may cost you.

See you guys in the air... Just don't get too close!

Killtron2000 · June 21st, 2006, 02:50

I got my PPL at the FBO at FNL. I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you have any questions send me a PM.

October 15th, 2005, 13:34	#1
mwink13 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: St. Louis, Mo Posts: 9	Fort Collins area flight schools? Just finishing up my private pilots license and have an opportunity to relocate to Fort Collins, CO. Wondering if anyone knows about any of the Flight operations in or around the area. Looking to proceed forward with instrument through CFII ratings. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Matthew

October 15th, 2005, 18:07	#2
Timbuff10 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Coloradan in Orange County, CA Posts: 3,234	You should drive down to Jeffco (BJC) and check out McAir Aviation. It is a pretty good drive but just check it out and try and compare any Ft. Fun schools to McAir. __________________ My Photography My Airliners.net photos

October 15th, 2005, 18:24	#3
FLY_CRJ Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: BJC Broomfield, CO Posts: 48	Matthew, I'm working on my instrument under 141 at McAir. I've been flying with them for little over a year and a half. You won't find a better school in the state. It's worth the drive considering the saving in your training under 141. You get to use the Frasca FTD, and Cessna CBI kit which save you lots of money. Someone I know just got their private, from a school I won't mention, but he started working on his IR now, building his 50hrs PIC XC time while I fly through the rating at McAir. BJC is a great place to fly out of, it will give you all the chalenges you need to face to be a great pilot. We recently had some aircraft leave the fleet due to owner decisions. Right now the schedule can be pretty tight on weekends, but weekdays you have your pick. There is 3 new NavIII 172 on the line with two more NavII comming. Fleet is impecibly maintained, and in my 56 flights only had one no-go because of dead battery. I've made many friends over there and look forward to instructing there. It's a great time! Check out their website www.mcairaviation.com __________________ PP/ASEL

April 20th, 2006, 02:10	#5
Timbuff10 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Coloradan in Orange County, CA Posts: 3,234	I believe the glass cockpit G1000 172s go for $115 an hour and the ones with the traditional gauges go for $103 an hour. Instruction is something like $37 an hour. The big thing though, is insurance is included. So you pay a little more for the plane maybe a dollar or two when compared to other schools in the area but you don't have to worry about having your own insurance. At other schools you will need your own insurance which can be really expensive. Also I think most instruction in the area is slightly more expensive. __________________ My Photography My Airliners.net photos

April 23rd, 2006, 18:20	#6
planejay Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: from CO in tulsa, ok Posts: 232	Re: Fort Collins area flight schools? I started my training part 61 at fort collins downtown airport (3v5) however from what I hear that airport is about to be shutdown. There is another airport there, fort collins/loveland (fnl) I think they have a part 61 operation there also. Fort Collins is a nice place, it's growing pretty fast and with that comes a lot more people, good and bad. Overall a nice place. With regard to the school mentioned above, I have reseached it soley on the internet and have heard many good things about it. What ever you choose, best of luck. __________________ captain 152heavy Join NIFA!!!!!!! Gold Seal CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI

April 19th, 2006, 18:36	#4
djnorton Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 38	I was just checking out mcair avaition, Called them up, Real friendly, gonna go visit the school, hopefully next week. Anyone have price quotes from them?

April 25th, 2006, 01:27	#7
wicksters18 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CO Posts: 7	Re: Fort Collins area flight schools? I know I tell alot of people this on here but if you're going to be in the ft collins area I would look into Aims CC, it is a little further away because its in greeley but I'm there currently and enjoy the training there. Everyone is very friendly and really willing to help with whatever. And plane jay is right, ft collins downtown is supposedly going to close around december of this year (06), so opportunities there will of course be limited but good luck. And yes I know aims is not your typical FBO its more of a training center but from some of the prices i've seen around the area for aircraft they are very competitive.

April 25th, 2006, 20:07	#8
Timbuff10 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Coloradan in Orange County, CA Posts: 3,234	Re: Fort Collins area flight schools? I would say to go around to every flight school that you would be willing to drive the distance to get to and do a discovery flight at each one. Weigh out the prices of what it would cost to get your private based on the national average not what they quote you using the FAA minimums. Decide if you want a newer plane, or will be happy with an older cheaper plane. Decide if you like the CFI you get paired with and also ask about insurance. Is the student covered? If you bang up a plane, find out what that will/may cost you. See you guys in the air... Just don't get too close! __________________ My Photography My Airliners.net photos

June 21st, 2006, 02:50	#9
Killtron2000 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Prime Universe Posts: 1,632	Re: Fort Collins area flight schools? I got my PPL at the FBO at FNL. I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you have any questions send me a PM. __________________ This is a signature, fear it.

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