FBO vs. Academy

TechFlyer · May 18th, 2006, 00:38

I've read the threads and the common concensus is that airlines don't care where you got your ratings. However, looking at all of the acadmey's and how many of their graduates have been hired by airlines, it is difficult to comprehend that an airline pilot could come out of a small FBO. It seems like you have a much better chance of getting on with a regional if you go to a place like ATP, even if the quality of training at the FBO is better.

I have pretty much decided to go through ATP's 90 day program. However, I love the FBO in my hometown and could save a ton of money by doing all of my training there. If I thought I had the same chance of getting hired at the FBO as ATP, I would stay there in a heart beat.

Can someone please tell me that I'm completely wrong about the FBO's and that regionals DO HIRE pilots from FBO's? I'm sure there are some regional pilots out there who have taken this route and will tell me that it can be done. But am I limiting my possibilities by training at the FBO?

Thanks everyone

desertdog71 · May 18th, 2006, 00:55

Here is what the Airlines will initially require

Approximates here.

1000 hours Total Time

100 Hours Multi Engine Pilot in Command

Pass an interview process and a Simulator Evaluation.

Of course proper ratings, Like Commercial Multi Engine, maybe the ATP written Test completed.

Thats pretty much it.

You will not find anything about where you trained, any added stuff like type ratings, glass panel training or other things that get offered.

That being said. You have to decide what is best for you. I prefer the FBO route, and I am happy with that process. That may not work for you though, its a matter of preference. I only suggest that you dig and research before making a decision.

CLR4ILS · May 18th, 2006, 01:07

Either route can work BUT..... take the fact that your FBO is in your "home town" out of the equation and find out about their program, syllabus, pass rate (check with FSDO), and aircraft MX including down time.

How many aircraft do they have?
What types?
What kind of avionics are in the panels?
What is the experience of their instructors?
Are there ground schools or is it one on one? (one on one can be very bad if your instructor is a "time builder" and not an "instructor"...... Could be great too)

There are all sorts of things to consider. With my experience I have found that "MOST" FBO's are run by "mom and pop" types or someone who bought it for a fun hobby. This usually means the quality of training is sacrificed...

Good luck,

ILS

Timbuff10 · May 18th, 2006, 01:15

What's a FSDO?

desertdog71 · May 18th, 2006, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLR4ILS

Either route can work BUT..... take the fact that your FBO is in your "home town" out of the equation and find out about their program, syllabus, pass rate (check with FSDO), and aircraft MX including down time.

How many aircraft do they have?
What types?
What kind of avionics are in the panels?
What is the experience of their instructors?
Are there ground schools or is it one on one? (one on one can be very bad if your instructor is a "time builder" and not an "instructor"...... Could be great too)

There are all sorts of things to consider. With my experience I have found that "MOST" FBO's are run by "mom and pop" types or someone who bought it for a fun hobby. This usually means the quality of training is sacrificed...

Good luck,

ILS

What kind of aircraft? As long as you can get Twin Time, it shouldn't matter as long as they are safe and maintained.

What kind of avionics? Doesn't make that big of a difference, provided they are IFR certified and adequate to complete your training. Don't get all caught up in the fancy GPS and Glass Panel Stuff. Funny thing about technology, at some point it will break and you need to know how to handle things without it.

Experience of Instroctor. This is important, also they should be passionate, able to teach, have the right personallity for YOU.

Ground School? You are going to self study more than anything, good one on one instruction will trump a ground school any day. This again though goes to the instructor quality.

The quality of the instructor is most important of all. While CLR4ILS may be correct on saying that FBO quality may belacking, it is equally likely that you will get a brand new CFI looking to build time at a large school as well.

Quality of Instructor is the number one priority I think. The rest is just how much do you want to pay for gadgetry and newer aircraft. Flying and old Cessna 150 doesn't make you any less of a Pilot than a guy training in a New Cirrus.

DE727UPS · May 18th, 2006, 08:32

"it is difficult to comprehend that an airline pilot could come out of a small FBO"

It's about ratings and experience. ATP has the advantage of training is twins but if you can get the multi time somehow at a small FBO, it's just as well. The reason you associate "academy" with "airline job" is cause that's what the websites and marketing guru's what you to think. Little FBO's don't bother with that.

I'd be willing to bet if you took DCA, FSA, ATP, and Pan Am's placement for any period of time and compare it to guys who work their way up at smaller FBO's, the smaller FBO's would win hands down cause there are so many more of them. You just don't hear about it.

"I'm sure there are some regional pilots out there who have taken this route and will tell me that it can be done"

I could count out 25 or 30 people I know who have worked their way up into professional pilot jobs over the years. Only one went to an academy.

Dugie8 · May 18th, 2006, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"it is difficult to comprehend that an airline pilot could come out of a small FBO"

It's about ratings and experience. ATP has the advantage of training is twins but if you can get the multi time somehow at a small FBO, it's just as well. The reason you associate "academy" with "airline job" is cause that's what the websites and marketing guru's what you to think. Little FBO's don't bother with that.

I'd be willing to bet if you took DCA, FSA, ATP, and Pan Am's placement for any period of time and compare it to guys who work their way up at smaller FBO's, the smaller FBO's would win hands down cause there are so many more of them. You just don't hear about it.

"I'm sure there are some regional pilots out there who have taken this route and will tell me that it can be done"

I could count out 25 or 30 people I know who have worked their way up into professional pilot jobs over the years. Only one went to an academy.

On the same token, I can count easily 25 or 30 guys/gals who worked (yup just as hard as FBO guys/gals) who went to academies/flight universities, and the one from the FBO background washed out of training at his first regional, and had easily double the flight time as the rest of the folks from the "darkside".

CLR4ILS · May 18th, 2006, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugie8

On the same token, I can count easily 25 or 30 guys/gals who worked (yup just as hard as FBO guys/gals) who went to academies/flight universities, and the one from the FBO background washed out of training at his first regional, and had easily double the flight time as the rest of the folks from the "darkside".

Unfortunately, the FBO guy/gal washing out of indoc is more common than most think. I am not saying that just because a school has the word "academy" in it that is is better. However, with my personal experience training and flying out of several small FBO's and training at FSA, the academy had 100 times better training than the FBO's.

In fact, the training practices at the FBO's were down right unsafe....

To each their own I guess.....

ILS

Dugie8 · May 18th, 2006, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLR4ILS

Unfortunately, the FBO guy/gal washing out of indoc is more common than most think. I am not saying that just because a school has the word "academy" in it that is is better. However, with my personal experience training and flying out of several small FBO's and training at FSA, the academy had 100 times better training than the FBO's.

In fact, the training practices at the FBO's were down right unsafe....

To each their own I guess.....

ILS

I don't know if I would go that far, and that wasn't the point of my post. Training, I believe, lies 80% on the students shoulders and the rest on the instructor and facility. Flying isn't hard to do or teach, it takes discipline and motivation to do it safely and efficiently. I'm sure almost everyone can give examples of bad acadamies and good FBOs or the other way around. It is all up to the individual being trained to make the most of the training or move to better training if current options are not living up to standards.

TechFlyer · May 18th, 2006, 14:04

Thanks everybody for your input. I really appreciate it.

The FBO I'm considering is a pretty legit operation. They have between 15 and 20 planes ranging from 172's to Diamonds to Seminoles. The local community college began this year offering an associates degree in aviation with all flight training conducted at this FBO. This does me no good since I'm two terms away from my bachelors in business. But I think they run a solid operation. I think they have 3 full time instructors and 3 or 4 part time. Every time I go there I come out feeling that they were very professional, knowledgable and friendly.

Part of me says just do my training here and take a chance. But then logic steps in and says look at how many ATP graduates are with regionals right now. I'm having an awful experience with the flight school I'm currently at (college) and I think I'm going to finish my private at the FBO I've been talking about. I should be able to make a more informed decision after doing this.

Thanks again everyone.

DE727UPS · May 18th, 2006, 15:41

"But then logic steps in and says look at how many ATP graduates are with regionals right now"

"The FBO I'm considering is a pretty legit operation"

Has anyone who instructed at this FBO ever gone on to the regionals?

desertdog71 · May 18th, 2006, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"But then logic steps in and says look at how many ATP graduates are with regionals right now"

"The FBO I'm considering is a pretty legit operation"

Has anyone who instructed at this FBO ever gone on to the regionals?

Whats the difference? Jeez

Can the instructor make a good Pilot out of you. That is the question.

Read some Gouges and buy a couple hours of sim time when the time comes if the regionals are your goal. I would be far less concerned with how many people went on to regionals as I would about the quality of instruction and instructor.

Just one mans opinion.

DE727UPS · May 18th, 2006, 16:47

My point is simply this...

The poster seems to think he's somehow at a disadvantage by going to "a pretty legit" FBO type flight school. He thinks this because he reads the big academy marketing designed to suck you into their school as THE way to go. Thus, this statement:

"It seems like you have a much better chance of getting on with a regional if you go to a place like ATP, even if the quality of training at the FBO is better"

ATP is certainly an effective way to become a regional pilot. It's just wrong to buy off on the notion that FBO guys don't get hired, which I know to be completely false based on personal experience. The poster seems worried about this, even after reading so many comments at JC to the contrary.

"Can someone please tell me that I'm completely wrong about the FBO's and that regionals DO HIRE pilots from FBO's"

Yeah, you're completely wrong.

Tech Flyer: I just noticed your from my area. Wondering where your avtar is from and what flight schools you've been going to.

CLR4ILS: How's that airline career coming along these days? Still waiting?

desertdog71 · May 18th, 2006, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

My point is simply this...

The poster seems to think he's somehow at a disadvantage by going to "a pretty legit" FBO type flight school. He thinks this because he reads the big academy marketing designed to suck you into their school as THE way to go. Thus, this statement:

"It seems like you have a much better chance of getting on with a regional if you go to a place like ATP, even if the quality of training at the FBO is better"

ATP is certainly an effective way to become a regional pilot. It's just wrong to buy off on the notion that FBO guys don't get hired, which I know to be completely false based on personal experience. The poster seems worried about this, even after reading so many comments at JC to the contrary.

"Can someone please tell me that I'm completely wrong about the FBO's and that regionals DO HIRE pilots from FBO's"

Yeah, you're completely wrong.

Tech Flyer: I just noticed your from my area. Wondering where your avtar is from and what flight schools you've been going to.

CLR4ILS: How's that airline career coming along these days? Still waiting?

I follow you. I was trying to drive the point home that its not REQUIRED that you go to an academy. While this is a proven route, it also is not best for everybody. I do not see any disadvantages to going to an FBO and getting your training provided they have the right equipment and instructors to do the job. There are plenty of FBO's I wouldn' t trust with my training, but there are plenty that are excellent as well.

TechFlyer · May 18th, 2006, 19:01

"Yeah, you're completely wrong."

Haha, thank you DE727. That's exactly what I was looking for.

DesertDog: I understand what you're saying, and that is my concern. With the FBO's, some are great and some are not so great. You don't always know what you're going to get. Wow, you can all call me Forest now. With ATP you know exactly what you're getting and that you are going through a program that has been tried and tested hundreds of times with success (success being the right seat at a regional). It's the "unknown" factor that makes me a little hesitant about the FBO route. There is no website that says how many FBO graduates have been hired by which airline, where they instructed, how long it took and what they paid.

As for the marketing schemes at the academies...we all know that they can be very inviting to someone who hasn't done their research. I am trying my hardest to ignore those claims because I know they are very deceptive. I am so thankful that I found Jetcareers because I was seriously going to enroll in one of the larger flight academies (I'll leave the name out of this) and fork out $100 grand. I thought that was the only way to go. Thanks Doug!

I see that I could probably afford to go through ATP's 90 day and that I could probably get hired by them to instruct and then I could get hired by a regional and be 50 grand in the hole. However, I see that I can get the same ratings and training for quite a bit less than ATP's program at my FBO. Sure I wouldn't have the same amount of ME time but I shouldn't have too much trouble getting to that coveted number of 100.

So that's where I'm at. Do I follow in the footsteps of Robert Frost and take the road less traveled (or at least less marketed)? Or do I go the other way, which has fewer unknowns?

DE727UPS · May 18th, 2006, 19:42

You might want to do a little of both.

I usually don't recommend small schools for the CFI ratings. You need to find a school and CFI that does a lot of CFI training to efficiently get through it. ATP or a big academy is fine for that. I've known two guys who did it through Sheble's who were happy with it.

As far as multi time or time building. Some smaller FBO's don't even have a twin or if they do, it's more expensive than some of the larger academies that fly twins a lot.

Outside of that, I think you'd be better off staying local and saving your money.

CLR4ILS · May 19th, 2006, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

CLR4ILS: How's that airline career coming along these days? Still waiting?

Glad you asked, didn't know you cared but still glad you asked..... I think I might have to come back and join you good people. I have been made a great offer that I cannot refuse. Time to kick off a little rust and take to the friendly skies once again.

ILS

CLR4ILS · May 19th, 2006, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dugie8

I don't know if I would go that far, and that wasn't the point of my post. Training, I believe, lies 80% on the students shoulders and the rest on the instructor and facility. Flying isn't hard to do or teach, it takes discipline and motivation to do it safely and efficiently. I'm sure almost everyone can give examples of bad acadamies and good FBOs or the other way around. It is all up to the individual being trained to make the most of the training or move to better training if current options are not living up to standards.

How much training do you have behind you now? Student pilots need guidance from a good instructor coupled with a solid well structured program. 20% coming from the program, instructor and facility is way off.

I will agree that the student is the only one responsible for how well they actually do in their training but without the proper guidance, programs, and facilities and aircraft, they will crash and burn in their training.

ILS

CLR4ILS · May 19th, 2006, 20:33

Tech, where in the northwest are you training?

Dugie8 · May 19th, 2006, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLR4ILS

How much training do you have behind you now? Student pilots need guidance from a good instructor coupled with a solid well structured program. 20% coming from the program, instructor and facility is way off.

I will agree that the student is the only one responsible for how well they actually do in their training but without the proper guidance, programs, and facilities and aircraft, they will crash and burn in their training.

ILS

I've got plenty of training behind me, and plenty of training done by me. 20% is just right.

TechFlyer · May 20th, 2006, 01:41

I'm at KLMT and S07

LoadMasterC141 · June 8th, 2006, 17:40

I am thinking about the same things Tech. It seems Doug is right, and usually is; A combination of FBO and large school(Academy) is the right mixture.

Right now, I plan to try and get as far as I can at the FBO level, but only want to get my PPL and IFR rating. Some work towards a commercial is fine, but I am not sure I want to finish it at the FBO.

After that, it seems like an academy will not only speed things up, but also provide more bang for your buck. I do not want to show up to my first regional interview with a measly 100 hours ME time. My personal goal is more like 400. Also, for me personally, age is a factor as I am 31 right now. I cannot really afford to dilly dally for 3-4 years getting all my tickets and hours at an FBO.

TechFlyer · June 9th, 2006, 03:31

I'm leaning that way also. It's looking like I'll probably go through the commercial at the FBO. From there I'll go to ATP to do the multiengine and instructor ratings. I think that'll be the cheapest way and still get the benefits of going to one of the bigger schools.

The one thing I don't like about the FBO is definitely the pace. I'd much rather just do it instead of, like you said, dilly dally. I'd like to make flying my number one priority and get the training done asap. Most of the FBO's I've talked to say that it's pretty much impossible to get it all done in less than a year. Another reason why I don't plan on doing it all through an FBO.

What bigger schools are you considering finishing at?

LoadMasterC141 · June 9th, 2006, 08:47

Yeah I cannot really afford to dilly dally for long either, but it does seem to be the cheapest way. I did the same thing in college too….Went to a community college and then transferred to Cornell for the final 2 uhh 3 years.

Not sure which academy I am going to finish at yet. Ari-Ben seems to have the most positive remarks about the training atmosphere in their forum. ATP is close to me in Dallas, and it would be faster, yet more expensive. I have read a couple derogatory things about that schools environment, but it is not a HUGE detractor right now. Skymates seems a little pricey, but I have not really looked into that school much yet.

DE727UPS · June 9th, 2006, 14:21

"Most of the FBO's I've talked to say that it's pretty much impossible to get it all done in less than a year"

I want you to start saying this to your FBO's "I want to fly every day and work with the same CFI as much as possible. Is there any reason that would be a problem" Any FBO with three or more aircraft available for primary instruction and full time CFI's should be receptive. I just don't see why not. Not trying to steer you away from FBO's, it's just that I hear what you're saying all the time at JC and I have to think prospects just aren't asking the question right. SOME FBO's, really laid back ones or really small ones, simply don't have the resources to be able to promise to push you through quick.

Also, it's a rare FBO that would does a lot of ME or CFI training. That's best left to a larger academy/school.

May 18th, 2006, 00:38	#1
TechFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 340	FBO vs. Academy I've read the threads and the common concensus is that airlines don't care where you got your ratings. However, looking at all of the acadmey's and how many of their graduates have been hired by airlines, it is difficult to comprehend that an airline pilot could come out of a small FBO. It seems like you have a much better chance of getting on with a regional if you go to a place like ATP, even if the quality of training at the FBO is better. I have pretty much decided to go through ATP's 90 day program. However, I love the FBO in my hometown and could save a ton of money by doing all of my training there. If I thought I had the same chance of getting hired at the FBO as ATP, I would stay there in a heart beat. Can someone please tell me that I'm completely wrong about the FBO's and that regionals DO HIRE pilots from FBO's? I'm sure there are some regional pilots out there who have taken this route and will tell me that it can be done. But am I limiting my possibilities by training at the FBO? Thanks everyone

May 18th, 2006, 00:55	#2
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,006	Re: FBO vs. Academy Here is what the Airlines will initially require Approximates here. 1000 hours Total Time 100 Hours Multi Engine Pilot in Command Pass an interview process and a Simulator Evaluation. Of course proper ratings, Like Commercial Multi Engine, maybe the ATP written Test completed. Thats pretty much it. You will not find anything about where you trained, any added stuff like type ratings, glass panel training or other things that get offered. That being said. You have to decide what is best for you. I prefer the FBO route, and I am happy with that process. That may not work for you though, its a matter of preference. I only suggest that you dig and research before making a decision. __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

May 18th, 2006, 01:07	#3
CLR4ILS Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 578	Re: FBO vs. Academy Either route can work BUT..... take the fact that your FBO is in your "home town" out of the equation and find out about their program, syllabus, pass rate (check with FSDO), and aircraft MX including down time. How many aircraft do they have? What types? What kind of avionics are in the panels? What is the experience of their instructors? Are there ground schools or is it one on one? (one on one can be very bad if your instructor is a "time builder" and not an "instructor"...... Could be great too) There are all sorts of things to consider. With my experience I have found that "MOST" FBO's are run by "mom and pop" types or someone who bought it for a fun hobby. This usually means the quality of training is sacrificed... Good luck, ILS __________________ Flight Safety CFI/CFII/MEI --------------------------------------------------- The best Safety device in any aircraft is a well trained pilot...

May 18th, 2006, 01:15	#4
Timbuff10 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Coloradan in Orange County, CA Posts: 3,234	Re: FBO vs. Academy What's a FSDO? __________________ My Photography My Airliners.net photos

May 18th, 2006, 08:32	#6
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,514	Re: FBO vs. Academy "it is difficult to comprehend that an airline pilot could come out of a small FBO" It's about ratings and experience. ATP has the advantage of training is twins but if you can get the multi time somehow at a small FBO, it's just as well. The reason you associate "academy" with "airline job" is cause that's what the websites and marketing guru's what you to think. Little FBO's don't bother with that. I'd be willing to bet if you took DCA, FSA, ATP, and Pan Am's placement for any period of time and compare it to guys who work their way up at smaller FBO's, the smaller FBO's would win hands down cause there are so many more of them. You just don't hear about it. "I'm sure there are some regional pilots out there who have taken this route and will tell me that it can be done" I could count out 25 or 30 people I know who have worked their way up into professional pilot jobs over the years. Only one went to an academy.

May 18th, 2006, 14:04	#10
TechFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 340	Re: FBO vs. Academy Thanks everybody for your input. I really appreciate it. The FBO I'm considering is a pretty legit operation. They have between 15 and 20 planes ranging from 172's to Diamonds to Seminoles. The local community college began this year offering an associates degree in aviation with all flight training conducted at this FBO. This does me no good since I'm two terms away from my bachelors in business. But I think they run a solid operation. I think they have 3 full time instructors and 3 or 4 part time. Every time I go there I come out feeling that they were very professional, knowledgable and friendly. Part of me says just do my training here and take a chance. But then logic steps in and says look at how many ATP graduates are with regionals right now. I'm having an awful experience with the flight school I'm currently at (college) and I think I'm going to finish my private at the FBO I've been talking about. I should be able to make a more informed decision after doing this. Thanks again everyone.

May 18th, 2006, 15:41	#11
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,514	Re: FBO vs. Academy "But then logic steps in and says look at how many ATP graduates are with regionals right now" "The FBO I'm considering is a pretty legit operation" Has anyone who instructed at this FBO ever gone on to the regionals?

May 18th, 2006, 16:47	#13
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,514	Re: FBO vs. Academy My point is simply this... The poster seems to think he's somehow at a disadvantage by going to "a pretty legit" FBO type flight school. He thinks this because he reads the big academy marketing designed to suck you into their school as THE way to go. Thus, this statement: "It seems like you have a much better chance of getting on with a regional if you go to a place like ATP, even if the quality of training at the FBO is better" ATP is certainly an effective way to become a regional pilot. It's just wrong to buy off on the notion that FBO guys don't get hired, which I know to be completely false based on personal experience. The poster seems worried about this, even after reading so many comments at JC to the contrary. "Can someone please tell me that I'm completely wrong about the FBO's and that regionals DO HIRE pilots from FBO's" Yeah, you're completely wrong. Tech Flyer: I just noticed your from my area. Wondering where your avtar is from and what flight schools you've been going to. CLR4ILS: How's that airline career coming along these days? Still waiting?

May 18th, 2006, 19:01	#15
TechFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 340	Re: FBO vs. Academy "Yeah, you're completely wrong." Haha, thank you DE727. That's exactly what I was looking for. DesertDog: I understand what you're saying, and that is my concern. With the FBO's, some are great and some are not so great. You don't always know what you're going to get. Wow, you can all call me Forest now. With ATP you know exactly what you're getting and that you are going through a program that has been tried and tested hundreds of times with success (success being the right seat at a regional). It's the "unknown" factor that makes me a little hesitant about the FBO route. There is no website that says how many FBO graduates have been hired by which airline, where they instructed, how long it took and what they paid. As for the marketing schemes at the academies...we all know that they can be very inviting to someone who hasn't done their research. I am trying my hardest to ignore those claims because I know they are very deceptive. I am so thankful that I found Jetcareers because I was seriously going to enroll in one of the larger flight academies (I'll leave the name out of this) and fork out $100 grand. I thought that was the only way to go. Thanks Doug! I see that I could probably afford to go through ATP's 90 day and that I could probably get hired by them to instruct and then I could get hired by a regional and be 50 grand in the hole. However, I see that I can get the same ratings and training for quite a bit less than ATP's program at my FBO. Sure I wouldn't have the same amount of ME time but I shouldn't have too much trouble getting to that coveted number of 100. So that's where I'm at. Do I follow in the footsteps of Robert Frost and take the road less traveled (or at least less marketed)? Or do I go the other way, which has fewer unknowns?

May 18th, 2006, 19:42	#16
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,514	Re: FBO vs. Academy You might want to do a little of both. I usually don't recommend small schools for the CFI ratings. You need to find a school and CFI that does a lot of CFI training to efficiently get through it. ATP or a big academy is fine for that. I've known two guys who did it through Sheble's who were happy with it. As far as multi time or time building. Some smaller FBO's don't even have a twin or if they do, it's more expensive than some of the larger academies that fly twins a lot. Outside of that, I think you'd be better off staying local and saving your money.

May 19th, 2006, 20:33	#19
CLR4ILS Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 578	Re: FBO vs. Academy Tech, where in the northwest are you training? __________________ Flight Safety CFI/CFII/MEI --------------------------------------------------- The best Safety device in any aircraft is a well trained pilot...

May 20th, 2006, 01:41	#21
TechFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 340	Re: FBO vs. Academy I'm at KLMT and S07

June 8th, 2006, 17:40	#22
LoadMasterC141 Old Skool Join Date: May 2006 Location: Live in Temple, TX - From Ithaca, NY - Wish I was on an island in Fiji Posts: 1,909	Re: FBO vs. Academy I am thinking about the same things Tech. It seems Doug is right, and usually is; A combination of FBO and large school(Academy) is the right mixture. Right now, I plan to try and get as far as I can at the FBO level, but only want to get my PPL and IFR rating. Some work towards a commercial is fine, but I am not sure I want to finish it at the FBO. After that, it seems like an academy will not only speed things up, but also provide more bang for your buck. I do not want to show up to my first regional interview with a measly 100 hours ME time. My personal goal is more like 400. Also, for me personally, age is a factor as I am 31 right now. I cannot really afford to dilly dally for 3-4 years getting all my tickets and hours at an FBO.

June 9th, 2006, 03:31	#23
TechFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 340	Re: FBO vs. Academy I'm leaning that way also. It's looking like I'll probably go through the commercial at the FBO. From there I'll go to ATP to do the multiengine and instructor ratings. I think that'll be the cheapest way and still get the benefits of going to one of the bigger schools. The one thing I don't like about the FBO is definitely the pace. I'd much rather just do it instead of, like you said, dilly dally. I'd like to make flying my number one priority and get the training done asap. Most of the FBO's I've talked to say that it's pretty much impossible to get it all done in less than a year. Another reason why I don't plan on doing it all through an FBO. What bigger schools are you considering finishing at?

June 9th, 2006, 08:47	#24
LoadMasterC141 Old Skool Join Date: May 2006 Location: Live in Temple, TX - From Ithaca, NY - Wish I was on an island in Fiji Posts: 1,909	Re: FBO vs. Academy Yeah I cannot really afford to dilly dally for long either, but it does seem to be the cheapest way. I did the same thing in college too….Went to a community college and then transferred to Cornell for the final 2 uhh 3 years. Not sure which academy I am going to finish at yet. Ari-Ben seems to have the most positive remarks about the training atmosphere in their forum. ATP is close to me in Dallas, and it would be faster, yet more expensive. I have read a couple derogatory things about that schools environment, but it is not a HUGE detractor right now. Skymates seems a little pricey, but I have not really looked into that school much yet.

June 9th, 2006, 14:21	#25
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,514	Re: FBO vs. Academy "Most of the FBO's I've talked to say that it's pretty much impossible to get it all done in less than a year" I want you to start saying this to your FBO's "I want to fly every day and work with the same CFI as much as possible. Is there any reason that would be a problem" Any FBO with three or more aircraft available for primary instruction and full time CFI's should be receptive. I just don't see why not. Not trying to steer you away from FBO's, it's just that I hear what you're saying all the time at JC and I have to think prospects just aren't asking the question right. SOME FBO's, really laid back ones or really small ones, simply don't have the resources to be able to promise to push you through quick. Also, it's a rare FBO that would does a lot of ME or CFI training. That's best left to a larger academy/school.

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