Flight schools in Vegas

[flybimmer]

Hey all...

I have a friend that is looking at career flight training. He's moving to Vegas in a few weeks, and I thought I might try to get him some feedback. I'm trying to steer him toward a good FBO, but being in Florida I don't have much knowledge about the Vegas area. He wants to save up and go to a big school...but having worked at a big school...I think the FBO route will let him get his feet wet a little earlier and a little cheaper.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Farva]

I hear what you are saying and being from henderson(right next to las vegas) and also going to UND, I can tell ya that both have good and bad points. the fbo's can be cheaper but they also require more flight hours in order to get your ratings and certificates, where as a part 141 school you can aquire it at lower hours. As for schools in vegas there is i believe ATP at VGT( north las vegas airport) and there is good FBO's all around the valley there so you can pick and chose. I personally like Desert Southwest Airlines at HND (henderson executive) because they have desent rates on aircraft and you can avoid flying in the busy mess of las vegas airspace. I mean dont get me wrong to get to operate in the class B airspace is a good experience but when you are learning to fly it can be a hassle and as well as a student pilot you are not allowed to enter class b airspace. anyway hope this helps and if you need more info please let me know so that I can help.

-Farva

[AlexF]

Originally Posted by Farva

I personally like Desert Southwest Airlines at HND (henderson executive) because they have desent rates on aircraft and you can avoid flying in the busy mess of las vegas airspace.

I thought they closed alongside the old terminal to make room for more profitable stuff? Anyway, I would use the forum search function because there have been some discussions here and there about various flight schools at North Las Vegas Airport and Boulder airport; both which I believe SeanD has had some experience in.

[Farva]

I know that DSA is closed for right now but is planning to come back in about 6 months, and though the old terminal and all of the old buidlings are shut down does not mean that the airport can not be used for flight training. VGT is a great airport but as I stated above its not a good place to iniatilly train.Boulder City Municipal is a great airport but last time i checked the only Flight training school there was silver state helicopters and well they dont offer very much. HND is the best airport in the valley to train at , in that you can get good experience in a controlled airport enviroment and you can also of course go to boulder airport, jean airport, and any other airport in the area. Also note the VGT would be a hassle to fly as a training private pilot because the class B shelf is pretty low around VGT and well as a student pilot you are not allowed into the airspace. there are many flight schools at VGT and all of them for the most part are great, but it is also a dangerous place to fly, because almost every week there is some kind of accident or incident at that airport. but hey whatever floats your guys boat. But since i live in henderson and fly out of henderson I know the layout pretty well. Nothing like waking up at 4 am to do instrument approaches at mccarran.

-Farva

[flybimmer]

Thanks for the info. I'll pass it along!