Just started looking at FSA..have a few questions!

[TurboTravis]

I've answered a few of my own questions by browsing some of the topics already posted here, but I can't seem to find the answers to a few questions:

1)How much does it cost at FSA to obtain your ratings beyond PPL? I realize that the longer you take, the more you will spend. Just looking for a average here guys!

2)What does it take to be hired as a instructor with FSA after you complete your training?

3)Do a higher percentage of FSA students get hired after leaving FSA because of the schools 'connections' vs. other schools?

I'm at the point that I would not mind spending the extra 15k if it was going to help me out in the long run..

Thanks for looking!

T

[SuperStarFlyer]

I'll give it my best shot here...

1) The best way to find out how much your training will cost would be to call the school and talk to someone in the marketing department. They will be able to give you a better idea for everything. I would expect somewhere around $50,000 for the training (but don't quote me on that because it's different for everyone especially if you don't need your private). Hopefully that helps some though.

2) As far as being hired as an instructor, depends on the interview and basically how well you do overall in the program. Prove yourself to be a good student, study hard, and try to do well on your checkrides will also help. Getting to know most of the "4 bar" instructors can also be to your advantage. Personality/character has a lot to with it too.

3)FSA has an great reputation with the aviation industry in general and from what I know of other students who have left here, most have not had trouble finding jobs. Many gradutates do get hired on as instructors here, just depends on what you want to do I guess. I'm sure other people (possibly graduates) could lend more info on this one.

Overall, I have enjoyed my training here at FSA and I would recommend it to anyone. In my opinion, if flying is definatly something you want to pursue as a career, FSA should definatly be near the top of the list of schools. There's not many other schools that offer the same opportunities that they do here. Just make sure you got all your questions answered. Hope I helped you with a few.

[TurboTravis]

Thank you for the quick response. I just called FSA and left a message!

I hope the 50k price is close for the training cost for one entering the FSA program-if this is the case, it's not all that more expensive then Ari-Ben...

I assume FSA does all of there aircraft maintenance on-site? If so, I am going to see if there is any chance that I could get hired on as a part time AP mechanic.

Thanks!
T

[DE727UPS]

"Do a higher percentage of FSA students get hired after leaving FSA because of the schools 'connections' vs. other schools?"

That's a hard one to answer and, though the recruiters will say yes, I wouldn't believe it. Compare them to ATP, a less expensive school and yet one with a great record of grads getting hired. I'm no huge fan of ATP, yet, you'd have a hard time arguing their placement record is worse than FSA.

If you ask me, going to the most expensive school because they say their grads get hired is money NOT well spent. Getting hired has to do with your background/hours/experience/job history. Is it worth an extra 15K to get a big name on your resume when you could instruct two months longer and let those hours make up the difference while your getting paid as a CFI? Only you can answer that question, but I'd say no.

I'm just not convinced that paying more to go to a big name academy "to get hired sooner" is a wise investment.

FSA is a fine school. For some people, the structure and the system is worth the price. It wouldn't have been for me.

[TurboTravis]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"Do a higher percentage of FSA students get hired after leaving FSA because of the schools 'connections' vs. other schools?"

That's a hard one to answer and, though the recruiters will say yes, I wouldn't believe it. Compare them to ATP, a less expensive school and yet one with a great record of grads getting hired. I'm no huge fan of ATP, yet, you'd have a hard time arguing their placement record is worse than FSA.

If you ask me, going to the most expensive school because they say their grads get hired is money NOT well spent. Getting hired has to do with your background/hours/experience/job history. Is it worth an extra 15K to get a big name on your resume when you could instruct two months longer and let those hours make up the difference while your getting paid as a CFI? Only you can answer that question, but I'd say no.

I'm just not convinced that paying more to go to a big name academy "to get hired sooner" is a wise investment.

FSA is a fine school. For some people, the structure and the system is worth the price. It wouldn't have been for me.

Thanks for the input. Unfortunetly, I have to be able to use my VA benifits to be able to afford flight school. If ATP was VA approved, it would be right at the top of my list!

T

[DE727UPS]

Oh yeah, VA makes it a whole different ballgame. Gotta go 141.

[SuperStarFlyer]

Originally Posted by TurboTravis

I assume FSA does all of there aircraft maintenance on-site? If so, I am going to see if there is any chance that I could get hired on as a part time AP mechanic.

Thanks!
T

Yes, they do all the a/c maintance here. I know they do take on students as mechanics from time to time. Last I heard, they really needed AP's badly. So that's something to definatly check into. Good luck with that. Let me know if you have any more ?'s.

[launchpad]

Not sure about how much it costs to do your training. I am sure that you probably won't see a higher percentage of people getting hired from FSA vs. other flight schools. The things that FSA provides are options and a good education. The options include working for them as an instructor and also the internship program where you get to work at a sim center. The direct track program is also an option, but you've probably read the threads on that......

The instructor job at FSA isn't given to you just because you went through the program. Listen to the last guy who said to do your best during training. The interview isn't that hard, but you do have to put effort into it and show that you're a mature individual before they'll hire you.

it's a great school that'll work with your VA benefits. I'm pretty sure they won't hire people for part time A&P positions, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

[SuperStarFlyer]

Originally Posted by launchpad

it's a great school that'll work with your VA benefits. I'm pretty sure they won't hire people for part time A&P positions, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

I talked to a few of the maintenance guys today because I talk to them all the time and they said that they will hire students to work as A&P's. Just make sure that it won't conflict with your training schedule and get the ok from your instructor as well.

[CLR4ILS]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

That's a hard one to answer and, though the recruiters will say yes, I wouldn't believe it. Compare them to ATP, a less expensive school and yet one with a great record of grads getting hired. I'm no huge fan of ATP, yet, you'd have a hard time arguing their placement record is worse than FSA.

FSA has never lied or has any reason to lie about their placement rate. Now tell him why FSA and ATP instructors get hired before those from FBO's............ It is the multi time and well, quality training.

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

Getting hired has to do with your background/hours/experience/job history.

He's right.... and at FSA and ATP you will get hundreds of valuble multi instrument time that you will not get at the smaller schools...

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

Is it worth an extra 15K to get a big name on your resume when you could instruct two months longer and let those hours make up the difference while your getting paid as a CFI? Only you can answer that question, but I'd say no.

It will take a heck of a lot longer than two months at the FBO to match the resume that got the FSA or ATP guy/gal hired....

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

I'm just not convinced that paying more to go to a big name academy "to get hired sooner" is a wise investment.

I would say that quality training that can save your life and those flying with you is a great reason to attend FSA....

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

FSA is a fine school. For some people, the structure and the system is worth the price. It wouldn't have been for me.

Didn't you attend Embry Riddle? Yeah, they're cheap.....


ILS

[DE727UPS]

"Didn't you attend Embry Riddle?"

Yeah, I went to Riddle for the same reason some folks go to FSA...propaganda about what it takes to make it in this career. After spending some time at Riddle and working my way up to a UPS 757/767 Captain, I think I see a better alternative for most.

By the way, all my ratings through CFI were from a small flight school. CFII was at Riddle, and it was quite expenisve. It was very good training, I'll say marginally better than the small flight school in some ways. Was is worth the extra money? Nope. Was it a good value? Nope.

Nothing wrong with FSA, as I said earlier, unless you're speaking about direct track. I just don't think the place is a good value from from a cost/benefit standpoint for some. For VA guys or guys wanting to pay extra for the structure, it's fine. Paying thousands extra to go to FSA cause you think it will get you a job faster? Not a good idea in my book.

[bLizZuE]

Good to see this crap is still chugging along nicely.

[ananoman]

Since the regionals still appear to be hiring any warm body that can pass training and is willing to work for 19k per year, I don't think FSA offers any advantage with their 'connections'. Unless you want to go corporate. Then FSA gives you a big advantage.

That being said, schools like FSA and ATP offer their CFI's a big leg up, just because of all the multi-time you can get. About half the dual an instructor will log is in the twin. They also pay decent at $15 hr and give you full benefits for cheap.

If you can find a local FBO with reasonable prices and good training, you would probably be financially better off to stay home. If you don't have a decent FBO nearby or if you want to go do corporate/charter then FSA is a good option.

[calebflyer40]

Originally Posted by bLizZuE

Good to see this crap is still chugging along nicely.

lmao.

[DE727UPS]

I agree that FSA is a good choice for corporate with their intern program. Also, a good choice for VA. Outside that, my main beef is with direct track or the thought that going to FSA gives you a "leg up" in the industry because of it's reputation.

Maybe it gives you a slight leg up in some cases. I simply don't think it's worth paying 15K extra for.

I stand behind my statement that going to a smaller school and instructing doesn't much hinder ones upward progression. Skywest's mins from a special program 850 total, Skywest mins from the street, 1000 total. Difference? 150 total. That's two months as a CFI.