?'s for current & former FSA students

[fltjunkie]

I've got a few questions for anyone familiar with FSA
Still mulling everything over in my mind on the pros/cons of FSA vs PAIFA. Both are great programs from the literature and the tours really highlighted the benefits of both programs.

#1. What's the current student population at FSA? And how many students does each instructor teach at this time? I know it fluctuates but a wag will do. I'm trying to guess how long I'll need to be in Vero Beach to instruct and to get to airline mins.

#2 How's the wx? In the span of a year, do you go more often than not, or do the FL afternoon T-storms hamper training. If its a once in a blue moon canx, let me know, if its a once a week like clockwork thing let me know that too.

#3. Where do you go on long XCs? Is the trip just across the state to Tampa or down to MIA or do you venture out to AL, GA, SC etc? Stories of cool XCs...

#4. And this is really a subjective question, so answer as you see fit... How is the airspace?

I mean is it a busy place (i.e. lot of talking to ATC for clearances, diff types of a/c to watch for (Lears, Citations, Pax carriers, etc) or are you just with other studs and the clouds? I want to get really good at radio calls etc and know that when I fly in busy airspace I tend to be more fluid on the mic whereas when its tooling around FBO with no other traffic except a few other 172s I can be a bit more relaxed.

Thanks for the info...awaiting you replies

FJ

[Crockrocket94]

I am not 100% positive on the student numbers here at FSA but the instructor student ratio is about 6/7 to 1. Most instructors are quite busy and have no problem finding students to fill 8hrs worth of flying if they have too.

The Wx is good for just about everything right now, there hasnt been many thunderstorms so actual IFR is plentiful.
The afternoon showers are unpredictable due to the odd weather patterns around the US.

Id say we went everywhere on our XC's, ive been up to Savanah, and down to Kendall/Tamiami a few times, flying over Miami Beach at night it pretty nice. Name a place and we;ve most likely been there.


I like the airspace around Vero alot, because although its Delta, it is quite busy so you have to be pretty alert in the pattern. You get all kinds of GA traffic and alot of business and 135 ops. So to answer your question, yes you will be flying in between lears, gulfstreams, citations, hawkers, etc.

[SuperStarFlyer]

Ditto with what crockrocket94 said... i'll just add my 2 cents...

We probably have somewhere around 220 students (not sure as of the most current enrollments though). If you plan on instructing, you can expect that it will take anywhere from 8 mos- 13 mos. Like you mentioned, it does fluctuate.

The wx here is usually good flying wx. During the summer we get the afternoon TSRA. This time of year is usually good for actual IFR but most times you can get around that for VFR flights. Cancellations happen, but I would say that 80% of the time, it's good flying weather.

Ditto what crockrocket94 said about x-c's. You go almost everywhere in FL. The coastal trips are fun, but flying from the east coast to the gulf coast can get boring (a whole lot of nothing - flat).

The airspace is pretty busy most of the time. We don't get any airlines in VRB, just corporate and 135 ops. You'll get your fare share of radio work. I came from a small uncontrolled field, so I know what you mean. My skills have definatly improved in that department. Just stay on your toes in the pattern. The controllers here are great, but there's one that likes to make things interesting at times.

[West270]

The controllers here are great, but there's one that likes to make things interesting at times.[/quote]


Are you referring to captain go-around?

LOL

[Flysher]

Does "grumpy" still man the tower at VRB? Anyone who attended around the 03-04 time frame should know who I'm talking about. Real deep voice, ALWAYS in a bad mood heh.

[Crockrocket94]

haha, i SSF I think I know who you are talking about.

He seems real unstable when things get busy.

He also has the weirdest approach vectors to the airport... sending people right across the departure end all the way around the airport.

[fltjunkie]

Cool, thanx Superstar and Crockrocket94.
Appreciate your heads up info!

Some of those ?s hadn't even occurred to me, until I saw PanAm's operation and realized that they never have wx delays since its sunny 340+days a yr in AZ. And the stream of Chinese & Korean airline cadets mean they have a steady stream of students for CFIs to work with, get hrs and get going.

If anyone else wants to weigh in...I'm all ears, esp since this is the proverbial $100K decision

FJ

[Crockrocket94]

Not a problem!

Good Luck with your search!

[fltjunkie]

Just out of curiosity another quick question, is there a big percentage of foreign vs domestic studs there these days? I remember seeing some when I took the tour, and the tour guide said something ab/international studs but he didn't know how many there were.

FJ

[Cool2Fly]

Originally Posted by fltjunkie

Just out of curiosity another quick question, is there a big percentage of foreign vs domestic studs there these days? I remember seeing some when I took the tour, and the tour guide said something ab/international studs but he didn't know how many there were.

FJ

Studs huh? jk, I couldn't help myself I know you mean students. FSA doesn't have the amount of foreign students it used to have, but due to it's reputation and familiarity with handling int'l students they get quite a few. Most guys I fly with down in the Caribbean went to FSA or some sort of academy due to thier int'l studness. If you end up going there, I think you will be happy with your choice.
Later
Dane

[SuperStarFlyer]

Originally Posted by fltjunkie

Just out of curiosity another quick question, is there a big percentage of foreign vs domestic studs there these days? I remember seeing some when I took the tour, and the tour guide said something ab/international studs but he didn't know how many there were.

FJ

I would say the percentage is around 80% Domestic 20% Foreign right now. I've heard that we are due to get more foreign contracts soon. Right now we have contracts with the Swiss, Ireland, and I've heard China will be here shortly. There may be more, I'm not the expert in that department.

Anyway, glad to have helped you. Good luck with everything!

[SuperStarFlyer]

Originally Posted by West270

The controllers here are great, but there's one that likes to make things interesting at times.

Are you referring to captain go-around?

LOL[/quote]

Why yes I am!! LOL I love listening to him when he gets flustered! (from the ground!) It's almost like he intends to keep us on our toes. He scared the @#*% outta me a couple times when I was in the pattern. (life flashed before my eyes...or maybe just another airplane?)

[Flysher]

Originally Posted by SuperStarFlyer

I would say the percentage is around 80% Domestic 20% Foreign right now. I've heard that we are due to get more foreign contracts soon. Right now we have contracts with the Swiss, Ireland, and I've heard China will be here shortly. There may be more, I'm not the expert in that department.

Anyway, glad to have helped you. Good luck with everything!

I had a chinese room-mate for a short while at FSA. He would have the whole freaking chinese class over at the same time, im talking 12 guys sitting in my living room when i came home. They used my shower and kitchen as well, luckily they werent there for long. I remember those guys were out doing touch and goes in citations.

[Crockrocket94]

wouldnt mind going along for that ride...

haha, wish they would let us touch a citation.

[SuperStarFlyer]

Originally Posted by Crockrocket94

wouldnt mind going along for that ride...

haha, wish they would let us touch a citation.

yeah... wouldn't that be amazing????

[Crockrocket94]

btw, the high altitude sim citation I = sucky, i think the seneca is faster!

[launchpad]

Originally Posted by Crockrocket94

wouldnt mind going along for that ride...

haha, wish they would let us touch a citation.

it's been done before....you just have to ask the right people....

[montanapilot]

don't go to either of them. How the hell are you gonna make payments on a $80,000 dollar flight training loan while making $18,000 at a regional and still afford to eat?

[bLizZuE]

don't assume we all have loans for 80k

[Crockrocket94]

Originally Posted by bLizZuE

don't assume we all have loans for 80k

yeah.


my loans only for 75k :P

no seriously though, alot of people at fsa didnt take out loans, i would say about half of the people I meet are in due to VA stuff or "other sources".

Me, i didnt have the financial backing so i had to.

[fltjunkie]

Another couple questions FSA types

#1 Will the standard Jepp student pilot bag suffice or should I begin looking for a larger one (w/all the pockets/detachable headphone cases, bells and whistles), etc?

#2 Where do off campus folks like to live? Is Canterbury Place alright?, what ab/Walker Woods?, any other suggestions?

#3. What should I be studying to prepare (I know i should be reviewing everything ...but seriously what is focused on heavily w/in the first few weeks of groundschool)? Airspace, whizwheel, wx or other FlightSafetyisms.

Cheers

FJ

[bLizZuE]

1. nothing fancy needed.

2. don't know, the dorms work for me, and its nice to be in the middle of it all

3. if you really want to study, just read the jepp private pilot manual cover to cover

[soonerpilot06]

Canterbury Place is alright from what I hear. I was told to stay away from Walker Woods, they are ghetto. I have heard good things about Pinnacle Grove.

[CLR4ILS]

Originally Posted by fltjunkie

I've got a few questions for anyone familiar with FSA
Still mulling everything over in my mind on the pros/cons of FSA vs PAIFA. Both are great programs from the literature and the tours really highlighted the benefits of both programs.

#1. What's the current student population at FSA? And how many students does each instructor teach at this time? I know it fluctuates but a wag will do. I'm trying to guess how long I'll need to be in Vero Beach to instruct and to get to airline mins.

#2 How's the wx? In the span of a year, do you go more often than not, or do the FL afternoon T-storms hamper training. If its a once in a blue moon canx, let me know, if its a once a week like clockwork thing let me know that too.

#3. Where do you go on long XCs? Is the trip just across the state to Tampa or down to MIA or do you venture out to AL, GA, SC etc? Stories of cool XCs...

#4. And this is really a subjective question, so answer as you see fit... How is the airspace?

I mean is it a busy place (i.e. lot of talking to ATC for clearances, diff types of a/c to watch for (Lears, Citations, Pax carriers, etc) or are you just with other studs and the clouds? I want to get really good at radio calls etc and know that when I fly in busy airspace I tend to be more fluid on the mic whereas when its tooling around FBO with no other traffic except a few other 172s I can be a bit more relaxed.

Thanks for the info...awaiting you replies

FJ

You'll get great multi instrument instruction time.

The WX is great because you get enough clear skies for your visual maneauvers and a good amount of actual IMC for your instrument flying.

You can go across state lines for your x-countries. Georgia is a hot spot for students.

Airspace is good. Plenty of class B around to keep you on your toes.


Bottom line..... great school and great training to airline/military standards...

Good luck...

ILS

[Crockrocket94]

Walker woods is anything but ghetto.

I've got 2 or 3 buddies who live over there. Pretty nice places if you ask me.