Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please

darbykidd · June 17th, 2004, 09:07

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has trained at or worked at any of these schools. I'm going to be getting my CFI/II and would like any input/advice if anyone has had any experience.

Falcon Flight Sanford, Sanford FL
Epic Aviation, New Smyrna Beach, FL
American Aviation Adventures, Clearwater, FL
Arizona Aviation, Mesa,AZ
Falcon Flight Center, Daytona Beach,FL
Air Desert Pacific, La Verne, CA
California Flight Academy, San Diego,CA
North Florida Flight Center, Jacksonville, FL
Sunrise Aviation, Santa Ana,CA
North American Institute of Aviation, Conway,SC

Also I'm considering FlightSafety in Vero Beach. Its so expensive to get just the CFI-A there, but I guess they hire their own graduates for their CFI positions and then they offer the CFII and MEI free if you are employed..Is employment guaranteed or just if they have a position open? Is there a waiting list perhaps? If someone knows how this works I'd appreciate it.

Additionally if there are any other recommendations for schools either in Southern California, Arizona or Florida or perhaps other areas with nice weather year round I'm open to suggestions. I'm hoping to find a place that offers employment to their CFI graduates. Thanks a lot.

SteveC · June 17th, 2004, 09:59

Is "darbykidd" kinda like an offspring of Kit Darby?

Just joshing. I'm a josher.

kellwolf · June 17th, 2004, 10:38

Here's another Florida school to consider: Air Orlando in Orlando, FL. They're getting a pretty decent turn over on their CFIs (I had trouble finding an MEI that wasn't leaving. they only have two that are gonna be around for a while), and they fly a fairly new fleet. Mostly 172SPs, but they also have 2 Cirrus. The Senecas are older but in good condition.

Josh · June 17th, 2004, 11:29

www.shebleaviation.com

They are in Henderson, NV (Las Vegas) and Kingman, AZ (about 60miles away from LAS) so weather is not an issue (if you can handle desert heat).

The CFIs when I was there were getting hundreds of hours. And making it to the 8hr in a 24hr limit all the time. One guy has 800hrs and change in about 6 months. They have SE and ME programs, if you are looking for twin time. A number of their instructors move on to working for Scenic Airlines, which does Grand Canyon tours. They had a couple leave a week before I got that for that gig, and the guy I mentioned above that got his 800hrs was going to Scenic in a week or two after I left.

If I was all about just building time, and could handle the weather (I'm a wimp, if it isn't 60-75F during the day, I whine and complain

) I'd look for a job with them.

Snow · June 17th, 2004, 14:14

If you want career orentated quality training, go FlightSafety hands down. At very least take a tour, free room and I think they might even pay for your airline ticket if you enrole (not sure on that one)

maxVT · June 17th, 2004, 14:50

[ QUOTE ]
an offspring of Kit Darby?

[/ QUOTE ]

Gonna hold back from spitting.. but I'm sneering
at the name...

darbykidd · June 17th, 2004, 20:36

darbykidd is actually a combination of two of my old pet's names. darby and kidd. I've never heard of Kit Darby. Anyways, any more recommendations on those schools now that we've got that out of the way? thanks.

EDUC8-or · June 17th, 2004, 20:56

I've flown at Epic and Falcon (DAB). I really liked Epic lots. Their rates have gone up some in the past, but from what I hear they have NEXRAD in their 172 SPs. Falcon wasn't bad, but doesn't have quite the fleet as Epic.

If you're really interested in all of these schools, you should pay a visit to them personally and check them out.

Doug Taylor · June 18th, 2004, 07:44

[ QUOTE ]
darbykidd is actually a combination of two of my old pet's names. darby and kidd. I've never heard of Kit Darby. Anyways, any more recommendations on those schools now that we've got that out of the way? thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Kit Darby = "FAPA" = "Air Inc" = "Nine hundred billion pilots needed in the next two months, but buy my book first"

clrd4takeoff · June 18th, 2004, 08:26

Hey Darbykidd,

I went down and checked out Falcon Flight Center in Daytona.

It seemed like a good operation. They have an exellent rate on the Duchess! $149/hr or $139/hr if you buy some block time. I don't know what the hiring policy is with new CFI's.

Don't even bother with North Florida. No twin training! They don't ever seem to need any instructors either.

I have heard some good things about North American Institute of Aviation in Conway. I think the rates are decent.

You may want to check out Sterling Flight Training at CRG here in Jacksonville. It is a good school. They are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet! They run a joint program with Florida Community College. You can get your 2 yr A.S. degree in Professional Pilot Technology. We also have an Embry-Riddle extended campus here. Some good opportunity to fly and get your degree!

I guess the down side could be taking a check ride with Ernie Strange. Check out the ATP post concerning his checkrides.

I guess he has "strange" checkrides or something?

I wouldn't spend any more money than you have to. Don't get into debt learning to fly!!!!! Been there; done that! It is no fun!!!!!

Hope this helps you out!

TL

Tim · June 18th, 2004, 08:28

Darby at least you came to a place that will give you some straight unbiased opinions in your search. If at all possible try to do it without going to much in debt. JC will give you more info that most schools because this networks come from many schools and many different situations.

darbykidd · June 18th, 2004, 13:53

Thanks guys for the opinions. I actually already have a 4 yr. aviation degree and also am heavily in debt, but oh well it should all pay off right? hah. Keep the recommendations coming if you have any.

lazydogg · June 18th, 2004, 14:27

[ QUOTE ]
Gonna hold back from spitting.. but I'm sneering
at the name...

[/ QUOTE ]

speaking of Kit, i just got an email from him! but he seems like such a caring & nice guy

[ QUOTE ]
Each month we create mailing labels for those who receive Airline Pilot Careers magazine and send them to our publisher in Kentucky, who then ship our magazine from that location.

In April and again in May, because of a glitch in the system, there was a group of names that did not show up on these two monthly lists. Unfortunately your name was in this group.

We want to apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and assure you that we have corrected this problem so it will not happen again.

Since you did not receive Airline Pilot Careers in April and May, we are providing you a FREE two-month extension on your current magazine subscription.

You are a valued customer and we appreciate your business and understanding!

Kit Darby
President
AIR, Inc.

[/ QUOTE ]

i get this sense we dont like him??!!

June 17th, 2004, 09:07	#1
darbykidd Newbie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5	Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please Hi, Just wondering if anyone has trained at or worked at any of these schools. I'm going to be getting my CFI/II and would like any input/advice if anyone has had any experience. Falcon Flight Sanford, Sanford FL Epic Aviation, New Smyrna Beach, FL American Aviation Adventures, Clearwater, FL Arizona Aviation, Mesa,AZ Falcon Flight Center, Daytona Beach,FL Air Desert Pacific, La Verne, CA California Flight Academy, San Diego,CA North Florida Flight Center, Jacksonville, FL Sunrise Aviation, Santa Ana,CA North American Institute of Aviation, Conway,SC Also I'm considering FlightSafety in Vero Beach. Its so expensive to get just the CFI-A there, but I guess they hire their own graduates for their CFI positions and then they offer the CFII and MEI free if you are employed..Is employment guaranteed or just if they have a position open? Is there a waiting list perhaps? If someone knows how this works I'd appreciate it. Additionally if there are any other recommendations for schools either in Southern California, Arizona or Florida or perhaps other areas with nice weather year round I'm open to suggestions. I'm hoping to find a place that offers employment to their CFI graduates. Thanks a lot.

June 17th, 2004, 09:59	#2
SteveC Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: GRR Posts: 8,364	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please Is "darbykidd" kinda like an offspring of Kit Darby? Just joshing. I'm a josher.

June 17th, 2004, 10:38	#3
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,257	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please Here's another Florida school to consider: Air Orlando in Orlando, FL. They're getting a pretty decent turn over on their CFIs (I had trouble finding an MEI that wasn't leaving. they only have two that are gonna be around for a while), and they fly a fairly new fleet. Mostly 172SPs, but they also have 2 Cirrus. The Senecas are older but in good condition.

June 17th, 2004, 11:29	#4
Josh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 686	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please www.shebleaviation.com They are in Henderson, NV (Las Vegas) and Kingman, AZ (about 60miles away from LAS) so weather is not an issue (if you can handle desert heat). The CFIs when I was there were getting hundreds of hours. And making it to the 8hr in a 24hr limit all the time. One guy has 800hrs and change in about 6 months. They have SE and ME programs, if you are looking for twin time. A number of their instructors move on to working for Scenic Airlines, which does Grand Canyon tours. They had a couple leave a week before I got that for that gig, and the guy I mentioned above that got his 800hrs was going to Scenic in a week or two after I left. If I was all about just building time, and could handle the weather (I'm a wimp, if it isn't 60-75F during the day, I whine and complain ) I'd look for a job with them.

June 17th, 2004, 14:14	#5
Snow Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 869	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please If you want career orentated quality training, go FlightSafety hands down. At very least take a tour, free room and I think they might even pay for your airline ticket if you enrole (not sure on that one)

June 17th, 2004, 14:50	#6
maxVT Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: central VT (RUT) Posts: 41	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please [ QUOTE ] an offspring of Kit Darby? [/ QUOTE ] Gonna hold back from spitting.. but I'm sneering at the name...

June 17th, 2004, 20:36	#7
darbykidd Newbie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please darbykidd is actually a combination of two of my old pet's names. darby and kidd. I've never heard of Kit Darby. Anyways, any more recommendations on those schools now that we've got that out of the way? thanks.

June 17th, 2004, 20:56	#8
EDUC8-or Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NC Posts: 2,146	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please I've flown at Epic and Falcon (DAB). I really liked Epic lots. Their rates have gone up some in the past, but from what I hear they have NEXRAD in their 172 SPs. Falcon wasn't bad, but doesn't have quite the fleet as Epic. If you're really interested in all of these schools, you should pay a visit to them personally and check them out.

June 18th, 2004, 07:44	#9
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,825 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please [ QUOTE ] darbykidd is actually a combination of two of my old pet's names. darby and kidd. I've never heard of Kit Darby. Anyways, any more recommendations on those schools now that we've got that out of the way? thanks. [/ QUOTE ] Kit Darby = "FAPA" = "Air Inc" = "Nine hundred billion pilots needed in the next two months, but buy my book first"

June 18th, 2004, 08:26	#10
clrd4takeoff Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 71	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please Hey Darbykidd, I went down and checked out Falcon Flight Center in Daytona. It seemed like a good operation. They have an exellent rate on the Duchess! $149/hr or $139/hr if you buy some block time. I don't know what the hiring policy is with new CFI's. Don't even bother with North Florida. No twin training! They don't ever seem to need any instructors either. I have heard some good things about North American Institute of Aviation in Conway. I think the rates are decent. You may want to check out Sterling Flight Training at CRG here in Jacksonville. It is a good school. They are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet! They run a joint program with Florida Community College. You can get your 2 yr A.S. degree in Professional Pilot Technology. We also have an Embry-Riddle extended campus here. Some good opportunity to fly and get your degree! I guess the down side could be taking a check ride with Ernie Strange. Check out the ATP post concerning his checkrides. I guess he has "strange" checkrides or something? I wouldn't spend any more money than you have to. Don't get into debt learning to fly!!!!! Been there; done that! It is no fun!!!!! Hope this helps you out! TL

June 18th, 2004, 08:28	#11
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please Darby at least you came to a place that will give you some straight unbiased opinions in your search. If at all possible try to do it without going to much in debt. JC will give you more info that most schools because this networks come from many schools and many different situations.

June 18th, 2004, 13:53	#12
darbykidd Newbie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please Thanks guys for the opinions. I actually already have a 4 yr. aviation degree and also am heavily in debt, but oh well it should all pay off right? hah. Keep the recommendations coming if you have any.

June 18th, 2004, 14:27	#13
lazydogg Newbie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 28	Re: Opinions/Recommendations on these flight schools please [ QUOTE ] Gonna hold back from spitting.. but I'm sneering at the name... [/ QUOTE ] speaking of Kit, i just got an email from him! but he seems like such a caring & nice guy [ QUOTE ] Each month we create mailing labels for those who receive Airline Pilot Careers magazine and send them to our publisher in Kentucky, who then ship our magazine from that location. In April and again in May, because of a glitch in the system, there was a group of names that did not show up on these two monthly lists. Unfortunately your name was in this group. We want to apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and assure you that we have corrected this problem so it will not happen again. Since you did not receive Airline Pilot Careers in April and May, we are providing you a FREE two-month extension on your current magazine subscription. You are a valued customer and we appreciate your business and understanding! Kit Darby President AIR, Inc. [/ QUOTE ] i get this sense we dont like him??!!

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