the right flight school

C-130avi · September 29th, 2006, 01:22

my goal is to be a professional pilot, I would like to fly regional. I been looking around for a good school that could put me in that path, I been told and I have heard that I need to build up multi engine time to get some where. Now my question is what school can get me there, or at least a good school that can put me in the right path.....

PGT · September 29th, 2006, 01:47

get a CFI & CFI II. go instruct to build time.

there are alwys schools like Ari-ben, Flight Safety Academy, or ATP

kellwolf · September 29th, 2006, 07:34

Just about any school (be it ATP, Ari-ben, Skymates or your local FBO) can put you on the path. The question you have to ask is, is it the right path for YOU? I second the instructing way to go, but it's not for everyone. I got ALL of my ME time from either training for ME ratings (about 30 hours) or instructing in twins (about 220 hours).

C-130avi · September 29th, 2006, 07:48

Thank you for the feed back, I was thinking about getting my CFI and CFII. I have two school right know in mind which are Phoenix East Aviation, and Flight Safety Academy.

kellwolf · September 29th, 2006, 08:02

I'm not one to bash schools, but I'd keep looking beyond those two. FSA has a good program, but it's too expensive IMO. You can get the same training elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. I've seen PEA do too many marketing gimmicks (and I've seen their planes up close and personal.....) to suggest them. I checked into going there when I was still in ORL, and I wasn't impressed. They do have a fancy 737 sim (no motion of course).

Texasspilot · September 29th, 2006, 08:05

where are you located at?

EDUC8-or · September 29th, 2006, 08:42

If there is an FBO in your local area with a twin you might be in good shape. It all depends on where you live.

If you decide to go somewhere else (relocate) make sure you visit every school you are looking at. Find somewhere that will hire you on as a CFI when you're done with your ratings. That way you don't have to move again. I would try to stay away from big loans if you can. It's tough living on first year FO pay, and when you have to pay back lots of dough it's REALLY tough. There's nothing wrong with accelerated flight training, but you need to manage the costs as well. Make sure you take a good look at their fleet and many reputable flight schools will let you go for a flight in the back seat during a lesson for some students. I visited several places and I was armed with about 20 questions and I took notes during the meetings and weighed the pros and cons of each school carefully before moving.

Good luck with your decisions! Keep the questions coming and choose wisely. I will say that when I was in DAB PEA had a beat up fleet and just about as many CFI's as students. That means not a whole lot of hours when you get on as a CFI.

meyers9163 · September 29th, 2006, 09:11

I second what Kellwolf said. Yes at 1st look those look great but a lot you will find out revolves around Marketing! Keep looking!

kellwolf · September 29th, 2006, 09:24

EDUC8-or's got a good point, plus he was instructing in DAB for a while, so he knows more about PEA than I do. The main reason I didn't go with the local FBO 5 miles from my parents house (besides the fact they wanted $230 an hour for a Duchess two years ago) was there were always about 5 or 6 CFIs sitting around when I went in there. That meant I could get the training done as quickly as I wanted, but it would take forever to get on with a regional and even longer for 135 stuff. For example, the guy that WOULD have been my multi instructor there is only about 20 spots above me in seniority at PCL!

It's good to go with a school that will hire you as an instructor when you're done, but make sure the school has the student load to handle it. If they hire everyone that goes through the program without a good, revolving student load (which is the FLIGHT SCHOOL'S responsibility not your's), then you might be sitting for a LOOOONG time. One of the downsides to Skymates is that they can't hire every instructor that goes through the program right off the bat all the time. I had to wait a couple of weeks for a spot to open, and I think Todd was sitting close to a month. Once I did get on, I flew my ass off, though.

C-130avi · September 29th, 2006, 09:45

I was also thinking about ATP, but they are not part 141. I need a school that is part 141 because of my VA benefits.. Anyone knows a good school part 141???

Captain_Bob · September 29th, 2006, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-130avi

Anyone knows a good school part 141???

www.skymates.com

Bob

SteveC · September 29th, 2006, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-130avi

I was also thinking about ATP, but they are not part 141. I need a school that is part 141 because of my VA benefits.. Anyone knows a good school part 141???

Click the banner ads at the top of the page for Skymates and the Aviator (AriBen) and check those two out. Pretty sure that they are both 141 and have the best prices going as far as the larger schools. The other option would be to check with the local Fixed Base Operators (FBO) at airports near where you live (or want to live) and see what kind of operation they run. With a little legwork you can often find the most economical method is through one of these small schools. You need to do your homework, though, to make sure that they are 141, have enough aircraft and instructors to keep you moving through the program, and you need to be a self-motivated individual.

jdflight · September 29th, 2006, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-130avi

Anyone knows a good school part 141???

Mazzei Flying Service

www.flymfs.com

MusketeerMan · September 29th, 2006, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdflight

Mazzei Flying Service

www.flymfs.com

Mazzei is a good school...but are way too overpriced for what you get. Their most expensive program (about $47K) only gets you about 40 hours of multi time. It works out to something like paying $165/hour to fly a Tomahawk...

kellwolf · September 29th, 2006, 14:19

Skymates is 141, but they haven't been 141 long enough to qualify for VA benefits. Keep going on the search. There are tons of 141 schools out that accept VA benes.

jdflight · September 29th, 2006, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusketeerMan

Mazzei is a good school...but are way too overpriced for what you get. Their most expensive program (about $47K) only gets you about 40 hours of multi time. It works out to something like paying $165/hour to fly a Tomahawk...

Really? Did you go there? Do you know exactly what you get, in terms of quality, oversight, access to instructors and ownership, and flight time? Because I did. So did a number of people here. I have never once heard the accusation you level. I have many times over heard that the costs are considerably low.

jtrain609 · September 29th, 2006, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Skymates is 141, but they haven't been 141 long enough to qualify for VA benefits. Keep going on the search. There are tons of 141 schools out that accept VA benes.

Not true, Deanne is making it all happen right now. You need to be a FLIGHT SCHOOL for 2 years, not have your 141 certificate for 2 years. We were all wrong on that one.

todd584 · September 29th, 2006, 20:27

I was told we should be getting VA approved within a month (Skymates)

kellwolf · September 29th, 2006, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd584

I was told we should be getting VA approved within a month (Skymates)

Not to knock anyone, but I heard that about immigration visas every month for 7 months. When I left, we were still waiting on approval. If it's in the hands of the government, Skymates just has to wait their turn.....

todd584 · September 29th, 2006, 23:51

well we're approved for immigration visas now

jtrain609 · September 30th, 2006, 00:00

Yeah man once DeAnne rolled up things started happening fast.

September 29th, 2006, 01:22	#1
C-130avi Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 17	the right flight school my goal is to be a professional pilot, I would like to fly regional. I been looking around for a good school that could put me in that path, I been told and I have heard that I need to build up multi engine time to get some where. Now my question is what school can get me there, or at least a good school that can put me in the right path.....

September 29th, 2006, 01:47	#2
PGT Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: DSM Posts: 2,988	Re: the right flight school get a CFI & CFI II. go instruct to build time. there are alwys schools like Ari-ben, Flight Safety Academy, or ATP __________________ PPL 55 hours TT

September 29th, 2006, 07:34	#3
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,368	Re: the right flight school Just about any school (be it ATP, Ari-ben, Skymates or your local FBO) can put you on the path. The question you have to ask is, is it the right path for YOU? I second the instructing way to go, but it's not for everyone. I got ALL of my ME time from either training for ME ratings (about 30 hours) or instructing in twins (about 220 hours). __________________ "I'm The Doctor, by the way. Run for your life!"

September 29th, 2006, 07:48	#4
C-130avi Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 17	Re: the right flight school Thank you for the feed back, I was thinking about getting my CFI and CFII. I have two school right know in mind which are Phoenix East Aviation, and Flight Safety Academy.

September 29th, 2006, 08:02	#5
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,368	Re: the right flight school I'm not one to bash schools, but I'd keep looking beyond those two. FSA has a good program, but it's too expensive IMO. You can get the same training elsewhere for a fraction of the cost. I've seen PEA do too many marketing gimmicks (and I've seen their planes up close and personal.....) to suggest them. I checked into going there when I was still in ORL, and I wasn't impressed. They do have a fancy 737 sim (no motion of course). __________________ "I'm The Doctor, by the way. Run for your life!"

September 29th, 2006, 08:05	#6
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,068	Re: the right flight school where are you located at?

September 29th, 2006, 08:42	#7
EDUC8-or Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NC Posts: 2,174	Re: the right flight school If there is an FBO in your local area with a twin you might be in good shape. It all depends on where you live. If you decide to go somewhere else (relocate) make sure you visit every school you are looking at. Find somewhere that will hire you on as a CFI when you're done with your ratings. That way you don't have to move again. I would try to stay away from big loans if you can. It's tough living on first year FO pay, and when you have to pay back lots of dough it's REALLY tough. There's nothing wrong with accelerated flight training, but you need to manage the costs as well. Make sure you take a good look at their fleet and many reputable flight schools will let you go for a flight in the back seat during a lesson for some students. I visited several places and I was armed with about 20 questions and I took notes during the meetings and weighed the pros and cons of each school carefully before moving. Good luck with your decisions! Keep the questions coming and choose wisely. I will say that when I was in DAB PEA had a beat up fleet and just about as many CFI's as students. That means not a whole lot of hours when you get on as a CFI.

September 29th, 2006, 09:11	#8
meyers9163 Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,971	Re: the right flight school I second what Kellwolf said. Yes at 1st look those look great but a lot you will find out revolves around Marketing! Keep looking!

September 29th, 2006, 09:24	#9
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,368	Re: the right flight school EDUC8-or's got a good point, plus he was instructing in DAB for a while, so he knows more about PEA than I do. The main reason I didn't go with the local FBO 5 miles from my parents house (besides the fact they wanted $230 an hour for a Duchess two years ago) was there were always about 5 or 6 CFIs sitting around when I went in there. That meant I could get the training done as quickly as I wanted, but it would take forever to get on with a regional and even longer for 135 stuff. For example, the guy that WOULD have been my multi instructor there is only about 20 spots above me in seniority at PCL! It's good to go with a school that will hire you as an instructor when you're done, but make sure the school has the student load to handle it. If they hire everyone that goes through the program without a good, revolving student load (which is the FLIGHT SCHOOL'S responsibility not your's), then you might be sitting for a LOOOONG time. One of the downsides to Skymates is that they can't hire every instructor that goes through the program right off the bat all the time. I had to wait a couple of weeks for a spot to open, and I think Todd was sitting close to a month. Once I did get on, I flew my ass off, though. __________________ "I'm The Doctor, by the way. Run for your life!"

September 29th, 2006, 09:45	#10
C-130avi Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 17	Re: the right flight school I was also thinking about ATP, but they are not part 141. I need a school that is part 141 because of my VA benefits.. Anyone knows a good school part 141???

September 29th, 2006, 14:19	#15
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,368	Re: the right flight school Skymates is 141, but they haven't been 141 long enough to qualify for VA benefits. Keep going on the search. There are tons of 141 schools out that accept VA benes. __________________ "I'm The Doctor, by the way. Run for your life!"

September 29th, 2006, 20:27	#18
todd584 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atwater, CA Posts: 155	Re: the right flight school I was told we should be getting VA approved within a month (Skymates)

September 29th, 2006, 23:51	#20
todd584 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atwater, CA Posts: 155	Re: the right flight school well we're approved for immigration visas now

September 30th, 2006, 00:00	#21
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,195	Re: the right flight school Yeah man once DeAnne rolled up things started happening fast.

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