What's a low time pilot to do? - Page 3

Tiger815 · November 26th, 2007, 09:31

Why not take a look at American Flyers. They advertise CFI/CFII for $2995 which I can say from experience is a low ball, but I believe most can get the AF program done for less than $3995. I did my CFI ratings through AF and can say they did meet the advertised time frame of 30 days for the majority of my class and the one ahead of me.
I also understand they have a 2 week course now for just the CFI which might get you hired at a place where you could add on the addtional ratings as you desired.

It seems the cost gap between the FBO route and AF has closed somewhat over the past 3-4 years. When I was considering AF they were considered a high cost alternative. Based on the comments in this thread it seems the FBO route is now in the same ball park as AF cost-wise, but I'd argue AF offers some benefits the FBO route cannot match. With the experience of having been through the program, I'd say it could be a good alternative for you IF you want to instruct.

I will echo the comments of others here and say I learned more about flying an airplane in my time instructing than any other aspect of my flying.

juskl · November 26th, 2007, 12:58

I am at Chandler Air Service in Chandler Arizona. We have an outdated (very) website www.aerobatics.com . But it pretty much says a bit about how we do things. We do not advertise at all and all of our students come from referal of past students. We do not have the newest in equipment but we fly very aggressively and specialize in aerobatics and tailwheel (4 supercubs, four great lakes and a pitts S2C). That plus about 12 warriors, two archers, two 172's, two arrows (T-tail) and a BE-33.

Probably the best thing about working here has been the variety of flying. It's not just getting stuck in a 172 or warrior all day, every day, for years on end. My Tuesday is going to look like this: Cub, Warrior, Cub, Lunch Meeting (every Tues), Warrior, Cub, then later a night flight to thriving Marana...

Anyway, it has been deffinitely baptism by fire to say the least, but it has also been awesome. Can't wait for the spring, aerobatics..

November 26th, 2007, 09:31	#51
Tiger815 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Winchester, VA (OKV) Posts: 268	Re: What's a low time pilot to do? Why not take a look at American Flyers. They advertise CFI/CFII for $2995 which I can say from experience is a low ball, but I believe most can get the AF program done for less than $3995. I did my CFI ratings through AF and can say they did meet the advertised time frame of 30 days for the majority of my class and the one ahead of me. I also understand they have a 2 week course now for just the CFI which might get you hired at a place where you could add on the addtional ratings as you desired. It seems the cost gap between the FBO route and AF has closed somewhat over the past 3-4 years. When I was considering AF they were considered a high cost alternative. Based on the comments in this thread it seems the FBO route is now in the same ball park as AF cost-wise, but I'd argue AF offers some benefits the FBO route cannot match. With the experience of having been through the program, I'd say it could be a good alternative for you IF you want to instruct. I will echo the comments of others here and say I learned more about flying an airplane in my time instructing than any other aspect of my flying.

November 26th, 2007, 12:58	#52
juskl Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 253	Re: What's a low time pilot to do? I am at Chandler Air Service in Chandler Arizona. We have an outdated (very) website www.aerobatics.com . But it pretty much says a bit about how we do things. We do not advertise at all and all of our students come from referal of past students. We do not have the newest in equipment but we fly very aggressively and specialize in aerobatics and tailwheel (4 supercubs, four great lakes and a pitts S2C). That plus about 12 warriors, two archers, two 172's, two arrows (T-tail) and a BE-33. Probably the best thing about working here has been the variety of flying. It's not just getting stuck in a 172 or warrior all day, every day, for years on end. My Tuesday is going to look like this: Cub, Warrior, Cub, Lunch Meeting (every Tues), Warrior, Cub, then later a night flight to thriving Marana... Anyway, it has been deffinitely baptism by fire to say the least, but it has also been awesome. Can't wait for the spring, aerobatics..

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