Air Safety Flight Academy

[TheAlchemist]

So does one have to sign a contract? When do you get the money invested on the CFI back?

Thanks

[FlyingPoke]

Originally Posted by TheAlchemist

So does one have to sign a contract? When do you get the money invested on the CFI back?

Thanks

I know a couple people working here and you dont get the money back, basically you are just paying for your training to become a CFI... but still getting pretty decent pay by the end of it. And as I understand it there is no contract or minimum time if you already have your CFI/I/MEI, however I'm sure that has to change if they provide your training for all of the above.

[Old Dominion Flyer]

I recently spoke with the recruiter and was told that the cost of the CFI would be reimbursed once the student passes the checkride and is employed as an Air Safety instructor. I was not told when this reimbursement occurs. I'm visiting the school next week and I'll keep you guys posted. However, any guys currently in the program are welcome to chime in.

Poke
Are you saying that the school is actually NOT reimbursing the guys who earn their CFI there and go on to instruct there? That'd be a shame. Air Safety is using that CFI deal as a major selling point. I hope it hasn't changed.

[TheAlchemist]

Originally Posted by Old Dominion Flyer

I recently spoke with the recruiter and was told that the cost of the CFI would be reimbursed once the student passes the checkride and is employed as an Air Safety instructor. I was not told when this reimbursement occurs. I'm visiting the school next week and I'll keep you guys posted. However, any guys currently in the program are welcome to chime in.

Poke
Are you saying that the school is actually NOT reimbursing the guys who earn their CFI there and go on to instruct there? That'd be a shame. Air Safety is using that CFI deal as a major selling point. I hope it hasn't changed.

That is much appreciated.

[FlyingPoke]

Originally Posted by Old Dominion Flyer

Poke
Are you saying that the school is actually NOT reimbursing the guys who earn their CFI there and go on to instruct there? That'd be a shame. Air Safety is using that CFI deal as a major selling point. I hope it hasn't changed.

After speaking with my friend that works there (as I still need CFII/MEI), he just mentioned that you would take a pay cut from the 40k for the first year if you needed to obtain them still, never mentioned anything about getting reimbursed for that amount. So, I took that to mean that you were just paying for the training and still making a nice income...

How long did it take to hear back from them? I emailed the given email a couple days ago with no response yet... thanks.

[CLEVERK1]

Are they still looking for CFIs?

I have sent in my resume and gave them a call (unfortunately I could only reach a voicemail). I have never heard back so I stayed at my school. I have instructed for a while, have an (almost) degree in aviation - I'm not sure what they are looking for. At least a call back would have been appreciated by me.

[vikingair]

Is this the same Airsafety outfit that was in Vero around 2000? I recall they didn't pay the bills and students arrived one day to find the city had padlocked the gates and and the owners had skipped town.

[TangoBravo]

The last I heard was they want you to foot 6500 for the CFI.
Upon finish they will interview and if hired provide you with a reimbursement for the cost to obtain the CFI (which is entirely questionable, and can easily be circumnavigated by them)
9K less the first year (snowball system= 400 dual upgrade CFII and the same game again) thats a darn good interest rate for not investing a darn dime in the applicant. Looked like a cheap scam to me but has probably boosted their CFI Academy attendance record...
But so did another flightschool offering the same gig, and when questioned upon what the deal was with ASFA acted surprised just to never been heard from again...

Buyer beware!

[Old Dominion Flyer]

Originally Posted by FlyingPoke

How long did it take to hear back from them? I emailed the given email a couple days ago with no response yet... thanks.

I've only spoken with them on the phone so far, so I can't comment on email responses. Their recruiter is Case Collins and I found him rather easy to reach by phone, aside from the week he was on vacation on no one in the office seemed to realize it. If you aren't getting an email response I suggest calling and asking for Mr. Collins. If he isn't available, call back in an hour and try again. It worked for me.

[rockman2343@aol.com]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if Air Safety was still hiring. If they are, I was also wondering what their schedule is like, how often do you actually fly. I work at a flight school across the valley and I like it but it's just getting to expensive to drive. Anything you could tell me would be appreciated. Thanx

[Old Dominion Flyer]

I visited the school today and it's fair to say that what I saw matched what I had been told over the phone. The previously mentioned "deal" is still in effect but instructors applying for a position are being put in a pool until the school begins hiring again. Airsafety has enough instructors for its current student load but they will begin hiring once the next group of students arrives this fall/winter. I was told they're anticipating 100 students, which according to the school means 20-30 instructors. So, at the moment the "deal" won't be doing anyone much good until the school begins hiring again. Feel free to place bets on whether or not the school has the deal for much longer. If they have the current applicants in a pool I suspect they'll have enough instructors when the time comes to hire again. If that's the case, I'm not sure the school will need to entice any instructors with a deal. Also, in the next month Airsafety will be transitioning from salaried pay to hourly pay for instructors. Feel free to PM me if you'd like more details.

[Millerspal]

I called and talked to Mr Collins he was very nice, and not at all hard to get ahold of. I sent in my resume and hopefully will get put in the hiring pool. I don't fall into the "deal" category because I already have all of my ratings. Good to know they will be hiring, even if its in the future.

[averettpilot]

just a caution to those considering air safety for cfi training and employment coming from someone who worked there. for the 7 months that i was there not one cfi took or passed a checkride even though at least 4 were in the course. their cfi program was one of the worst and most disorganized programs i've ever seen or heard of and this was also echoed by the people in the course...i have since left (end of march of '08) and they have probably transitioned to a better one (hopefully). as for their offering certain pay scales i will say that when i signed on i had been told that i would receive 40k a year by nov. '07 (hired in sept '07) and this did not happen until the end of december and this was after i threatened to leave as well as many other instructors who were told the same thing (they were very understaffed at the time; not a problem now it seems) with this company i and many of my coworkers came to realize that this company did not have the necessary organization (or facilities for that matter) to take on a contract as big as the chinese and indian contracts and would say just about anything to make a buck (then could not back it when it came time). many domestic students were left by the wayside and got screwed (some of my own who have since left and gone to westwind) i've read a post saying that they are growing and have a bright future which is hopefully true but my experience with them leads me to believe otherwise. i also never agreed and continue not to agree with training large foreign contracts in america or the method with which it's done (concentrating more on minimum completion times and not quality training). i just think it takes one leg from the instructors (who do the best job they can) and limits them on what needs to be taught to these people (who lets face it have a hard enough time mastering english much less flying an airplane) let me be clear i will always side with the instructors and hopefully this helps anyone who cares to listen.

[PetrolBurner]

thanks for the info

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by PetrolBurner

thanks for the info

i was considering this place before i found out the real-deal from you guys.

[Millerspal]

For the record, there is a new guy in charge who came over in March, right when it seems the other guy who used to work there left. I am by no means discrediting his account of how that place is, but there is a fair chance that it is different now. I also don't have the problem with teaching foreigners how to fly. Heck, for the right money I would even teach my relatives...lol.

[CirrusDriver]

Originally Posted by Millerspal

For the record, there is a new guy in charge who came over in March, right when it seems the other guy who used to work there left.

Is Dee still the owner, or is that who left? Does Ben still work there?

[Champcar]

Originally Posted by Millerspal

For the record, there is a new guy in charge who came over in March, right when it seems the other guy who used to work there left. I am by no means discrediting his account of how that place is, but there is a fair chance that it is different now. I also don't have the problem with teaching foreigners how to fly. Heck, for the right money I would even teach my relatives...lol.

As long as the same owner is there then I doubt anything has or will changed.

[Millerspal]

Originally Posted by Champcar

As long as the same owner is there then I doubt anything has or will changed.

There is a corporate department AND a flight department and the two (anywhere) will be at odds concerning money and instructing. Owners like to make money and Instructors (most I know) want to make the best possible pilots.
I figure everyone has forgotten that owning a flight school is ultimately a business. And, of course, working at a flight school is different than instructing at your local FBO...meaning you actually have someone directing you (perish the thought). Teaching students is what flight instructing is...it is not building time so you can escape to the Regionals and then gripe about time off, or low pay.

It seems that some pilots will only be happy when Willy Wonka shows up at their door and offers them $75,000 a year to run the Hsawaknow (Wonkawash spelled backwards). And why wouldnt he? You have 200 hrs and your CFI...lol. (Pardon the cynicism)

If you think you would like to work at a place I would research it, listen to people, and then believe 0% of what you hear and 50% of what you see...then you will be properly (lol) informed. [In other words, go visit]

[Old Dominion Flyer]

Originally Posted by Millerspal

In other words, go visit

Good advice. That's why I bought a plane ticket from Dulles to Phoenix and spent a week checking out the flight school and the surrounding area. I ultimately decided that Air Safety was not the place for me.

[CirrusMonkey]

Originally Posted by Millerspal

There is a corporate department AND a flight department and the two (anywhere) will be at odds concerning money and instructing. Owners like to make money and Instructors (most I know) want to make the best possible pilots.
I figure everyone has forgotten that owning a flight school is ultimately a business. And, of course, working at a flight school is different than instructing at your local FBO...meaning you actually have someone directing you (perish the thought). Teaching students is what flight instructing is...it is not building time so you can escape to the Regionals and then gripe about time off, or low pay.

It seems that some pilots will only be happy when Willy Wonka shows up at their door and offers them $75,000 a year to run the Hsawaknow (Wonkawash spelled backwards). And why wouldnt he? You have 200 hrs and your CFI...lol. (Pardon the cynicism)

If you think you would like to work at a place I would research it, listen to people, and then believe 0% of what you hear and 50% of what you see...then you will be properly (lol) informed. [In other words, go visit]

I have to ask, just want to make sure before.....well......Are you telling champcar to go visit AirSafety?

[Millerspal]

Originally Posted by CirrusMonkey

I have to ask, just want to make sure before.....well......Are you telling champcar to go visit AirSafety?

Oh no...I am just telling anyone else reading these posts to do their homework. Champcar already has his mind made up about the place, or at least the owner...but negativity from him can also make it easy for other pilots to give up on a place. (Not just Air Safety of course)

Old Dominion did the smart thing and visited. Cudos to him.

[Champcar]

Originally Posted by Millerspal

Oh no...I am just telling anyone else reading these posts to do their homework. Champcar already has his mind made up about the place, or at least the owner...but negativity from him can also make it easy for other pilots to give up on a place. (Not just Air Safety of course)

Old Dominion did the smart thing and visited. Cudos to him.

Too bad I spent two years there as a student and employee.

[CirrusMonkey]

Originally Posted by Millerspal

Oh no...I am just telling anyone else reading these posts to do their homework. Champcar already has his mind made up about the place, or at least the owner...but negativity from him can also make it easy for other pilots to give up on a place. (Not just Air Safety of course)

Old Dominion did the smart thing and visited. Cudos to him.

Originally Posted by Champcar

Too bad I spent two years there as a student and employee.

And THAT would be your foot in your mouth, Millerspal.....

[rickdb]

I would just like to add my two cents to the discussion. I am currently an instructor at AirSafety Academy in Glendale. I think it is a great place to instruct, and you definitely get a ton of hours. They have tons of aircraft on the way, and the new director of training is outstanding. Some of my friends that I attended flight school with started instructing there months ago, when it was a small operation acquiring Indian and Chinese contracts, and said it was a mess because they were growing so fast. Now things are coming to fruition and beginning to gel. I would highly recommend coming here for the following reasons: Good pay, you make your own schedule, and they are moving in a positive direction. In my opinion, it is a great place to instruct.