New Syracuse area Career Changer here...

[Jason_SYR]

My name is Jason. I am 34 and I own a financial company near Syracuse, NY. I have been wanting to become a pilot for a long time. However, finances and family life never permitted the opportunity. Well, my business is doing well and is becoming more self-sufficient. I have read as many posts as I can and I have a good idea of what to expect going forward. I understand the RJ schedule and progression. So, that will not be a shock going forward.

Anyway, I am considering getting my PPL and progressing right through ATP. My hope would be to get a RJ job and work my way through like everyone else over the next 5 - 7 years and get into flying for UPS, FedEx or one of the majors. (Who knows, as time passes by, I might decide I prefer doing something else like teaching.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say Hello and thank you all for the great posts that exist on this site. It has been a great resource as I move forward.

Also, if there are any folks out in the Central New York area that wouldn't mind networking with me, I would appreciate it. (Thanks to SmitteyB for already offering.)

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by Jason_SYR

My name is Jason. I am 34 and I own a financial company near Syracuse, NY. I have been wanting to become a pilot for a long time. However, finances and family life never permitted the opportunity. Well, my business is doing well and is becoming more self-sufficient. I have read as many posts as I can and I have a good idea of what to expect going forward. I understand the RJ schedule and progression. So, that will not be a shock going forward.

Anyway, I am considering getting my PPL and progressing right through ATP. My hope would be to get a RJ job and work my way through like everyone else over the next 5 - 7 years and get into flying for UPS, FedEx or one of the majors. (Who knows, as time passes by, I might decide I prefer doing something else like teaching.)

Anyway, I just wanted to say Hello and thank you all for the great posts that exist on this site. It has been a great resource as I move forward.

Also, if there are any folks out in the Central New York area that wouldn't mind networking with me, I would appreciate it. (Thanks to SmitteyB for already offering.)

Stay away from that Smittey guy, he is nothing but trouble.

[JDMcFly]

There is certainly a growing amount of new yorkers, especially from CNY (though many don't live there now).

Maybe we'll finally have a NY M&G like I've been trying to suggest for years.

[LoadMasterC141]

Welcome aboard Jason. I am from Ithaca NY and lived in Tully until 3 years ago when my company built me a beautiful new basement cube here in Temple TX.

[Jason_SYR]

Thank you to everyone that sent me a PM offering to help me out in my quest. I really appreciate the help and the posts from the "locals".

I am torn right now about getting my PPL at the big local FBO, ExecAir.

OR

Joining the Syracuse Flying Club and getting it that way. It seems like a bit less expensive to do it that way.

OR

There is a new place at SYR, Syracuse Flight School, but it looks a bit rough on the exterior and the only thing I can find on the web is their aircraft registered on the FAA site.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by Jason_SYR

Thank you to everyone that sent me a PM offering to help me out in my quest. I really appreciate the help and the posts from the "locals".

I am torn right now about getting my PPL at the big local FBO, ExecAir.

OR

Joining the Syracuse Flying Club and getting it that way. It seems like a bit less expensive to do it that way.

OR

There is a new place at SYR, Syracuse Flight School, but it looks a bit rough on the exterior and the only thing I can find on the web is their aircraft registered on the FAA site.

There you go. Take your time and enjoy it.

[LoadMasterC141]

Executive Airs prices were ridiculous last time I looked....and always have been for that matter.

I have heard good things about the flying club. I first started flying at a flying club down in Ithaca....I think you will realy like the people at a club versus a school.

[Jason_SYR]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

There you go. Take your time and enjoy it.

Actually, I would really like to knock out the PPL in about 4 months maximum. Then, I would probably go to a school like ATP or something similiar and complete the training in 90 days or so.

I am going the aggressive route as I am not getting any younger. (Going on 35 next May) I think that is the best way for me rather than building time over the next couple of years as a CFI.

[Jason_SYR]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

Executive Airs prices were ridiculous last time I looked....and always have been for that matter.

I have heard good things about the flying club. I first started flying at a flying club down in Ithaca....I think you will realy like the people at a club versus a school.

C-172SP rental
$110.00 per hour

Dual instruction
$40.00 per hour

I guess they are telling most new students to expect it to cost nearly $10,000 for a PPL. That seems a bit crazy to me.

http://www.flyexecair.com/flighttrai...rivatecost.htm

[Jason_SYR]

Originally Posted by Jason_SYR

C-172SP rental

$110.00 per hour

Dual instruction
$40.00 per hour

I guess they are telling most new students to expect it to cost nearly $10,000 for a PPL. That seems a bit crazy to me.

http://www.flyexecair.com/flighttrai...rivatecost.htm

Exec Air is actually charging $150.00 per hour for Wet rental and $48 an hour for instruction. It seems way too high for me. At those rates, I should just buy my own used plane and get a CFI from the flying club to instruct me.

Anyone think this is way too high or no?

[Captain_Bob]

Jason,

Welcome to JC!

Got your PM's too! Glad you found the info!

Bob

[Wing_96]

Originally Posted by Jason_SYR

Exec Air is actually charging $150.00 per hour for Wet rental and $48 an hour for instruction. It seems way too high for me. At those rates, I should just buy my own used plane and get a CFI from the flying club to instruct me.

Anyone think this is way too high or no?

Yes, I think it's too high, but the only rates I have to compare it to are the rates being charged here in TX.

If you're going to spend $85k to go from zero time to ATP at an academy, you could definitely by your own plane, use it to get your ratings, and sell it when you're done much cheaper.

Plus, don't be lured into thinking that an academy is the only place you can get your PPL in 30 days. I know of two people at my FBO who got their PPL in about 30 days. If you have the time to fly that much at an academy, then you have the time to fly that much at your local FBO or flying club (assuming that your instructor has the time).

Good luck, and have fun in your training!

[crazynut52]

or.... you could come up to Ogdensburg, NY and fly $85/hr wet and 30/hr instruction. It's nice to see some people from NY on here!

[Jason_SYR]

Originally Posted by crazynut52

or.... you could come up to Ogdensburg, NY and fly $85/hr wet and 30/hr instruction. It's nice to see some people from NY on here!

Another local member just sent me a link to a small FBO about 35 minutes from my house. The Pre-pay price is only $3200 (barring needing a ton of additional hours).

This might be a decent way to get started. http://www.hamiltonny.com/cvaviation/

[youngflyer]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

Executive Airs prices were ridiculous last time I looked....and always have been for that matter.

I have heard good things about the flying club. I first started flying at a flying club down in Ithaca....I think you will realy like the people at a club versus a school.

I know. I live in manlius for a lot of my life and looked there for my PPL. I immediatly was awestruck and decided to go to the hamilton mun airport for flight lessons.

[SmitteyB]

Nothing like good old- CNY!

[SmitteyB]

Originally Posted by Jason_SYR

Another local member just sent me a link to a small FBO about 35 minutes from my house. The Pre-pay price is only $3200 (barring needing a ton of additional hours).

This might be a decent way to get started. http://www.hamiltonny.com/cvaviation/

You may want to call them about an updated price.

They're still advertising a Mohawk Valley Community College coupled AS Degree. They discontinued that degree program in May 2004.

[youngflyer]

I called them. No answer. Just a notice saying the runway is closed until oct 26.

[30West]

You really should check out the flight school in Cortland. In SYR or even ITH you will be spending a considerable amount of that hourly rental rate taxiig around, and you will get more flying time per rental hour with it being an uncontrolled feild. Im sure the rental rate is much cheaper than 150 wet. I seem to recal hearing something about 80 an hour for a 172. I googled the flight school, but couldnt find any info for you. It would DEFINATELY be worth a drive down to check it out. Im sure there would be someone there during normal business hours if you dropped by. Ask for Jim Spaller, I used to work with him at ExecAir, and he is a terrific, and VERY qualified intructor instructor. Id stay away from the SYR flying club, the MX there is shady, and the East Hill club in ITH is alright, but you will have to do the 141 course which jacks up the price. The initiation costs, monthly dues and all that make it alot more expensive too. Im a former CNY local and know alot about the flight instruction scene there, let me know if you need any info Il be glad to help out.

[30West]

Here is the main airport phone number, Im sure they will have the number for the FBO. 607-753-0250. Take care.

[LoadMasterC141]

Wow Is Cortland Aviation still around? Last I heard they were gone. I did my first flying with them actually. 15-20 hrs in their 152's. At the time, they were doing really well, had 6-7 aircraft, and a solid fast-Paced IFR program that brought lots of people from out of town. This was way back in 92-93 though. Since then, it seems like they are gone.

This is gonna make you sick, but I rented their 152's for I think $35/hr plus $15/hr for the instructor back then. The planes were in decent shape as I remember.

[SYRFlyer]

Jim has his own school now with another guy in Cortland called "All About Flying." They have 2 airplanes, I believe a 152 and a 182RG. I used to be a student of his at Exec but have been down to Cortland once to get checked out. Can't say enough positives about him.

Originally Posted by 30West

You really should check out the flight school in Cortland. In SYR or even ITH you will be spending a considerable amount of that hourly rental rate taxiig around, and you will get more flying time per rental hour with it being an uncontrolled feild. Im sure the rental rate is much cheaper than 150 wet. I seem to recal hearing something about 80 an hour for a 172. I googled the flight school, but couldnt find any info for you. It would DEFINATELY be worth a drive down to check it out. Im sure there would be someone there during normal business hours if you dropped by. Ask for Jim Spaller, I used to work with him at ExecAir, and he is a terrific, and VERY qualified intructor instructor. Id stay away from the SYR flying club, the MX there is shady, and the East Hill club in ITH is alright, but you will have to do the 141 course which jacks up the price. The initiation costs, monthly dues and all that make it alot more expensive too. Im a former CNY local and know alot about the flight instruction scene there, let me know if you need any info Il be glad to help out.

[SmitteyB]

Originally Posted by SYRFlyer

Jim has his own school now with another guy in Cortland called "All About Flying." They have 2 airplanes, I believe a 152 and a 182RG. I used to be a student of his at Exec but have been down to Cortland once to get checked out. Can't say enough positives about him.

No, David Jones now operates the FBO out of Cortland (N03). They only have a 172K model and it is BEAT. $87 bucks an hour I think Dave charges.

East Hill Flying Club in ITH is good. I started there and it was a pleasant experience.

More and more CNY'ers on here!