Interest in Skymates

[cignaguy]

Hi all-

I have been attempting to compare Skymates and ATP. Thanks to this informative website, I have found lots of useful information.

However, I was hoping some current Skymates students/instructors could provide their perspectives regarding life at Skymates. I am leaning towards Skymates, but would just like to get some more information regarding quality of housing, ability to complete the "quick multi course" within the 5 months as stated on the website and at the quoted cost of $38,595, your ideas of the pros and cons of the school, the culture (all business or somewhat laid back and fun?). My reason for leaning towards Skymates is because I think I would feel better given 5 months versus 3 months to complete the program. Also, based on various previous posts, it sounds like it is a bit more laid back and "fun" than ATP. ATP seems like it is a "my way or the highway - if you don't like it, leave" type of environment. The cost also appears to be a bit cheaper. Are uniforms required at Skymates?

I noticed the price does not include checkride fees or written tests. Can someone provide an average cost for these fees?

Appreciate any feedback!

[DirectTo]

I fly at Skymates, I'm doing my CFII initial right now. Can't help you on the housing subject because I live in the DFW area. I've been doing all my training under 61 as opposed to 141. I came into the school with my PPL and multi rating, started my instrument in Nov. '06. Went through the instrument, comm single, comm multi and was started on my CFII by the beginning of March. If you are a good pilot and learn quickly and able to learn on your own I would recommend just going through 61 training. It's quicker and less expensive. You don't have to follow those long drawn out syllabi and all those prog checks. Equipment is ok, I did most of my stuff in the 172SP's which are newer and nicer. They have an Arrow for the single complex that blows. The Seminoles are decent but down 75% of the time and none have GPS. The DPE's are pretty cool and average checkride fee is around $300. I take writtens at JetTest over by KDFW and they are $90 a pop.
Hope this helps

[mojo6911]

I can't help you on the cost, because frankly, I don't know them, but most of the students are averaging 5-6 months for private - commercial multi. Uniforms? lol. The instructors wear polo style shirts, but students aren't required to wear uniforms. The program is self paced. You are given a password to our scheduling system, and it is up to you to keep up with the scheduling and ground school. It all depends on your aptitude for flying, and your drive to succeed. Some people pick it up faster than others.

The ground is mostly done on the Cessna Pilot Center CD course for private - commercial single engine. I have been teaching a revolving ground school that is every Monday and Thursday, at 10:00, and is free for students.

Pros: Everyone here is great, from the owner, on down. All of the students are friendly, and everything is laid back. The facilities are nice and clean, and the aircraft are nicer and cleaner than any other school I went to when doing my training. The Arrow is nice and clean, although I don't care for its flight characteristics, but that is the same with any Arrow. Im not a big fan of Arrows, in general. This one is fine, and I am not sure what the gripe of the student above is...

We had one Seminole down for a while, but just got back one of them, so we have 2 Seminoles and a Duchess available for your multi-training. It looks like the guys in the shop are working on the third one to get it ready.

Cons: We are getting crowded, so you have to schedule at least a few days in advance to guarantee a plane. The smell of Indian food sometimes stinks up the break room, but that is only temporary.

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them. Ryan is the person to ask about monetary specifics though.

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

I can't help you on the cost, because frankly, I don't know them, but most of the students are averaging 5-6 months for private - commercial multi. Uniforms? lol. The instructors wear polo style shirts, but students aren't required to wear uniforms. The program is self paced. You are given a password to our scheduling system, and it is up to you to keep up with the scheduling and ground school. It all depends on your aptitude for flying, and your drive to succeed. Some people pick it up faster than others.

The ground is mostly done on the Cessna Pilot Center CD course for private - commercial single engine. I have been teaching a revolving ground school that is every Monday and Thursday, at 10:00, and is free for students.

Pros: Everyone here is great, from the owner, on down. All of the students are friendly, and everything is laid back. The facilities are nice and clean, and the aircraft are nicer and cleaner than any other school I went to when doing my training. The Arrow is nice and clean, although I don't care for its flight characteristics, but that is the same with any Arrow. Im not a big fan of Arrows, in general. This one is fine, and I am not sure what the gripe of the student above is...

We had one Seminole down for a while, but just got back one of them, so we have 2 Seminoles and a Duchess available for your multi-training. It looks like the guys in the shop are working on the third one to get it ready.

Cons: We are getting crowded, so you have to schedule at least a few days in advance to guarantee a plane. The smell of Indian food sometimes stinks up the break room, but that is only temporary.

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them. Ryan is the person to ask about monetary specifics though.

Thanks for the response! How many students are currently enrolled in the "quick multi course"? Also, even though it is crowded, how many days/week would I be able to fly? In addition, if you only have a couple of multi planes, how is the cross country phase coordinated?

[mojo6911]

Dunno how many are enrolled in the quick multi-course. I would say that there are at least 15-20 students getting Private - CMEL, probably more. You can fly everyday if you like, just schedule your flights with enough notice. All of my students fly at least once a day (the weather has sucked the past two weeks), when the weather allows. Not sure about the X-C time...

[frog_flyer]

Uniforms? HA! I flew in flip-flops half the time.

Everyone is really chill at Skymates. I don't fly there much anymore, but I like pretty much everyone there that I know. The overcrowding comment is right on-- it's pretty difficult to get on the schedule sometimes.

PROS: There is a <ping> pong table in teh hangar.
Every once in a while Luca will order some pizza or somethin'
There were hot CFIs there when I went through. Damn you XJET.
You can take your writtens right there

PS, is simba or whateverthehell melissa's dog was still around? I heard Ryan adopted it.

[uofmcp1201]

Originally Posted by frog_flyer

PS, is simba or whateverthehell melissa's dog was still around? I heard Ryan adopted it.

Did it get a name change? When I left it was "Chico."

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by DirectTo

I fly at Skymates, I'm doing my CFII initial right now. Can't help you on the housing subject because I live in the DFW area. I've been doing all my training under 61 as opposed to 141. I came into the school with my PPL and multi rating, started my instrument in Nov. '06. Went through the instrument, comm single, comm multi and was started on my CFII by the beginning of March. If you are a good pilot and learn quickly and able to learn on your own I would recommend just going through 61 training. It's quicker and less expensive. You don't have to follow those long drawn out syllabi and all those prog checks. Equipment is ok, I did most of my stuff in the 172SP's which are newer and nicer. They have an Arrow for the single complex that blows. The Seminoles are decent but down 75% of the time and none have GPS. The DPE's are pretty cool and average checkride fee is around $300. I take writtens at JetTest over by KDFW and they are $90 a pop.
Hope this helps

Disreguard, I completely forgot what year I got to Skymates in. You just missed me and the bunch of instructors I worked with.

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by uofmcp1201

Did it get a name change? When I left it was "Chico."

Brad named the dog Cerberus, the dog that guards the gates of hell.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus

Brad would think up something like that...

[Maximillian_Jenius]

How much is the CRJ transition course?

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

How much is the CRJ transition course?

I will slap you across the face with my...

[Captain_Bob]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I will slap you across the face with my...

your what?

[ryanmickG]

Originally Posted by DirectTo

I fly at Skymates, I'm doing my CFII initial right now. Can't help you on the housing subject because I live in the DFW area. I've been doing all my training under 61 as opposed to 141. I came into the school with my PPL and multi rating, started my instrument in Nov. '06. Went through the instrument, comm single, comm multi and was started on my CFII by the beginning of March. If you are a good pilot and learn quickly and able to learn on your own I would recommend just going through 61 training. It's quicker and less expensive. You don't have to follow those long drawn out syllabi and all those prog checks. Equipment is ok, I did most of my stuff in the 172SP's which are newer and nicer. They have an Arrow for the single complex that blows. The Seminoles are decent but down 75% of the time and none have GPS. The DPE's are pretty cool and average checkride fee is around $300. I take writtens at JetTest over by KDFW and they are $90 a pop.

Hope this helps

Who is this and why would you go to jetTest to take writtens? You can do them all here.

Arrow blows? Thats one of the nicest Arrows(older model) you will find.

[ryanmickG]

Originally Posted by frog_flyer

Uniforms? HA! I flew in flip-flops half the time.

Everyone is really chill at Skymates. I don't fly there much anymore, but I like pretty much everyone there that I know. The overcrowding comment is right on-- it's pretty difficult to get on the schedule sometimes.

PROS: There is a <ping> pong table in teh hangar.
Every once in a while Luca will order some pizza or somethin'
There were hot CFIs there when I went through. Damn you XJET.
You can take your writtens right there

PS, is simba or whateverthehell melissa's dog was still around? I heard Ryan adopted it.

I still have chico! Want him?


Actually, I have a CFI student now who came here from Flight Saftey and he was telling me all about their uniform stystem with the cool epalauts. I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course

[mojo6911]

Originally Posted by ryanmickG

I still have chico! Want him?


Actually, I have a CFI student now who came here from Flight Saftey and he was telling me all about their uniform stystem with the cool epalauts. I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course

I think we should go with tuxedo t-shirts, because it says we want to be formal, but like to party, too.

[uofmcp1201]

Originally Posted by ryanmickG

Actually, I have a CFI student now who came here from Flight Saftey and he was telling me all about their uniform stystem with the cool epalauts. I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course

I think you should implement dress code, but in the form of "Skymates" basketball jerseys. I think you could use black electric tape to you use as "stripes." I'm still waiting for the flight school that steps it up a notch and issues airline-type hats with the uniform. If that doesn't scream professionalism, I don't know what does.

By the way, I'm looking forward to Spurs-Mavs Western Conference finals - with Ginobili's flops leading us to the Finals.

[SmitteyB]

I haven't noticed a problem with the Arrow yet. It's rediculously nose heavy, but I hear all Pipers are.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by ryanmickG

I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course

Originally Posted by uofmcp1201

I'm still waiting for the flight school that steps it up a notch and issues airline-type hats with the uniform. If that doesn't scream professionalism, I don't know what does.

I think we should do it Ryan! Let's be the school to raise the bar on these uniforms. I think the FSDO would really appreciate our professionalism!

[Monty]

And BTW, the Arrow is fine. I wish it had toe brakes on the right side, but other than that I don't have any complaints with it.

[ryanmickG]

Originally Posted by Monty

I think we should do it Ryan! Let's be the school to raise the bar on these uniforms. I think the FSDO would really appreciate our professionalism!

I have a better idea! We can wear whatever we want! We can wear t-shirts, flip-flops, cut off cargos...........but it is mandatory to wear a pilots cap!

[ryanmickG]

Originally Posted by uofmcp1201

I think you should implement dress code, but in the form of "Skymates" basketball jerseys. I think you could use black electric tape to you use as "stripes." I'm still waiting for the flight school that steps it up a notch and issues airline-type hats with the uniform. If that doesn't scream professionalism, I don't know what does.

By the way, I'm looking forward to Spurs-Mavs Western Conference finals - with Ginobili's flops leading us to the Finals.

Dude, have you seen the Mavs this year? I dont know if Ginobli will be able to flop to the finals. Hell, I dont think Duncan can cry himself through these playoffs.

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

I think we should go with tuxedo t-shirts, because it says we want to be formal, but like to party, too.

Nah, if anything it would have to be a toga for everyone. Just make sure to take off the jesus thorn crown before putting on the headsets. Just imagine a flightline full of Indian students pre-flighting a plane in a toga. Now that is a marketing campaign for you.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I will slap you across the face with my...

Hit 'em with the P-factor!


On the Arrow..... I actually enjoyed flying the Arrow. Both of them, in fact. Power off 180s, IMO, are easier in the Arrow than the 172, and a helluva lot more fun. Lazy 8s were easier, too. About the only CSEL manuever that was easier in the 172 was turns on a pylon b/c of the rivet line. Although, if you line up the plastic fin out by the nav light on 307 and use that as a reference, you'll nail those, too.

Toe brakes? There's that big black handle in the middle called a parking brake. I had a student freak out on me in the Arrow once, and it works just fine.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by ryanmickG

I have a better idea! We can wear whatever we want! We can wear t-shirts, flip-flops, cut off cargos...........but it is mandatory to wear a pilots cap!

Sounds like a plan! I'll buy mine tomorrow.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Hit 'em with the P-factor!


On the Arrow..... I actually enjoyed flying the Arrow. Both of them, in fact. Power off 180s, IMO, are easier in the Arrow than the 172, and a helluva lot more fun. Lazy 8s were easier, too. About the only CSEL manuever that was easier in the 172 was turns on a pylon b/c of the rivet line. Although, if you line up the plastic fin out by the nav light on 307 and use that as a reference, you'll nail those, too.

I agree. I enjoy flying the maneuvers in the Arrow much more than the Cessna. And the Power Off's are MUCH easier in my opinion. Just pull the power and head for the runway.

Toe brakes? There's that big black handle in the middle called a parking brake. I had a student freak out on me in the Arrow once, and it works just fine.

That's what that thing is there for??? I was referring more to the fact that it would be nice to have some differential braking for steering and parking. But oh well, it's not that big of a deal.