Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish

stormchaser · February 25th, 2008, 19:42

If you're like me, then you appreciate a good, honest look at what really happens behind-the-scenes. I spent numerous hours online here at jetcareers and elsewhere and on the phone before starting my flight training, trying to learn from those who have gone before me. And their stories greatly benefitted me. So I would like to help out, as well, and maybe give an even clearer picture of what to expect.

Just two days ago, on February 23, 2008, I moved out to Chanute, Kansas, to begin full-time flight training at White-Air Aviation (www.flywhiteair.com). I am a 90-hour Private Pilot, and I will be obtaining my Instrument, CFI, CFII, MEI, and Single/Multi Commercial Ratings.

If you want to know anything at all about the experience, in general (the cost, what it's like, the up's and down's, the joys and frustrations, etc.), then feel free to ask!

I am currently living here at the airport (I can see the runway lights outside my window right now!), and I would be more than happy to give an insider's perspective into flight training, in general, but even moreso into how White-Air operates. With so many flight schools, it's good to see what really takes place at each one.

To get a REALLY detailed description, you can check out my day-to-day blog at www.becauseihavenowife.com/blog.html. I will try to post daily about every day's events!

Customx · February 25th, 2008, 20:37

Thanks for starting the blog about your experience. I'm flying into Kansas City this Sunday and will make the drive to Chanute to check out the facilities. Hope to see you there

Chief Captain · February 25th, 2008, 20:37

Congratulations!

Good luck with your future training. I wish I lived that close to a runway. I'll be looking for blog updates!

stormchaser · February 27th, 2008, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Customx

Thanks for starting the blog about your experience. I'm flying into Kansas City this Sunday and will make the drive to Chanute to check out the facilities. Hope to see you there

I should be here! The other student and I are discussin' the possibility of a flight to Chicago over the weekend, but that hasn't been confirmed yet...

Lookin' forward to meetin' ya!

WindyCityPilot · February 28th, 2008, 12:14

What airport would you fly into in Chicago? If you wanted to grab some lunch consider hitting up 06C....great restaurant there! Let me know if you decide to fly in and I can try to meet up with you guys if I can.

stormchaser · February 29th, 2008, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by WindyCityPilot

What airport would you fly into in Chicago? If you wanted to grab some lunch consider hitting up 06C....great restaurant there! Let me know if you decide to fly in and I can try to meet up with you guys if I can.

We actually decided to stay here for the weekend. The weather wasn't lookin' too good in Chi-town on Sunday anyway...or anywhere across the Midwest for that matter.

I'll keep your offer in mind for the future, though! I've got months of training ahead!

desertdog71 · February 29th, 2008, 20:06

Don't forget the part where you and Jarryd went and scored free McSkillet Burritos today and then FAILED TO BRING ME ONE..

jelloy · March 1st, 2008, 00:25

Consider yourself lucky...My stomach still isnt right

stormchaser · March 1st, 2008, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertdog71

Don't forget the part where you and Jarryd went and scored free McSkillet Burritos today and then FAILED TO BRING ME ONE..

Two lessons learned from the free McBurrito this morning...

#1--ALWAYS buy your instructor a McBurrito to keep him happy. Cuz if your instructor ain't happy, ain't no one happy.

OR...

#2--Don't tell your instructor that you went out to eat without him!!!

(And Jarryd, my burrito is sittin' just fine! Thanks for takin' me!)

Scuba · March 3rd, 2008, 00:22

Definitely love the blog idea.

Can't wait to hopefully you see all in August/September

Scuba · March 3rd, 2008, 00:38

So Van, apparently you're a talker.

Scuba · March 3rd, 2008, 01:11

Sorry for all the posts, but I just got finished reading all your blog entries and.........

They're awesome, a lol'd too many times to count. Good stuff, keep it up!

Scuba

desertdog71 · March 3rd, 2008, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba

So Van, apparently you're a talker.

I have been known to talk some smack from time to time.

Students like I have here, make my job enjoyable. They have a good sense of humor and are like sponges when it comes to their training. I hope I can give then all the tools they need to succeed.

TexasFlyer · March 4th, 2008, 01:14

Glad to see things are going so well up there. It was a hard choice for me not to go to White Air. When I stopped up there, I had concerns about the school makikng it long term because it was in a transitional phase (it was a couple months after Van left I beleive... would have been April or May last year when I was there). Well, it's clear. The transition clearly went the right way. So glad to heat you all are rockin' up there!

Just wanted to say, when I visited White Air for the day last year, it's like for that day I was part of the family. It's nice to see a place that truly cares about every person in a purely genuine way.

Scuba · March 6th, 2008, 02:38

Just thought I'd mention that I've been reading your blogs every night and I just need you to keep up the quality of writing that you've been doing. Your insight and side stories are great.

For the love of God keep it up!

stormchaser · March 6th, 2008, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba

Just thought I'd mention that I've been reading your blogs every night and I just need you to keep up the quality of writing that you've been doing. Your insight and side stories are great.

For the love of God keep it up!

Well, if that doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside...I sure don't know what does!

(Thanks.)

And, yeah, White-Air treats ya like one of the fam. It helps that we live here at the airport, too...I'm usually either flying, hanging out in the FBO, or hangin' out in the hangar quarters. It's pretty enjoyable...we've got a fun crew here.

And from what I hear, business is more than good. I think they are booked up until 2009 right now. That's a good problem to have.

And the blogs will keep on comin'! No worries there...I love writin' 'em!

Lear Mech · March 13th, 2008, 20:04

Hi guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself, and say that I'm heading out to Chanute on April 7th to start my training with White Air. I can't wait to start, everyone has been a class act from the get go and I'm fully confident that it will continue during training and beyond. The blog has been a great read stormchaser. I look forward to meeting you and I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Take care everyone,
Jesse

stormchaser · March 14th, 2008, 02:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lear Mech

Hi guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself, and say that I'm heading out to Chanute on April 7th to start my training with White Air. I can't wait to start, everyone has been a class act from the get go and I'm fully confident that it will continue during training and beyond. The blog has been a great read stormchaser. I look forward to meeting you and I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Take care everyone,
Jesse

Sounds great! Yeah, it's pretty nice out here...treated like family. It's no problem to shoot the breeze in the FBO, hang out with the mechanics in the hangar, or go out to eat with our instructor. Actually, that's pretty much a normal day right there! Well, that...and FLYING!!! I often wonder if training might not be more fun than actually getting a flying job??? It's a pretty fun life right now...

Lookin' forward to meetin' ya! Chanute's a'waitin'...

desertdog71 · March 14th, 2008, 08:06

Should be enroute to KOJC for Jarryd's checkride right now, but.........

KOJC 141153Z 17005KT 1/4SM FG VV001 03/03 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP064 T00330028 10044 20028 53005

Sachi · March 24th, 2008, 10:44

Wow thanks for keeping your blog! I think I just read about 2 weeks of blogs in one sitting, what an effort. You have a great way with words. Sorry to hear about your car!

I will be in a similiar position to you perhaps in 12-18 months hopefully. I too have been looking around for flight school and have only read great things about White Air. This blog is only helping out their reputation. Sounds like a fantastic place to be!
Sach

stormchaser · April 2nd, 2008, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sachi

Wow thanks for keeping your blog! I think I just read about 2 weeks of blogs in one sitting, what an effort. You have a great way with words. Sorry to hear about your car!

I will be in a similiar position to you perhaps in 12-18 months hopefully. I too have been looking around for flight school and have only read great things about White Air. This blog is only helping out their reputation. Sounds like a fantastic place to be!
Sach

Sach,

It is a great place to be! It's not perfect by any means, but you'll quickly discover that no flight training facility really is. They all have their pro's and con's.

I've been here for 40 days now, and pending weather, I'm gearin' up to take the Instrument Check-ride!!! Fun times. We've had quite a bit of no-flying days the past week due to thunderstorms and incredibly low ceilings. But oddly enough, no flying is a part of flying!

Thanks for the comments about the blog...I'll surely keep it up.

Customx · May 15th, 2008, 21:25

What's going on with the blog? I haven't seen an update since May 5. Is everything OK?

desertdog71 · May 17th, 2008, 16:53

He posted a couple days ago, he was out of town for a few days. Just did his Multi checkride today.

Customx · June 19th, 2008, 21:02

Are there any new updates with the blog? I'm interested to see how your training is going

desertdog71 · June 21st, 2008, 08:21

I have him chained up in the dungeon right now, so he cannot reply.

He is actually preparing for his Commercial Multi-engine checkride tomorrow, but I will let him know to quit slacking on the blog.

February 25th, 2008, 20:37	#3
Chief Captain Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 174	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Congratulations! Good luck with your future training. I wish I lived that close to a runway. I'll be looking for blog updates!

February 28th, 2008, 12:14	#5
WindyCityPilot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 748	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish What airport would you fly into in Chicago? If you wanted to grab some lunch consider hitting up 06C....great restaurant there! Let me know if you decide to fly in and I can try to meet up with you guys if I can.

February 29th, 2008, 20:06	#7
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,005	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Don't forget the part where you and Jarryd went and scored free McSkillet Burritos today and then FAILED TO BRING ME ONE.. __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

March 1st, 2008, 00:25	#8
jelloy Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 20	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Consider yourself lucky...My stomach still isnt right

March 3rd, 2008, 00:22	#10
Scuba Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 48	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Definitely love the blog idea. Can't wait to hopefully you see all in August/September __________________ The artist formerly known as Mostly

February 25th, 2008, 19:42	#1
stormchaser Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chanute, Kansas Posts: 29	Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish If you're like me, then you appreciate a good, honest look at what really happens behind-the-scenes. I spent numerous hours online here at jetcareers and elsewhere and on the phone before starting my flight training, trying to learn from those who have gone before me. And their stories greatly benefitted me. So I would like to help out, as well, and maybe give an even clearer picture of what to expect. Just two days ago, on February 23, 2008, I moved out to Chanute, Kansas, to begin full-time flight training at White-Air Aviation (www.flywhiteair.com). I am a 90-hour Private Pilot, and I will be obtaining my Instrument, CFI, CFII, MEI, and Single/Multi Commercial Ratings. If you want to know anything at all about the experience, in general (the cost, what it's like, the up's and down's, the joys and frustrations, etc.), then feel free to ask! I am currently living here at the airport (I can see the runway lights outside my window right now!), and I would be more than happy to give an insider's perspective into flight training, in general, but even moreso into how White-Air operates. With so many flight schools, it's good to see what really takes place at each one. To get a REALLY detailed description, you can check out my day-to-day blog at www.becauseihavenowife.com/blog.html. I will try to post daily about every day's events!

February 25th, 2008, 20:37	#2
Customx Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seoul Posts: 107	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Thanks for starting the blog about your experience. I'm flying into Kansas City this Sunday and will make the drive to Chanute to check out the facilities. Hope to see you there

March 3rd, 2008, 00:38	#11
Scuba Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 48	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish So Van, apparently you're a talker. __________________ The artist formerly known as Mostly

March 3rd, 2008, 01:11	#12
Scuba Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 48	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Sorry for all the posts, but I just got finished reading all your blog entries and......... They're awesome, a lol'd too many times to count. Good stuff, keep it up! Scuba __________________ The artist formerly known as Mostly

March 4th, 2008, 01:14	#14
TexasFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 367	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Glad to see things are going so well up there. It was a hard choice for me not to go to White Air. When I stopped up there, I had concerns about the school makikng it long term because it was in a transitional phase (it was a couple months after Van left I beleive... would have been April or May last year when I was there). Well, it's clear. The transition clearly went the right way. So glad to heat you all are rockin' up there! Just wanted to say, when I visited White Air for the day last year, it's like for that day I was part of the family. It's nice to see a place that truly cares about every person in a purely genuine way.

March 6th, 2008, 02:38	#15
Scuba Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 48	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Just thought I'd mention that I've been reading your blogs every night and I just need you to keep up the quality of writing that you've been doing. Your insight and side stories are great. For the love of God keep it up! __________________ The artist formerly known as Mostly

March 13th, 2008, 20:04	#17
Lear Mech Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wichita Posts: 1	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Hi guys, Just wanted to introduce myself, and say that I'm heading out to Chanute on April 7th to start my training with White Air. I can't wait to start, everyone has been a class act from the get go and I'm fully confident that it will continue during training and beyond. The blog has been a great read stormchaser. I look forward to meeting you and I'm sure we'll have a good time. Take care everyone, Jesse

March 14th, 2008, 08:06	#19
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,005	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Should be enroute to KOJC for Jarryd's checkride right now, but......... KOJC 141153Z 17005KT 1/4SM FG VV001 03/03 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP064 T00330028 10044 20028 53005 __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

March 24th, 2008, 10:44	#20
Sachi Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Yamanashi, Japan Posts: 26	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Wow thanks for keeping your blog! I think I just read about 2 weeks of blogs in one sitting, what an effort. You have a great way with words. Sorry to hear about your car! I will be in a similiar position to you perhaps in 12-18 months hopefully. I too have been looking around for flight school and have only read great things about White Air. This blog is only helping out their reputation. Sounds like a fantastic place to be! Sach

May 15th, 2008, 21:25	#22
Customx Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seoul Posts: 107	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish What's going on with the blog? I haven't seen an update since May 5. Is everything OK?

May 17th, 2008, 16:53	#23
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,005	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish He posted a couple days ago, he was out of town for a few days. Just did his Multi checkride today. __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

June 19th, 2008, 21:02	#24
Customx Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seoul Posts: 107	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish Are there any new updates with the blog? I'm interested to see how your training is going

June 21st, 2008, 08:21	#25
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,005	Re: Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish I have him chained up in the dungeon right now, so he cannot reply. He is actually preparing for his Commercial Multi-engine checkride tomorrow, but I will let him know to quit slacking on the blog. __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

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