Flight schools in California
10-18-2009, 01:49 AM
#1
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Flight schools in California
I'm planning to go to California to get my PPL (self-paced with self-study for my ground school). My plan is to make a career change into aviation so the PPL is the first step and intended to confirm this is really what I want to do before I invest a really large stack of cash.
Any advice on whether to go for a larger or smaller school? A larger school might have better opportunities to build my network which would be useful if I continue with this as a career. On the other hand, since I'm only at PPL stage at the moment, a big school might be more interested in students on the CPL/ATPL types of students.
Any advice on the large/small question? Recommendations for schools (or which ones to avoid) would be appreciated too.
Any advice on whether to go for a larger or smaller school? A larger school might have better opportunities to build my network which would be useful if I continue with this as a career. On the other hand, since I'm only at PPL stage at the moment, a big school might be more interested in students on the CPL/ATPL types of students.
Any advice on the large/small question? Recommendations for schools (or which ones to avoid) would be appreciated too.
10-18-2009, 08:51 AM
#2
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As far as a big school/small school is concerned, I recommend going to a small one just for your PPL. Many people go into these accelerated programs and find out that they just don't like to fly...even if they initially really thought they did. With a small school, there's no commitment.
Financially, it's the wise thing to do as well. Those big schools tend to be much more expensive than small ones, and while you might get to fly nice GPS-equipped 172's, you're paying more for what I consider questionable and rushed instruction. When you're doing your private, you really need great one on one instruction, and completely at your own pace...big schools can be difficult when it comes to that.
I went to a really nice, small, part 141 school in Long Beach, CA for my private. I only spent roughly $6,000 and I received fantastic instruction in a 1978 152.
What part of California are you looking into for training?
Financially, it's the wise thing to do as well. Those big schools tend to be much more expensive than small ones, and while you might get to fly nice GPS-equipped 172's, you're paying more for what I consider questionable and rushed instruction. When you're doing your private, you really need great one on one instruction, and completely at your own pace...big schools can be difficult when it comes to that.
I went to a really nice, small, part 141 school in Long Beach, CA for my private. I only spent roughly $6,000 and I received fantastic instruction in a 1978 152.
What part of California are you looking into for training?
10-18-2009, 01:22 PM
#3
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Posts: 10
Originally Posted by Jshutt64
As far as a big school/small school is concerned, I recommend going to a small one just for your PPL. Many people go into these accelerated programs and find out that they just don't like to fly...even if they initially really thought they did. With a small school, there's no commitment.
Financially, it's the wise thing to do as well. Those big schools tend to be much more expensive than small ones, and while you might get to fly nice GPS-equipped 172's, you're paying more for what I consider questionable and rushed instruction. When you're doing your private, you really need great one on one instruction, and completely at your own pace...big schools can be difficult when it comes to that.
I went to a really nice, small, part 141 school in Long Beach, CA for my private. I only spent roughly $6,000 and I received fantastic instruction in a 1978 152.
What part of California are you looking into for training?
Financially, it's the wise thing to do as well. Those big schools tend to be much more expensive than small ones, and while you might get to fly nice GPS-equipped 172's, you're paying more for what I consider questionable and rushed instruction. When you're doing your private, you really need great one on one instruction, and completely at your own pace...big schools can be difficult when it comes to that.
I went to a really nice, small, part 141 school in Long Beach, CA for my private. I only spent roughly $6,000 and I received fantastic instruction in a 1978 152.
What part of California are you looking into for training?
Your recommendation is very important.
10-18-2009, 03:00 PM
#4
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Posts: 10
It took me 43 hours to get my private. I got it in so few hours mainly because I flew 4-5 times a week. When you fly that frequently, you don't have to spend much time reviewing past material, and it ends up saving you money.
The school I went to is Aero Aviation. Really nice bunch of guys, and good rates for a part 141 in the LA basin.
Check them out here:
http://flyaeroaviation.com/home.htm
The school I went to is Aero Aviation. Really nice bunch of guys, and good rates for a part 141 in the LA basin.
Check them out here:
http://flyaeroaviation.com/home.htm
10-20-2009, 05:24 AM
#6
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Jshutt64 - I'm still deciding where I'll do my training. I'm thinking south because I've heard the weather can be a variable in the north, but haven't narrowed it down more than that.
I'm planning to do my training the same way as you with multiple hours every week. I took some flying lessons many years ago one hour / week and found it really difficult to learn with such long gaps in between. (I also live in Hong Kong so want to make my time away from work - which will be unpaid leave - as short as possible.) Did you do multiple-hour blocks or an hour a day over multiple days?
I've also heard that there can be sea haze that creates problems when training near the coast. Did you experience that? I'll be training in Mar/Apr if that helps.
I've had a look at Aero Aviation and their prices look good.
DBSociety - I'll also look in more detail at the school you mentioned. Can I ask where you've heard they are good (former students, employers who rate the quality of their training, ??)
I'm planning to do my training the same way as you with multiple hours every week. I took some flying lessons many years ago one hour / week and found it really difficult to learn with such long gaps in between. (I also live in Hong Kong so want to make my time away from work - which will be unpaid leave - as short as possible.) Did you do multiple-hour blocks or an hour a day over multiple days?
I've also heard that there can be sea haze that creates problems when training near the coast. Did you experience that? I'll be training in Mar/Apr if that helps.
I've had a look at Aero Aviation and their prices look good.
DBSociety - I'll also look in more detail at the school you mentioned. Can I ask where you've heard they are good (former students, employers who rate the quality of their training, ??)
10-20-2009, 08:35 AM
#7
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Posts: 10
Astra-
If you're looking for weather consistency, Southern California is the way to go over Northern California. From the period of March/April-August, it will not rain or really be cloudy for one day in Southern California. Northern California is quite a bit more variable, but it's still not nearly as up and down as somewhere like East Texas.
As far as the haze is concerned, in the summer months it can get very bad in Long Beach and the entire LA basin. However, that doesn't mean you can't fly. If it's overcast (rarely happens in the summer, but sometimes in the very early morning hours), you can't fly, but haze? Go ahead. It makes it a little more difficult and rather ugly, but it won't put any hindrance on your training.
I did my training as a little bit of both. Sometimes I did multiple hours in one day (usually one to two hours flying, break for 3 hours, then another one to two hours in the air) but I always did multiple lessons a week. If I had to pick an "ideal method" of training, I would probably go with one lesson a day, 5 days a week. Realistically, you could look at getting your certificate in 1 to 2 months.
You might want to fly more than that, or less. You might also get your certificate in 60 hours instead of 40. One of the BIGGEST things about this whole process is that it greatly depends on the individual. If it's taking you longer, don't feel discouraged...that's just part of the game. I can't stress that enough.
There are a couple things to keep in mind when training in the LA area, however. One is the ridiculous cost of living. While Long Beach isn't terribly expensive for a coastal community, it still is a coastal community in California. You're looking at small one bedrooms or studios going for about $1000 a month in a decent part of town. If you're set on California, it doesn't really matter...Northern is actually worse.
Another is the difficulty of learning to fly in LA. It's kind of like learning to drive. The first time most people get in the car, they have the privilege to kind of figure out how on their dad's farm, on a small neighborhood road, or in a big school parking lot. Imagine not having that opportunity, and getting thrown on the congested interstate the first time you ever get behind the wheel. That's flying in LA. That being said, I recommend learning to fly here, because it will make you a better pilot. It may be really hard at first, but in the end you'll be happy because you know how to deal with one of the hardest places in the United States to aviate.
Hope I was of some help, and I'd be happy to answer more of your questions.
If you're looking for weather consistency, Southern California is the way to go over Northern California. From the period of March/April-August, it will not rain or really be cloudy for one day in Southern California. Northern California is quite a bit more variable, but it's still not nearly as up and down as somewhere like East Texas.
As far as the haze is concerned, in the summer months it can get very bad in Long Beach and the entire LA basin. However, that doesn't mean you can't fly. If it's overcast (rarely happens in the summer, but sometimes in the very early morning hours), you can't fly, but haze? Go ahead. It makes it a little more difficult and rather ugly, but it won't put any hindrance on your training.
I did my training as a little bit of both. Sometimes I did multiple hours in one day (usually one to two hours flying, break for 3 hours, then another one to two hours in the air) but I always did multiple lessons a week. If I had to pick an "ideal method" of training, I would probably go with one lesson a day, 5 days a week. Realistically, you could look at getting your certificate in 1 to 2 months.
You might want to fly more than that, or less. You might also get your certificate in 60 hours instead of 40. One of the BIGGEST things about this whole process is that it greatly depends on the individual. If it's taking you longer, don't feel discouraged...that's just part of the game. I can't stress that enough.
There are a couple things to keep in mind when training in the LA area, however. One is the ridiculous cost of living. While Long Beach isn't terribly expensive for a coastal community, it still is a coastal community in California. You're looking at small one bedrooms or studios going for about $1000 a month in a decent part of town. If you're set on California, it doesn't really matter...Northern is actually worse.
Another is the difficulty of learning to fly in LA. It's kind of like learning to drive. The first time most people get in the car, they have the privilege to kind of figure out how on their dad's farm, on a small neighborhood road, or in a big school parking lot. Imagine not having that opportunity, and getting thrown on the congested interstate the first time you ever get behind the wheel. That's flying in LA. That being said, I recommend learning to fly here, because it will make you a better pilot. It may be really hard at first, but in the end you'll be happy because you know how to deal with one of the hardest places in the United States to aviate.
Hope I was of some help, and I'd be happy to answer more of your questions.
10-24-2009, 12:28 AM
#8
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Thanks Jshutt64, that's really helpful! I have decided it's definitely California - I've wanted to go there for a while and if I have time around flights and study it will be good to do some exploring. The cost of living is a good point. I live in Hong Kong and was in London before this, which have really expensive rent, so that should lessen the shock.
So no more questions for now but if I come up with any later on I'll definitely let you know. Thanks lots for your help so far!
So no more questions for now
but if I come up with any later on I'll definitely let you know. Thanks lots for your help so far!
11-01-2009, 07:45 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Aug 2009
Posts: 145
Im going for my 141 right now in Norcal. The weather is great up here most of the year. I mean ya we get rain but who doesnt. Plus LA is a desert, if you want some great views youll come up north.
The FBO that I am being instructed at is all one on one at your own pace, and I feel like I have learned so much more and been able to ask more questions than being asked to sit through ground school with a bunch of classmates...smaller is better.
The FBO that I am being instructed at is all one on one at your own pace, and I feel like I have learned so much more and been able to ask more questions than being asked to sit through ground school with a bunch of classmates...smaller is better.
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