Ok, so I have already gone the "military" route and gotten my GI Bill and now I am looking for a decent school to attend and CAPT did sound good, Flight Safety sounded good but everything I am reading on here suggest's other wise. I had a guy from Spartan calling me 3 times a day it seemed like but he didn't really have anything informative to tell me about the school.
I enjoy what all of you guys are saying and it is helping to kinda...kinda figure out what to look for in a school. Instead of saying what schools are horrible how about throwing some of the good ones out that you know of.
...I am looking for a decent school to attend and CAPT did sound good, Flight Safety sounded good but everything I am reading on here suggest's other wise.
For the love of all things sacred and holy, run in the exact opposite direction of CAPT. And if you just can't seem to make that 180 degree turn, ask yourself why ANYONE would give YOU $15,000 discount on their program if it's that solid? They're over priced and from what I hear, most of the great instructors have already left that program for greener pastures. I also hear they have two cadets right now, probably trying to figure out why they didn't heed my warning. Run my friend...run... Run like hell! RUN!
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Graduated CAPT 10/2005 Summa Cum Laude w/ Highest Time (459TT/101ME) compared to any cadet at the time. No Job, Big Debt!
Tip: Stay away from CAPT!
For the love of all things sacred and holy, run in the exact opposite direction of CAPT. And if you just can't seem to make that 180 degree turn, ask yourself why ANYONE would give YOU $15,000 discount on their program if it's that solid? They're over priced and from what I hear, most of the great instructors have already left that program for greener pastures. I also hear they have two cadets right now, probably trying to figure out why they didn't heed my warning. Run my friend...run... Run like hell! RUN!
Where are you located...I would be glad to help you out.
I used my GI BILL for flight training and ended up with all the instructor ratings and 115 PIC multi for a total cost of just over 30k and my cost ended up being just over 15k or so (I dont remember the exact totals but it was right around there) It was an FBO and not an academy at all, just an 8 plane operation
I saved up money and paid cash for all of it so I can weather the storm of a first year FO
I don't know where you're located or what kind of a time line you're giving yourself to go from the hours you have now to applying to the regionals. If you haven't already, check out the local airports by you and visit all the flight schools. Write down all the information you can from how much, in what kind of airplane, to the course work, and time frame to completion, to instructor availability. Keep in mind that if you have the time and effort, you can do pretty much 90% of the ground work yourself by reading all the FAA handbooks (available online for free) and sitting at a Borders or B&N and hitting up books by Rod Machado and the like. The other 10% you're going to need a CFI to help connect the dots with.
After you have spoken to all the schools, do a comparison as to which one will offer you the best deal and get that deal in writing. And then hit it. I'm sure others on this forum will offer you options as well. Best of luck!
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Graduated CAPT 10/2005 Summa Cum Laude w/ Highest Time (459TT/101ME) compared to any cadet at the time. No Job, Big Debt!
Tip: Stay away from CAPT!
They do not need to be accredited, they just need to be VA approved and that can be done by just calling around. Some of the smallest most obscure schools can be VA approved
If your going to get into this career for the money, for the prestige, to see the world...then choose a different career.
Only the top tier flies international and they only stay a day at a time. Mostly you will fly domestic and be staying at the holiday inn express next to the airport, not downtown.
The pay is not comparable in the long run to my friends working in other fields. Unless there are major returns to pre 911 days you are better off in finance.
Many careers allow more than 2 weeks of vacation these days. Many of my non pilot friends travel more than I do and stay longer. Yes they pay for their airfare and they don't have to worry about a seat either. Your first few Christmas' in a hotel away from your family is just icing on the cake.
Follow this career path if you have an above average skill of handling aircraft and love the hours. What you think it will be and what it really is are two different things.
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disclaimer - posts have the credibility of unicorns and company pensions.
I am located north of Nashville. There are alot of little flight schools but none are accredited.
I live in murfreesboro, and work at BNA. There are several good schools in the area, that I have personally trained with and would be glad to get you some names and numbers if you would like. In Smyrna look at Wings of Eagles. I have flew their diamond 40 several times. At Murfreesboro(MBT) Look at Max Air, they have a decently cheap fleet of piper cherokees, and the intructor rates are decent. There are at least five more but those are the ones i have dealt with the most.
Dont forget MTSU, located in murfreesboro, Has a very good Aviation- Professional Pilot B.S. program. And they will tak you all the waty from pvt to multi/comm... Total cost about 36000 give or take. and doesnt include books and regular tuition. I actually attended that program for a bit as well.
The only downside to MTSU, is the fact that for each flight lab, which is what gives you the actual training. You have to give them lump sums up front before each period of training. Which last time i saw was like 5,000 4500 6000 etc etc. So if you are looking for the pay as you go, MTSU isnt for you... I highly Recommend Smyrna Air Centers' Wings of Eagles.
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