So I just wanted to add my $0.02 about Air America in DAB. I actually did my Multi-Commercial-Instrument using their aircraft a few years back. I would agree that it is definatly a little different than a lot of other local flight schools I have flown out of. But I will say that the instructor that I had was excellent. I used a guy named Chuck Stroman who was I think one of the cheif instructors at the time (I think he's gone now), but he was excellent. As for the aircraft, I seem to remember they had 3 Dutches airplanes, none in great condition. I think I was paying something like $180 an hour wet and while the planes were not great, you get what you pay for. I will say that in my experience everything (pretty much) worked. Didn't have any problems with engines or instruments. They just looked beat to hell. The main problem I had with the A/C was that the seats were reclined too far back and wouldn't adjust. I felt like one of those guys from the hood who drives their car with the seat reclined way back lol. I eventually just started bringing my own seat cushion with me that I would place between the seat and my back to help with position.

I wouldn't want to really rent aircraft from there, but my goal was to get my Multi add on done, and done economically. Which I did.

I don't remember doing pre-flight with the master on other than to check lights and stall horns and such, but in my experience you have to do that anywhere you go. I never had a problem getting in or out of DAB in a hurry when I flew there, in fact I did my primary training in 1999 at FXE (Ft laud) and that was wayyyy worse than anything I ever saw in Daytona. I remember at FXE often times being number 4 or 5 for departure and flying extended downwinds due to traffic or being told "N1234 remain outside class Delta airspace, I'll call you back". I guess I got lucky at the time I was at DAB it wasn't so busy. And about repositioning for the check ride, I had to do the same thing.. The DE wanted to meet at the FBO so he told me to bring the plane there for the checkride, but I don't think that's Air America's fault is it? Although I agree and I've often thought its ridiculous that you have to pay for time spent on the ground in ANY aircraft. I really think they should bill flight time only, it just doesn't seem fair to pay $3-$4 per minute to sit on the ground waiting for your turn to take off. Your not really wearing out the airplane at that time, but then I don't know how else they could do it. I wonder too, was it even legal for me to taxi an aircraft solo (to meet the DE for my checkride) for which I was not rated at the time?

Lastly I do have to say that I've definatly seen aircraft in conditions just as bad of condition as the some of the old birds flying at air america. Which is exactly the reason why I mostly only fly new aircraft. (But this costs me, right now I pay around $190/hr for a 182 -- but thats what it costs for a nice new bird with new interior and shiney paint... Air Conditioning - G1000 - XM Radio & Weather - TIS...