Originally Posted by rickair7777

DCA, FSA, CAPT and other "Glossy Brochure" flight schools are generally regarded poorly by flying professionals...mainly because they charge WAY too much for what they provide. The bigger the magazine ads...the bigger the lies.

The only good thing about them is that they provide a "package deal" that may include employment as a CFI and airline interviews. This appeals to the parents of teenagers and (often) to ex-military folks who are used to having everything cut-and-dried, and laid out for them in an organized fashion. Unfortunately the cost is far too high for what you get.

Students often realize that they are getting ripped off early on...but many are coerced into staying anyway. It is almost a universal practice with the big schools which have airline "affiliations" that they will threaten students who try to drop out with a bad recomendation to the airlines. This usually intimidates newbies.

The best way to do flight training for most folks is to find a smaller school at an airport in your hometown. This will afford better prices and more flexibility with your training program, but will require a little more initiative.

Unfortunately, the flight training industry is full of unethical players and con-artists so you have to do your research carefully (and never, ever deposit a large chunk of your training funds on account...pay them weekly, maybe $1000 at a time). Any school (big or small) can close it's doors overnight and head off to islands with YOUR money.

Also, do you have a 4-year degree yet? If not, use your GI bill for college...it will provide far more benefits that way. Don't kid yourself for a second...this career is a dead-end without a degree. The 141 flight schools that are VA certified usually raise their prices for MGIB students so you won't save that much money (but the school will get all of your VA benefits)