An "academy" can be more structured than obtaining cert. and ratings at an FBO. The benefit is that it somewhat resembles airline training. I got my pvt. at an FBO and the rest at a flight school (which by the way was much less expensive than say Delta Connection Academy.) There are pros and cons to both. Research, research, research. Visit the place before you decide to go if you can. Ask current students at prospective schools about their experience. They will give you no fluff answers. I enjoyed going to flight school better than the FBO experience, however some flight schools will make you pay for the name. Find an average price, study hard, get your CFII/MEI, get hired as an instructor, get 1200 hrs and go to the regionals or Airnet. The goal is to not be $100,000 in debt by the time you get to Comair or Ameriflight. Good luck, we're all in it together!