Originally Posted by stillageek

I looked for a flight school for the better part of a year. Where would one go that is not a pilot mill? I have a professional job, 29, house, wife....good life. I want to move on to be a pilot. I live in the Dallas area and don't want to quit my job and rush through pilot training. I looked at several FBO's around here (there are quite a few airports in the DFW area). All quoted the 40 hour price for the PPL. When I asked what most students do I got everything from "you will get it in 40 hours" to "maybe a little more." Really vauge. I looked at DCA....but that would involve quitting work and moving to Florida. So I looked at US Flight Academy in Denton, Skymates in Arlington and ATP in Arlington. These were more than FBO's, had several aircraft including multiengines and with the exception of US Flight Academy, had clear prices posted. I chose ATP only because I felt more comfortable with their program versus Skymates. I did like the planes Skymates uses for PPL more than ATP....but that's about it. I get so tired of hearing "pilot mill" without backing it up or explaining it. I am a bit leary of the 90 day programs. The company I work for gives people 6 months to learn one software program (we write it....very customized). I don't know how one could really learn everything about flying (beyond the PPL) in 90 days. I guess they do. For me I am doing self paced. I finished the PPL in 3 months flying 4 days a week. Mostly evenings except for Sundays which I did mornings. I start the career program at the end of the month. I should be done in 6-7 months. I like taking my time and really reading and taking in what I am doing. Hmm....this is one of those damn long post I hate reading...bleh.