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Old 03-19-2007 | 09:20 PM
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Default Career flight schools?

I am a private pilot, i'm 18 and am planning on attending a career pilot program. I looked at ATP, DCA, Etc. But what is everyones recommendation?
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Old 03-19-2007 | 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Kilgore112
I am a private pilot, i'm 18 and am planning on attending a career pilot program. I looked at ATP, DCA, Etc. But what is everyones recommendation?
Yeah, don't buy the hype.

Stick to the basics, get a flight instructor that eats, sleeps, and lives at the airport. Don't pay premium prices for the newest latest technology. Most of all have fun and enjoy the ride.
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Old 03-19-2007 | 10:08 PM
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"But what is everyones recommendation?"

Your local flight school....
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Old 03-20-2007 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Kilgore112
I am a private pilot, i'm 18 and am planning on attending a career pilot program. I looked at ATP, DCA, Etc. But what is everyones recommendation?
Your local flight school or FBO at your local airport. With a little diligence on your part you will get the same training as you would at a big "glossy brochure" flight school, and save a ton of money. Also you can live at home, and keep your job if you like and save even more money.

Be aware that networking is EVERYTHING in this industry and you can meet a lot of different folks at your local airport...corporate, charter, airline captains who own their own plane, etc. At a big flight school the only people you will meet are a lot of students and CFI's who all hope to work for a regional airline someday.


If you absolutely MUST get sucked in by a big school, ATP is probably the one to try.
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Old 03-20-2007 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Kilgore112
I am a private pilot, i'm 18 and am planning on attending a career pilot program. I looked at ATP, DCA, Etc. But what is everyones recommendation?
Don't waste your time at the local FBO. ATP is the only choice in flight academy type training outside the military you shoud consider.

You can also look/call/visit these guys. www.prarieairservice.com

I'm visiting ATP this summer and PAS in september before making a decision on where to go in Spring 09.

Bottom line: stay from the local FBO - they are a waste of time.

-LAFF
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Old 03-20-2007 | 09:05 AM
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ATP told me they wont accept the GI Bill for the professional pilot program (whether it's true or not I don't know) but two people from the school told me that, so I passed them up. Also, I tried to switch there to do my commercial and CFI ratings, and they didn't have any custom program for the commercial. I'm sure it's a good school from all I've heard, but they didn't have what I needed so I went elsewhere.

But kilgore, see what your local FBO has. A lot of FBO's don't have the means to do the commercial and multi, so you may have to travel a bit further...but it is nicer to stay home and get everything done, as well as college...at 18, there's no rush for you to get all your ratings now anyway. Get your degree now while your fresh outta school, it's important.
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Old 03-20-2007 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by LAfrequentflyer
Don't waste your time at the local FBO. ATP is the only choice in flight academy type training outside the military you shoud consider.

You can also look/call/visit these guys. www.prarieairservice.com

I'm visiting ATP this summer and PAS in september before making a decision on where to go in Spring 09.

Bottom line: stay from the local FBO - they are a waste of time.

-LAFF


You're really an authority on the subject.....
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Old 03-20-2007 | 10:06 AM
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"I've never said ATP has no bad CFIs. I don't drink their kool-aid.
I've never set foot in an ATP location" LAFF on 1/19/07

Just to give perspective on LAFF's "opinion".....

So far, in the first four responses to Kilgore, you got a CFI who got his ratings in six months at a small school in KS, a UPS Capt, a RJ pilot, and a PPL who paid 9.5K for his private at an FBO in Vacaville, CA and now tells the world all small FBO's are a rip-off.

Right....

"ATP told me they wont accept the GI Bill for the professional pilot program"

ATP is part 61, so they can't do VA stuff.
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Old 03-20-2007 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by planecrazyjenn
ATP told me they wont accept the GI Bill for the professional pilot program (whether it's true or not I don't know) but two people from the school told me that, so I passed them up. Also, I tried to switch there to do my commercial and CFI ratings, and they didn't have any custom program for the commercial. I'm sure it's a good school from all I've heard, but they didn't have what I needed so I went elsewhere.

But kilgore, see what your local FBO has. A lot of FBO's don't have the means to do the commercial and multi, so you may have to travel a bit further...but it is nicer to stay home and get everything done, as well as college...at 18, there's no rush for you to get all your ratings now anyway. Get your degree now while your fresh outta school, it's important.
ATP does specific programs and they do them very well. Still an FBO is not / should not be an option for anyone serious about flight training.

Whay would you want to waste months / years of your life in an FBO making $10 an flight hour???

-LAFF
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Old 03-20-2007 | 10:07 AM
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De...I understand the 61 and 141 issue...they just didn't have what I needed. That's why I said they are probably a great school, just didn't have what I needed. Otherwise, they had a school near where I wanted to go...and it would have worked out well.

LA...they were not able to offer me the commercial program. They have the CFI program, but as for the Comm...they said they'd just enroll me in the professional program and have me time build for the instrument phase.
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