Ab Initio Flight Schools
 

New to the forum so bear with me if say anything that doesn’t make sense just looking to learn and get some new opinions. So I am currently a student at Purdue and am in the school’s flight program starting this summer. Unfortunately Purdue’s program will take me 3-4 years to complete from now when I just wanna start flying as soon as possible.
So now I am looking at different flight schools that are more accelerated or airline academy’s as they refer to themselves. I’m trying to find a program that is can get me all my ratings up to CFI.
Currently here Is what I have looked at
Flight Safety Academy
CAE, AZ
American Flyers
L3 (formerly Aerosim)
Potentially looking at American Airlines Academy.
Also looking at some of the flight schools connected with Liberty U as I would prefer not to waste the 50 college credits I have earned.
If you have any input I’m open to hearing anything, also if you know any other flight schools I should look at let me know.

If your goal is Part 121, consider LIFT Academy

Just keep in mind, there's no substitute for actual experience. You can't "accelerate" getting that regardless of what the training program propaganda says.

Add US Aviation Academy to the list! Just came out with a 9-month 0-MEI program for $74,495 including check ride fees.

Community College
 

If you don't want to take the 4 years and still get to use your college credit, you need to look at community colleges and other 2-year schools. Liberty University is a 4-year school.


Community College of Baltimore County just received their 141 certification this year and their program lists the flight training as a lab fee.
Community College of Beaver County, Community College of Alleghany County, and Lehigh Carbon Community College are in PA, (Pennsylvania is icing country and gets some awesome cloud coverage, really can monkey with your flight training timeline, but the clouds are awesome for building actual instrument time after you get the private certificate).


Also, Cochise County in AZ.


Lastly, does the Purdue program have you spending the last year or two as a CFI for them? That gets you building hours that you are going to have to have before you can work for a 121 carrier (airlines). Albeit, with a full student load (classwork), I presume. But if you are already building experience, it isn't just wasted time to get to flying.

Finish your degree at Purdue before you do anything else.

Speaking of LIFT.... I have noted that since classes kicked off there hasn't been a single person in class posting on here. Were the students told not to post on here? Any students on here willing to talk about how its going so far? Interested to hear how things are going.

I would like to hear everyone’s opinion as to how a Part 141 flight school is better than a “mom and pop” Part 61 flight school. Aren’t Part 141 flight schools more expensive than Part 61 flight schools? Do Part 141 flight schools have "better" instruction than Part 61 flight schools? Can’t a student fly “everyday” at a Part 61 flight school and still get done in the same time? I know that Part 141 flight schools have stage checks, but Part 61 flight schools can do the same thing, right? Do Part 141 flight schools generally have better airplanes? Do Part 141 flight schools have access to twin engine aircraft whereas Part 61 flight schools may not? Can it be said that there is more “pressure” to get done quickly at a Part 141 flight school? Is a Part 61 flight school more likely to have a shortage of flight instructors than a Part 141 flight school?

As you mentioned, a Part 61 school is perhaps used synonymous with small "mom and pop" shops, but they don't have to be. ATP Flight School's locations are almost all part 61.

I think a more clear demarcation is "large academies" vs "small schools". Academies may have larger fleets, more instructors, etc. Small schools may have issues if they only have one ME or Complex for example. If it goes down, all their students using that aircraft may be stalled for some time.

As you alluded to, I also think there is likely to be consolidation in the flight training industry due to the shortages of flight instructors and mechanics. Large academy's may price out the small schools because they are able to more effectively utilize those resources - a CFI can easily fly 80+ hours a month at a large academy with lots of students and planes. Similarly, a mechanic always has something to do to stay productive at a school flying 100+ hours per day.

I got my ratings and instructed at both Part 61 and Part 141 schools and I will tell you that what makes a good flight school has nothing to do with what FAA program they fall under. Many people choose one or the other due to personal circumstances. For example, most financing requires Part 141 schools.