Flight school, or Buy an airplane?
04-03-2019, 02:53 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 112
Originally Posted by Pilsung
I'd skip ATP ("respected in the industry" depends on who you ask)- it will most certainly be less expensive to stay at your current 61 school and the pace can be just as fast if that's what you want. I'd reconsider buying a 150 for instrument flying...
04-03-2019, 03:06 PM
#12
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,018
Originally Posted by Captainfit
I don’t want to limit myself by choosing not to do a certain thing, or checking a certain box. I would like to make myself as marketable as I can
Nobody cares. Nobody will care.
You may find that by utilizing several instructors at once, you'l slow your progress and impinge on learning. It's your money, though. Have a ball.
04-03-2019, 04:16 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 112
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
You think that you're going to limit the amount of money that you will get paid as a professional pilot, based on where you chose to do primary flight training?
Nobody cares. Nobody will care.
You may find that by utilizing several instructors at once, you'l slow your progress and impinge on learning. It's your money, though. Have a ball.
Nobody cares. Nobody will care.
You may find that by utilizing several instructors at once, you'l slow your progress and impinge on learning. It's your money, though. Have a ball.
04-05-2019, 09:23 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 112
Update
I am leaning towards not purchasing an airplane. The risk of having to do a major overhaul and drop 20k that I don't have is impossible. At this time I do not have a huge lump sum to pay for my ratings at a local FBO. I am approved for the loan at ATP through SM. Any veteran thoughts or advise here?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
04-05-2019, 09:44 AM
#16
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,082
I would recommend against Sally Mae.
Their interest is ridiculous, on par with credit cards.
Do your private and take it from there.
Try your best to do this pay as you go.
With a wife and kid you don’t want to be right seat Regional with $100k in debt that takes 20+ years to pay off.
By the way ATP is not a respected school in the industry.
Embryo Riddle is, so is Flight Safety and UND.
ATP....meh kinda checkered.
Their interest is ridiculous, on par with credit cards.
Do your private and take it from there.
Try your best to do this pay as you go.
With a wife and kid you don’t want to be right seat Regional with $100k in debt that takes 20+ years to pay off.
By the way ATP is not a respected school in the industry.
Embryo Riddle is, so is Flight Safety and UND.
ATP....meh kinda checkered.
04-05-2019, 12:28 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 112
Originally Posted by TiredSoul
I would recommend against Sally Mae.
Their interest is ridiculous, on par with credit cards.
Do your private and take it from there.
Try your best to do this pay as you go.
With a wife and kid you don’t want to be right seat Regional with $100k in debt that takes 20+ years to pay off.
By the way ATP is not a respected school in the industry.
Embryo Riddle is, so is Flight Safety and UND.
ATP....meh kinda checkered.
Their interest is ridiculous, on par with credit cards.
Do your private and take it from there.
Try your best to do this pay as you go.
With a wife and kid you don’t want to be right seat Regional with $100k in debt that takes 20+ years to pay off.
By the way ATP is not a respected school in the industry.
Embryo Riddle is, so is Flight Safety and UND.
ATP....meh kinda checkered.
04-05-2019, 01:04 PM
#18
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2018
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
You think that you're going to limit the amount of money that you will get paid as a professional pilot, based on where you chose to do primary flight training?
Nobody cares. Nobody will care.
You may find that by utilizing several instructors at once, you'l slow your progress and impinge on learning. It's your money, though. Have a ball.
Nobody cares. Nobody will care.
You may find that by utilizing several instructors at once, you'l slow your progress and impinge on learning. It's your money, though. Have a ball.
04-06-2019, 06:15 AM
#20
done, gone skiing
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Rocking chair
Posts: 1,601
Originally Posted by Captainfit
Okay! I see what your are saying. So find the FBO that will best fit me, and go from there! Has anyone heard any good things of Liberty University they have a aeronautics program with certified schools, but the closest FBO to me is 2 hours away. That's not going to work, cant really move right now. Reason why ATP sounds so good is that its right up the street from me.
The purchase airplane thing could be a great deal but unless your wiling to deal with all the risk and take on the responsibilities related to aircraft ownership, I would say the risk of making a bad blunder out weighs the reward of saving money. Bottom line: possible to win big or fail big, inside knowledge (regarding aircraft values and a particular airframes quality). Plus the major crap shoot. You can get it all right and still can't sell it for what's its worth (based on your pre purchase assumings of value) at the end of your training. Don't forget to include costs associated with the airport (tie down or hanger) and taxes on purchase and sell.
Flights schools: University, Zero to hero quickies, quality (Meaning more $$$) big schools. Mom and Pop (local FAR part 61 operators).
Which way to go?? Budget, time and proximity to your home all come into play. If you don't mind spending more and have it, I'd suggest one of the bigger FAR part 141 if you intend to fly professionally and your trying to move quickly from one profession to another. Avoid the low cost options with the quickie flights schools. The quality of training has to suffer as the operator is no doubt cutting corners (instructor pay and quality of the aircraft). If you can live with a slower pace to get your training or you need to pay for your schooling out of pocket, than the local FBO is realistically your only option. Look around at more than just the closest airport. Interview both management and an instructor or two. Ask how many hours a day they normally fly (anything over about 4 flight hours means they are running from one student to the next with little time for pre and post flight briefings). Ask a lot of questions and read a bunch of advice from others on this board. Remember, its your money, and it's a lot of money. Make sure everyone is working on your behalf to get you the best education you can. Your life and those you fly in the future deserve nothing less.
