GuppyPuppy

Old airline captain here...

Looking for a place that has a Seminole
(preferable several Seminoles) that have a Garmin 430 or G1000.

This is for my nephew who is just starting out.

He already has Seminole time, but hasn't finished his rating. Got hosed by a 141 school in Florida and was unable to complete his multi.

He is willing to travel pretty much anywhere in the lower 48. Hoping to complete his training and rating in 3 days total time.

Thank you

cons

Doesn't atps have Seminoles? Either way, it doesn't matter if he gets his multi in a Seminole, Seneca, dutchess, baron, travel air...etc cause in the end they're all the same.

Checkout action air in KGON. They have Senecas and have a 3 day program to get the multi done. Or have him go to Benton, KS and see Herb at praire. He has a geronimo and can get him done quick. GL

Curious what school hosed him and how?

GuppyPuppy

He was ready to take his multi, either just his checkride or 1 more lesson and then his checkride when he told them he was opting out of their CFI program. They wouldn't even let him finish his multi. Told him to take a hike.

Also, a very slow process to obtain his other ratings. Averaging 1-2 flights a week, even after begging to get put on the schedule more (he was told to expect 4-5 flights per week).

IMHO, lack of instructors, lack of mechanics, and the realization that they seem to prioritize the Chinese students over everyone else results in this place being a waste of time and money for any student. One day only 2 of 25 SR-20 aircraft were flying (used for instrument students). His instructor said the most he's ever seen airworthy at one time is 13, but that was rare.

My nephew was "kicked out" for "lack of progress" even though he had continually begged to be put on the schedule. He was told it was just a formality to keep their certification with the FAA and that he just needed to write a letter of appeal to be let back in. He did and was let back in. A condition of letting him back in was to have his CFI completed by a certain date. Based on a year of experience with this place he was skeptical that he could finish in their timeline. When he told them a month later that he was opting out of their CFI program, they asked him to reconsider (since they really need CFI's). When he said no, they kicked him out and would not let him finish his multi.

The school? Well, let's just say it's located at a LCC domicile in the southeast.

Buyer beware!

GuppyPuppy

Does ATP have an abbreviated course for the multi engine rating?

I know he would feel more comfortable with a Garmin 430 or G1000 than a flying IFR on steam guages. Frustrating as an older pilot to know that kids are getting their instrument ratings these days without using instruments such as an RMI or VOR. The avionics on the new generation of training aircraft don't provide the basic instrument skills needed for many entry level jobs where they fly planes without GPS and a moving map.

rickair7777

Schools who focus on foriegn students often use US locals as schedule buffers/cannon fodder to maximize their efficiency. You WILL be last priority because they have to keep the guy overseas who writes the big checks happy. Caveat Emptor.

GuppyPuppy

Exactly.

I would never send a US student to one of those types of schools.

GP

Rotor2prop

Herb and Action both are booked months out... somewhere around summer 2020.

ATP doesn't do ratings anymore only complete career type programs.

I would suggest Midwest Corporate Air. They have a DA42 TDI G1000 that they do Multi Ratings in 5 days for around $4500 including the Checkride. Owner runs the FBO and is the DPE.

St. Charles Flying Service is the cheapest and fastest if hes instrument proficient now. 2 days for $2705 including the DPE but you have to be sharp on IFR and be prepared for the oral with the packet they provide.

VegasChris

Weather is pretty good in Vegas right now so this is the situation here.

For a Seminole try Hillsboro at KVGT has one and MEIs. Call and ask for Stephanie at the KVGT campus and she might be able to work it out and set up a DPE for the checkride quickly.

I went to Vetter in HLN. Way too cold there right now, but the MEI was awesome and they get people done in 3 days. Only 250 an hour wet too.

I had a tight schedule and couldn't do the checkride in HLN and ended up doing my checkride at VGT with Chenault Flying Service in a TravelAir. Its 475 an hour with the instructor but I only needed 2.5 hours of checkride prep to get it done. You could probably get the signoff and schedule the DPE like I did.

dera

I was very happy with Fly By Knight in Hammond, LA. 3.6 hours total including the checkride. They refunded me the difference from the package they offer because I didn't need all the hours. Did it in 3 days. And they were only booked a couple of weeks out. Honest people and good DPE availability.
GA7 with G430W.