Advice on flight schools / other training q's
 

Hey guys!

I'm planning on going to flight school in San Diego and want to see if anyone in this thread has recommendations on where to go in San Diego and whether they feel like Part 61 or Part 141 is going to be a cheaper/quicker route. I've seen a lot of mixed answers on Google and want to get answers from people on an actual pilot forum. My goal is to fly for the airlines as quickly as possible.

My plan was to do my ground school using Sporty's and do Part 61 with either Learn to Fly San Diego or New Vision Aviation through Plus One Flyers Club, but I found out I can get some money through my GI Bill if I go through 141. Although since I'm in the Select Reserve it's only $392/ month so I'm not sure it's even worth it, plus I only have 18 months of it and it doesn't cover PPL so it'll be closer to 14 months. Especially after this Coronavirus situation, I'm trying to be extra careful with cost and getting my license as quickly as possible. If anyone has any advice, I'd really appreciate it.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for the best loan options out there? Vendor, etc. I just graduated college and I'm paying for this all on my own so need a good size loan.

Thanks again guys!

Do you have family, kids, & ties to San Diego? Will this be your full time endeavor. besides part time job?

There’s the virus to deal with now, that aside, I’d look for the fast track & have faith.

Why San Diego?

Its been a long time since I did the civilian training, but Im in a similar boat.. just repunching my currencies and building time, but am looking specifically at going through a flying club to save some money on the flight time requirements. You also have the ability to take some control of your scheduling and pace of flying with an independent CFI.
You can compare those prices around and see if one is the right fit.

letsflysandiego.com has information on both local schools and local flying clubs, so you can start your research there.

Flight Training advice
 

Hi,
I am a high school student who wants to become an airline pilot. I want to identify the different routes to take and the hidden or obscured costs to them. I know everyone will have a different opinion however I still think I should ask this question.

Different routes
141 is a structured flight school- typically this is with a degree program. So add money for the degree. Can be 15k for an associates or 40-80k for a bachelor degree. Can reduce total hours from 1500 hours for an atp to a 1000 hour restricted atp. Major typically require a bachelors degree.

91 route
can be done part time through at your own pace, or fast paced.
You typically can’t find a loan. Excluding larger 91 schools like ATP. Also requires the full 1500 hours before you’re eligible for an airline operation excluding 1200 hours which allows you to find a cargo position. At this current point in time there are so many unemployed pilots it’s basically not an option though.


costs
this really is impossible to say. You should contact local flight schools or look into programs that sound appealing or an acquaintance has been through.

In the north east prices range from 130$/ flight hour to 225$/ flight hour for a single engine aircraft. And typically you pay 65$/flight hour for an instructor. So expect 290$/hr to 130$/flight hour. Ranging from 200-300 flight hours. Fees are a check ride which means you’ll pay for a plane rental and pay to take a flight test which cost around 800$ for the test and about 2-5 hours for flight test. Some places also will charge a fee just for the rental slot. Meaning even if you didn’t fly and you scheduled the plane for 2 hours they’ll charge you 1 hour. 135$ gone just because you couldn’t make the flight. Or the weather was too bleak for your expertise.


if you can’t tell the only real way to do this is one determining do I want to do this because I want to. Or am I doing it for the wrong reasons? Like the money.

you will not find accurate information on this forum you’ll only find it from a local FBO and talking to pilots in that FBO.

another caution. The average flight time is 3 hours per week with good weather. Which means you have 6 flyable months in the north east so first year expect 77-100 hours in your first year if you go 91 and that same for the second year. Then year three you can if you’ve obtained the ratings be a CFI. And you should be at 1500 in 3-4 years and 1000 hours in 3 years.

good luck!



hidden costs

One thing that should be kept into perspective as well, is your actual aptitude for learning and how well you can teach yourself. It's imperative to show up to class prepared for the lesson, doing your "chair flying" at home, having your written exams done, so it doesn't hold up your training, etc. Even in a part 141 course, which is force-fed to you and laid out nicely, it still takes some work, using Youtube University (as it's known) to prepare. Your instructor is there to fill in the blanks, not teach you everything chapter and verse. I got caught off-guard with that when I first started training, so I give that advice to others starting off.

* Take your time and don’t rush
* Do not pay large amounts up front
* Pay your way, avoid loans like the plague.

A loan makes sense only when you need to get done like right now this very minute because you might miss an opportunity to catch the wave.
Thats not the case right now.
Even though (or maybe because) I’ve been Chief Flight instructor 141 I would recommend you do your training Part 61.
Much more flexibility in switching lessons around when the weather doesn’t cooperate or if you reach a training plateau.
Also let’s say you get the opportunity to fly a much cheaper airplane outside of the school for time building you can’t do that if you’re enrolled in a Part 141 course of training as that airplane is not on the ‘approved’ aircraft list.
Under 141 you need to use the syllabus that the school is approved to use and an instructor the school is authorized to use and aircraft the school has in their 141 certificate.

Part 61 allows much more flexibility in combining lessons/flights and even training programs.
For instance I’ve combined Commercial SEL with Initial CFI with 5-6 students.
Saves about 15-20 hrs dual.
There are many more combos and tricks of the trade that will save you a bundle if you can find a creative instructor willing to work with you.
Find a smallish flightschool that is happy with a 0-CFI student and willing to accommodate.
Be an airport bum and start networking on day one;
Hey can I help you wash your plane ?
Hey need a hand with your hangar door there?
People will remember faces and start offering you airplane rides that turn into time building trips where you only pay for gas.
You’re in this for the long haul (hopefully literally one day) so better learn to enjoy the journey.

See above for good advice. The worst flight training happens during boom times. The instructors have no experience and are too busy going to airline interviews to care about you. (That’s an over generalization but finding a real instructor instead of a time builder is critical).

You have time on your side so you can do it right and pay as you go.

If you are in the Select Reserve anyway have you looked at options for military training? Get your PPL anywhere you can get it to make yourself more competitive for a Reserve or Active flying slot, fixed or rotary? That may we’ll be your fastest (and certainly cheapest) way to R-ATP eligibility.


https://afreserve.com/a-step-by-step...-an-afrc-pilot

https://www.goarmy.com/reserve/jobs/...n-officer.html