dckozak

Looking to possibly send my college graduate son to a "program" flight school. He has his PPL, less than a year from a local flight school. I think he would do better in a more structured environment that would provide a better path to a regional (when that becomes feasable). Any word from those of you who went this path, the school , location etc, If it was bad and you'd rather not put it out on the forum, PM me. Currently looking at AeroGuard, know nothing about them, just currently on my radar.

captande

Changed because I didn’t read the question well enough, sorry.

desertfly3r

I trained at ATP Mesa gateway. Wouldn’t recommend because of price and some instructors simply don’t care about their students and were there only to get hours. Also not standardized, it’s all teach yourself and have minimal ground time.

I instructed at Aeroguard from September 2018-February 2020 and left for an airline shortly before covid got bad. Taught all foreign cadets but their program is much more structured and they now partner with Liberty University and operate as a 141 school for US students. Don’t know how things are going there now but from what I understand if you complete the program they will offer you a job instructing after. Prior to covid they had 90-100 instructors and 400-500 students. From a few contacts I still have left there, there about about 20 instructors. Many were laid off following covid. No new foreign students and the only hiring happening is from graduating students. If you want the contact info of the recruiter let me know. Any other questions you have feel free to send me a pm.

Tom Bradys Cat

Quite the multi-level marketing scheme going on. Has anyone actually run the numbers before diving into this.

"So we will train you up, and when youre done all you need to do is find 7 trainees and you can vecome an instructor here. Then when each of them are done training they can become instructors after finding 7 more new trainees of their own.....and so it goes".

Getting trained by the least qualified in the industry to do so.

desertfly3r

This is how most flight schools operate these days. ATP did the same thing pre covid advertising a guaranteed CFI job after graduation. Since most schools aren’t hiring CFI’s right now, having somewhere to build time and gain experience is a contributing factor when choosing a school. Aeroguard hired me after completing my training. Yes I was new, but safe. Maintained a solid pass rate and never had an incident or accident in 1530 hours. Same with all the students I sent solo.

Tom Bradys Cat

yeah its been happening for a long time...... which makes me wonder how many CPL holders are out there who arent employed. 7^n years worth.

Good work on getting out in Feb to a regional! A real man would have left it till March.

desertfly3r

Oh the regional I went to sent me home in March. Does that make me a real man?

rswitz

My recommendation would be a small mom and pop FBO flight school with an older CFI who is retired IE not trying to build time to go to a regional. If you find the right place, the training will be 100x better than the big pilot mills and half the price.

Tom Bradys Cat

That sux......but youll be back.

Sperrysan

second. Filler