Escandalo

I am planning to start accelerated flight training in a few months. I have 1-hour flying! When I search on Google, obviously many schools are paying for placement, or they've paid someone to improve their SEO (which I recognize isn't necessarily a bad thing). I am in the Northeast but I am willing to go anywhere in the US, as I know the Northeast's weather can be problematic when you're trying to make fast progress. Is there some list of/resource for well-respected schools? I already have a degree so I don't want to go that route.

I just want to work hard at this. That being said, when I see "PPL in 14 days!", obviously that's a red flag. I don't need big promises, I just want to know the school is set up for success. If it takes 2 months, so be it. But it's hard to discern which schools are actually well-respected/have good partnerships with airlines etc and which are just doing a good job marketing themselves.

I know there are lots of questions to ask schools about the size of their fleets, maintenance, graduation rate, etc... I'm planning to ask those questions. But I'm just wondering if there are some "universally acknowledged" good schools? I've been mainly looking in Florida, Texas, maybe Arizona... Anywhere where there are more flying days.

Thanks for any advice!

Danger19

A few quick thoughts:
-Doing 8-10 dual review/proficiency flights at the Private Pilot, before you go all-in, can give you an idea of if it is for you.
-Keep your day job. Or maybe go part time.
-To be blunt, just make sure this isn't a phase or a "passing fancy" (lol) before you commit.
-When you go to a school, pay as you go. Don't give them a lump sump (unless a university program or the like), that can be bad if you decide it's not for you 10-20 hours in, but they have your money.
-Going to a 141 university program (or schools like ATP or CAE, though I've heard horrid reviews from a lot of people about places like those) has partnerships allowing you to get to regionals and some majors at 1000 hours.
-University Programs (if accredited, check on that) allow you to get an R-ATP at 1000 hours. They also train you up to the level you want, and hire you back as a CFI. Insurance and liability can also be better. Wherever you go, make sure they are insured and that you insure yourself. Don't risk it for the biscuit.
-Establish exactly what your goals are, then find a school that caters to those. Also find students/instructors/alumni from there and talk to them. Recruiters will tell you one thing, but reality may be entirely different.

Happy to answer other questions. Best of luck to you

MLCCPilot

If you are set and able to do an "Academy" style program, UND has a low profile one in Phoenix that has a decent reputation. Takes about 1 year and should be just about 100k to complete. CAE is supposed to be good (about 110k) but when I looked into them they would only take you if you were part of a cadet program for a major, so Southwest 225, Americans cadet program, JetBlue, etc. United's Aviate academy also in Phoenix is supposed to be good as well, its 75k or so, but you have to be admitted. Only go to ATP if it is of last resort.

faacareercfi

Some advice from an old-timer FAA instructor. Don't go to the big academies. Don't get me wrong, some are great but they are overly expensive. If you want to save money, look for an experienced instructor who is in the job for the pleasure of teaching. Find a cheap aircraft for hire from a local FBO. Also, do as much training on the ground and in sim as possible. The sims are really good these days and can teach you almost as much as a real flight lesson for much less cost. Don't buy books too many books and other training manuals as most are available for free on the ffa.gov website. If the instructor knows his stuff and gives you a full pre and post flight briefing, this will make all the difference. Good luck in your training!

AirBear

You can't beat Phoenix for good flying weather. I did a year of USAF Pilot training at what is now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Hardly ever had a weather cancel. It is a **tad** warm in the summer thou.

Rama

Sling Pilot Academy is similar to ATP, but apparently more student friendly. Know of some friend of friends that have good things to say.

dckozak

Good advice, but I would add a few things and modify at least one suggestion. Do as much preparation as possible before even looking at flight schools. Yes, cheap is good, but there can be too cheap. For you initial training (private pilot) any well maintained trainer will suffice. Beyond the private I would advise a newer trainer with a glass cockpit for your instrument flying. So this creates a dilemma if you go to a local FBO with an older (cheaper) fleet. Fine to start out but then, having established a relationship, they won’t have the right aircraft for your advanced training. I would suggest finding a school that has both older (round dial) aircraft and newer glass panel aircraft for your instrument training. Warning, it won’t be the cheapest option, but will be the best in the long run.