WVU grad-seeking flight school near Savannah-please help!
 

Hello!

I'm a female graduate from WVU. I am moving to Savannah, GA and I would love to become a commercial pilot but I have no idea where to begin! Does anyone know of a school near Savannah, or maybe Hilton Head that I could take some type of accelerated course (I checked into CAPT, kinda pricey!) without having to repeat my undergrad courses?

Thanks so much for your help, I've been looking online but I'm completely overwhelmed!!

Melody:o

Hi Melody,

Have you looked at www.allatps.com yet? I am looking at Jacksonville or Atlanta. I am trying to get some feedback from the message boards on which atp location is the best. I thought about Ari Ben Aviator, but I haven't received much positive feedback. I am from WV also.

I'd just google flight schools around there and I would be willing to bet there are a few options. I would avoid programs like capt or allatps and things of that nature. You will more than likely accrue heavy debt and student loans with these programs, a small local flight school will probably offer a more personal and affordable experience.

As Texas Tech says, just start with a private pilot course through an FBO near where you live. If you like flying you can find out what to do next from the CFI that trains you. FBOs can do everything an accelerated pilot mill can do, and are a lot cheaper. To find one go to the local airport and ask the locals to recommend one. You will ge a lot of answers, but one may emerge as being better than the others. Watch out for pricey FBOs that exist for rich clientele, there are a few out there doing business and you don't need them. Flight training is reasonably priced if you make an effort to keep it down. Another thing you could do is ask the local FAA designated examiner that does all the local certificate approvals where to go. Since they evaluate local pilots they know the best FBO schools.

Thanks so much for your help!

I'll definitely check into the private pilot courses. The only reason that I was afraid to do that was because CAPT told me that if I took any private classes, it would be a waste of money and wouldn't count once I went to their program. But if that's not true, then a smaller place sounds a lot better!

Great idea to ask the FAA examiners, I'll definitely do that too. One (probably dumb) question...what is an FBO?

Thanks!

Fbo
 

Fixed Base Operator

Think of an FBO as a terminal for private airplanes, a gas station for airplanes, a repair shop for airplanes, and a flight school.

In the past, they were sometimes all three. Today, the FBO a lot of times only sells fuel, and sometimes maintenance. A flight school can operate out of an FBO, but may not be owned by them.

Go to www.airnav.com to find FBOs at SAV and nearby airports.

i would do all your ratings through the commercial pilots license at the local fbo, the only one I would think about going to a factory type school for is maybe your cfi (certificated flight instructor). That comes after the commercial license. Don't waste your money on any program that says you have to do all your ratings through them, that's rediculous. Start at a local place and if it doesn't seem to be working out for you then research different options. Your flight instructor will be able to help you out a lot in getting you going in the right direction.

LET'S GO MOUNTAINEERS!
yea, what Gauley said for the private, always, always get your private at a local FBO.

come to think of it I have a buddy that instructs at an FBO in savannah,
give me a day or two and i'll put their info on this thread.

"CAPT told me that if I took any private classes, it would be a waste of money and wouldn't count once I went to their program"

CAPT, as well as Jet U, are terrible ways to enter the industry. People should earn their way into the profession, not buy their way.

Your best bet would be to find a local flight school that can get you through your ratings. Don't buy into the big academy hype. It's highly over rated.