Ok, so I recently called Delta Conx Academy on a quote for my Multi rating and some sort of instrument proficiency course as I haven't flown instrument in a long time(don't make me say please). DCA is trying to push me into CFI, CFII and MEI. Also trying to convince me to teach for about a year with them. Well, that sounds good but my plans were a little different. I wanted to get what I set out for and get the CFI/CFII/MEI later on. Also was gonna build some more time flying a friend's aircraft around. DCA is gonna charge about 40g but their instructors bring in about 47G a year


I also looked into ATP flight school and they giving me what I originally wanted but that CFI/CFII/MEI from DCA don't sound half bad. Just don't wanna miss out or spend much more time on the ground. So many options, so little to chose from. Can someone with experience please help me out.......

 

40K? are you for real? that would be about the worst financial decision I could think of. save that for a down payment on a house. go to your local fbo and do it for cheap. search the internet etc. there is a multi training place in dallas that will do your multi for 1500 including an instrument check. go get your cfi/ii/m at an fbo and then if you really want to work at delta school then apply there.

 

Agreed, you can get a mulit for under two grand all over the country. St Charles Flying service in st louis does it for 1800... but I always agree with doing the CFI route, but not for 40k. You could probably do all those for under 10 and then if you want go to one of those academies to instruct... they're all pretty hard up for instructors...since the regionals are causing a shortage...

 

Who told you that!? I find that pretty hard to believe.

Do you mean that their instructors MAKE $47000/year or that it would cost you an extra $7000 to do your instructor ratings?

There are much better and cheaper places to go to get a multi rating and some instrument time with an instructor.

 

Take the advice above! Do it at an fbo for much cheaper, then just go work wherever you want instructing!

 

Yes it does. In fact, it sounds completely bad. It's a rip off. Shop around. YOU figure out what you want. YOU decide how to get there. Don't let DCA sell you something you don't really want.

If you really want your CFI ratings, I suggest finding a reputable FBO near you and working on your ratings there. Or do it at ATP. Or Skymates in Dallas. For $40K, you should be able to get ALL of your ratings starting with private. Shop around. From what I've heard (and I've heard from many) DCA is a ripoff.

If you want the names of FBOs or schools in your area to get the ratings/refresher, tell us where you live. Chances are good that somebody here has experience with the area.

If you want to make $45K+/yr as a CFI, let me know and I'll give you the names of a couple of schools that will hire you without asking you to spend a fortune on their overpriced flight training.

 

For about the same amount of money, you could probably get an advanced degree in chemical engineering or some bio-field, get a sweet job in an emerging industry, probably clear $200k+ within a few years, and then just buy your own airplane. That's what I'd do.

Come to think of it, I still might.

 

Ok, total hijack here, but I've gotta ask.... Can an engineer really clear $200K+ in a few (3-4 years)? I kind of doubt that an engineer would be able to work up this kind of income so fast. A management engineer with a few years of industry experience plus an MBA from a top tier school, sure. The reason I ask: I've been considering going back to school for an engineering (chemical or electrical) degree and getting into the field.

 

Thanks alot fellas. I thought it was a rip off but of course, they sold me all the good things that come out of it. I live in the South Florida region(Hollywood FL across the street from North Perry). Thanks for slapping me back into my real world of debt credit card bills. Any more advise would be greatly appreciated.....

 

I agree with all the above comments. I wanted to add that paying for instrument proficiency might not be money well spent. Most of us, if not all, experience a deterioration of instrument skills, if not kept current. Try to incorporate this into whatever rating you are getting or take a course (Sim block time) in preparation for a job interview. That way you will get more bang for your buck.

GL,