sunny441

Hello and a big hi to all the people on this forum!

I am a software engineer and have a bachelors degree in that field - but am wanting to make a career switch.I am interested in becoming a commercial pilot. I have no prior flight experience and know very little about flight school. Also I turn 27 in a months time - am I too old to start flying?

I spoke to people from Regional Aviation Academy (RAA) in Deland, FL - they have a program that is for students from India. Apparently the guy claimed that he can have me done in 6-7 months! Another 2 choices are Ari-Ben flight school (FL) and Riverside Flight Academy in Tulsa.

Has anyone on here, heard of these schools? Also it possible to get the ratings and licenses in that short period of time? I have no prior flying experience.

Also could any one recommend an inexpensive flight school for international students? I would much appreciate it!

Thanks in advance for all the replies!

Cheers!

Photon

You are by no means too old!
Finding a flight school is gonna be harder though, I know Ari-Ben down in the Fort Pierce area are pretty good, and they seem to be getting their students through at a nice rate.
Myself I'm going to Phoenix East in Daytona, nice enough school, but the only reason for me attending it as because a flight school in Norway has a deal with them.
Check out the prices and try to get inside scoops from current students at the schools you are considering. No school is perfect, but some are worse than others

sunny441

hi guys:

Am still looking for a school - and I spoke to a guy from Tiffin Aviation, in Nogales, AZ.

Has anyone heard of this place?

spartanpilot

stay away from riverside flight center, if you want to get trained right and want to live.

da_flyn_hawyn

I took the tour at RAA and it is actually a cool place, but the price is just rediculous. You can probably be finished in that time, but for the amount of money that you'll be paying it really isn't worth it. I've been to five different flight schools and taught at two different ones, and my theory is that if you can find a good instruct at a little FBO and do an accelerated training with them, that would be your best bet. But if your looking to get done as quickly as possible I know it isn't the best place, but I instructed there, ATP might be a choice for you. I've been to DCA, ATP, UVSC, and little FBO's so if you need info on any of these places just let me know. Hope this helps.

sunny441

Thanks for your reply. I called ATP - but I am not a citizen or permanent resident - I am on a non-immigrant work visa - so I would not be able to sign up at ATP. I think RAA is not for me - and am thinking between Riverside in TUlsa and Tiffin, in AZ.

Cheers

Slice

www.prairieairservice.com, Herb has worked with lots of foreign students.

sunny441

care to elaborate some more - pm will also work.