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Westwind Flight School?

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Old 03-07-2008, 11:02 AM
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Default Westwind Flight School?

Hi everyone,

I'm a 26 y/o who has 0 hours. I'm finally giving in to my lifelong dream of becoming a professional pilot. I've done a lot of research and I'm at a fork in the road.

I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with Westwind flight school in PHX. I was thinking of ATP, however, I don't think I can learn everything i need to know in 90 days (seems way too fast). Westwind is something like 10 months and seems to be a good school.

I know every school has it's ups and downs but I just wanted to do some research before I sign my life away in student loans.

Thanks in advance!
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Old 03-07-2008, 11:06 AM
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www.prairieairservice.com is worth a look.
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Old 03-09-2008, 09:19 AM
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ATP seems to be a decent program, if you can properly prepare, and handle the super-sonic pace. WestWind is a decent and reputable school. Their training is top notch. Both have their ups and downs; based on your luck of the draw with instructors.

Make sure you prepare yourself for with a 4 year degree before entering an accellerated flight training center. Several schools advertise an afilliation with degree programs (UNLV, UVSC, etc...) make sure you have time to take the online classes.

I have personal experiences with both schools. PM for details.
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Old 03-09-2008, 12:16 PM
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I did some flying with Westwind. It is a nice school with some good instructors and prices when I was there last year.
I would go there over ATP. I got my MEI from ATP and I wasn't very impressed.
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Old 03-09-2008, 11:10 PM
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got my private at an fbo and went to atp finished in 90 days ... pretty legit and now im instructing racking up mad hours its a fun business
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Old 03-11-2008, 11:09 AM
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I got my private from Westwind at Deer Valley. I will say this about the school, they have a great ground school concept, great learning situation and it really set in. However, I ended up paying over $13k, just for my private...and that was in a c-152 at 72 hours!

Good school, good learning situation, but way too costly.
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Old 03-13-2008, 10:37 AM
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Westwind is a very nice facility, good aircraft and great instructors I think you'll be happy with your desision. Deer Valley is where I have my aircraft based and flying out of there is on the edge of the city. Good luck.
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Old 03-13-2008, 01:49 PM
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Westwind is a nice school but I personally think ATP is the way to go if you can handle the pace. Im from Phoenix myself and if I could do it over I would go through the ATP program and walk out with a ton of multi time to start. I lucked out and picked up a position instructing in a twin right off the bat. Not everyone is so lucky and you can get stuck some where trying to get that magic multi number you need to go somewhere else. I have a friend that is an instructor there and they seem to be pretty top notch. The instructors are on a contract if I understand right and if they dont do thier job well they are easily let go. Just my $.02
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Old 03-13-2008, 03:01 PM
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BTW where did you go to High school?
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Old 03-13-2008, 08:31 PM
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Gawd, I just saw a Westwind ad in Flight Training mag. They say "we don't just guarantee an interview, we guarantee a job" Like, THEY have better "in's" at the regionals than other schools. Wonder how that works?

They also say "Log Cessna Caravan turbine time for free"? Wonder how that works, too.

I hate shady marketing.....
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