AF CFI Academy
 

I know this has been talked about a lot, but is there anyone who recently graduated the AF CFI academy-Preferably in Pompano Beach, FL? And if so, was the training what they expected? PRO's and CON's

I just graduated from there. I have pages and pages on the place. If you offer a bit more information about yourself, you'll get a better answer.

Not sure what else I can tell you. I meet the requirements that make you eligible to start you CFI/CFII. I'm just looking for information on your/or anyones experience, especially from that school. I understand it's a 30 day course and possibly longer and I have no problem with that. Do you need my Social Security to answer that question??

I went there a while ago. I think it is the best program they have to offer. I still remember the RG they have, "pumpkin." I would recommend Black as an examiner if you get the choice. He's tough but very fair. Pm me if you have any other questions.

I am going there for the CFI 30 day in August. Looking forward to it, and looking for a place to stay...

I attended American Flyers in Addison, Texas. Their program is very good, but expect on paying more than the advertised price. Expect to pay around $5500 for CFII and CFI-A. I would assume it is relatively similar at there other locations.

Thanks for the info..I also heard that it will cost you more than the amount they advertised. Cakeonit, are you going to the Pompano location? might see you there! I'm currently corresponding with someone who is in the CFI class now and he said the teacher is great and worth the time and money!

I am looking to go to the Pompano location in July and was wondering what is included in the advertised $2995 price. Is it just for the ground instruction or is some of it to cover flight hours?

As far as written exam prep, are some of the 30 days dedicated to it or is it an additional cost and time commitment? I only ask because I have already taken them and don't want to spend additional money reviewing for tests that I have already completed.

Riddleflyer, I was thinking of the July class as well in Pompano. I was at the school a couple of times last week talking to students currently in the CFI academy. The $2995 does cover 10 hours of flying. 5 for your CFI and 5 for your CFII. Now, where they get you is if you need additional time its billable at $240 an hour and that's plane and instructor. Also, they dedicate two weekends for preparation for the exams. One guy said if you already have the test completed you can slip out that weekend or stay as a refresher. All the above is what a current student is telling me so if any information is not accurate I'm sorry. let me know if you decide to attend!

FlynPopo,

The billable amount you stated is incorrect. When I attended my course in Addison, TX, AF CFI academy students were given discount on how much each flight hour with an instructor cost. The amount is $150/hr (Plane and instructor) while you are still in the academy. Once you finish your initial, then rates go back to normal.

Thanks Rickdb!Like I mentioned above, a current student was giving me this info. wasn't sure how accurate it was. I did talk to an instructor there and was asking him some specifics on prices and he told me he didn't know. He said the school doesn't discuss with them hourly rates for the planes or sims. I did some IFR refresher with him in the simpro and it cost me $219 for 1.2! Ridiculous if you ask me. Can't see the airplane being cheaper than that.

Flynpopo,

Before I went to the CFI academy in Addison, TX I was sent a cost breakdown. I actually still have it in my email. The discounted rates are available for the aircraft, sim, and ground. The rates are 150/hr, 100/hr, and 75/hr, respectively for academy students. Being that AF has multiple locations, I would assume that these are standard rates for their CFI academy students.

Otherwise, their normal prices are ridiculous, but not bad if you are in the CFI academy.

Yes, I'm heading to PMP for the August class. Are you planning on rooming at the LaQuinta?

Cakeonit, see you there in August :cool: I am going to be doing the academy too.

cakeonit, I think I'm going to the July 10 class. I actually live in Ft. Lauderdale so no I'm not staying at the LaQuinta. Still evaluating other options/schools right now.

Does anyone have a thought on getting the CFI at a fbo or doing the accelerated route (I got my commercial and multi the accelerated route and was thinking about AmFlyers). I started my CFI at my fbo last year before stopping 1/2 way through due to $ problems. I now have got a loan from my parents and want to start again. My instructor (also the chief pilot) is a great guy but I think to laid back for me and I had a hard time learning from him....if thats possible. On the other hand this is the place I would like to work once I get my CFI so Im wondering how he would take it knowing I got my CFI somewhere else. Has anyone else gone through this? There are a few other FBO's in the area so if push comes to shove I could try those. I think I may go talk with him to see what his thoughts would be on this matter.

Jamin- you seem to be on the right track by talking to your current instructor about taking a different route for your CFI, especially if you want to work there. Keep in mind the course at AF CFI academy will extend out more than 30 days in most cases. Also, if you need additional training in the plane it will cost you more for that as well. They give you 10 hours total for the CFI/CFII, 5 for each rating. I don't like the 30 day straight comittment of AF, but I do know the guy teaching it is great. So you have to evaluate all the total possibilities of time, money, quality of instruction and most important-what is the best learning environment for Jamin35008! There are a lot of great guys with tons of experience and great information on this forum who probably can give you a better answer, but I hope this helps!

Flyn,
Thanks for that info! I know that I should talk with him, but what to say? Im sorry I dont really learn great from the way you teach so I was thinking of going somewhere else to get my CFI but hope that I can teach here when Im done.......I know that sounds really up front but I really dont know how to approach this one.....any help would be great! Thanks Again!

I completely understand your situation because I had a similiar one, lol... What I did was referenced what I learned in the FOI portion of the CFI training about how students learn. We all learn different ways and it's up to the instructor to present the material in way we have a clear understanding. Now with that being said, remember your instructor is not there to teach you everything all over again-but he should be teaching you how to teach the material you already know. I completely see your frustrations, because like I said it happened to me. I think if your honest and explain to him that you may need a more structured approach/classroom environment, he would respect that. Also tell him you want to be part of his team in the future and would going to another school for training impact that endeavor. Good Luck to you!

FOI: learning is "active." That means you have to actually teach in order to learn be a good teacher. One huge advantage that places like AF and FlightSafety have over the FBO is that they make you teach all the time, and they put you in a classroom where you have ready colleagues who teach you, and whom you teach. You learn as much by watching their mistakes as you do from making your own.

The problem with AF is that they lean too heavily on that "seminar" concept, and don't give as much individually managed ground instruction and feedback as would be optimal.

Still, you can survive without extra feedback and handholding; but you can't learn to teach without teaching.

Overall, AF offers a very good venue for the motivated student. The lead ground instructor at AF Pompano is extremely knowledgeable, very opinionated, has tons of experience, has thought through the maneuvers until he can fly them with a set of feathers, and is fanatically devoted to producing a better grade of flight instructors (in fact, a better grade than the aviation world is willing to pay a fair price for). He can also be hilarious. Their senior flight instructors can fly rings around you.

AF has to compete with other schools that are promising the moon and the stars; so they do just a bit of bait-n-switch, but they don't really break any promises. It's a good product. Just be aware it will take up to 50% longer and cost up to 50% more than advertised.