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American Flyers Internship

Old 03-31-2006, 06:03 PM
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Default American Flyers Internship

I have been looking around at some of the postings about FBO's vs. Academies on the site and came across a posting about the American Flyers internship. I have looked over their website and gathered some information about the 24 month program, seeing as I am currently working on my PPL and already have a four year degree I was thinking about applying to the internship. Anybody on here done this or know of anyone who has? Is there something I'm not seeing here? It sounds almost too good to be true!!
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Old 03-31-2006, 06:40 PM
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I'd apply for an internship at a regional or major airline. Better yet, get a job on the ramp and build your time, get your CFI and ramp rat part time while doing that to suppliment (and have a better shot getting hired with lower time). For some reason this just screams of "flight instruct for free".

I'd avoid AF. They had a little issue with passing people that shouldn't have passed up in Chicago a couple years ago and the direct result is that all CFI checkrides are taken with feds up there right now and the first time pass rate of about 5%. My buddy came back to St. Louis to take the checkride because it was cheaper than the inevitable retest six weeks later.
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Old 04-01-2006, 06:14 AM
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Default American Flyers Internship

Originally Posted by bigD
I have been looking around at some of the postings about FBO's vs. Academies on the site and came across a posting about the American Flyers internship. I have looked over their website and gathered some information about the 24 month program, seeing as I am currently working on my PPL and already have a four year degree I was thinking about applying to the internship. Anybody on here done this or know of anyone who has? Is there something I'm not seeing here? It sounds almost too good to be true!!

bigD:

It's not to good to be true. Just as rickair7777 mentioned on another thread about AF {see DCA posts under Flight Training}, you are gonna work your a$$ off, however the experience you receive (along with the $$$$ ) is IMO worth it.

There is nothing wrong with hard work & sacrifice. In the end, you will value the time & effort you put into your training. This not to say however that you wouldn't feel the same after attending one of the academies. On the other hand, where can you get your CFII, AMEL, and still receive training (performing the duties ) of a Flight Department Manager. 2-4-1; not bad in my book. Perserverance is the key though.

Last edited by atpwannabe; 04-01-2006 at 06:20 AM.
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Old 04-01-2006, 06:54 AM
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I had a student who got his private with me, and he just recently researched all the big flight academies. I believe he has already chosen to move out to Florida to get his licenses/ratings. I was giving him some advice along the way, and I told him that American Flyers looked like the worst. No multi time, aircraft were way too expensive, and no chance of getting ANY MEI time.

Can you explain exactly how this internship works? What do you need to pay for, what do they pay for, and what work do you have to do to gain the salary?

Thanks, and I will pass this information along.
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Old 04-01-2006, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by ryane946
I had a student who got his private with me, and he just recently researched all the big flight academies. I believe he has already chosen to move out to Florida to get his licenses/ratings. I was giving him some advice along the way, and I told him that American Flyers looked like the worst. No multi time, aircraft were way too expensive, and no chance of getting ANY MEI time.

Can you explain exactly how this internship works? What do you need to pay for, what do they pay for, and what work do you have to do to gain the salary?

Thanks, and I will pass this information along.
This info is what I recall from a few years ago, might be different now...

You need a PPL to start. The internship phase pays $1000+ month flat salary and you work as the assistant operations / assistant sales manager. You probably work 6 days/week 12 hours/day. During this time you get all your ratings including CFI/CFII at no charge. Once you finish CFII, you become a regular instructor and get paid like other instructors.

You may be able to get sales bonuses, and continue to work operations while instructing to supplement your income.

I think it takes 1-2 years to get all the ratings, but it is a pretty good deal on the flight training. As I said before, the local manager is crucial to your success (SMO branch has a good guy), and I think they run about 50% washout rate for interns, due to the long hours. Be prepared to deal with customers and sales.

Also, AF only does ME in their Florida branch, so you will need a plan to get that ME time...maybe get an MEI and work on the side.
You could conceivably do this and get to the regional level with no debt.
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Old 04-01-2006, 09:23 AM
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Default AF Internship

Originally Posted by rickair7777
This info is what I recall from a few years ago, might be different now...

You need a PPL to start. The internship phase pays $1000+ month flat salary and you work as the assistant operations / assistant sales manager. You probably work 6 days/week 12 hours/day. During this time you get all your ratings including CFI/CFII at no charge. Once you finish CFII, you become a regular instructor and get paid like other instructors.

You may be able to get sales bonuses, and continue to work operations while instructing to supplement your income.

I think it takes 1-2 years to get all the ratings, but it is a pretty good deal on the flight training. As I said before, the local manager is crucial to your success (SMO branch has a good guy), and I think they run about 50% washout rate for interns, due to the long hours. Be prepared to deal with customers and sales.

Also, AF only does ME in their Florida branch, so you will need a plan to get that ME time...maybe get an MEI and work on the side.
You could conceivably do this and get to the regional level with no debt.

ryane946:

Again, rickair7777 is correct. However, may I add that in addition to the $1000/mo in salary, you would receive an additional $500/mo. for shelter/living expenses making for a total of $1500/mo.

Also, the Florida location, Pompano Beach Airport, is the only location that I know of as well that would allow you to attain the MEL rating. The person your trainee needs to contact is Dave Houser in the Chicago office. I think his number is 800-327-0808.

Blue skies.
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