HornetAT

Hi all,

This is my first post. I'm 21, an E-5 in the Navy, and and avionics technician at Oceana NAS in Virginia. I have about a year left on my contract and want to get out when it's up and move back home to Orlando. I have the G.I. Bill and want to use it towards training, with the ultimate long-term goal of securing a FO position with a regional outfit, then eventually with a major.

I've been researching various flight schools for the past week, and even visited one (DCA). To be honest, I wasn't impressed with DCA - at all. I guess I'm used to working around modern equipment, and their's was anything but. What it all boils down to is the most bang for my buck. Where can I get the best training, for the most cost-effective price?

The purpose of this post isn't a, "I'd like your advice on this school," type deal. I'm just curious, for those of you who have already achieved goals similar to mine, of the route YOU took to get there, and the pro's and con's of the route you took.

I've got a year to decide what MY plan will be, but hopefully with your input I can make a more logical and smart decision. Thanks.

Chris

ryane946

Go down this forum to the posts on DCA, Flight Safety, and ATP, then read those. I also agree that DCA is a bad place. Flight Safety or a local FBO are my recommendations.

P.S. General Aviation aircraft can be old. Most the planes I have flown were built in the late 70's and early 80's. If you want to become a FO for a regional (aka get 1000hrs), I promise you will fly some of this old equipment.

rickair7777

The GI Bill will require that you attend what is called a part 141 flight school. This will limit your options somewhat, but there are still many of them out there. GI Bill will re-imburse you for 60% of most training costs. You will need to take out a loan (or save up cash), pay for the flight training, then submit paperwork to the VA to get reimbursed. However, some 141 schools do have a tendenancy to tack an extra % onto their prices for GI Bill students..obviously a scam. When you approach a school, don't tell them you are GI Bill (try to have long hair), get the 61 and 141 prices in writing, THEN ask about the GI Bill. They can't really raise the price at that point.

Also, consider training at a part 61 school (no GI Bill) and saving your GI Bill for college...you WILL need a 4 year degree to get a job at a major airline (you will be competing with all those F-14 LCDRs with masters degrees). You are probably better off just getting your flight training first, then perhaps work as a CFI (or at a regional) while doing college.


You are pretty perceptive about DCA, most of the big-name, "glossy-brochure" flight academies charge WAY too much for what you get. They often want $60-90K. And they love guys like you who are used to obeying orders and not complaining...that way they can sign you up for $100K+ in student loans, they get the cash, and you get to eat top-ramen for ten years while paying it all off on regional airline pay.

There isn't really too much quality variance in entry-level flight training. The "Best" training is hard to define. The FAA sets the standard, anything less than that is illegal, anything more than the FAA minimum is expensive and usually unnecessary.

Larger schools may have better classroom instruction, but you will pay tens of thousands of dollars for it! If you find a good small school that has everything you need at a reasonable price, you can supplement your aviation knowldedge with textbooks, online courses, or local college courses for WAY less money than the big schools charge.

In general aviation, expect all aircraft to look like complete POS's...that way you won't be disappointed.


The typical training program at a small/medium flight school or FBO is usually the most cost-effective. The large schools usually rip you off, and a one-man/one-airplane operation may not be able to fly enough to make good use of your time.

You need these ratings in this order (ME could come later if you want), and I have estimated reasonable costs:

PPL: $6-10K (No GI Bill for this)
IR: $4-6K
COMM: $10-12K
ME: $3K
CFI: $3-4K
CFII: $2K
MEI: $3-4K

Starting from scratch, this could take 6-10 months full time. When you're done you can get a job as a CFI and start building time towards a regional job (usually 1000 total time and 100 multi-engine are the minimums, although this depends on market conditions).

If anybody wants to sell you MORE than what I described, you really need to understand WHY? (usually because they are going to make a lot of money off of your @ss). There are VERY few shortcuts that actually work, and they almost all cost way more than they are worth. You don't need to pay tens of thousands of dollars for jet aircraft training or "airline operations" training. You get that for free when you get hired at an airline!

When you check out a school, try to grab a student on the ramp, lounge, or smoking area and ask what THEY think about the place. Also try to talk to an instructor.

BTW, get a FAA First Class medical before you start. Airlines usually require one, and want to be sure you can pass before you spend money.

HornetAT

Thanks for the replies! I talked to Air Orlando, an FBO at KORL, and they said they have submitted paperwork to the FAA to become a Part 141 school, in which case, that would be perfect for me since I'm so close. They also said they would, if approved, be Part 141 by the time I would be looking at starting training (early/mid 2007).

rickair7777: If I may ask, what route did you take to get to where you are today?

rickair7777

Navy, medical DQ for flight, transfer to other community, got civilian ratings on the side.