Kobe_238

I've been looking in to flight schools and right now it's between Delta Connection Academy and National Pilot Academy. Has anyone heard anything about them, good or bad?

Thanks.

LAfrequentflyer

DCA is not a good deal at all. If you're serious about getting your ratings and knowing how much time / money it will take try www.allatps.com


There are quite a few people on this site that have gone there and they can tell you its a good deal. I've done a good bit of research and its where I plan on going when I transition from the military.

Good luck in your decision.

V/r,
LAFF

DaveP2

I did their "all in one" 4-day school just this past March. Day one was computer-assisted study (question bank) and then the ATP written; day two was the same for the FE written (94% and 98%, respectively). Day three was simulator work in the Piper Arrow and two training flights; day four was the checkride. The training was $2195 and the FAA check was $350 (in cash). There are pre-requisites of course, but they have a number of other courses available as well. The curriculum seemed pretty controlled and the instructor staff was mainly low to mid-time CFI building time. The whole experience was pretty good; standardized instruction and a professional staff all around.

pilot4455

I had hoped to attend National Pilot Academy last fall, but had some personal delays that prevented me from doing so. I am going to be enrolling into the Tucson location later this year.

I did a ton of research on different programs and I always come back to National Pilot Academy as my first choice. When I compared them to Delta Connection Academy it struck me that National Pilot Academy places the majority of their graduates with SkyWest but Delta Connection Academy does not. If Delta Connection Academy is owned by Delta then why are they not placing students with one of Delta's best regional carrier's? (Remember, Skywest owns ASA) Seemed to be that the sales pitch of being "owned by an airline" was just that, a sales pitch that really did nothing to benefit the student.

National Pilot Academy also lets you get more hours (1,100) for less money. They provide 1-on-1 training, dedicated aircraft, and guarantee you a position working as a flight instructor. With DAC, you have to "apply" to become a CFI.

AirWillie

NPA gives you the same hours as any other school for 50-60K. It's a very expensive school. The 1100 is the time their instructors are hired at. pilot4455, trust me on this, there is no school out there that guarantees you a flight instructor position. The academies aren't stupid, they aren't going to give just anybody an instructor position. There are loopholes to getting around that "guarantee" so don't go to a school based on them giving you a guaranteed position because it might not happen. If you want to go to Skywest you don't have to go to NPA, just go and become and instructor in Salt Lake are. I know a skywest pilot who told me that they hire CFIs mostly from the SLC area only.

qaluunat

They do hire all of their students to be graduates, unless obviously, they are a safety hazard. Unless you have no sense at all, you will instruct when you are finished with the program.