Other than the cost? I fail to see what an academy can offer you that a local flight school (FBO) can't offer you.

 

You might get to wear a nifty uniform, and fly a CRJ simulator.

 

You are very perceptive.

The academy will provide the additional service of holding $80K-120K of your money for "safe" keeping. In fact they will probably insist on it...

 

An "academy" can be more structured than obtaining cert. and ratings at an FBO. The benefit is that it somewhat resembles airline training. I got my pvt. at an FBO and the rest at a flight school (which by the way was much less expensive than say Delta Connection Academy.) There are pros and cons to both. Research, research, research. Visit the place before you decide to go if you can. Ask current students at prospective schools about their experience. They will give you no fluff answers. I enjoyed going to flight school better than the FBO experience, however some flight schools will make you pay for the name. Find an average price, study hard, get your CFII/MEI, get hired as an instructor, get 1200 hrs and go to the regionals or Airnet. The goal is to not be $100,000 in debt by the time you get to Comair or Ameriflight. Good luck, we're all in it together!