BdubNYC

Hi everyone,

Ok - so I'm interested in going to flight school to get my ratings. I have been researching this forum and really can't figure out what to do. I have seen many arguments that make clean cases for fast track academy and local FBO's. My understanding of a fast track program that is a positive component - is that it's a completely immersed training program. You are flying every day, and when you're not flying - you're studying. This seems like a good way to train. Another positive aspect to the academies is that you can finance the program. I just don't have $45,000 laying around, and when I finish my Bachelors this year - I really won't have the funds to put forward to an FBO out-right. Are there anyways to get financing to ratings at an FBO?

I am looking at ATP at KLZU (Gwinette County, GA), does anyone have anything to say about this LOCATION. I understand some people hate ATP, or the fast track programs. Further more - does anyone know of an FBO that is in the same area that I could also look into? Anywhere around Atlanta really.

I just need to cover my bases before I commit to ATP and I want to make sure it the best possible decision.

Thanks everyone.
Regards

BdubNYC

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

jaded

Here's my 2 cents. I went through the FBO way. Some FBOs or local flight schools will have options like SallieMae or Key Bank to finance your training. I'm in the airlines now. I was in class with many people that either went through ATP or FBOs and what not and I've seen good pilots and bad pilots. I had a guy in my class that was a career changer and 2 years ago he left his career to go through ATP and instruct for ATP and a year later he was in the airlines with 1000 hours and he's an excellent pilot. In the end, no matter what anyone says, it's not about where you got your license or how you went about obtaining it. It's all about your attitude during training and your attitude towards safety, professionalism and in the end career goals. The FAA ultimately has a system of finding out your proficiency with their checkrides and quality airlines (especially now) will have their way of weeding out pilots during their interview and intense ground and sim training. There are people that fall through the cracks but those people rarely stay in the airlines longer than 1-5 years due to getting fired, washing out, quitting or end up killing themselves flying. If they do end up staying longer than 5 years then during that time, they realize they have to change their attitude about their flying. Hope that helps, goodluck in your flight training.

On an unrelated side note, right now if I had the credit for a 45K loan, I'd go back to college do something unrelated but lucrative like software engineering or medical school (well 200K credit) lol. I understand where you're coming from, I've been wanting to fly since I was a kid.

chongololo

But you can fast track yourself at a FBO too, there are instructors sitting around wanting to fly and planes sitting empty too.
You can contol your flight training more than you think, in fact you have more control over it at the FBO than at the academy.
There is no rush to get your ratings now though, think long and hard before borrowing that money.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

rickair7777

Very true. Most people get hung up on instructor availability. But the way around that is to explain up front that you want to fast-track. You may be able to find someone whose load is light and is willing to devote himself to you...especially right now. More likely you will need to get TWO instructors lined up to tag team you.

Obviously you need to lay out some rules up front...

- Written training schedule that everyone agrees to (2x flights per day M-F, one on Saturday, or whatever).
- Figure out a separate plan for ground training. If you are book-smart, you can do self-study with a textbook/workbook set and have your CFI check your knowledge.
- They have to agree to work together as a team. Ideally they already know each other.
- One will be the CFI-in-charge, and will have final say on program structure, techniques etc.
- They will work off of standard, written flight profiles, checklists, flows, etc.

ATLCFI

There is a school at KFTY with great rates. Also there are about 7 schools at KPDK. And on the opposite end of town from KLZU is a school in KFFC.

I think you'll find what you are looking for at one of these locations.

BdubNYC

This is all useful information, thank you guys. I am not against the notion of getting my ratings at a FBO. However, like I said - I will need to get a loan to pay for my ratings. I have until May to finish my Bachelors degree, but saving while in college as you know is pretty impossible. Luckily, I have been blessed and my parents have paid for my entire undergraduate eduction so I won't have college loans on top of flight loans. I just don't or will not have the funds available up front to pay for my flight training - thus the need for a loan. I guess I can just get a loan from the bank? I figured getting approved would be easier if it was a school loan (ie; Aviation Academy). Now, in the infinite greatness of parents - they have agreed to co-sign, as I am quite unsure a 25 year old could obtain a $30-40,000 loan, which help a great deal.

Some other concerns I have that RickAir has brought to my attention is the minimum flight hours for an FO that will be imposed by Congress. I think this is a fair move - I just wish they would also impose a minimum starting pay that is relative to the amount of training we go through. $50,000 sounds nice to start out. Considering I won't even start my training until July - it's imperative that where I go; I get going right away. It's going to take a while to get 1500 hours of MEI in. That's another thing that I liked about the fast track programs, although you guys make a good point regarding that option at an FBO.

Luckily, I do have some time while I finish my Bachelors degree to figure this out. Thanks again for all of this useful info.

Purpleanga

It's not worth it, anymore. You will be getting a 50K loan which will turn to 70k, for the equivalent of becoming a bus driver. There is no major CA that will be retiring tomorrow that would encourage you to pursue this career. Can you say the same for doctors and lawyers? Sometimes it's tough watching my old friends that actually have a life while I'm still stuck with a mid 90s car flying at the local airport waiting for my recall which will only put me back down at the bottom of a regional airline seniority list. And it will only get worse, I don't think we've seen the last of airline downsizing and furloughs. Starting pay for a law school graduate at the worst 2nd tier schools is 50,000 which you will never see as a pilot quite possibly for 5 to 10 years. Something else to think about.

BdubNYC

Wow - thanks for those encouraging words!!

JetDoc

Well he is a lot further down the same road you haven't even started on yet. You think he might know something about it that you don't? Not in any way trying to discourage you. Read the sticky at the top of this topic, do some more research...