Just a heads up...I'm 99% sure the free housing in Jacksonville is only during the instructor training. So expect to fork over $300 / month and share a bedroom. Typically the first 1-3 months in Jacksonville are spent answering phones at the call center and then you are sent to any one of the locations when an instructor openning occurs. So be prepared to move anywhere in the country. I think the waiting list for instructors has gotten shorter, but it took about 8 months after I finished the program before I got the call from them for a job.
Jobs are hard to come by in the beginning, but they are definitely out there. Just so you have an idea of what to expect, I would say that I make about $1400 a month flight instructing right now. It's tough, but if you have your finances in order, you can get by.

Hi im in the same boat as you are, looking for a flight school. I live in the Jacksonville area and I have vistied the ATP school. To be honest it wasnt for me. The guy seems more like a cars sells man (a bad one) than a flight instructor. They really didnt explain their program well other than give me 8,000 and will give you your license. If your going to come to jax to fly, ir recomend atlantic aviation, their is where i plan on going myself. Their are also two other flight schools at craig airport, such as steerling wings (i took my first flight class their) and north east or something like that. As far as room goes, you can look to spend around 300 for a studio.

Not to hijack your thread but i also meant to ask, what other paths can you do in order to build up hours other than cfi?

Just spend a few days or weeks reading threads on the Part 91 and Low Time Forum at APC. Your question has been dealt with pretty thoroughly. Lots of ideas are there, and many new pilots in your shoes are asking similar questions. You will greatly expand your employment options also by getting your flight instructor's certificates.

-Cub

Just out of curiosity, the regional airlines are the ones that train you with a turbine right and jet time as well?

Age 65 won't be your first issue... the 1500 hours will be. And that will be the minimum to qualify for the regional FO job at really, really poor pay (I wouldn't get too wound up on that pay increasing with higher hours... there are too many guys who will and continue to do it for almost nothing).

Getting the 1500 hours will be more competitive, and then with the economy, the likelihood of getting hired at the minimum is slim... maybe more like 2500 hours to realistically get a job for poor pay.

Metalhead, Im checking out Atlantic aviations website and it looks like a pretty solid program. What are you reasons for going with them, and do you know how much the total pilot program is?

I was planing on going with them because their instructors just dont want to build hours, they are actually their to teach. The one person i talk to has been an instructor for the navy since the 70,s its going to cost around 6900 plus tax i also found a independent cfi at the airport that is near my house (5 minutes walking) versus Atlantic aviation, which is over an hour away. Im just lost on where to go. The independent cfi is just going to charge me 20 an hour for instruction, ground school is free.

Man twenty an hour is a steal. How good of an instructor is the guy though? when istarted training in '02 it was 32 an hour for the instructor and 49 an hour for the plane. I might be skeptical of a instructor offering 20 bucks an hour instruction and free ground unless he is just doing this for fun and not really trying to make a ton of money(iam thinking maybe an older person who has retired and is doing this for the hell of it)

i thought so to, but it turns out they guy just started flying about a year and half ago with his commercials, and he just wants to help others who cant afford their license get it