globalexpress

Guys

Here's the situation: Chinese air traffic controller, so I assume he speaks good English. He certainly writes well.

Wants to go from zero to commercial multi-instrument and train in the U.S.
Can't afford big "brand name" flight schools like All ATPs or Flight Safety

Is well aware of the costs and pros/cons of becoming a professional pilot.

Can any of you recommend a good flight school in the U.S. where he will get good training at a fair price? Bonus points for low cost of living and perhaps housing/transportation availability. Bigger bonus points if the flight school has a history of working with Chinese and/or foreign students.

If you could list some flight schools that he can look at, that would be great. I am out of the loop with this type of stuff.

Thanks!

Mr Immlemann

Im kinda in the same boat. 21 year old PPL looking to advance the ratings in the most economical fashion. After discussing the topic endlessly, I would say depending on his location in the country, look for a local FBO with the cheapest airplane/instructor prices. This is not saying find the worst instructors, just where you can stretch those bills. No need for a glass cockpit for now. That will come later on if he/she does follow through. In the KPHX area, and everywhere in general, there is a HUGE fluctuation in prices. In the ritzy ditzy part of town, a C172S NAV III and CFI will run 200$. Drive a little bit out of town, and your down do $150 for a C172S and CFI (this is a respectable price, anything more and your getting ripped off ). If he/she can find a 152 for $70 and instruction for 30$ then your down to $100. Although, this is becoming hard to find.

globalexpress

He lives in China, otherwise I would have passed similar advice. He is randomly searching the Internet for flight schools after having determined that he cannot afford schools like Flight Safety. He plans on flying out here and doing all of his flight training, so I think he needs some solid recommendations vs. randomly choosing a school. He sent a few links of some random schools he was looking at, and the only one I recognized was Sunrise Aviation out of Ormond Beach, FL.

Mr Immlemann

Gotcha. Well if he is interested in Arizona KPHX area, like I said there, there is a bunch of flying out here. I know Transpac and Panam (I think they are at Deer Valley) all deal with foreign students, and are def less than FSI. As far as an FBO, from what I have heard, there is Sawyer Aviation and Southwest flight center at KSDL (both are good), and Arizona Aviation Flight Services out at Falcon Field. There are a bunch more but I am familiar with these. Arizona Flight Services might be a little cheaper for training as well as living expenses.

SriLanka

I'm too on same boat.

SriLanka

Can you name a school with cessna 152 and Instructor fee for 100$?

Mr Immlemann

The best I could find by briefly looking is Kelly's Aviation at Ryan Airfield in Tucson (KRYN). They have a C150 for 76 and instructor for 40. I think there is one more place at RYN that has something similar. Just remember, after the PPL, you'll need something IFR which means more expensive. Around 100 for a IFR 172, not including instructor, is about right.

SriLanka

thanks for the information. But kellys aviation doesn't offer any international programmes (I checked their web site). Because I'm from SriLanka.
And what is the another place?
And what are the meaning of these?
1.KRYN
2.RYN

Thank You.

PearlPilot

Hey Sri Lanka, KRYN and RYN means the same thing. It is the 3 letter designation for a U.S. airport. I think the best bet for you is to start getting some reading material and familiarize yourself about flying. I can suggest a few books here.
1. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
2. Airplane Flying Handbook

Both of these books are available in online formats on faa.gov. Start researching and start reading and start studying hard. I mean no offense here, but learning about aviation in an aviation forum (no matter how good this forum) is not the best way for any newcomer to go.

Sure some of your questions will be answered. But learning to fly is kind of like going to school. You read, take tests, you learn how to perform maneuvers, you will be tested on them, you study hard, you pass, sometimes you don't, you cry, you laugh, sometimes you have a great time, at other times you don't.

ATLCFI

In your search you can also look at FultonAviation.com in Atlanta. There rates are reasonable. They have international students and use a C-172 for about $107/hr and instructor rate $40/hr.

Good luck with your search.