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Sacramento, CA Flight School Recommendation

Old 03-01-2011, 11:23 AM
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Default Sacramento, CA Flight School Recommendation

Hello,

I would like to learn how to fly and get my Private Pilot License. It seems that in my area there are only 2 schools that teach how to fly:

Executive Flyers
Executive Flyers Inc. -- Sacramento, California

&

SkyWalk
Sky Walk, Inc. Flight Training - Home

I wonder if someone from here can make a recommendation or suggestion or what school to use.

Thank you in advance,
-Viktor
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Old 03-01-2011, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by vitek View Post
Hello,

I would like to learn how to fly and get my Private Pilot License. It seems that in my area there are only 2 schools that teach how to fly:

Executive Flyers
Executive Flyers Inc. -- Sacramento, California

&

SkyWalk
Sky Walk, Inc. Flight Training - Home

I wonder if someone from here can make a recommendation or suggestion or what school to use.

Thank you in advance,
-Viktor

I used Carter Flygare Instruction. It's upstairs in the Exec. Terminal. I have never before (or since) flown with a better instructor. Carter Flygare, go meet him.
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Old 03-01-2011, 05:13 PM
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look into wings flight school out of vacaville. they're 141&61 approved. check'em out
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Old 03-01-2011, 05:23 PM
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Carter is crazy, don't use his business. Shady guy.
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Old 03-01-2011, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by flyers36 View Post
Carter is crazy, don't use his business. Shady guy.

????

Could you explain that please. That would be news to me.
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Old 03-02-2011, 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted by ZBowFlyz View Post
????

Could you explain that please. That would be news to me.
He does not have a good reputation on the field for safety. There's been some incidents.

Executive Flyers and Skywalk are both good schools and send a lot of folks to airlines.
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Old 03-02-2011, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Hayduke View Post
He does not have a good reputation on the field for safety. There's been some incidents.

Executive Flyers and Skywalk are both good schools and send a lot of folks to airlines.

Really? I knew he had an accident years ago, in his Barron. Maybe theres been some new things happen since I was there (5-6 years ago). Regarding his Barron accident, I spoke with him about it and he told me exactally what happened, what the FAA said and all that stuff. After I spoke with him about it it actually made me feel better about flying with him than the other guys I started with. I got my IFR, Multi, and Multi Comm with him and I never felt safety was an issue.

To the OP, this is the kind if thing you want to know about before flying with them. If it was me, I'd go talk to him. See what you think after a face to face meeting. He is still the best CFI I've ever flown with, YMMV. Maybe talk to his current students as well because it has been a long time since I was there. When I was there the other outfits on the field were full of 250 hr wonders. Perhaps things have changed? Go see him and then go with your gut.
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Old 03-02-2011, 09:22 PM
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Wow!!! Very, very interesting guys... I was actually there today talking with Carter. He seems to be a nice guy, but there was a few times during our conversation where something wasn't sounding right to me or questionable. Choosing school is tougher than I anticipated. Any more comments on Executive Flyers or Skywalk? I think I'll choose one of those schools. Thanks again.
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Old 03-02-2011, 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by vitek View Post
Wow!!! Very, very interesting guys... I was actually there today talking with Carter. He seems to be a nice guy, but there was a few times during our conversation where something wasn't sounding right to me or questionable. Choosing school is tougher than I anticipated. Any more comments on Executive Flyers or Skywalk? I think I'll choose one of those schools. Thanks again.
Good to hear you're taking the right steps! One mistake people make is not researching schools enough. Sounds like you are doing it right but remember, you can also do so much research that your decision becomes a nightmare. I tried to get a few basic questions out of the way, the most important things to me. Then I went with my gut feeling and had pretty good luck.

I'm disappointed people don't have many good things to say about Carter. I used him and I liked him. He never did anything dangerous or questionable with billing. But to each his own I guess

All I know about those other schools is dated. So I won't say much other than they used to be full of time builders and airline wannabes. Cal Aggie isn't far from there either and they have a pretty good record
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Old 06-23-2011, 10:19 PM
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I know this thread is a little old but this may help someone else out in picking a training facility in the Sacramento/Davis area.

I'm currently a student at Skywalk. I've also been a student with Cal Aggies.

The difference between those two schools are huge and quite honestly not even in the same class. Go to Skywalk if you plan on making flying a career. Skywalk is quite structured in their training program. The instructors are also very helpful and professional in the way they teach. The downside is they aren't cheap and plan on paying nearly double of what they advertise on their website unless you are a gifted natural and are able to complete their course in the minimal time. The other thing is their fleet has seen better days. With the rates they charge I'd expect the planes to be in better shape appearance wise. I'm not suggesting they aren't airworthy. Skywalk is an excellent choice if you are wanting to become a professional pilot.

Cal Aggies is a good place to go if you want a real laid back environment to learn. I'd say this facility is best suited for the retired folk, someone who aspires to be a crop duster on their farm or those looking to advance no further than their private pilot cert. I was with them for a few months and I'd say even though learning was less stressful with them, I was definitely short changed in what I was being taught. I tried a couple different instructors while I was there with the same result each time. The majority of the time I went up in Davis it seemed like we did whatever the instructor pulled out of his backside to practice. It seemed random. The lack of structure bothered me. On the plus side, their fleet is really awesome. Appearance wise they are great, the rates are the best in the area and the planes are ALWAYS full on fuel (the extra .2 on the Hobbs to taxi to the pumps start to add up after a while).

I personally feel that training out of a towered field sets the bar early on for being a proficient pilot. Skywalk definitely sets a high expectation for their students. If you don't meet it, you will be repeating the material until you do.

The FARs require all flight schools to teach the necessary material, maneuvers and procedures. It will happen at either one of these locations.

If someone has further questions on my experiences at either one of these locations, I'd be glad to elaborate further.
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