Zack

I have been reading alot of threads on this forum and it is craned packed with information. But i have a few questions. I'm working on my PPL now. I'm moving down to Daytona when i graduate high school next year. I'm looking at flight schools there to finish up my training. I'm planning on going to embry riddle for Air traffic management as a back up plan degree and minoring in aviation Law. the flight school at embry is way to over priced. I have seen a few schools that look good. here is a few let me know what you all think about them.

ATP
Flight School, Pilot Training in Florida - Phoenix East Aviation Flight School | Phoenix East Aviation
The Airline Academy
http://www.daytonaaviationacademy.com/rates.html

snippercr

Let me be the first to say welcome to the forums! How has the PPL training been?

...but also let me be the first to NICELY advise a use of the search feature to view any of the many threads over each of those schools. They are among the most popularly discussed ones (especially ATP) and you will find a plethora of information on them.

Given that you HAVE been reading, I'll give you a cliff notes on most of those big 141 "Pilot mill" schools.

Good: They are total immersion, you eat live and breathe aviation because at the rate you go, you have literally time for nothing else. You do in 90 days what most people (including myself) did in 2 or 3 years. You get LOTS of multi-engine time (ATP) and that is very difficult to get otherwise. TT builds really quickly with entry level 91 jobs (Flight instructing, banner towing, jumper dumper, piper patrol, etc). A lot of them have good bridge programs with the airlines. Airlines are hiring. ATP also will hire you straight as a CFI which looks good on a resume and is a nice way to build time.

Bad: They are total immersion, you eat live and breathe aviation because at the rate you go, you literally have time for nothing else. You do in 90 days what most people (including myself) did in 2 or 3 years. Yes, those points are both good AND bad. It is a lot of money right up front. However, I ran the numbers, last time I looked at ATP for what you got, the rates were not that bad. The problem is some schools that ask for money up from go belly up without a warning and you are out money. ATP seems pretty solid but so did PanAM. Quality of training: Many people argue that you are taught for a checkride and receive very little other training. Also, especially on these boards, there is a negative stigma surrounding these type of schools. I don't think it would really set you behind others in job hunt, but be aware some people thumb their nose at these schools.

Well there you go. Hope that leads you in the right direction but like I said, these schools are discussed much more in depth than what I posted. Good luck!

stbloc

all 3 are bad choices. Phoenix isn't so bad however they are not the cheap school they once were. If you find a good instructor try Air America. It's not a school just a rental facility on the field. If your looking for some accelerated training try ATP. I think ALL ATP is your best bet.

l1011

Unless you are looking to get ratings in a hurry I would not recommend any of the pilot mills. As far as a degree, get it in something other than aviation, you will then be much more marketable if you decide that an aviation career is not for you. If you pick a good flight instructor your local fbo can be a great way to earn your ratings and cheaper too!

I speak from experience, I started out at a big part 141 school. After receiving my private I realized i could have done it much cheaper elsewhere and transferred to another university to work on a non flying aviation degree and I completed my ratings under part 61 through a few local fbo's. Although I love flying and my career aspirations point towards a lifetime of aviating, looking back on it I wish I would have pursued a degree that had nothing to do with aviation.

Everyone has their own opinion on the pilot mills like atp, the quality of instruction is probably as good as you will get anywhere but you do pay a price for getting everything quick. You should really ask yourself if you want to go into that much debt before you jump into the fire.

Best of luck to you in what ever path you take.

Walkeraviator

I guess I will throw my $.02 in here. First off, good call on air traffic management. I am currently wishing they would stop hiring only AT-CTI grads and start hiring off the street again. I want to switch to ATC but didnt do an AT-CTI school and am too old to start it and be done before the age restriction to start. The pilot shortage is a myth, but controller shortages are not.

As for flight schools, unless it has a changed alot, I woudl avoid Phoenix East. I did a few hours of training there and then found a Part 61 school called Cloud Dancer Aviation. They have since moved to DeLand airport, which is a 20 minute drive from Daytona. Over by the CAP there are a bunch of hangars. There are flight schols that come and go all the time over there that are usually WAY cheaper than Pheonix East or Riddle. Just be prepared to fly ugly planes. They are safe, just not pretty. Also look into flight schools in New Smyrna or Ormond. If you are gonna have a car down there, it might be worth it to drive to the nearby airports. There used to be a flight school called Epic in New Smyrna... and I know there are usually two schools at Ormond, but its usually a new school or a school under a new name every few years.

Again I will take this chance to plug Cloud Dancer Aviation in Deland, FL. Its a bit of a drive, but the owner cares about his students. He always told us "we dont train pilots, we make aviators." I did my Instrument through MEI there (with teh execption of a multi-commercial add-on at riddle...had to do one on campus for degree). The planes are well maintained.

Gussan

I was giving up after my time wasted in other school, their instructors culture is just to build their hours in your money and end up with over 50 flight hours with 0 FAA training requirements. But I fond this great school it's next to Daytona airport on the Aviation center Pkwy, it call Daytona Aviation Academy, you fly at $80 per hour and you get 40% off for instructions cost. No hidden fee or over charges and flexible schedules.
Check out the rate on the website www.daytonaaviationacademy.com
www.daytonaaviationacademy.com/rates
www.daytonaaviationacademy.com/courses