I'm looking into going into a flight school and recently was in contact with Pan Am. They said they can give me my pvt, insturment, and commercial and multi for about $60,000. Also, they will set me up with a corporate job instead of instructing. Has anyone been there, or know of anywhere else that is good for becoming a airline/corporate pilot. Thanks in advance!

 

$60k? ouch. I know quality schools that will do that for half...


Is this corporate offer a guaranteed position (like being a CFI at ATP if you pass their checkrides)? if not, I really wouldn't let it sway your decision...

 

Yeah 60k is a lot. I'm sure the corporate offer isn't guranteed, but the guy told me on the phone that it's real easy to get one because of the whole pilots retiring and all...What about FlightSafety down in Vero Beach or Aerosim in Sanford, do you know anything about them?

 

You have A LOT of reading ahead of you. If you use the search function many of these "schools" have been discussed in detail.

Unless your parents will pay for every dollar of that 60k and ask for nothing in return I wouldn't consider it.

It's like paying $50,000 for a 2005 Honda civic when you can get the same car elsewhere for $5000.

 

Can you define for us what exactly this type of "corporate" job that you are being guaranteed? This sounds fishy.....terribly fishy.

USMCFLYR

 

The guy I talked to didn't really go into detail about the corporate job. I believe all he said about it was it would be flying cargo, supplies, or something like that. Also, USMC-sgt I will be paying for it, but I wont start until I finish college (which will be 1 yr.)

 

Glad to hear you still have a year to make a decision. Read this site religiously and ask questions. We will save you a lot of money. Strike this school from your memory and never look back.

 

That right there is a HUGE red flag. I'm a former corporate pilot, and it's definitely not easy to break into that industry. For an inexperienced pilot, it's basically impossible. If he also said cargo, that's another lie as you won't even have enough flight time to legally fly cargo.

Most of these recruiters will flat out lie about future job prospects and salaries, so I would not trust a single word they say. If you're lucky, you will find a halfway decent flight instructing gig after you get your ratings.

 

If he is quoting you 60k plan on it being 80k. I guarantee it. PLEASE don't fall into this trap! I highly doubt he can guarantee you a corporate job. Do not listen to these recruiters. There job is to bring you in and say anything to get you to write a check. 60k is way to much money to be paying for those certificates.ratings. You should be able to pay 1/2 that to acquire these. If you pay them 60k you are a total sucker. Do you realize you're paying an average of $315 an hour to rent an airplane? I assume he is quoting you a 141 program at 190 hours. Keep in mind 1/2 of the 190 hours will be solo. What are you thinking? You really need to investigate all your options.

A 61 program is the way to go at your local FBO or another flight school.

50 hours x $150 $7500 for a private
50 time building for your instrument $100 an hour $5000
40 hours dual $150 an hour for instrument 6000
80 hours time building $100 for commercial $8000
20 hours dual for commercial $200 $4000
20 hours multi $250 $5000

total $35,500 and have 60 more hours.

Now add $10000k for all your CFI's and you have a lot more then what they are charging and you will be able to find a job instructing for a total of $45000.

60K at Pan Am will find you shelling out another $30k to achieve the same thing as I out lined above.

 

stbloc - Thanks a lot! That really helps, I will definately reconsider!!!