WEACLRS

Go look at DCA. While you are there (on DCA's dime - they will fly you down) go to DeLand (just up the road) and look at RAA (Regional Airline Academy). It will give you a good comparision between the two. Others you can compare include FlightSafety, Sierra (in CA), Pan Am, even American Flyers.

A couple of thoughts (this has all been much hashed - others out here will have different opinions):

1. Do NOT give any academy/flight school a lump sum up front. Keep the money in your pocket and dole it out to the school of your choice $1000 - $1500 at a time. I believe Key Bank, who does a lot of student aviation funding has stopped giving schools the entire check up front. Several academies in the past couple of years have closed with no notice and kept all the students money. In some cases they were taking checks from students up to the day before they shut the doors. It's your money, keep control of it.

2. Regional airlines don't care one bit about jet transistion programs. Complete your CFI/CFII/MEI, teach for a year, get to 1000/100, apply to the regional of your choice, keep applying, be patient. One exception - RAA is offering a type rating (not jet transistion) in the CRJ at CAE in Denver (no, you can't do it through CAE alone). The instructors teaching it, and the Chief Pilot at CAE, are line captains at Air Wisconsin. Air Wisconsin loves it because they get to evaluate new pilots for four weeks, hire them if they like 'em, and put them through reduced training (costs AirWisky less). Guys are getting in with less than 700 hours. The hire rate is pretty good. However, it'll only save you a few months, cost you an additional $15,000 plus, no guaranteed job (never are), and someone will interview you at 1000/100 anyway.

3. The academies can be helpful in this area: As long as you do well in training, you will be at the head of the line to be hired as a CFI. And that usually means students to teach quickly and a lot of them. You'll probably teach more than you will hanging out your shingle at an FBO. However, they will pay you less. So the net income will be about the same. You can and will make friends (your former CFI's) who can be recommendations when it's your turn (very important). You can do that at your local FBO too, it's just there will be less of them.

4. One way to cut the cost - get your CFI at your local FBO. Then go to one of the academies to complete your CFII/MEI. They will still want you...and your money. Then get hired on. BTW - do both the CFII/MEI part 61 together. You need 15 hours PIC in a twin for the MEI anyway - might as well do your CFII training while you are boring holes in the sky. It'll be like getting the CFII for only an additional $500 or so.

5. If you like your local FBO and they seem to have students, stick with them. It'll cost you less and you'll still be just as hirable at 1000/100.

6. You're right - the people you first talk with will be commissioned sales people, not pilots. Make sure you talk with some actual students and instuctors at each academy. If the academy won't let you, smile, shake their hand, and run.

7. Lastly, student enrollements are down across the industry. Ask your "counselor" for a discount. Tell them you're comparing several schools (watch them squirm!). You might be surprised...

I know it seems like a long way from where you are now to that magical 1000/100. There really aren't a whole lot of shortcuts. The few shortcuts there are will only save you a few months time and cost you a bunch more. Get the CFI work done, teach, build time, apply. We've all been there. Be persistent. The time will build. You'll get there.

FlyerNY11225

Thank you again for the reply. I have narrowed it down to Flight Safety Academy in terms of living arrangements and Financing. Question, is Flight Safety Academy any different from DCA ? And would it be a better route to go with FSA?. I would only like to go through a CFI prgram up to MEI.

rickair7777

Good plan. You could still do it cheaper elsewhere though.

FlyingGorilla

Flyer,
I went through the exact same decision process about a year ago, that you're going through now. I had actually looked at DCA and FSA, and decided upon DCA. But then a couple things changed my mind. I personally liked FSA better, but the location is horrible. It's in the middle of nowhere. Sure the cost of living is going to be lower, but there is nothing close. I needed somewhere where my wife could get a job to help support us. The job market in Vero Beach isn't very good. Plus, the Orlando economy is in a little better shape. That's why I chose DCA. Until...I visited PanAm in Phoenix. If you don't have problems moving to the west, truthfully, this is the place to be. The price is comparable with DCA, the weather is awesome (no hurricanes), it gets a little hot, but that can be dealt with. The planes are in much better shape also. Another thing is...Delta is going through tough times, and so is Delta Connection no matter what the recruiter will tell you. It all trickles down to the academy.

The economy is great in Phoenix. If you have the ability to buy a house, by the time you finish you'll be able to pay off your student loans with the equity from the house.

If you haven't contacted PanAm, I'd suggest talking to them. My experience has been awesome so far. I definitely think I made the right choice.

Plus, if you're going to go the CFI route. Pan Am is about to have a big shortage of instructors and will be needing every student to become instructors as soon as they can (safely and proficiently). And each instructor is getting at least 3 students full time.

atpwannabe

If he is able to go anywhere, CHECK OUT AMERICAN FLYERS' ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN PROGRAM. However, you must have your PPL before being considered as a candidate for the program.

Best of Luck.

de727ups

"Question, is Flight Safety Academy any different from DCA"

They are both very expensive compared to a smaller school that doesn't have fancy marketing and sales reps. I think FSA has a better reputation than DCA. The CFI ticket you get from FSA will give you the same privileges that you'd get from any school. FSA, DCA, PanAm, will all say their system turns out a better product and is thus worth the price. From experience, I think ALL CFI's are newbies and have a lot to learn. You might be a slightly better beginning CFI if you went to FSA but is it really worth it? Not in my opinion. The big academies talk about connections in the industry and job placement. Well, finding CFI jobs in this day and age isn't really all that tough.

Whatever you do, like I said before, be sure to talk to CFI's and students privately before you sign on the dotted line.

atpwannabe

I don't think there is any difference in the product that each academy provides. Price may be the only true difference. I believe it is all subjective. I have toured FSA in Vero Beach and found it to be a first class operation. I have yet to have toured DCA or ATP, so I'm unable to make a viable comment on these two facilities.

jagboy69

If you choose DCA, the academy will require you do atleast 3 ratings with them. (This means CFI/CFII/MEI) I have a friend that came here with his CFI and he redid the entire CFI program and II. He got hired as an instructor, did his time. Got his MEI, did some more time and now he flys for Comair. (No he didn't get furloughed) His method was probably cheaper in the end having done the majority of his ratings at a mom and pop outfit. Training at DCA is good no questions. The aircraft, well, we are supposed to be getting new ones soon. Rumor is Cirrus, just don't know when.

ctd57

I did all of my training at ATP. I found it to be a great deal. I did the full 90 day course in ATL. They offer a CFI course which gets you both ME instructor ratings and your CFI SE for $6000.00. They hire almost everyone who applies, most instructors did some program with ATP. They offer housing in most locations, and have 25 different locations across the country. So you have lots of choices. I get anywhere from 30-60 hours/month. They pay is $1000/month unless you live in one of the apartments that they have nationwide. They are fully furnished, but they pay you $800 if you live in one. They also give you bonuses. Everytime one of your students passes on the first try, you recieve a bonus, either $40 or $100. It depends on the checkride. The best thing about it though is that it is all multi-engine time. They also have letters of agreement with 4 airlines. You can check it all out on the website, atpflightschool.com.

Linebacker35

Do you know how much in total does everything would cost going through ATP, all licenses(private, multi, commercial, Instructor)?
Also would it be able to fit in with someone attending a university?

Thanks