mspano85

Any one here work at or has worked at Frederick Flight Center in Frederick, MD.

Community College of Baltimore County has a flight certificate or degree program through them. For roughly $46k the program will get you your private, instrument, commercial, and multi ratings, as well as certified flight instructor for single, multi, and instruments in both.

I was thinking of going this route. I currently work in the biotech field and don't plan on leaving it.

I'd like to get my ratings to become a flight instructor part time. I think I would really enjoy something like that. The extra part time cash here and there would be a nice bonus, even if it is only $5k a year or so.

I may one day want to give the airline pilot path a shot, but I would probably wait a couple years after the ratings before I try. Mainly because I have decent pay right now, a mortgage, and a wife. No kids yet. I am 28 but it seems like age pales in comparison to specific flight hours in the business. Also, come August I may not even have a shot until I get 1500 hours minimum.

Does that seem like a decent route to take? I would be perfectly fine instructing on the side the rest of my life.

Does $46k seem legit? I think the enjoyment of it may be worth it. The pay over time, even little, would at least pay off the debt, as well as my current income.

How do you all like the school?

Did any of you go the CCBC route and are now flying commercial?

Thanks for any replies.

gdpballin

I haven't gone to this school but a buddy of mine did for helicopters I believe and he had no complaints.

I did however email the department once concerning the internships they do for their students to see if they could give me some information. I received an unprofessional response from the head of the department that left them in a bad light for me. I wont go there for that reason alone.

Other than that though, I have not heard anything bad about the program. Good Luck.

Bellanca

I finished my commercial and multi there a couple years ago. The planes were well-maintained, and all the instructors I flew with were pretty good (although I bet they've all moved on by now). I didn't have any affiliation with the community college though, and only flew at Frederick for 40-50ish hours to finish everything up part 61.

$46K is probably about right. They used to have all of their prices posted online... see how much it would cost to rent a plane +instructor for 250 hours. Also, from what I remember, they used to have sales certain nights of the week. Like 10% off rentals two days a week, and G1000 cessnas for the price of normal cessnas on wednesdays or something.

mspano85

I was originally going to do helicopters through CCBC with Advanced Helicopter Concepts in Frederick, but it is so much more expensive, and I feel that fixed wing would allow me to have a little more freedom in career choice.

I am shocked about that e-mail. I wonder if you are talking about Doug Williams, the head of the Aviation Department. He is a great guy. C-130 Pilot for the Guard. Awesome professor. I took a Meteorology course with him as my instructor. I can't see him coming off that way.

Yes, they still have those deals. It looks like most of the instrument and commercial training is in simulators at CCBC, and that is how they cut a lot of the hours cost. They are also Part 141 apparently so I think only 190 hours are required for commercial.

I'm not sure if I can do this but I want to get my multi as well. The route CCBC goes is PPL, Instruments, and then Commercial. In an effort to save a little money, can I get my PPL, Instrument, Multi ratings, and then use all those hours towards my Commercial? It would essentially save about 15 hours worth of money, about $3k.

I know I need to have my commercial before I can get the Instructor ratings.

Thanks for the responses, and any future input.

The Kodiak Kid

Haven't personally flown out of FFC, but visited their facilities a few times. They have great rates, nice staff, and a good facility. If you are in the local area, you probably couldn't ask for better. Fly safe!

gdpballin

It was Doug Williams (just looked at the email.) I was also surprised by his response and lack of effort in the email. It's possible he was having a bad day or over looked the content of the email, but first impressions last a while. I'm sure hes a good guy. Like I said, I haven't heard any other negative things about the school and thats my only experience with it.

20sx

I've heard from a couple of pilots that FFD milks their students. Full stop landings for students, numerous checks for progressment, and much more time required to get them to sign off for endorsements.

mspano85

Thanks for the reply!

I can see how it came off as lack of effort. Anytime I emailed Doug for class he was pretty vague in response. He still made it easy to learn the subject matter. He is a good guy and maybe did have a bad day.

Thank you for the reply. Hopefully I won't have this happen. I plan to get my commercial so the extra hours at the beginning and if I go past the required 40, 60 hours, etc. It shouldn't matter in the long run. Going through CCBC will allow me to get a bunch of hours in simulator as well. If I need to catch up or get more hours I'm sure I can do it for less money.

Thank you all! I start my training next week. I just need to decide which airframe.