Akbush

It pretty much was

abelenky

I got my Private License at KBFI, and think it was a great place to learn for a number of reasons, (contrary to the other poster’s opinions).

Especially if you are planning on going Commercial, BFI’s busy airspace is a fantastic learning experience. It is a busy airport, in tight proximity to a major airport, and directly under a class B space. Where else do you learn to precisely navigate narrow airspaces from your very first day!? At more remote or less busy airports, students generally take off without restrictions, and climb away without thinking much about their altitude or heading. That approach won’t fly at Boeing. From your first flight at Boeing, you’ll have to fly with more precision and greater intention than at other fields. And once you are comfortable in the Boeing airspace, every other airspace seems almost trivially easy.

The cost may be a bit higher per hour, but in all training, the primary driver of cost is *you*. You can control costs by coming to each lesson well prepared. Do your ground-work and preparation, then make the most of every moment in the air. If you make sure you’ve done all you can on the ground, you won’t have to spend nearly as much $$ in the air.

Also look for chances to “backseat” with other students. You can learn a lot by observing someone else’s lessons. In general, there are lots of ways to learn without spending a lot, if you’re looking for opportunities, well organized and put in the necessary prep time.

While you might get held up on the ground from time to time, BFI is one of the few fields in the world where you’ll be sharing the space with 787s, F18s, large UPS planes, private jets, and the SuperGuppy. That is an aviation experience no other airport can replicate.

Green River Community College has a degree program for Professional Pilots, and collaborates with flight schools for the training. I would suggest selecting a part 141 approved flight school as there are advantages to both Part 141 and 61 depending on the certificate or rating that you are actively pursuing. When selecting a school you want to also look for a dependable fleet and even a diverse selection of aircraft. Be sure to ask questions and make sure the school you select is a good fit for you personally. Having a variety of instructors helps too, so you can get different perspectives, and if one instructor just doesn’t work for you, you can move to another instructor in the same school.

Flyboyxc91

This is not a reply to throw your post out, however I would like to say that your experience and mine differ very much. Thats ok! However, I flew those airplanes for two whole summers almost every single sunny day there was and had zero mechanical hiccups except for an intermittent radio that was diagnosed on the ground at runup... zero availability problems, zero bad experiences, good instruction although I busted my butt every single day after work, after flying etc to get my license and did my whole private there in 50 hours and under $6,000 at 20 years old...

GREAT OPPORTUNITY to get it done and learn a lot by being pushed to learn some things yourself, THE BEST WAY TO RETAIN information after it is introduced correctly.

I love a C-150

ChinookDriver47

How is this even remotely possible? Does the student set the rates? No. They just pay them. I agree that the primary driver of the end-cost is the student based on the prep work, but a little shopping around can save somone a couple thousand dollars over the space of the average of 55 hours it takes to get a license.

So..paying $157 an hour for a crappy 172N is worth watching other airplanes? No. They can go to Renton, pay less per hour, and make the 3 minute transition to do this. Same "experience" less money. Who made the smarter choice there?

Let me educate you about professional aviation: anyone who is in the industry, that is, in this field as a career to make money and support themselves will tell you that this is a bad idea. Getting a degree in aviation doesn't do anything for you as a pilot. I know you didn't say that he should enroll in the college program, but, for future reference, don't tell anyone to do this.

141 is good, if you have the right people who can teach the curriculum in the time span provided. If not, it is litte better than teaching out of a structured 61 syllabus. Again, shopping around for good equipment and good instructors at a FAIR cost is key in the PNW.

Akbush

Ultimately the best idea is to avoid professional flying and do something else......I am.

Flyboyxc91

Good For YOU... Just saying this is about getting training to BE a CAREER PILOT, not tell someone to do something else.

I do however understand and appreciate your opinion and probably wouldn't have said anything whatsoever if you'd had stated the "why?" to that statement. Your own experiences may let everyone see it better, how old were you when you started, did you have kids? Those factors make the flying dream a bit harder to fulfill given most timelines and life factors..

Definitely good luck in your future endeavors and keep flying when you can.

Roger Mexico

Thanks, everyone, for the input! Definitely has changed my view about a few things. So glad I posted here.

Gohawks

Big Bend all the way. Call and get a tour. Best and most cost effective option in the state by far. Pm me if you have questions.