Engineer413

I went to a 4 year program at a established school and transferred in with my AS. in Mechanical Engineering. Good news is my school classes are almost done, bad news is I'm falling way behind in the flight training and it has nothing to do with me.

So starting off from January, most spent in my buddies living room waiting for the fog to lift or waiting on another snow storm I eventually managed to grab my PPL in the middle of March. They messed up and didn't have enough spots for me (lack or planes, instructors, and to many people flying)... Then I was going to start my instrument training right after, and again no instructor and the paper work on there side was messed up. Finally I got my instructor about a month ago and did 2 lessons and now hes out on a medical condition.. Now they have to find me another instructor and I have missed about 12 lessons and flew 2. I flew about 6 times since January and they told me at least 2-3 times a week scheduled.

Im starting to think my luck is running short and I've actually decided to move home over the summer and commute down to the school a few times a week and I got my old job back as a machinist probably making just as much money as the instructors.

Anyone else have this sorta luck with their training? I guess that is what you get when you do a 141 school that has 10 planes and hundreds of kids that will drop out anyways getting in the way of others. I just need some head lifting because I choose to go this route and it sucks because I know how much I could be making as an engineer next year if I kept going on that route.

DanTheSasquatch

Some schools take in more students than they are equipped to handle. I was put on a waitlist here as well for an instructor for a while, and I had all my ground lessons done before I even got to fly because our winter here was "too cold." Mine doesn't sound quite like your horror story though.

Cubdriver

What school is it? Maybe get some opinions on their performance from others who have gone there, and make sure they have a good reputation. A lot of the better Part 141 schools (and some bad ones) are located in sunny areas of the country (FL, TX, CA, AZ) to facilitate primary flight training, so if yours is not in such a place you may want to change schools.

Primary flight training is always problematic and for many it really is a challenge. Your frustration is typical unfortunately. Being new to the subject the new student often does not know if it is just them or the business- it's the business. Get used to it, and try to use the time off to learn what you need to for written exams and to be ready for when the sun is out. Develop a few pals who are on the same track and use them to help you get through. It gets better when you get to the instrument, commercial, and instructor levels because you'll be able to fly alone or with a safety pilot much of the time.

Engineer413

That's the idea and I have been doing so unfortunately its in new England area far form AZ,TX,FL, ect...

And yes I have been noticing that, almost anyone can get into the program just sign a loan... most of them don't end up sticking with it.

Death2Daleks

Check out Professional Air in Bend, Oregon if you are willing to move. Fantastic school, and paired with a 2 and 4 year degree program.

Engineer413

Its easier said then done with moving, finding a job, and financing. The other option is finish most of my schooling and do my CFI training else where, on the fact that hopefully I can get hired to do so.

badflaps

Not to hang dark clouds, but I think you will find this to be the "norm" in the business. In other words it is always something, Learning how to cope early on will put you in good stead later in your career. Best of luck. Hang in there.

Engineer413

Im getting the luck of it and I understand that things happen to people even instructors as the years pack on and I understand the weather always plays a role but im missing months of flying because of miscommunications on the school and paper work that is fault on there side. Thanks though!

Cubdriver

If it makes you feel any better, I recall lots of setbacks and heartaches when I was in my primary flight training. Flying is a unique profession because it takes unusual ardor and zeal to get to any decent level and when you do, you are still looking at years of apprenticeship before lifestyle and income equal that of other professions (if ever). It's a devoted discipline, and pilots have historically been a staunchly determined group of people. Is that the way it should be? I think so, but your current troubles are definitely par for the course. It isn't your average job and frankly most folks either can't do the job, or are not willing to jump that high.

CubiclePilot

Sounds normal. Flying is fun and all...the stress of learning, training, being evaluated, canx-ing for wxr/mx/etc in primary training sucks. I wish I knew a way around it...

...that said, don't spin your wheels at a place that doesn't have their ****** together. There are enough schools that manage to be reasonably efficient despite the above problems.

Some days I think med school would have been easier/cheaper...sigh