National Pilot Academy...anyone?
 

Anyone have experience with this institution?

I've said it once and will say is again...the only academies one should ever consider attending in pursuit of flying begin with the words "United States".

USMA
USNA
USAFA
USCGA
USMMA

I think that about covers it...or just go Part 61 at a good FBO or www.prairieairservice.com

you forgot Academy of Military Science... hahahahah

OOPS...I'm a grad too, I should know better! :rolleyes:

emphasis on USAFA. FORMS O-96 operations are a direct shoe-in for later aviation life...

Sorry for the ignorance, but could you help me out with the acronyms?
By my username and number of posts, you probably see that I'm pretty new to this game.

Thanks.

---Nevermind, looked them up myself. Actually, it's good advice. However, the military isn't an option for me. Besides, I did my time and I'm not interested in doing more. That is why I'm researching the civilian route.
And certainly no disrespect intended, but I'm looking for opinions of people who have experience with NPA.

My point wasn't to go to a service academy. It is that almost every flight school that calls itself XYZ "Academy" is overpriced and the training is no better, if not worse, than you'd get at a mom and pop school. Check out www.prairieairservice.com. Great training and prices. I have no affiliation other than being a former student some years ago now.

Sorry, I misunderstood.

I don't doubt what you're saying at all. The thing that attracted me to NPA was the promise of 1100 hrs and CFII and ME certs in 14-16 months. Obviously, the part that repelled me was the $57k price tag.
Of course that is expensive, but if I can get into a regional in less than two years (starting from zero), I have to consider it

BTW, Prairie Air Service looks like an awesome place to train.

IMHO, don't be in such a hurry to get to the regionals. You can still be there within 2 years going the traditional CFI route or even another way. Flying for the airlines, while better than any non-flying job I ever had, is not that exciting after you've done it for a while. Going to the same airports over and over again...The most fun I've had in my flying career aside from the military(which is a lot of work too) was flying GA while building time. I've met numerous people and made lifelong friends with folks I never would have known. Flown all over the States to grass strips, gravel, dirt, landed at Catalina Island, etc. ALL BEFORE I MADE IT TO THE REGIONALS! Since then, I've been a bus driver and a guard guy. Not a bad life but much different than before. The point is, if you do a zero to hero program, you may get there faster(or not) but you're missing out on a big part of the journey...parts that you will not have the time or money(for many, many, many years) to experience and enjoy. Just my $.02