need some advice please
 

Hello to everyone, i would really appreciate some advice from you guys that have been around for a while on what you would do in my situation. I am currently 19 years old and wont turn 20 till august. I currently an enrolled in a flight academy in Sanford FL and am looking around for a new way to go about the training. Make no mistake I have relaly enjoyed the school and have learned a lot but cant justify the price anymore. Im origionally from MN and have looked into ATP which would cost about the same as DCA and also almost all the local FBO's around the twin cities. Long story short ATP 60 days im done through commercial multi then another 14 and i have all the CFI ratings for the same price as DCA give or take a grand. I found thunderbird aviation who i can get 120 hours with and the same ratings for 15,000. I have had a hard time finding Multi places around here and this is the closest i have found and really the only i have found. In my situation, no loan no debt what would you do? Im thinking of doing the thunderbird and then going to ATP to instruct. What do you guys think? Thanks for the comments!

www.prairieairservice.com

Great instruction and prices.

If ATP cost the same as DCA, why in Gods name would anyone go to ATP when it's much easier to get money for DCA?

I called them...They are sending me their current price for programs. Sounds like a nice person / family business. I'll visit before I pass judgement.

BTW - Herb say's hello...

-LAFF

You're kidding, right?

No...I called on my lunch break and had a nice conversation with Herb about their programs and the local area. I'm glad I did. I'll check out the school before I make a final decision on where I'm going to train. I don't like the lack of instructor ratings (their pregrams have changed, the web-site is a bit outdated) but thats not a show stopper. It could save a lot of money over the alternative(s).

I forgot to ask where the local x-country flights are to...

-LAFF

When I was building time towards the 250tt there were no restrictions on where you took any of the single engine a/c. I went to NY and back after I passed the IFR check. Locally, PNC has great Mexican food on the field. TUL or OKC is about an hour. MCI is about 1.5 or so. HUT is close and has the Cosmosphere, which is a pretty cool museum. It will be a much different experience than an ATP type place, but for me, the cost and people I met made all the difference. I think there are 6-7 Stearman's based on the field there now too! I was just in Wichita a few weeks ago and stopped by to see Herb and Kathy for a bit. I hadn't seen them since 2003. It's almost like family, their door is always open and you'll never go hungry. What are the changes in the CFI program? I did my MEI and CFII with Herb in the Apache. My initial CFI I did with a DPE/CFI at the FBO on the field.

I'm on a computer without word / adobe (I know its hard to believe , but true...) so I still need to look at the attachments. I let Herb know I can and want to visit end of summer to look around and meet him.

My biggest concern is being able to CFI and getting it done quickly to move on to the next level in aviation. I have a family so if it means I pay $$$ at ATP to get everything and CFI there for 16-20 months so be it. I just can't move around the country / take years to build time to the 135 mins. Wish I had the luxury of youth and no family commitments but I don't.

I still have to do some soul-searching / research but I'm not going to rule out anything until I take a look and give them full consideration. IT would be foolish to do otherwise.

I also plan on visiting ATP in Atlanta this summer. I'm going to visit the Manassas location in March.

-LAFF

I read thru their new documents and there is no CFI training offered anymore. You can do the ground / flight training for your CFI rating with Herb. However, he recommends paying cash and going to a cram course and getting it done.

They do offer very competitive (30K - 25K less than ATP that includes housing, food, study materials. Just no ATP polo shirts) PPL/SE&ME. CMCL SE/ME, IFR w/ 50 hours thru 150 hours ME time. 50% of the ME time is safety pilot time like other places. But its legal and is a non-issue.

You can also have them custom make a training package for you.

Honest / straight-forward folks that encourage you to drop by and visit to tour the place and meet them.

I plan on doing that this summer before making a final decision on where I'll be going.

I suggest everyone do their own research then make the choice thats best for them...

My two issues are: I'm gun shy about getting burned by flight training and I don't want to waste years building time going from FBO to FBO in middle-age trying to get to the next step.

Good luck,
_LAFF

LAFF,
Good to hear that you're keeping an open mind to things. I can tell you from my experience that you will receive quality training if you do decide to go there. Herb will not make you spend a dime more than you need or want to(especially if he recommends going elsewhere for your CFI!). Let us know how it turns out.

I will...Calling him this afternoon to let him know I can visit this summer to meet and look things over...

-LAFF

I would agree with slice, Herb and company are really good people. He his by far one of the best instructors I have ever flown with. They are doing a few CFIs out there but that is not their speciality, you can get the ground school taken care of there but they don't have a good airplane to do the flight portion in. Best of luck to you.

I'm working on a budget that will let me get everything below or at 28K (includes all the ratings IFR, ME, CMCL w/150 hours ME time), room / board, supplies, checkride fees.Thats a considerable savings over 40K at ATP.

I have the money for ATP so a loan is not an issue. I would never take a loan for flight training - it makes no sense to be in debt when you're going to be making peanuts...Unfortunately, those early years in aviation are terrible wages...

I can always get the CFI work done at ATP and hit the road working as a CFI.

I'm scheduled to visit Herb and family in September 14-17 weekend to check things out and meet him / operation.

I have their current price listings for their ab-intro commercial pilot training. If anyone is interested PM me your email and I'll send it to you.

-LAFF

-LAFF

I talked to Herb yesturday and again this morning. Herb mentions his planes are pretty well maintained despite looking horrible. One thing he mentioned was that time building in the multi can be done willing there is another student training with you. I would make sure you have another student lined up with you to do their program. Herb is a nice guy as a couple of you have claimed.

Much as I expected for a small family-run business out in America's heartland.

ERUN, Did you go to Prarie Air Service as well? I am interested to hear more about your experience. Thanks!

I started my mei with him, but ran out of time and money. i instructed out of the same airport as pas for about 3 years and worked with a couple of his european students when they were overloaded.

pm me if you would like to talk in greater detail, i can give you a good idea of what it would be like. at what point in your training will you be heading there for?