dera

Congrats on starting your PPL. I fly out of KPDK almost every day (building hours), if you just want to fly one day and get some passenger time, you're more than welcome to come along (free).

aargeo

hope you got started! To give you a little guidance, I'll share the info i have for you or anyone potentially wanting to do this in the future.

I live in the Atlanta area and started this process about a year ago. i mainly looked at the McCullom airport (cobb county international airport) in Kennesaw and there were 3 schools at the time. I went to all 3 and met with the chief flight instructors at each one. I got very different experiences with each. 1 was very sketchy with how they fueled the planes (I think they moved elsewhere) and the other 2 seemed okay. Long story short I went with Superior Flight school run by Bob and Joe. I got the majority of my ppl flight time there but i had to finish up quicker because I decided half way through my training i wanted to change my major in college and go a university for aviation and i wanted to get my ppl before transferring so i quit superior and went through an accelerated training program in florida to finish up. But i had an awesome experience at superior and i have recommended them time and time again. I am now at middle Georgia State University and I am throughly enjoying the program here most of the instructors come and go because the regionals are picking them up but every instructor at my school seems to care about the well being of their students. Hope this helps!

joepilot

I'm guessing that this was a new young flight instructor, who has already figured out that he does not like teaching, and who is also only paid for flight time. If the engine is not turning, he is not getting paid.

Joe

TiredSoul

Common mistake that a lot of Flight schools make.
The new CFI's initially just do the rental checks and intro flights.
Worst idea as you've found out why.
We only had our 141 check instructors do rental checks and intro flights.
Much less rental damage and a much higher success rate.

Andytcsi

Hey man, I live in Atlanta (southside). not offering to instruct, but I do have a lot of knowledge of the local area aviation wise. If you want, send me a PM and we can talk more offline about what you are doing and make sure you make the best decision for the area.

Andy

LEAPEX

I know everyones frustration when deciding to embark on this journey in becoming a pilot. Velocity aviation is a small school at PDK. They have a full motion simulator and is owned and operated by airline pilots. Their mission is your success, not just in flying but career progression. Not only will you get training from pilots that have thousands of hours in instruction but will get career planning and advice at every step of the way. Velocity Aviation is all about personal relationships. The best part is that prices are competitive and transparent. Give them a call 470-299-5631 or email [email protected] check out the website Velocity Aviation | Atlanta Georgia Aviation School

JamesNoBrakes

That appears to be an Aviation Training Device (ATD) and not a simulator. Simulators are one of two categories of Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). The other being Flight Training Devices (FTDs). Simulator means something very specific in aviation and training, it's something that represents a specific airplane and it's specific cockpit, and it has motion that has been qualified to be representative of that airplane.

Why is it important? It significantly impacts how much time may be credited during flight training. Thankfully (for many flight schools), the FAA has increased the amount of time that may be credited with Advanced ATDs, like the redbird, so the disparity is now much smaller, but as you go on in your career, the difference between a simulator and ATD becomes bigger and bigger. In 135 and 121 operations ATDs are not allowed to be used for required training at all.

We kind of throw around the term "simulator", but it's helpful to know and prepare for the future. Good luck!

Twin Wasp

Thread drift warning -

I give demo flights for a glider club close to home. While we're doing the pre flight paperwork I'll ask what brought them out to the club. Maybe they just want to say they've been in a glider. They could want to learn to fly in a glider. Maybe they're a power pilot looking to do an add on. There is a different level of engagement for each group of people. Is it that hard to ask one question?

AU MD FLYER

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Sorry that you had a poor experience with your first introduction to general aviation. Some flight schools don't make enough off of a discovery flight to compensate the instructor... so that could have been part of the problem.

Can you PM me the name / location of the flight school you have chosen, so that I can pass that on to a friend who is also looking to get a PPL. Thanks, AU.