Cirrus4ZP

I've been looking through the forums and cant seem to find the answer im looking for. Does anyone have a review of American Flyers CFI program(any location)? Did you get your CFI with them? Did you get hired by them after getting your CFI there? Are you still there? I've been looking at a lot of flight schools recently and am beginning to narrow it down to determine where I want to begin climbing the restricted ATP mountain. Any info or input would be great.

chrisj

Went thru the CFI program in Addison over a year ago. The program varies significantly by location. Obviously instructor quality, and each locations relationship with local FSDO play a big part in that. With that being said, I would only recommend the Academy in Addison or Pompano Beach. Those locations have competent instructors and management, for the most part, and the relationship with the FSDOs seemed half way decent.

The academy itself is nothing spectacular - it's semi structured way of getting your CFI/CFII done as quickly as possible. The way the program is structured, you do your CFII as your initial and CFI-A as the add on.

To be successful and keep cost down you need to go into the program with sharp instrument knowledge/skills (instrument PTS) and be able to fly most/all commercial maneuvers to PTS. Helps if you can get spin endorsement somewhere else also. The program only allots for 10 hours of flying (almost everyone goes over that) for both ratings - I finished both in 15 hours and spent just over 5 grand. It took me a total of 50 days to walk out with both certificates in hand. Ultimately, the program is what you make of it - they'll give you the resources and a quick sign off but you have to be motivated to do the work.

PM me if you want specific info on working at Flyers. It's not hard to get hired after completing academy - they hire almost 100% internally from academy.

badflaps

They must be doing something right, I got my CFI there 52 years ago.

Cirrus4ZP

If going to American Flyers means 5 type ratings and a retired 767 driver 52 years later, sign me up

badflaps

In the way back, Flyers had a flt. engineers school as well. Helped a lot. As much as I wish the 60's back, I guess they're gone forever...

Thedude

In the 90s they excelled at overcharging the student and underpaying the instructors.

haberdasher

I attended american flyers Pompano beach. Great instructors and a great location. Some of the better instruction I received during my training. It's a fixed cost, but be careful about the "extra" time. I highly recommend the program at Pompano. I had 7 guys in my class and we all left with our CFI certificates.

Cirrus4ZP

To add another dimension to the thread, if you haven't worked for American Flyers, who did you instruct for? How long were you there? Complaints/complements?

Forrest Gump

Did my CFI in Pompano Beach May 2012. Patrick Connell was my instructor and he was absolutely phenomenal. I highly recommend their course. You better be dedicated if you want to make it through.

New instructor there was making $12/hr and they do a 2 week no-pay internship. Garbage in my opinion. Dunno what kind of hours they get but I think they fly A LOT. My CFI was busting his ass hoping for bad weather days.