Longbow64

Hi I'm going to MPD after I leave Army. I hear good and bad things about them, but I think MPD is a good choice. Can anyone give me some information about Farmington, NM. For example, good place to live, and do I need a car etc? Thanks

ubermich

I don't know how MPD is layed out (if it's a campus or just some building or what) but yes, you will need a car in Farmington. The weather is generally nice so a motorcycle will work most of the year, but not in the winter since it snows.

I'm not sure what you like in a ciy, but Farmington is small. This means that if you have a long day (which is common during pilot training) that most places will be closed when your day ends. There are a couple of 24 hour places, but it's crappy food that'll make you fat and feel sick. Farmington is also a considerable drive to any sort of metropolitan area, so if you need something even slightly obscure, plan a cross country to Albuquerque or Pheonix or Denver.

I didn't go to MPD, but I have been to Farmington and spent plenty of time in little western cities like it. They have their pros and cons. Things are cheap and you get to know people surprisingly well, but on the other hand, little changes which makes it easy to get into a rut.

And be wary of the strange desert people. Not a lot of them, but the ones there are, be cautious.

fosters

I instructed there for a year. It's an OK place to live - rent for me in a two bed/two bath townhouse w/ garage (approx 1400 sq. ft. living area exluding garage) was $700/month. Like I said - cheap. It was in a nice area of town too, and only 1.8 mile drive to work.

The entire city is about 45,000 people or so if I remember correctly. Plan on being there for about 16-18 months, that seems to be the average. I would get a car, or drive yours out there. You'll probably need it. It only snows 6"/yr and rains maybe 25 days out of the year, but like another poster said you'll want a car to drive to Albuquerque (3.5 hrs away) for the weekend, or even Durango (1 hr) to have some fun. Also, it can get pretty cold in the wintertime (especially at night) and pretty hot in the summertime (100F+).

The training is intense, however with you coming from the army you shouldn't have a problem. The ex-military people I flew with were excellent applicants and had no problems in training what so ever. Good luck! It's certainly a good opportunity provided you can get thru it. If you get on the schedule and can pound out the private ASAP and make it thru the first semester, you'll be OK.

If you can get some flight time prior to going there I would highly recommend it. Those that had some flight training, maybe up to solo, learned much faster.

stanrhintx

There's another MAPD program in Midland, TX. Slightly lower cost of living, a little more laid back program, same results. Try www.midland.edu and check out the pilot program. Call LC Durham at 432-685-0468 (I think I got the number right)