Prairie Air Service

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I have seen Slice mention Prairie Air Service on a couple different threads so I decided to look into it... For a flight school, they have very low prices. (22K for same package ATP offers @ 45K) Just wondering if anyone has had any expirence with them?

Here is a overview of their Commercail Pilot Courses:

Ab initio Single Engine Commercial Pilot Course $ 16,000.00

4 – 5 months: 35 hours Cessna 150 dual, 165 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 35 hours Piper Arrow dual, 3 hours Piper Arrow flight tests, 24 hour ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #1 $ 18,000.00

4 – 5 months, includes 37 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 155 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 33 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 29 hours ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #2 $ 20,250.00

4 – 5 months, includes 100 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 87 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 36 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 60 hours Piper Apache time building, 30 hours ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #3 $ 21,900.00

4 – 5 months, includes 150 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 37 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 36 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 110 hours Piper Apache time building, 30 hours ground instruction and briefings.


http://www.prairieairservice.com/overview.htm
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Those prices are and programs are old. If you call / email Herb he'll send you the new program info / prices.

Still the best deal out there by a long shot. Don't worry about it being too slow...Herb made it a point to mention he likes to make you drink from a firehose and sees how much you can take before holding back or giving you more.

I visit the place in September. Visiting ATP in ATL this summer.

-LAFF
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All of the commercial pilot training programs described below include a multi engine rating and multi engine instrument flight training. The programs differ in the amount of total multi engine flight time included.

Single&Multi Engine Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #1: $ 23,000.00
This training program includes 43 hours of multi engine flight time.

60 hours Instructor time (private pilot and single engine commercial add on flight and ground instruction, 42 hours flight, 18 hours ground) @ $ 30.00/hour $ 1,800.00
160 hrs. Cessna 150 flight time (initial check-out, time building and single engine commercial add on training and flight test), @ $ 65.29/hour $10,446.40
1 each Multi engine (private) and instrument rating course (28 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 20 hours Elite iGATE ATD dual, 10 hours ground instruction and oral prep, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for 2 flight tests) $ 6,800.00
30 hours Elite iGATE advanced ATD enhanced instrument instruction @ $ 55.00/hr. $ 1,650.00
1 each Abbreviated multi engine initial commercial course (11 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for flight test, 2 hours ground instruction $ 2,300.00
TOTAL $22,996.40

You will fly the Cessna 150 for your primary training, most of your additional flight experience, and also for your single engine commercial training (approximately 160 hours: 42 hours dual and 118 hours solo and / or pilot in command & flight tests). We will use the twin engine Piper Apache for your initial multi engine training, the instrument training, and finally for your multi engine commercial training (approximately 39 hours of dual and 4 hours for three flight tests). The Elite iGATE G501 advanced aviation training device will be used for a total of 50 hours of initial and enhanced instrument training.

Single and Multi Engine Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #2: $24,161.00
This is a premium package, which includes 75 hours of multi-engine flight experience.

60 hours Instructor time private pilot and single engine commercial add on flight and ground instruction, 42 hours flight, 18 hours ground) @ $ 30.00/hour $ 1,800.00
127 hrs. Cessna 150 flight time (initial check-out, time building and single engine commercial add on training and flight test), @ $ 65.29/hour $ 8,291.83
1 each Multi engine (private) and instrument rating course (28 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 20 hours Elite iGATE ATD dual, 10 hours ground instruction and oral prep, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for 2 flight tests) $ 6,800.00
1 each Multi engine time building CRM and right seat familiarization (1 hour Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 1 hour ground instruction $ 220.00
31 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” time building (shared flight time)@ $100.00/hour $ 3,100.00
30 hours Elite iGATE advanced ATD enhanced instrument instruction @ $ 55.00/hr. $ 1,650.00
1 each Abbreviated multi engine initial commercial course (11 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for flight test, 2 hours ground instruction $ 2,300.00
TOTAL $24,161.83


You will fly the Cessna 150 for your primary training, part of your additional flight experience, and also for your single engine commercial training (approximately 128 hours: 42 hours dual and 86 hours solo and / or pilot in command & flight tests). We will use the twin engine Piper Apache for your initial multi engine training, the instrument training, multi engine time building, and finally for your multi engine commercial training (approximately 40 hours of dual, 56 hours time building and 4 hours for three flight tests). The Elite iGATE G501 advanced aviation training device will be used for a total of 50 hours of initial and enhanced instrument training.

31 hours of multi engine flight time will be enhanced instrument training and shared flight time: You will fly with another pilot, and one of you will wear a hood and practice instrument procedures, while the other pilot acts as safety pilot. Under this arrangement the FAA allows both pilots to log the flight time. Due to insurance requirements an instructor will be on board on these flights. He will ride in the back seat and act as coach. You will receive instrument instruction above and beyond the requirements for the instrument rating. If weather conditions permit, a multi-engine mountain-flying checkout to Colorado or New Mexico is included in this package at no additional cost.

Single and Multi Engine Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #3: $25,030.00
This is a premium package, which includes 100 hours multi-engine flight time.

60 hours Instructor time (private pilot and single engine commercial add on flight and ground instruction, 42 hours flight, 18 hours ground) @ $ 30.00/hour $ 1,800.00
102 hrs. Cessna 150 flight time (initial check-out, time building and single engine commercial add on training and flight test), @ $ 65.29/hour $ 6,659.58
1 each Multi engine (private) and instrument rating course (28 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 20 hours Elite iGATE ATD dual, 10 hours ground instruction and oral prep, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for 2 flight tests) $ 6,800.00
1 each Multi engine time building CRM and right seat familiarization (1 hour Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 1 hour ground instruction $ 220.00
56 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” time building (shared flight time)@ $100.00/hour $ 5,600.00
30 hours Elite iGATE advanced ATD enhanced instrument instruction @ $ 55.00/hr. $ 1,650.00
1 each Abbreviated multi engine initial commercial course (11 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for flight test, 2 hours ground instruction $ 2,300.00
TOTAL $25,029.58

You will fly the Cessna 150 for your primary training, and also for your single engine commercial training (approximately 102 hours: 40 hours dual and 12 hours solo and / or pilot in command & flight tests). We will use the twin engine Piper Apache for your initial multi engine training, the instrument training, multi engine time building, and finally for your multi engine commercial training (approximately 40 hours of dual, 106 hours time building and 4 hours for three flight tests). The Elite iGATE G501 advanced aviation training device will be used for a total of 50 hours of initial and enhanced instrument training.

106 hours of multi engine flight time will be enhanced instrument training and shared flight time as described above under Course #2. If weather conditions permit, a multi-engine mountain-flying checkout to Colorado or New Mexico is included in this package at no additional cost. If scheduling permits we can also fly a long multi-engine cross country trip lasting several days to a tourist attraction such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Niagara Falls. There will be a fuel surcharge of about $20.00 per hour (shared by both pilots) on long cross-country trips in the Apache, since fuel prices away from our home base are considerably higher than our bulk fuel costs at home. Any hotel, restaurant and rental car costs will be additional.

Single and Multi Engine Instrument and Commercial Pilot Course #4: $ 26,850.00
This is our "deluxe" package, which includes 150 hours multi-engine flight time.

60 hours Instructor time (private pilot and single engine commercial add on flight and ground instruction, 42 hours flight, 18 hours ground) @ $ 30.00/hour $ 1,800.00
60 hours Cessna 150 flight time (initial check-out, time building and single engine commercial add on training and flight test), @ $ 65.29/hour $ 3,917.40
1 each Multi engine (private) and instrument rating course (28 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 20 hours Elite iGATE ATD dual, 10 hours ground instruction and oral prep, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for 2 flight tests) $ 6,800.00
1 each Multi engine time building CRM and right seat familiarization (1 hour Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, 1 hour ground instruction $ 220.00
106 hrs. Piper PA23-160 “Apache” time building (shared flight time)@ $100.00/hour $10,600.00
22 hours Elite iGATE advanced ATD enhanced instrument instruction @ $ 55.00/hr. $ 1,210.00
1 each Abbreviated multi engine initial commercial course (11 hours Piper PA23-160 “Apache” dual, Piper PA23-160 “Apache” for flight test, 2 hours ground instruction $ 2,300.00
TOTAL $26,847.40


You will fly the Cessna 150 for your primary training, and also for your single engine commercial training (approximately 60 hours: 42 hours dual and 18 hours solo and / or pilot in command & flight tests). We will use the twin engine Piper Apache for your initial multi engine training, the instrument training, multi engine time building, and finally for your multi engine commercial training (approximately 40 hours of dual, 106 hours time building and 4 hours for three flight tests). The Elite iGATE G501 advanced aviation training device will be used for a total of 42 hours of initial and enhanced instrument training.

106 hours of multi engine flight time will be enhanced instrument training and shared flight time as described above under Course #3. If weather conditions permit, a multi-engine mountain-flying checkout to Colorado or New Mexico is included in this package at no additional cost. If scheduling permits we can also fly a long multi-engine cross country trip lasting several days to a tourist attraction such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone or Niagara Falls. There will be a fuel surcharge of about $20.00 per hour (shared by both pilots) on long cross-country trips in the Apache, since fuel prices away from our home base are considerably higher than our bulk fuel costs at home. Any hotel, restaurant and rental car costs will be additional.

The training packages described above are based upon average aptitude and a large amount of self-study. They include all applicable taxes.
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Quote: I have seen Slice mention Prairie Air Service on a couple different threads so I decided to look into it... For a flight school, they have very low prices. (22K for same package ATP offers @ 45K) Just wondering if anyone has had any expirence with them?

Here is a overview of their Commercail Pilot Courses:

Ab initio Single Engine Commercial Pilot Course $ 16,000.00

4 – 5 months: 35 hours Cessna 150 dual, 165 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 35 hours Piper Arrow dual, 3 hours Piper Arrow flight tests, 24 hour ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #1 $ 18,000.00

4 – 5 months, includes 37 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 155 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 33 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 29 hours ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #2 $ 20,250.00

4 – 5 months, includes 100 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 87 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 36 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 60 hours Piper Apache time building, 30 hours ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #3 $ 21,900.00

4 – 5 months, includes 150 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 37 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 36 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 110 hours Piper Apache time building, 30 hours ground instruction and briefings.


http://www.prairieairservice.com/overview.htm

ATP would still be a good choice if you don't have your CFI, MEI, CFII. After their 14 day course if your flexible you can work for them and build a lot of ME time / TT and get hired at a regional / 135 job.

Its a game of balancing time / money...Do your research and good luck with your training.

-LAFF
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LAFF-

I may be missing something in all that but FAA requires you to take your commercial checkride in complex airplane which means adjustable prop (C150 is fixed). Does he train in a C150 then have you take your checkride in an Arrow? Did you forget to mention some Arrow hours in the deal? You would want as a minimum perhaps 15 hours Arrow time to get your complex signoff plus be at ease doing commercial manuevers in one for your checkride. Building time in a C152 to get to the magic 250 mark is ok but you should use it very little the last 15 hours.

The other thing I would worry about in these packages is I think if you do your initial instrument rating in a multi you can only use it in a multi unless you go back and add single engine instrument privileges later on. I am not dead certain this is true, but if so you would not want to be stuck using your instrument ticket only in a twin plus if you plan to do any single engine commercial flying (part 135) they will require it.
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Quote: I may be missing something in all that, but FAA requires you to take your commercial checkride in complex airplane which means adjustable prop and retractable wheels, and a C150 isn't that. Does he mean train in a C150 then take the checkride in the Apache? This doesn't sound like a very good plan to me at all. You should take a checkride in what you trained for it in by and large.
I was under the same understanding as Cubdriver.. A Cessna 150 wouldnt qualify as a complex aircraft I dont think?

Also Im a little worried about the location of Benton KS lol... It seems to me like its out in the middle of nowhere.. Is there anything out there to do for fun or is it just strictly flying for 6 months?
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Yeah I didn't much like the idea of living in someone's bedroom/camper really either. Especially for $145 a week or whatever it was!
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Quote: I have seen Slice mention Prairie Air Service on a couple different threads so I decided to look into it... For a flight school, they have very low prices. (22K for same package ATP offers @ 45K) Just wondering if anyone has had any expirence with them?

Here is a overview of their Commercail Pilot Courses:

Ab initio Single Engine Commercial Pilot Course $ 16,000.00

4 – 5 months: 35 hours Cessna 150 dual, 165 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 35 hours Piper Arrow dual, 3 hours Piper Arrow flight tests, 24 hour ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #1 $ 18,000.00

4 – 5 months, includes 37 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 155 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 33 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 29 hours ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #2 $ 20,250.00

4 – 5 months, includes 100 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 87 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 36 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 60 hours Piper Apache time building, 30 hours ground instruction and briefings.

Ab initio Single and Multi Engine Commercial Pilot Course, #3 $ 21,900.00

4 – 5 months, includes 150 hours multi engine flight time: 40 hours Cessna 150 dual, 37 hours Cessna 150 solo and / or pilot in command, 16 hours ATC-610 flight training device dual, 10 hours Piper Arrow dual, 1 hour Piper Arrow flight test, 36 hours Piper Apache dual, 4 hours Piper Apache flight tests, 110 hours Piper Apache time building, 30 hours ground instruction and briefings.


http://www.prairieairservice.com/overview.htm
Go visit the place / places before you make a decision. Don't be turned off by the trailer / living / sleeping in someones living /bedroom. You canbring your own trailer or get a hotel room.

About location...Keep things in prespective. If you haven't lived in small town america you're in for a surprise. I went to school and lived in a small town in Minnesota. I would move there if I could find a job and the wife wants to farm.

Make the most of it...

-LAFF
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I have live in small town america all of my life. Really ready for a change.
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Benton is just outside of Wichita, which is not without its charms. The flight program is relatively short and represents only a small blip in your life. If you spent the non-flying time on self-study, you probably won't even notice the entertainment deficiencies. We own a farm in Northeast Kansas. Now that is rural and devoid of activities. Going to WalMart is the thrill of the week. The townsfolk get very excited when Earl's boy and his wife are visiting. They all know exactly when our flight touched down at KMCI.
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