To all the young guys out there just coming out of instructing and into the regionals now.. I am looking for flight schools for my young cousin. It has been 18 years since I went through flight school and the one I went to has been out of business for awhile now. I don't know what good ones are out there these days. He already got his 4 year degree out of the way which is great, so I want him to fast track it, Private through Commercial multi and then instruct for a bit until he can get on with a regional. Any recommendations? He is willing to relocate to the south to FL/AZ/TX most likely. Btw, how much does it cost now a days to get your ratings? I think it cost me about $3k to do my private and maybe $20k-$25k to get all the way to my multi-commercial.... thanks!!

I spent about $25k going from 0-230 hours with PPL/IR. Should finish CSEL with another $2.5k. That’s EXTREMELY cheap given today’s market. Most people I know spend $45k-$60k going from 0-250ish CMEL (maybe even CFI). I would do research in flight schools and maybe a community college with an aviation program since he can get student loans (lower interest rate) unless the money part isn’t an issue.

Hope that helps!

He lives where now? The AOPA site has a bunch of info on flight schools.

Look for community colleges, stay away from crap schools like Embry Riddle

What do you define as a crap school and how does Embry Riddle fit into it (that a general comment to attend any community college alleviates)? Cost, quality of instruction, time to complete ratings when the OP is looking for fast track, etc?

With the level of movement we are seeing these days and in the years to come, overpaying for a name like Riddle makes no sense. Especially when it’s easy to find other equally good public university flight schools out there. When hiring was scant, the argument could be made. I don’t think it can be made right now.

I agree. An expensive school like Embry Riddle not being necessary in today's hiring environment doesn't exactly mean the school is "crap" though.

The OP stated that a degree wasn't needed, so both community colleges and Embry Riddle aren't helpful. Mherrig97's explanation could be confused as Embry Riddle being compared to a Dean International to someone who doesn't know better.

Well, we just got a quote from L3 for just the CFI-A... better be sitting down... over $17,000. Oh hell no. Cross off list.