I am considering attending Pan Am in Miami for the Career Pilot Program. The one that is almost $50k. I am 31 and would like to spend 6 months flying and that's it. I'm over wasting my time doing what I am doing now when all I have ever really wanted to do is fly.

Can anyone who knows give me positives and negatives to the Pan Am flight academy in Miami??

Thanks very much!

Negative,
you'll be dissappointed when you realize you cannot find a job after with only six months worth of "flying experience"

Positive,
You're not in a $50k hole yet.....

I understand I won't be flying after six months of experience. Do you have any opinion on Pan Am flight academy in particular?

NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER go to a program that requires that you put up all of the money up front. You need to pay as you go. IF they require full payment, RUN, don't walk away.

They want $2,500 to "reserve" seat. Half of the balance on the day you start and the other half two months into the program... What do you think of that? lol

Go another way. MANY programs like this have folded up shop overnight and skated away with millions in students money. Silver State Helicopters is one off the top of my head. If they go under they will take your cash and there is NOTHING you can do about it.

There are better ways to go bud.

So then, what makes sense about dropping $50k to do it quickly and be unemployed when you get done? There is absolutely no rush to get through your flight training right now.

Do a search if you want to know about the program. Also, look on other forums. The general consensus is that the only people who think a program like that is worth the money are those trying to rationalize the fact that they spent all that money.

cool... my thoughts were that it would at least get me in school where I could do it quickly and efficiently... living and learning everyday for the six months. Instead of doing it in patches and taking longer.

People are going to beat you up on this due to some overall dislike to the "academy" type flight school that has been brewed up on this website.

Here's what I think. Pick a school based on what works for you. For some people that school is the "mom and pop" FBO, where there is no rush in finishing. Others enjoy the fast pased, fully immersive learning that is usually offered at a larger academy. There are pro's and con's to each approach. the major con that most discuss here is the higher cost of bigger schools. You seem to know already that you aren't going to get a job right after finishing your training, so if you are comfortable with the cost.....go for it!

try to take any advice from this forum, including my own with a grain of salt. there are lots on here with a sour taste in their mouths about big schools because they produce "300 hour wonders" and "bring down the industry"(alot of times coming from someone who "payed their dues" with 700 dual given). That may or may not be true. anyway, shop around, find somewhere you like and dig in. However, Be sure you know what you're getting yourself into, I know my short stay in the industry has not been all I had wished for.

Last, the above post about upfront paying is spot on! DO NOT pay everything upfront. Pay as you go, or perhaps by course, but not all at once at the beginning.

If you simply want to learn to fly and have the money go for it, just be aware there are much less expensive routes that produce as good or better results.

If you want to learn to fly with aspirations working as a professional pilot then you REALLY need to examine the industry right now.

• Airlines are shrinking, not growing.
• There are thousands and thousands of furloughed, qualified pilots.
• There is pending legislation that will significantly increase entry level qualifications.

I don't think anyone will criticize you for wanting to learn how to fly, however, if the short term goal is to work for the airlines your timing is beyond horrible.