Hi everyone, I just want to put the words out there that Florida State College at Jacksonville has an aviation program where Post 9/11 VA Benefits would cover 100% for the training of ground course and flight course from private all the way up to certified flight instructor. Unlike Embry Riddle or any other private schools out there, since FSCJ is a state college and a part 141 school Chapter 33 covers it entirely. If you have more questions about the program, feel free to post replies and I can help direct you to the right people to contact. Myself, I went through the program from pvt to cfi/cfii/mei, so I should be able to answer some questions regarding how the program works.

I did my private rating through the FSCJ program as well but when they were going through a different flight school for the flying portion. I'm not too fond of the school they are using now and I know of several students that currently go there that aren't too fond either, but every school has it's downs. All in all a pretty good program though. Great for anyone who needs financing and wants to keep costs way cheaper than going somewhere like Riddle or UND. You can also major in something other than aviation while still getting financing for the flight labs so that is a plus as well.

Why aren't you too fond of the flight school FSCJ is using now? Everything has their good and bad that goes along with it. What kind of things did you didn't like about it?

The fact that the instructors over there have sent more than a couple of students to take knowledge tests while telling them that they could bring they're own charts and notes into the test with them... Thats nothing more than an outright bold-faced lie and cost one of the students a re-take. I have no idea why the instructor would say that, but hey... I can only tell you what I've seen. The flight school I'm at hired a high-time CFI that was let go from the flight school that is partnered with FSCJ and we subsequently let him go for being totally inappropriate with a student. I didn't post my original post to bash the school. I have a couple of friends who are happy with the instruction they have received there for the most part. You can PM me if you would like. But like I said, I still believe it is a better alternative than UND/ER. They also offer a great ATC program and a reputable AMP program. I've been considering the AMP program myself a little bit... it is just a big commitment and a lot of money.

I think you have us confused with someone else. We have a test center right across the road from where we do our flight training for students to go and take their written, So I don't think anyone would drive an extra 45 mins to and hours over to Sterling to take it. I'm not saying they wouldn't, but it would be a huge inconvenience. I would like to know who these couple of students are, because as far as I know, none of our students have failed their written. You might have us confused with other flight training places at Herlong or what not. As far as the "high time" instructor that you guys let go because for whatever reason, I don't even know what to say to that because it has nothing to do with us. We let him go, you guys hired him and then let him go, end of story, I'm not quite sure where you were going with that. Anyways I'm sure you are happy with your training progress, and btw how is that coming along?

Most of your students live on this side of town... Thats why many of them come here for testing. Training has been great here. We have picked up a multitude of foreign students and some locals over the past few months so things have been busy.

Well it's good to hear you are staying busy with new students.

Definitely... I've been meaning to get out there and talk to Sam... Is he still out there?