Anyone Knows American Flyers ??? GOOD/BAD

[Thomas_n]

Im looking a attending American Flyers CFI ACADEMY....
Anyone knows BAD/GOOD about the School.
Hope to hear from people.
Thanks

 

[bobs98tlr]

My private pilot instructor was from American flyers, so was his girlfriend, and her sister. I use to ride motorcycles with him and his old flight instructor that was at flyers, along with SEVERAL other people im good friends with. Its a good place. They went to the one at Palwakee airport in Chicago. They are VERY expensive and want lots of money for their training but you benifit from it to if your a fast learner. If i remember right, my old flight instructor spent alittle over $40k at American Flyers but went PPL-CFI in alittle over 5 months.

 

[Vik]

I've *heard* that they are

1) Expensive
2) Quality of training can vary *greatly* from location to location.

Whatever you decide, don't cough up huge deposits to any school. So if it isn't working out, you move on.

 

[flyer172r]

I looked into doing the CFI academy, decided against it. I did my pvt at Flyers, don't count on your "team" of instructors knowing anything about your progress. I wouldn't recommend them.

The academy was 8 am to 5 pm 7 days a week, so be prepared to eat, sleep, and breathe lesson plans

 

[RSixer]

I recommend it.

I did the CFI Academy back in 2000 at the Pompano Beach location, it took a little longer than they say it will and more than likely more flight time too, but I had a great time and learned alot. Just remember it's definetly not going to be spoon fed to you. You will have to do your part, they are your ratings and if you want them this course will get them for you. Looking back I would do it agian, and I didnt eat, sleep the material, I just studied it and I had no problems. Good Luck.

 

[eddie]

I did the CFI academy in 95 at SMO, I learned alot. I was surprised at the things I didn't know before attending a course like that. I did all my previous training at the local FBO, and the class atmosphere made learning the material much easier than any of my previous ratings.

They are expensive, but I believe I received my money's worth.

 

[Crosswind79]

Taught at Flyers for about 15 minutes.....Save your money and your sanity...The one in Chicago was actually under investigation by the FAA...Why do you think that now every single first time applicant has to take their CFI checkride with an inspector??? Because of the "buy your ratings" program at Flyers....The feds 709'd 20 of their newly certificated CFi's and all 20 busted within 30 minutes of the flight...Even made the front page of the Chicago Tribune

They are the type that try to take intro rides up in solid IFR out of PWK...The Chief actually told me that Chicago approach wouldn't mind....Thats right, the head flight instructor said this.....Need I say more.....?

I won't even mention their interpretation of known icing conditions.....

 

[siucavflight]

Taught at Flyers for about 15 minutes.....Save your money and your sanity...The one in Chicago was actually under investigation by the FAA...Why do you think that now every single first time applicant has to take their CFI checkride with an inspector??? Because of the "buy your ratings" program at Flyers....The feds 709'd 20 of their newly certificated CFi's and all 20 busted within 30 minutes of the flight...Even made the front page of the Chicago Tribune

They are the type that try to take intro rides up in solid IFR out of PWK...The Chief actually told me that Chicago approach wouldn't mind....Thats right, the head flight instructor said this.....Need I say more.....?

I won't even mention their interpretation of known icing conditions.....

Why would Chicago approach mind? The instructor was instrument rated right?

Sounds like someone maybe has a grudge. Maybe got fired?????????? I couldnt imagine why with such wonderful explinations of adverse yaw and all. http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=45386

 

[Crosswind79]

Not Fired....I walked out after 15 minutes


Maybe you didn't read it all, or maybe you've never been to ORD in solid IFR....The wanted me to take up someone with no experience and let him fly in solid IFR - Not to mention how close PWK is to ORD there is no way I would get a block of airspace to use unless I flew at least 20 miles away....Did mention this was in November when the Temp on the surface was 02 Celsius and the overcast layer was around 9000 feet thick???

No grudge either, I got all my ratings from a University where you had to learn before you were passed, not just fork over a wad of cash......We even had an instructor that went through the program at the Chicago Flyers teach with me at the University I graduated from - He lasted one week and broke about 20 different regs....Claimed to never know they existed - But who could blame him??? They were those obscure regs like required VFR day equipment and actually signing your student off BEFORE going solo and not after....

It's nothing personal, Flyers is just a plain old S H I T school to go to....At least the one in PWK is.....

 

[siucavflight]

When did you work there?