Comair Academy?

[ChadCRJ]

Can anyone tell me what they thought or think of the Comair Academy? I'm looking into this school and I'm about to fly down to take the tour. Is this a good school? How long does it take to complete the entire program? (being an instructor and all) I know things are slow right now but hopefully within a year or two when I go down there things will be picking up pace. One other thing. I heard that the planes there are not all that new.. Does the academy have any intentions of gettting a new training fleet? Any advice on this school is much appreciated.

Thanks!
Chad

 

[Timebuilder]

Going down there in a year or two? Take along a BS in a non-aviation field, and be ready to watch your career climb at 500fpm. The days of the meteoric rise to the jet regional are on hold for now.

I'll let some guys with recent experience with the school give you the particulars. When I stopped by there 29 months ago, they were going to charge over $5000 for my CFI training, and turn around and pay me just over $7.00/hr for giving instruction. I passed on that deal.

My most vivid observation: neatly dressed instructors in uniforms, students in sandals, torn cargo shorts and dirty T-shirts.

 

[172driver]

It's a good school. You will receive excellent instruction and be expected to work hard. Yes, it's expensive but not any more expensive than other large flight academies. Quite a bit more than most part 61 schools.

I see you have 25 hrs and would suggest finishing your private before you come, though you will have to go through a proficiency course before you start instrument. Should be no problem if you don't let your skills rust. They're just looking for safe flying and basic knowledge.

Takes approximately 2 yrs to go from private to airline interview. Depends on how hard you want to work as a CFI.

Enrollments are picking up dramatically...there will be students for you to teach.

Seminoles are new. Comair is currently acquiring Arrows for CFI training and reserving the RG's for commercial. Some new, some old. Eventually, all complex training will be in the Arrow. No plans for new 152 or 172's. All 172's have brand new avionics, no GPS. You will learn GPS in multi as the Seminoles are equipped. Planes are old but extremely well maintained and safe.

Be prepared to spend 10-20% more than you are quoted unless you are bright and hard working. Lots of ups and downs, success and failure, BS and bureaucracy, but many caring people as well...especially the CFI's and your fellow students. Bottom line is that, right now, it's the only place you will get a shot at an interview with a quality regional airline with low time. Remember, it's a foot in the door but not a guaranteed job.

Hope to see you. Good luck with your choice. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[bobbysamd]

Comair Academy

I interviewed for an instructing job there in 1991. I was not impressed at all with the place. I did not care at all for how I was treated at my interview. I didn't get the job, which is one thing, but what bothered me more was that I didn't even get a rejection letter. I paid my way from two-thousand miles away to attend the interview. I also thought the aircraft were ratty.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I know that the program works. I also know that not everyone who starts at Comair finishes there, and not all of those who finish get CFI jobs. And, not all of those who get the CFI jobs get "the interview."

I have no idea whatsoever if you can continue to work there if you don't get "the interview" and/or if Comair doesn't hire you. Of course, the CFI you earn there is good anywhere.

The best thing that you can do is visit the place and see for yourself. Also, ignore the "career counselors." They are nothing but salespeople who are trying to get you to sign on the dotted line. As always, the bottom-line of a flight school is if it furthered your objective. Accordingly, see if you can find a Comair pilot(s) who went through the program and ask them what they think.

I promise that I have absolutely no agenda because I am not in aviation right now. Having said that, let me suggest that while you're in Florida that you take a 1½-hour drive to Vero and visit FlightSafety Academy. I worked there for just over a year, and while there was plenty that I didn't like about the place as an employee I can vouch for the program as being quality training. Some of the quality people who were there during my time are still there. No direct "bridge" to an airline of which I'm aware right now, but plenty of FSI grads get regional jobs.

Maybe, while you're at it, you can drive down to Fort Pierce and look at Pan Am International Flight Academy. I don't know the place personally and have heard pro and con, but looking at it and FlightSafety would be worth your while in terms of comparison shopping.

Hope these ideas help. Good luck with your choice.

 

[ChadCRJ]

Comair

Hey, I really appreciate all of the responses I got.

Accordingly, see if you can find a Comair pilot(s) who went through the program and ask them what they think.

I have a very good friend that is currently a first officer for Comair. He recommends the program and is why I have considered it along with some research I have done. He just turned 22 and has been flying with Comair since he was 20 on the CRJ. I was also thinking a letter of recommendation from him might also help increase my chances even if I get the guranteed interview. What do you guys think?

One other thing.

172Driver- Are you currently an instructor or student at the academy? Thanks

Chad

 

[172driver]

Instructor for a little over a year. Did all ratings IR-MEI at the academy.

I also know that not everyone who starts at Comair finishes there, and not all of those who finish get CFI jobs. And, not all of those who get the CFI jobs get "the interview."

Very good point. Not all students finish here. Biggest reason is they think the grass is greener somewhere else. Maybe it is, maybe not. Many students get very involved financially in this industry before they find out that not everyone can become a professional pilot and that those who do seldom have an easy time of it. Student attrition rate probably is fairly high but, again, I would suspect that this is true of most large flight schools. It's tough to see $50K dwindle. My only advice is to work extremely hard on the ground where it's free.

Almost all students who make it through the training get the CFI jobs and this percentage will go up even more as enrollments continue to pick up. Those who don't get hired usually had major issues getting through training....not failed checkrides or the usual difficulties but major issues. You CFI's know what I'm talking about.

However, the second part of the quote is untrue. All who get the CFI jobs DO get the interview unless they quit or get fired which really doesn't happen. It's not called a guaranteed interview for nothing. Again, good luck.

Bobby,

Sorry to hear about your bad luck with the interview process but that was 11 yrs ago. Now, they send a letter FedEx two days later, be it good or bad. The new Seminoles aren't ratty but...if prospective students are looking to fly brand new glamorous airplanes, Comair probably isn't the place. The suggestion to visit Pan Am and Flight Safety is a good one but I know when I did the prices weren't even in the same ballpark, probably due to newer aircraft. A 172 is a 172 to me.

 

[bobbysamd]

LOR

I agree that it certainly won't hurt you to have LOR(s) from Comair pilot(s) if and when you get "the interview." But, you're jumping way ahead. First, check out the place and see if you like before you think about LORs.

Once again, best of luck with your choice.

 

[bobbysamd]

CAA equipment

The new Seminoles aren't ratty but...if prospective students are looking to fly brand new glamorous airplanes, Comair probably isn't the place . . . .

I was in a 152 that looked like it had been there since when the place was known as Airline Aviation Academy. That would have been at least twelve to fifteen years ago.

One other thing to point out is that not all interviewees, for any job, get hired, at Comair or Mesa or anyplace. And, it isn't necessarily a reflection on you. You might draw an interviewer who is having a bad day and/or with whom you don't hit it off. Aviation is very much a personality and luck business, and it's important to keep that in mind while pondering the career.

 

[ChadCRJ]

Another Question

Why aren't CAA students required to wear uniforms??? To me it looks more professional for one and all the other academys require it. (i.e. FSI, ATA) I mean I'm all for the uniforms... 172Driver do you hear any talk about students having to wear uniforms in the future? I know its really not about that. Its about the flying.. Just think it makes the school look better. Let me know if you can. Thanks!

Chad

 

[172driver]

Have you ever been to Central Florida in the summertime? I think the reason students don't wear uniforms is because it's too dam n hot. Basically, they are the customers and I don't think the vast majority would want uniforms. I know I wouldn't. I toured schools where the students had the monkey suit and, having no military background, thought it was ridiculous. Maybe it looks more professional to you but to me it looks like the military.

 

[C601]

especially when you see the 250hr pilot with the four stripes on his shoulders lol

 

[bobbysamd]

Summer uniforms

This subject is addressed on another thread, but everyone wore uniforms year 'round at FlightSafety in Vero. We didn't have to wear ties in the summertime. No one complained, and Vero gets just as hot as Central Florida.

 

[WingRider]

I went to CAA about 2 years ago. I can tell you only what I remember of course when I was there. The Training was fairly good. The planes were old, and very used, but what do you expect with hundreds of new students using them. One bone to pick that I had was the ground school instructors(not all of them). They had been students also and sitting in your seat just a number of months ago, not to mention they rotate and all/or did. Which means, not too knowlegable, having freshly studied it themselves, and it showed sometimes. There were surprisingly a couple full time teachers who had been there a while, and were very smart, don't remember their names. I don't mean to say that's a major drawback, just thinking about what I thought at the time. I jumped out early after my Com/Multi. Went to towing banners for twice the pay as the Instructors were getting. Sad. Also had a fun time (almost) towing in a J3 supercub. (Don't ever, I mean Ever fly for Paramount Air Service, Shady place).
They didn't/don't have uniforms which is great, in that hot humid WX.

If I were to start over again I'd have to say I would go to my local FBO and get the ratings for Far less money. Just think, you'll have exactly the same ratings as someone who paid 60k+(maybe, The thing your paying for is the brand NAME in some cases, granted quality of training varies). But the price all might be irrelevant to you if All you want is the bridge program so you can Possibly/maybe get in the back door to Comair Airlines.
The Instructors were getting $7/hr. when I was there. You could get paid better at Mc D's.
I had a fun time there though, made some good friends.

If I had the money to blow, I'd go to Flight Safety, I've heard alot of good things through the years about them.

Just my .2 cents.

 

[bobbysamd]

Ground school instructors

One bone to pick that I had was the ground school instructors(not all of them). They had been students also and sitting in your seat just a number of months ago, not to mention they rotate and all/or did. Which means, not too knowlegable, having freshly studied it themselves, and it showed sometimes.

That is typical flight school. We had the same situation at FSI. Instructors who were waiting their turn in the airplanes taught ground school. I think we had maybe one experienced instructor who taught ground school.

If I were to start over again I'd have to say I would go to my local FBO and get the ratings for Far less money. Just think, you'll have exactly the same ratings as someone who paid 60k+(maybe, The thing your paying for is the brand NAME in some cases, granted quality of training varies).

That is really the issue. 141 training, by definition, will be consistent. You have to jump through many hoops, i.e., stage checks, to make it through to the end. Although some stage check pilots turn stage checks into sado-masochistic events, the purpose of stage checks is to assure you have a minimum level of knowledge and skill to succeed at the next step of training. In addition, many of the schools with so-called airline ties train students according to airline standards. That is an impressive piece of advertising, but what it really means is you learn line procedures consistent with the airplanes you're flying and training you're receiving. That can help you down the road with more advanced flying. You might find that kind of situation to be worth it. Just the same, Part 141 and Part 61 students have to meet the same standards.

Once again, good luck with your choice.