Delta Connection Academy...THOUGHTS????

[SSMOWS6]

I'll agree with you about the instructors (I was one) at DCA... They pre-flight/taxi in fear every day concerning the "dreaded" FAA ramp check. Not because they weren't current or proficient, but because of the Delta Connection Academy AIRCRAFT status/condition.

Many, many times, the numbers DCA recorded on the aircraft dispatch "cans" were NOT accurate. The instructors didn't always have time to check and "re-do" the math on those tired old airplanes... Overflown inspections/times, etc... But, oh God... if the FAA finds a discrepancy?

DCA policy. Boom...shoot/kill the instructor. Never happened to me, but I saw it done to others...and the stories from my CFI/II instructors are bone chilling...certificates yanked, etc. There goes that "Guaranteed Interview"... Must not make Mother Delta Communist scam-Ademy look bad...

I was FAA ramp checked as a DCA instructor and, thankfully, passed with no problems...part of the FAA "random" process. It's no fun to be put through the "ringer" after three flights and get stopped on the line by a car with twirling yellow lights...just because you work for DCA...and the FAA was homing in on them...

Those "random" FAA ramp check inspections sure seemed to happen a LOT at DCA...

The Falcon Flight or Avion instructors I knew at SFB didn't have that problem...

An incoming student would think with all that FAA scrutiny that DCA has the safest aircraft in the CFI fleet... Believe me, they don't...

There have been ALOT of people over flying AD's lately. Its retarded, it takes what.. 1 minute to do the math and check the POS planes are "ok" to fly. My favorite write up so far has been "Right main landing gear on a/c had to be moved forward 5 or 6 inches." I wonder what happened there... A 152 crashed lately too. All we know it the engine quit.

 

[SSMOWS6]

Nah im a student that got suckered in by "Airline owned makes a difference." and "Garaunteed interview."

 

[mnixon]

I'll agree with you about the instructors (I was one) at DCA... They pre-flight/taxi in fear every day concerning the "dreaded" FAA ramp check. Not because they weren't current or proficient, but because of the Delta Connection Academy AIRCRAFT status/condition.

Many, many times, the numbers DCA recorded on the aircraft dispatch "cans" were NOT accurate. The instructors didn't always have time to check and "re-do" the math on those tired old airplanes... Overflown inspections/times, etc... But, oh God... if the FAA finds a discrepancy?

DCA policy. Boom...shoot/kill the instructor. Never happened to me, but I saw it done to others...and the stories from my CFI/II instructors are bone chilling...certificates yanked, etc. There goes that "Guaranteed Interview"... Must not make Mother Delta Communist scam-Ademy look bad...

I was ramp checked as a DCA instructor and, thankfully, passed with no problems...part of the FAA "random" process. It's no fun to be put through the "ringer" after three flights and get stopped on the line by a car with twirling yellow lights...just because you work for DCA...and the FAA (MCO FSDO) was homing in on them...

Those "random" ramp check inspections sure seemed to happen a LOT at DCA...

The Falcon Flight or Avion instructors I knew at SFB didn't have that problem...

An incoming student would think with all that FAA scrutiny that DCA has the safest aircraft in the CFI fleet... Believe me, they don't...

cmon scott. How many places do you know that won't toss your ass for violating an AD? I don't know of many. And checking the hobbs is not that tough. I do it every night still. Look up the definition of PIC and you'll see why most companies will throw you to the dogs in that scenario. I understand your concerns about the place, but trust me, you've made your point. You don't have to be that far fetched to sell your crap.

 

[SSMOWS6]

From a business standpoint they do their job very well. They are here to sell a product, that they do very well. But the product sucks. Im posting this in the ran down LRC with busted ass parts all over. Would I ever do it again here, not a chance.

 

[SSMOWS6]

woops, duplicate post.

 

[SBD]

Okay, where to start. Must we remember DCA is a business. If their product sucked so much as people claim (myself included) how are they still in operation? We can all bash and bad-mouth DCA, Embry Riddle, and other academies and schools but people will be willing to fork over the money to live out their dream. DCA sells their product well and it is bigger than some knuckleheads(myself included) on a internet message board to get them to get their act together. Their international contracts are at enormous numbers and the last incoming class had bigger numbers then they expected. Now as far as the MANY PEOPLE OVERFLYING THE AD'S, I'm going to call B.S. on that one. SSMOWS6, I take it that you are a student so the information you get is probably rumorville. If you really don't know you shouldn't spread gossip. There was an incident with the AD's about 6 months ago. But when you say lately all these AD incidents are occuring I have to tell you that you are wrong. Last but not least is the ramp checks. I've been there a little over one year and never have been ramped checked or even ever heard of anyone being ramped checked. Not saying that it didn't happen it just sounds a little fishy to me. You were there for a few months and had more than one?

 

[SBD]

I feel for you that management took that position with you for being ramped checked. Not all is well with those guys(management). PM me and tell me what your experince was like. I would truly like to know.

 

[kkholidaze]

Was gonna start but..

Wow. I'm new here and this is the first thread that caught my eye for the simple fact that I was going to register for classes on monday and start DCA (at their school in Miami) in May. Heck, I even recieved my first installment check from the bank for $23,994. This is my FIRST post. It took me 2 days to read through and process all that was being said about the school. At first, I took it all in with a grain of salt thinking it was just a bunch of disgruntled ex students. But I gotta tell you, I think i'm just gonna go another route. I love aviation, it's what I've always wanted to do. After reading what has been said about the institution, I really don't think it would be worth it. Doesn't even seem like the F/O at a regional would be hard to get going another (cheaper) route. Even part 61. They told me that it was gonna cost me around $50,000 to get it all done. Doesn't seem possible according to you guys. I could get it done at a 61 and just do my IFR 141 somewhere else and come in with all my cert at around 30k. Seems more feasible. It doesn't even seem like I would get a job through theses guys anyway. THAT WOULD SUCK if I paid that kinda money and had nothing to show for it. Anyway, thanks for the heads up. I think this thread saved me 50k. :beer:

 

[mddg3581]

23K sounds a little extreme. I got through at about 13K. How was the VR-IR program?? How many hours did it take? Instrument was my only hang up when it came to learning the NDB's.

 

[mddg3581]

I can see spending 13K on PVT there if you are having problems. That is the saddest thing you can see there..The immature 18-21 year old just out of Highschool or getting the wild hair up their %^# that they want to be a pilot. If you are going to choose DCA then you should be completely focused on the training. Some guys/girls just arent ready for that type of regiment. I was a student from June 04' to July 05' basicaly 0 to CFII

 

[mddg3581]

23 still sound extreme unless you are including living expenses which makes more sense.

 

[jws717]

Go to a DCA college campus, the rates are cheeper, you can get a degree and best of all apply for scholarship $$$. There are a few who learn to fly on scholarship cash! I was one. Now i fly a jet i am on first year pay but no loans, why? How? Scholarships baby avail at your local college.
Word to the wise dont go to DCA if you do not plan on devoting 8 hours a day as a student and 12 a day as a CFI 6 days a week. And if you want the scholarships you need to workharder than that! Its all about what you put into it...

 

[3-60FreightDog]

I went to DCA and finished with my MEI after instructing for only about 100 hours. I left early getting an FO Freight Dog job to which I'm still doing. I'd rather be building up turbine multi than....ooh a 172 flight (again) wow! Overall it was a good program however I will be in debt for quite a while. I mean we all became pilots for the pay right..........................cough.

 

[WestHouston]

Go to a DCA college campus, the rates are cheeper, you can get a degree and best of all apply for scholarship $$$. There are a few who learn to fly on scholarship cash! I was one. Now i fly a jet i am on first year pay but no loans, why? How? Scholarships baby avail at your local college.
Word to the wise dont go to DCA if you do not plan on devoting 8 hours a day as a student and 12 a day as a CFI 6 days a week. And if you want the scholarships you need to workharder than that! Its all about what you put into it...

Thats what I'm doing. Exept instead of scholarship see GI Bill and Hazelwood act. Going to San Jacinto College in Houston in the fall. After reading this thread, I probably wouldn't go into debt in Sanford. But if it's free in Houston? Why not?

 

[crzepilot]

Waste of money...bottom line

 

[VW Pilot]

Hi All VW Pilot newbie here....Actually not a pilot yet but getiing there....
I visited DCA and the career advisor tried to give me this sales pitch about
how 95% of their students compleet the program and most get regional airline placement...BLAH BLAH BLAH...my exact words were "Sir I've been in sales before....just give me the real news, what am I looking at" He didn't want to tell me but he told me that most students that go to DCA spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 83-95k in training...He knew I wasn't buying his little speach about all the goodies....I asked him is the cost of living expenses included in that price and he said yes....I talked to a few instuctors there and they told me what ever prices they tell you....Add 30%....I assume he was talking about the avertised prices....They seem a bit money hungry..but who isn't.....Question has anyone considered Regional Airline Academy???

 

[VW Pilot]

Yeah he said 95% of the students....although the packet of info he gave me says 99% of the students....I've heard 2-3 other figures so I just stopped paying attention to them....Besides It's all depends on the student because no two students are alike.

Alot of flight schools or all will give you a sales pitch...Don't pay it any attention.. Get the facts. See what the flight school will really offer you intstead of a bunch of empty hopes... I say get what you know airlines want.....your ratings and experience/hours and for most a 4 yr degree.

 

[de727ups]

"Question has anyone considered Regional Airline Academy???"

RAA's reputation on the net is only slightly better than DCA. Do some searches. Check Jetcareers or Airline Pilot Central for some current threads.

FSA and ATP seem to get the least negative press of the well known schools.

I've personally known people that had success at both ATP and Mazzei, a smaller academy in Fresno.

 

[VW Pilot]

oops made a mistake...

 

[VW Pilot]

I just want to know something....If you have attended DCA then your answer will be more acurate...

Most who attend this school usually get a loan from one of the banks they are affiliated with...What I want to know is does the loan cover anything else other than the courses? What about books, supplies uniforms and such oh and things like living expenses...(APT, food, etc)..are these things forked out of the student's pocket??? If the loan does not cover these, how are the student's even getting by? Are some of the students attending working?? I was told you would rarely have no time for work or if you did, you'd loose because there would be no time for study....I was told that during the disbursment of the loan, an initial amount of 35K will be disbursed, 5k goes to you for personal needs. But If you have to pay for uniforms and books and stuff, you'll barely have anything left to pay for somewhere to live and eat....

That being said, I was told that If a person opt-out of student housing, they
should figure in the cost of living into the loan they applied for..But I'm geting the feeling that the loan only covers courses....True???..Shed some light on me guys.. Tell me what happened to you....