Flight Academies

[Hobiehawker]

I have a friend who is looking into one of the flight academies that advertise getting hired at an airline in as little as 500 hours. I know there a few out there with this sort of program and my question is are they worth their investment. Has this really worked as well as they advertise.

 

[urflyingme?!]

MAPD does it in 300hrs. Only problem is surviving a year and 7 months in new mexico!

 

[Flyeys]

Horsesh!t 90% of the time.

 

[AutoBus]

I have a friend who is looking into one of the flight academies that advertise getting hired at an airline in as little as 500 hours. I know there a few out there with this sort of program and my question is are they worth their investment. Has this really worked as well as they advertise.

probably way too expensive, think twice about it. these are for people with big ego's and big wallets who like to wear thier little student pilot uniforms everywhere, like to duncan donuts so people will think they are real pilots.

 

[svcta]

Nobody wants to wear that brand, anyhow. Stick to the tried and true. You'll be a better pilot, have way more money to spend on things like a house, and people won't hate you(anymore).

 

[User546]

Be Aware, Be VERY VERY Aware!

Most of the time even researching most of these academies still don't reveal the traps and the problems that occur at these places. Each academy is only out after one thing... MONEY.

I went to Pan Am, and if your interested in my opinions on it, feel free to do a search for that using Mr Searchy, and you'll find my already well documented opinion on it.

And I'm not one of these people that are bitter because I got kicked out an academy, etc. I just knew when to cut my losses, and tried another route. I've since known way too many guys that have gone thru different academies, mostly Pan am, and ahve come up WAY SHORT.

Probably the most legit program out there is the Mesa Air Pilot Development. All others, I'd stay far away from.

And since your already a pilot, you should explain to your friend hnow hard making ends meet is going to be when he comes out of an academy with $500-600 a MONTH loan payment!

Just my .02

 

[rausda27]

I would look into the direct track programs at FlightSafety. It has great placement record with ASA and now has agreements with ExpressJet and American Eagle.

 

[Palerider957]

Probably the most legit program out there is the Mesa Air Pilot Development. All others, I'd stay far away from.

Just my .02

Are you OUT OF YOUR MIND? Encouraging someone to GO to MESA?? Have you read ANYTHING on these boards? Mesa is the absolute bottom of bottom feeders, and the original battered pilots shelter.

Bad advice any way you cut it.

 

[Meiguy]

I would look into the direct track programs at FlightSafety. It has great placement record with ASA and now has agreements with ExpressJet and American Eagle.

Since when has XJT or Eagle had an agreement with Flight safety. I didn't see it anywhere on there website or heard anything about it.

 

[rausda27]

Since when has XJT or Eagle had an agreement with Flight safety. I didn't see it anywhere on there website or heard anything about it.

www.flightsafetyacademy.com

Its right on the main page.

 

[hmmurdock]

Which Academy??

Greetings..

Has your friend ever picked up a USA Today recently. Have they watched the news or anything?..I would think twice about dropping from 50 to 75 grand on a job thats going to pay 18,000 or so the first year and barely more than 33 to 35 for the 4 years after that!! Unless your friend is made of money, like the others have said on here, dont forget about the 600 a month student loan payments they will have to pay back. Not to mention that the industry is very shaky right now. " but Ive always wanted to fly for a living" I know I know. everyone does until they get into the work force. The regionals mostly suck and your friend will have to be satisfied on crappy pay and work rules for 3 to 6 years at least. Its definitely something to think twice about. JMO

Take care

 

[TheBigH]

Just tell your friend the truth, he'll spend tons of money to make $hit money, if he's cool with that he has two options.

1. Buy himself a job (maybe) at one of these fast track joints

2. Learn how to fly and earn one ...

 

[T-handle]

There's always Gulfstream Training Academy.....

 

[FN FAL]

Seniority is everything...

If the money is buring a hole in your buddies parent's pocket, tell him get it on and have his parents write the check. Some day when he's back at home managing dad's business and looking back at his experiences, he'll be able to say he was a pilot.

 

[AftCG182]

Watch Out For The Williams Family

Make sure that your friend isn't going to attend an academy run by the Williams family. They stole a couple MILLION dollars from their students in Orlando while running Airline Training Academy.

The list of Williams thieves:

Rob Williams
Jim Williams
Melissa Williams
Ruth Williams
Christine Williams
Scott Williams
Jeff Williams

Also, ask the "airline recruiter" at the academy your friend chooses if he used to work at Airline Training Academy. If he did, ask him how he sleeps at night, then turn around and leave.

 

[Palerider957]

Make sure that your friend isn't going to attend an academy run by the Williams family. They stole a couple MILLION dollars from their students in Orlando while running Airline Training Academy.

The list of Williams thieves:

Rob Williams
Jim Williams
Melissa Williams
Ruth Williams
Christine Williams
Scott Williams
Jeff Williams

Also, ask the "airline recruiter" at the academy your friend chooses if he used to work at Airline Training Academy. If he did, ask him how he sleeps at night, then turn around and leave.

Good advice. I think Delta Connection Acad. has a program where you put your money in escrow, and pay as you go. Not a bad concept. If you want to go somewhere else, perhpas you can make this idea a condition of your attending.