Flight Training in Orlando

[SKLJ]

Can someone please give me some information about the best flight training schools in Orlando? I have a relative that wants to start flying, but I haven't a clue what schools are the best there.

Thank you.

SKLJ

 

[midlifeflyer]

For my money, Air Orlando is the place to go (http://www.flyairorlando.com/). My wife and I made a (commercial trip) to Orlando in May and wanted to arrange to rent an airplane for afew days. There's a story about the trip on my web site, and here's what I say about them:

"After a number of inquiries, I settled on Air Orlando Aviation at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL) to rent a new Cessna 172 SP. I'm glad I did. I have rented airplanes in many places and, overall, from the initial contact (we did most of the necessary paperwork in advance) to the CFI who handled my checkout to the line crew people who clean the cockpit windows before almost every flight, Air Orlando is the most well-organized and professionally run organization of it's kind I have come across."

 

[ShawnC]

No way you can allow them to start with Cessna's when there is a fantastic glider port, not far from Orlando.

http://www.soarfl.com

 

[Sunnfun]

For my money, Air Orlando is the place to go (http://www.flyairorlando.com/).

I second that. Though I don't have no first-hand experience, I've heard only the best things about Air Orlando.

 

[nikoz1200]

Better call and find out if they have any planes left..I heard that a good portion of their fleet was bent up pretty bad by Charley.

Z

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

I'll muddy the waters a bit.

Air Orlando's fleet suffered a lot of damage with the hurricane a week ago last Friday. I was told 18 out of 24 bought it. I'm only repeating gossip. I flew out of there last Thursday night and glancing over that way that way there were indeed a lot of damaged planes. With that said, it does seem to be a top notch place and they have a pretty nice pilot shop with a small plane sim (don't know the details of it though). Most of their planes seem to be newer which means the rental costs will probably be higher.

To my knowledge there are three flying clubs at Executive and all three have instructors so I'm told.

To the north of Orlando, there is Sanford (SFB) that has Comair/"Delta Connection" and Avion Jet Center. Haven't been there in a couple of years, but Avion had pretty decent older model rentals. Seemed to be nice people and a nice facility. Don't know much about Comair. Haven't heard anything bad.

To the south there is Kissimmee (ISM). I'm not sure what is down there. I know a couple of insructors from there but we never have talked about where they work. Both seem to be decent guys.

One thing about Orlando/Florida, you'll learn to navigate around the weather!