IS Flight Safety Academy better than DCA

[FlyerNY11225]

Hello everyone I'm new to the forum and would like to know if Flight Safety Academy is any better than DCA?. After seeing all the negative post on DCA I've then since changed my decision to go with DCA or am I making a mistake ?.

I'm 25, currently has a private, Comm,Instr in both SEL & MEL and is just interested in taking a CFI program up to MEI. I have narrowed it down to Flight Safety Academy in terms of living arrangements and Financing. Question, is Flight Safety Academy any different from DCA ? And would it be a better route to go with FSA?.

Just a low time guy trying to get by.

 

[Peter Brady]

I'll go ahead and say it, since it will eventually be said.

Why not do your CFI ratings at your local FBO? It will be much cheaper and could lead to some great network opportunities and or possibly even a job.

To answer your question though, I'd pick Flightsafety Academy, over DCA though I never attended school at either one. FSI seems to have a much better rep.

 

[Slice121]

They are both over priced.

 

[USMCmech]

I went to FSA and had a very good experiance overall.

However, it was really expensive, so the following is not untrue.

They are both over priced.

 

[SBD]

I work at DCA and had a cousin go to Flight Safety. Go to a local FBO. Unless you need a structured, highly priced program, the chioces are the same. DCA has great instructors as well as Flight Safety. If you don't have a degree I would advise you to go to your local college/university and get one. Many of the more experienced aviators have told me, "Always have a back-up plan." Finding flight instruction at a FBO is not hard. Do your research and good luck.

 

[TRpilot]

Why is it so hard to get a straight answer to a simple question on this board? Its always the same talking points every time someone asks a question about DCA, Flightsafety, PAIFA, etc. We all know that DCA and FS are both expensive schools. That point has been beat into all of our heads over and over again. We all know you can get the same ratings much cheaper at a local FBO. Point taken.
This persons question was which school, in your opinion would offer him the best training. Well, to answer your question, in my personal opinion FS is the way to go. You don't see allot of negative post about them for a reason...they provide excellent flight training. In all honesty though, if you are just going for your instructor ratings you would be hard pressed to find that much of a difference in the quality or type of training at either school. Although both schools are good, I would say that if you were going through the whole program from 0 hrs. in my opinion, FS is the way to go.
If you are going to try and get hired w/ the school after completion there are a couple of things you might want to look at. 1) You might have a better chance of getting hired at DCA than FS from what I've heard through friends. 2) DCA pays about $10/hr while FS pays about $14/hr. 3) I believe you are obligated to work for DCA for at least 800 hrs. dual given. 4) FS will reimburse you for your CFII & MEI ratings if hired. 5) You will get more multi time instructing at FS due to the fact that their Inst/Comm course is taught in twins. 6) both schools are well know and have many good connections in the airline industry. Although FS seems to have more corporate contacts for possible employment of their students than DCA, who focus more on regionals. 7) Good benefits at both schools but DCA has flight privileges and I'm not sure but I heard that if you get hired w/ a delta carrier your seniority time as an instructor carries over. Like I said, not sure, just something I heard.
Sorry I went on so long but allot of people on this board helped me out when I was looking at schools, hope this helps you a little. Good luck w/ your career.

 

[LSU Fan]

Just to clear up a few things on TR's post,

1. Getting hired at DCA is easy. Show up for student lessons on time and you are in.

2. DCA pays $10/hr flight or ground.

3. Only reason you are "obligated" is if you want the CRJ course for free. BTW, it is 800 hrs. in the airplane. Sims and such do not count.

4. DCA reimbursed me for my CFII (2003), but I don't think they do that anymore. Maybe buffetck can give more recent info on that one.

5. You will not get any multi time until you are close to finishing your 800 hrs. That is unless you can kiss alot of mgmt. a$$.

6. DCA connections seem to be purely airline.

7. DCA has no benifits for instructors except flight benefits. As far as the flight benefits, they are nice, but they are not all they are cracked up to be. First, you will not have any time to use them. Second, you will not be able to afford to use them. I took 3 trips on them in a year and half and two of those were for family emergencies.

8. In no way shape or form does DCA instructor seniority carry over to any DCI carrier or any others.

Now that we have that out of the way, I have no experience with FSI and too much with DCA. I believe both schools are overpriced, BUT if you decide that you are okay with being in debt forever, both schools should be fine. Just realize BEFORE you go in to this, both are selling an end product (professional pilot). They are very good at selling this. They are very good at delivering this. Just be prepared for alot of surprises along the way. Don't know about FSI, but you will be hosed as an employee at DCA. Take notice that all of the people on here who post about DCA are either former or current instructors. I won't speak for the rest of them, but as an employee, I was treated so poorly that I almost gave up flying. My student experience at DCA was great, and it should have been for the amount of money that I spent. My time as an employee left alot to be desired. Here is my total experience at DCA, take it for what it's worth.

Private-CFII (April 2003-December 2003)
Spent $57,000 (includes $5,000 reimbursement)

Living expenses (April 2003-June 2004)
Spent $20,000

Instructor (June 2004-August 2005)
Made $7,000
Flew 400 hrs
Worked 80 hrs/week avg. (most not paid)

In summary, I would have gone to my local FBO instead. The pilot factory isn't getting me into a jet any quicker. Three years and counting since I fell for their scam. I can't get on with a decent airline even with DCA on my resume. Good luck.

 

[SBD]

LSU fan, 1st what are you doing now, and second how 'bout them Tigers!!!

 

[LSU Fan]

LSU fan, 1st what are you doing now, and second how 'bout them Tigers!!!

Flying offshore pipeline and platform patrol. Men's basketball looked pretty good against Duke the other night. Hopefully we'll do a little better than the friggin' Peach Bowl in football this year.

 

[mddg3581]

I just graduated DCA last August. Very true is that it is expensive. The CFI-II I got done for under 10K. It is a very good program that I will vouch for. I also looked at Flight Safety and was equlally impressed but chose DCA. In the end I couldnt be happier now. Judging by your thread you do not plan on instructing there? It is a great place to obtain your training but there are other options as far as the actual CFI job you choose. By the way, I was treated well, had great instructors who were extremely knowledgeable,received excellent customer service, and was hired for the CFI position. I ultimately took a job instructing in the Metro Detroit area.

 

[SBD]

As a student I truly enjoyed the DCA experience. I am well aware that I paid a little too much for my training. I've met great friends that I will keep for a lifetime. It's a little like college. You can get flight training anywhere. Just do your research before choosing a school. DCA has great training, but it costs a pretty penny. Now that I work there I see both sides of the coin. I'm a dedicated instructor that puts the students b4 the politics. I went with DCA and I am fully aware of where I wanted to work. I hope this gives you a little insight.

 

[mddg3581]

Be honest? I like the Detroit area much better than Sanford which Im sure is no surprise. Plus I grew up here. After finishimg DCA I was not sure whether to do the corporate or airline route. The company I work for pays 2x more than DCA with full benefits so thats pretty good. As you can imagine the choice was easy to stay up here. Family, friends, sports...etc.. Sanford was good because of the people we meet there. Instructing would not have been too bad because of that fact. The pay sucks but you have too put your dues in somewhere right?

 

[mddg3581]

What do you mean, the real truth?

 

[rfresh]

I have the same thought so I'll say it too:

Why not do your CFI ratings at your local FBO?

 

[mpflies2]

Flight Safety Academy

First hand experience....great CFI program, if you were doing anything ratings before that I'd say dont go there. CFI is overpriced, but if you get the job with them and can handle staying for 800 hours dual given, then they'll pay for your II and MEI. So thats 3 ratings for bout 10,000. Plus the living is rather cheap, and once your hired you'll get a hefty discount to live on campus....Possibly half off. Will be something like 250 a month to live and theres no bills for utilities, cable, etc. You also get discounted rate on personal aircraft rental and pilot supplies in the bookstore.

If you get hired, its the way to go. If not, then you just bought a very expensive CFI. I'm a few weeks away from finishing mine at FSA and hoping I get hired. If not, I don't regret the experience.

Oh and it may cost you a bit more than 10K if you come from outside the program for CFI. They have different procedures for alot of things and takes some getting used to. I had to buy an extra 6 hours of solo flight just to get used to the practice areas and checklists because the first flight you have to be effectively instructing, including knowledge of practice areas and all checklists....

Hope this helps on the decision.

Marc