New Jersey Schools

[CoAPorT]

Hello everyone I was thinking about taking a discovery flight at Teterboro or so. I see that they have two schools there, one is Air Fleet Training Systems, Inc, and the other is Million Air Flight Training Center.

Has anyone had any first hand experience with these schools, or have heard anything about them?

For the Air Fleet Training Systems, Inc they have a link on thier website to schedule a discovery flight, and to buy the discovery flight "ticket" for 65 dollars. I believe I have seen cheaper. Anyone know where I can get a discovery flight ticket for cheaper, would be well appreciated? Would the school allow that? Or do they only allow the 65 dollar "ticket" to be the eligible one?

Also i just want to see what it is like to fly, see the school, and the instructors. Will they kind of pressure me to join? Because I will not be able to join anytime soon, but just want to see what it is like,andhave some time to think about it.

Any help will definitely be appreciated. Thank you.

Also I am in college right now, and working towards a a degree in a business field, don't know exactly which yet. Do you think it would be possible to maybe fly for a corporate/private, or regional airliner as second job, something part time?

Once again, thank you.

 

[CoAPorT]

Cool, thanks. Could you direct me to a site (if there is one) for the Caldwell Essex airport?

I go to school in Caldwell. Thanks.

 

[Jmajoris]

Cool, thanks. Could you direct me to a site (if there is one) for the Caldwell Essex airport?

I go to school in Caldwell. Thanks.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/CDW

Have fun!

 

[mike1mc]

Air Fleet in Teterboro is now based in Caldwell (CDW). Moved about a month ago.

 

[Mr. Cole]

Really? Last time I was at CDW was several weeks ago. Where on the field are they?

To the original poster,

I started flying out of CDW when I moved back to North Jersey three years ago. I looked at both Caldwell Flight Academy and Mac Dan. The choice for me was easy, I went with Mac Dan. But because I wanted the challenge of a busier airport for my instrument rating, and because I lived nearby in Hackensack, I later started instrument training at TEB with Air Fleet. I can't say anything bad about the school, but flying out of TEB can be a challenge. Not only is the traffic high during peak time, but the costs were getting out of hand. The instructor fees were approaching $50/hour, rentals had gone up because of increases in fuel cost, and the landing fee went up to $15 per landing. To me this was a sign that the airport was looking to push small operations out, which seems to have been the case given the AirFleet move. Because of traffic and the landing fees at TEB you'll end up going to either Lincoln Park of Caldwell to do pattern work. So in short, your best bet is probably training out of CDW. You have an opportunity to fly out of a controlled airport that can be busy at times. At other times you'll have the pattern to yourself.

Dave

Air Fleet in Teterboro is now based in Caldwell (CDW). Moved about a month ago.

 

[CoAPorT]

Caldwell it is I guess. Thanks guys, I really appreciate the replies.

I will get a discovery flight "ticket" and go check it out sometime in the future.

Also, do you think it would be realistic to fly part time or so for a regional or private/corporate airline?

I want the joy of flying for an airline/business, and the joy of flying itself. But I am wanting to stay positioned here, and not be away for soo long. Would that be possible or no?

Once again, thank you.

 

[wheelsup]

I used to teach at Air Fleet @ Teterboro. I got a call from a friend who trained there that said they moved to Caldwell. Not sure when this happened. Phone number is the same.

It was an ok school, the owner also has a charter department with a few lears and kingairs. That's his primary business...or so it seemed. They have new leaseback 172s and older 172 P models. No multi, or atleast when I was there (2 years ago).

~wheelsup

 

[mike1mc]

Air Fleet took over what was left of Caldwell Flight Academy. All the instructors and aircraft are the same but the enitre operation moved to CDW. Rates are still the same, from what I've seen. It may be worth while to check out Lincoln Park airport. I've heard horror stories about the traffic (non-controlled field), but the schools seem to have a good reputation. Maybe someone can chime in with experiences.

 

[wheelsup]

Do you work there?

~wheelsup

 

[Mr. Cole]

Wheelsup,

We probably passed each other a few times at TEB. I flew with Sadiki for a while.

Dave

I used to teach at Air Fleet @ Teterboro. I got a call from a friend who trained there that said they moved to Caldwell. Not sure when this happened. Phone number is the same.


It was an ok school, the owner also has a charter department with a few lears and kingairs. That's his primary business...or so it seemed. They have new leaseback 172s and older 172 P models. No multi, or atleast when I was there (2 years ago).

~wheelsup

 

[icefr8dawg]

Air Fleet is on the North side of the field by the tower. Their rates looked suprisingly fair. However, if you want to learn how to really fly get on Rt. 80W take the 206 north Exit into Andover make a right at the Exxon and learn to fly here: http://www.andoverflight.com/html/home.htm

 

[wheelsup]

Air Fleet is on the North side of the field by the tower. Their rates looked suprisingly fair. However, if you want to learn how to really fly get on Rt. 80W take the 206 north Exit into Andover make a right at the Exxon and learn to fly here: http://www.andoverflight.com/html/home.htm

I used to take privates to Andover to do short fields on their 1900' strip. Good memories! I heard Harrison Ford got his tailwheel there, not sure if its true or not.

I remember Sadiki, although didn't talk to him much. He was on his way out as I was on my way in so to speak. Last I heard he went into real estate.

The other guys that were there when I was there have mostly left, I think Aki is still there.

~wheelsup

 

[CoAPorT]

Hey everyone I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

See how the piloting really is. Again, sorry for the question, but I am really interested, would you think it would be possible in flying for a corporate/private, regional airline be realistic as something part time.

I really would like the joy of being a pilot and flying for a small airline, or private. But I would like it as if I could do something with a couple of hourse or days a month. Like a week tops away from home.

Thanks, really interested, and again I really appreciate all the help.

 

[icefr8dawg]

Flying corp/private part time is a heck of a lot easier than flying part time for a regional. Regionals want ya for the duration with the exception of some senior folks or locals that I've heard of in the really small regionals like the island flying types.
You might find that the local cargo companies like to have one or two part timers that they can call upon when people quit or for when charters come up. We had three part time guys at my last employer flying night time runs out of philly two or three nights a week to keep their sanity. Used to be MacDan would hire you part time to fly 310's, etc but last I checked they've gotten rid of all their planes.

 

[Capt. JD]

Flying corp/private part time is a heck of a lot easier than flying part time for a regional. Regionals want ya for the duration with the exception of some senior folks or locals that I've heard of in the really small regionals like the island flying types.
You might find that the local cargo companies like to have one or two part timers that they can call upon when people quit or for when charters come up. We had three part time guys at my last employer flying night time runs out of philly two or three nights a week to keep their sanity. Used to be MacDan would hire you part time to fly 310's, etc but last I checked they've gotten rid of all their planes.

Did MacDan at CDW flys C-310R? Do they still fly freight? Anything scheduled?

 

[icefr8dawg]

310R's hell yea. They even had a Q model that they would stuff full of any cargo that could fit in the door. We're talking the good old days tho. They had all sorts of runs for IBM and banks and I think even Kodak.

It all ended with a run called "beaver express." We were doing some work for airnet too. Like 105 down to and back from Philly and their weekend Buffalo fed run in our 402. Radioisotope stuff into and out of IAD.
I think they lost anything in the way of scheduled when Chuck sold the company and they lost his ability to sell. It was purchased by a rich cofee importer who put a couple of former employees in charge of the day to day. Some good guys but none of them had a down and dirty aviation sales background so the scheduled runs evaporated. There were some guys who really knew what they were doing but weren't allowed to make decisions.
Long story short they turned into a charter operator with three operational 310's a 414, 402 and three King airs which through selling aircraft and pissing owners off is now at one 310. Last I saw it was on jacks in the hanger awaiting an engine and one 310 sitting on the ramp missing all sorts of parts. That was year ago tho.
Funny how this business works. Everyone at Mac Dan said there was no cargo work anymore but I wound up at a place that had more work than it could find pilots for. Bank work may be on the decline but there are plenty of checks still in the air every night.