Not another DCA thread... this one is different!

[WestHouston]

I know there are too many DCA threads out there and I've read them all. Go/Don't go, it sucks/it's awesome, etc. Thats not what this thread is about. I am planning on going to San Jacinto College in the fall and as I'm sure a few of you know, their new contract for flight time is with DCA. Now I'm not asking anyone's opinion on whether or not I should go; I've already made up my mind. And with Uncle Sam picking up the tab, I'm not too worried about "is it worth it?". That being said, I've had an extremely hard time finding info on this fledgeling program. I was wondering if anyone has any info on it, or is currently a student or instructor, if they would like to share it here. I can't talk about it on JetCareers.com for obvious reasons. So if anyone knows what planes/facilities/training are like, please divulge it here. I would appreciate it immensely. Thank you!

 

[WestHouston]

Um, maybe you're having a hard time because it's NEW? Here's your sign... :erm:

And DCA's master campus in Sanford, FL completely blows... Hope your luck is better than the vast majority of burned alumni...

I know it's new. You can still put pictures and information about new things on the internet. But, yeah, I visited San Jac and talked to the director. I was pretty skeptical after reading all these DCA sanford threads. Looks like this might be ok. Like other colleges all the ground stuff is done through San Jac. I like that. They are still in charge when it comes down to it. We'll see...

 

[WestHouston]

I know it's new. You can still put pictures and information about new things on the internet. But, yeah, I visited San Jac and talked to the director. I was pretty skeptical after reading all these DCA sanford threads. Looks like this might be ok. Like other colleges all the ground stuff is done through San Jac. I like that. They are still in charge when it comes down to it. We'll see...

Well, it's a few months later and I'm now registered at San Jac in the Pilot Development Program. I start with Instrument Flight and should start flying after Aug. 28th. I'll try to update this as I go along as I know first hand how hard it is to get any solid info on the program. First impressions are:

1. The college is decent, and the Chairman of the flight dept. is very nice and seems to have a geuine concern in making sure students are taken care of. I've had muliple hangups with the registration process so far but that has been the fault of the VA department, not the flight dept.

2. I visited DCA's building (trailer) at Ellington today. The the training director was helpful and polite as were the rest of the guys. I grabbed an instrument study guide to get a jump on things. The planes (I think they were the DCA planes) looked nice and new.


All in all I got a good impression and a positive feeling about the fall semester. Only time will tell. Like I said, I'll try to update this but since I don't start for another month, it'll be a little while.

 

[CX880]

Have you even looked at other academies or was the DCA the first to suck you into their trap with the nice and colorful presentations.

 

[DCAinstructor06]

Have you even looked at other academies or was the DCA the first to suck you into their trap with the nice and colorful presentations.

Too funny.... Hey westhouston, Is it true the C-172 fleet out there ALL have garmin 430's in them? I heard it was a requirement of the college that they would be GPS equipped? The C-172 fleet at Sanford DO NOT have GPS, what an embarrassment, and these are the planes we do instrument instructing in.
I wonder if the FAA will ever place "gps approaches not approved" on someone's freshly minted Instrument rating?

 

[WestHouston]

Too funny.... Hey westhouston, Is it true the C-172 fleet out there ALL have garmin 430's in them? I heard it was a requirement of the college that they would be GPS equipped? The C-172 fleet at Sanford DO NOT have GPS, what an embarrassment, and these are the planes we do instrument instructing in.
I wonder if the FAA will ever place "gps approaches not approved" on someone's freshly minted Instrument rating?

I haven't seen the inside of any of the planes (just outside), but yeah, I've been told by several people they all do.

 

[WestHouston]

Have you even looked at other academies or was the DCA the first to suck you into their trap with the nice and colorful presentations.

Actually, I looked at all the colleges in Texas with flight programs. All four. And I chose DCA because of San Jac, not the other way around. And to date I haven't ever seen a DCA presentation.

 

[WestHouston]

So I'm FINALLY registered! With a week to go until payment is due, I'm set to go. Working with the VA dept. was an absoloute nightmare. But, all is well now. New student orientation is tomorrow and then tuesday I go by DCA to set my schedule. They want you to at least fly 4 times a week. Since I don't have a job per-se, I'll be flying 5. I'm hoping to get there early and get a good schedule. As soon as that gets all squared away, I'm going to start my acclimation lesson. I learned to fly in a beater, I mean BEATER C150 so I need to get up to speed with the newer planes. It's about six lessons and I think I can start them as soon as I show them (DCA) that the money's in the bank. So I'll let you know how the first few days go at the end of the month.

 

[IFollowRoads]

Good luck, West.

 

[WestHouston]

Good luck, West.

Thanks. Orientation was lame. It was aimed towards kids right out of high school, but that is what they all were anyway. I'm studying to take my PPL written test AGAIN, as I'll get credit for the PPL and start instrument. It's amazing what you forget in a short amount of time.