Recommendations for a VA student

[Cessna Chick]

I have recently become eligible for career flight training funding through the Veterans Administration. As much as I'd like to do my flight training at a local flight school, they require you to attend a part 141 school. Hoping someone might have experience with VA benefits and maybe offer advice about my current flight school choices, or maybe suggest something I haven't thought of yet?
I am based near Sacramento, CA right now. In Sacramento is a place called ATP that offers "fast track training", as far as I know thats the only place near where I live.
I am seriously considering Phoenix East in Daytona Beach FL, at least taking a tour there. Anybody been trained there, have comments on thier operation and/or the area?
Not seriously interested in becoming an airline pilot as quickly as humanly possible, I have worked for an air charter company and I think I would be happy doing that (time is on my side after all, I'm only 23) nor am I opposed to putting in my time and effort as a CFI.
Thanks in advance for the insight!

 

[bobbysamd]

Schools

I'd suggest that you run a thorough board search on Phoenix East in Daytona. You may find that it may not be your cup of tea.

As long as you're considering Florida schools, I'll put in another plug for FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach. I instructed there twelve years ago and will vouch for it. Here's a link to a recent discussion here about FSI. You also might check out Delta Connection Academy in Sanford.

Be sure you visit schools before you sign up and try to talk to students and instructors away from the watchful eyes of the sales reps. Also ask about receiving credit for your time and certificate. Some 141 schools make new students take the entire course, no matter what their experience might be. Also, ask about instructing opportunities after graduation. The two schools I mentioned are among the many which hire their own grads as flight instructors.

Good luck with your training.

 

[skiddriver]

Contact your state veteran's office. They certify the schools in your state for VA education. Not all 141 schools are VA approved schools, though they do need to be part 141 to get the certification.

Here's the VA list of state approving authorities.

http://www.gibill.va.gov/Education/SAA.htm

The VA has a current list of all VA approved flight schools, but they won't share it with you, for reasons that I can only guess at.

The FAA website has a list of part 141 schools which can be accessed through this link

http://av-info.faa.gov/PilotSchool.asp

Just select your state and leave the other blocks blank and it will give you a list for the entire state. You'll need to call each one and ask if they are VA certified. Then take that extra step and call the VA and ask them to check their records to make sure the school isn't BS'ing you. 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551)

The bottom line is the VA makes using your GI Bill benefits difficult at best (saves them money if you get discouraged and give up). Be persistent and you'll save some money, though not as much as you think. The Gi Bill reimburses about half the cost of the training (when you take into account the things they don't reimburse for) and the 141 training programs can be more expensive than training at a local part 61 school (especially aircraft rentals). Don't forget that taking part in a 141 school program does not preclude you from doing concurrent training at a local part 61 school. Mixing it up (assuming you can find a cooperative local CFI) might help cut the cost as well.

 

[Cessna Chick]

More VA info

I am not using a GI Bill. The benefits are through my father, who was nearly killed in the line of duty, and is now 100% disabled. He is the veteran, I'm just the dependant.
I have already discovered that the VA is a serious pain in the ass when it comes to getting funding, it takes months and months for them to review the paperwork and make sure you have crossed all your T's and dotted all your I's. I am surprised flight schools will even deal with them, BUT I bet they all require payment up front, which leaves you to deal with VA AND figure out how to pay for training until VA gets around to cutting you a check. However, I suppose its better than leaving in the hands of a pilot mill to tack on surcharges whenever they feel like it.

I have not found much information on Phoenix East here, good bad or otherwise. Found plenty of bad stuff about Delta Connection tho, and Comair. FlightSafety would have been my first choice, but its almost twice as much as Phoenix East. I was hoping to find someone who had actually gone to the school, and is able to back up thier opinions with facts instead of speculations.

Is it common for a big flight school to NOT give you credit for previously logged hours?? That would be most unfortunate.

 

[bobbysamd]

Previous training credits

Is it common for a big flight school to NOT give you credit for previously logged hours?? That would be most unfortunate.

Yes, it is unfortunate. A number of them do not give credit for previous training or they do not give credit for previous Part 61 training. Their motivations are varied, but mostly center on getting students to pay more money.

On the issue of up-front payment, many schools will let you place a deposit and work off that, so you don't have to pay it all up front.

Hope that helps a little more. Once again, good luck with your training and with whom you choose to train.

 

[liv'n_on_credit]

You in the Picture?

Cessna Chick--

Is that you in your avatar picture?
Just curious.

P.S.-That's NOT me in my avatar!!

 

[Cessna Chick]

Ya its me....the one and only time I was ever photogenic

Glad to know you're not a clown. Seen entirely too many of those in the air lately. Not likely to inspire confidence in students or passengers either! lol

 

[flyingwildfires]

99s

A good way to learn more would be to contact your local chapter of the 99s -- the International Women Pilots Association. They are an amazing group, with pilots from all ranks. If you are not a member already, I would strongly suggest it -- they are a strong group with a long and distinguished aviation history. I have seen them do amazing things for people in the last 20+ years.

I am sure they'd be an invaluable resource for you at this point in your career. If they don't have a specific answer for your questions, they'll probably know who would. Pilot networks (such as this forum) are an incredibly helpful way to get the info you need; SOMEONE always knows another group of pilots, and THEY know another group, and well.. .you get the picture. I would hope they'd be able to give you some personal experience type information on schools in your area.

All the very best to you in your training, and career..... I'm sure you dad is proud of you.

 

[FlySacto]

Hi Cessna Chick!

If you'd like some info about VA approved flight training in Sacramento just PM me and I'll give you the phone number to the part 141 school @ Sacramento Executive that I instruct with. Our office manager is well versed at dealing with all the "hoops" and VA funding. We also provide training all the way to CFI under VA. Call Micheal F. (the chief instructor) over at ATP and I'm sure he'll tell you that they are NOT approved for VA since they conduct their training under pt. 61. I'd suggest you look long and hard at your training options. I determined that I could do better here in Sacramento than by going to some place that would charge me 40% more money so they could buy full page, glossy adds in the flying magazines. Ask anyone and they will tell you that nobody cares where you got your certificates. The school where I teach has recently been approved by the FAA for examining authority for our pt. 141 students on the Private and Instrument ratings, which means our chief instructor will give you your check-ride at the end of the course instead of a DE or FAA inspector. Let us show you around and answer some questions as a part of your decision making on how and where to train. We have eight or so instructors and any of them will do good in your training. Interview any prospective instructor and see if they motivate you. If not, move on until you find someone who does.


Best Regards.

FlySacto

p.s. Isn't that plane based at Franklin?