San Jacinto Community College's program

[ggreggerh]

It would be nice to get government financial aid for my flight training. If anyone went there or has knowledge as to whether they have a good program please respond.

 

[350DRIVER]

The professors are great, a few ex-Eastern guys there. The flight training at EFD does leave for some questions, not the best with regards to that. You will have the opportunity to go to EJ once you instruct there for six months or so at reduced minimums. The set up is good for the most part.


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[ggreggerh]

cool thanks. what is wrong with the flight training at ellington field?

 

[ggreggerh]

really?

 

[350DRIVER]

The "quality" of the training, equipment, training costs, etc, leaves for a little to be desired. I would do the college work but do the flight training at Fletcher (hou) or another school in the area, many around there. The courses are top notch but the flight training set up is not the best needless to say.. . . Do as you wish though, I would just do some research before spending a lot of money.


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[SigAV8R]

Ditto what 350 said. I'm from Houston and do occasional pleasure flights/flight instruction back there. Cliff Hyde Flight school is the FBO used by San Jac. The Cessna rates are kinda high compared with other places. I'd check w/ Fletcher Aviation at Hobby. The other place I'd look into is West Houston Airport (IWS).

SigAV8R

 

[chawbein]

West Houston is kind of high. You can check the rates here. Fletcher seems to be one of the best deals in Houston right now (as far as prices). You can check them out here.

You might check out Pearland (Clover Field) to see if there are any flight schools there.

 

[ggreggerh]

My point is that getting a commercial pilot's lisence is only 24K when you go through this school. It takes two years and I already have a B.S. in Psych., so I got that part out of the way. Plus I can get stafford loans and lots of fincial aid to pay. Did you goto this school?

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

My point is that getting a commercial pilot's lisence is only 24K when you go through this school. It takes two years and I already have a B.S. in Psych., so I got that part out of the way. Plus I can get stafford loans and lots of fincial aid to pay. Did you goto this school?

Flight school's & College's price:

I went to UVSC in Utah; after my first few flights I realized the advertised prices at flight schools are a ballpark. You can hardly ever get finished in the amount of time they figure; therefore the cost in their estimate is normally bogus. I'd never look at a "program" price. Look at the cost of rental & instruction per hour in my opinion. And when you have people saying the instruction is not that good. This could easily lead to hours and hours of extra flying, due to poor course development & poor instruction. Or even having to switch schools in the middle of the program.

I'd say look around, talk to folks in the area, and find a school that has a great reputation for quality training. Then factor in the price.

Fly safe,

TA

 

[350DRIVER]

ggreggerh,

Since you already have the degree then I would suggest doing the courses at the college and the flight training elsewhere. You can or atleast you were able to still get the degree by doing this which many did. They may have changed this but many of the students did all class work at the college, flight training at another place, and still were able to get credit for all their training. I think you need to have the certificates/ratings though before entering the school or have a silver tongue to get around this issue. Cliff Hyde does not have the best reputation in the hou area and the prices are rather high compared to others in the area, mx issues also seemed to plague them often. From the people I met that started with Hyde, they ended up transfering out to another flight school after they obtained their private. This was quite a few years though so things may have changed for the better, I do not know.. My suggestion would be to go to Hyde and meet with students who are currently enrolled and see what they have to say about the flight training. Fletcher has been a fixture at Hobby (hou) for many many years and the prices are not that bad at all. I use to rent a V35 from them and I really had no bad experiences there. Lenz(sp?) is also at EFD that you may want to look into, not sure if they are even still arounf though..

I think American Flyers is also in the market now at Hooks so you have more than one option that is available to you.

good luck

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[TEXAN AVIATOR]

I think American Flyers is also in the market now at Hooks so you have more than one option that is available to you.

good luck

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I'm doing my CFI ride in a week or so, we had a guy come in a few days ago complaining about A F saying the personnel & service is simply nonexistent. There is however a few great schools at Hooks PM me if you want specifics. Like I said I've done all my training and college elsewhere I'm just getting my CFI II & MEI here at Hooks. The training and aircraft are both affordable and of quality.

 

[350DRIVER]

TEXAN,

AF was not even around during my stint in the Houston market but I tend to agree with what has been posted. I have not heard many great stories coming out of AF students at that specific location, I probably should have left that out from my repsonse. I was merely trying to show this person that he has many other options available to him, I guess it was an "attempt" to get him to look outside of the box. I know a few that have done the AF CFI/CFII program and they have seemed please with the time frame that the program was completed in as well as the quality of instruction- seems to vary from location to location. I still think Airman in OK is the best with regards to the CFI/CFII program.

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[ggreggerh]

350driver,

how can i get financial aid if I do my flight training outside of the college? the main reason i want to goto this school is becuase I should be able to get financial aid from the government. if you know other routes of financial aid then let me know.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

350driver,

how can i get financial aid if I do my flight training outside of the college? the main reason i want to goto this school is becuase I should be able to get financial aid from the government. if you know other routes of financial aid then let me know.

If your school is approved Sallie Mae is available; with career loans. I know the question wasn’t directed at me, just trying to help.
http://www.salliemae.com/
There are also many others who offer the same type of loan.

 

[350DRIVER]

ggreggerh,

I would look into Sallie Mae as previously posted by Texan, many have gone this route. I would not limit your options but that is just my $.02

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[SigAV8R]

Training

ggreggerh

Sorry, but I missed in the above posts where you said you had a degree. I did all my ratings through AllATPs Career pilot program. And they also have a location in Houston at Clover Field (?). As a matter of fact, one of my friends is an instructor there. PM me and I'll give you his name and you can talk with him. I didn't start flying until after I got my college degree, and for me ATP was the correct choice. I finished their program in the amount of time they said it would take, and I also paid the advertised price. I was able to get a loan through Sallie Mae with the help of ATP. They're set up to help with Financial Aid if you need it. Just a thought.

SigAV8R