school research

[jeepthrills]

I went to see the Regional Airline Acedemy (RAA) in Phoenix yesterday. The place almost looks fly-by-nite. They have a reception area with 1 desk and 2 used couches. the "classrooms" consist of el cheapo folding tables and chairs. Their "First Officer Program Room" consists of one Powerpoint projector, and a cardboard cut out of some heavy jet cockpit. They have 3 sims on the property (all stationary). One is a 737, #2 is modular to whatever config you like, #3 is not running yet. It is a 180 degree with I think an Archer III cockpit. The fleet is all Pipers, mid-late 80's. I was told they all had GPS, and of course the one plane he showed me, the one that was left uncovered for me to see, had NO GPS. Man you should have seen him backpedal!! "I thought they all had GPS, Richard?" I said. "UUHHHH, I uhhh, I guess this one just came in and didnt get it installed yet, uhhh yeah, thats the ticket, it wasnt installed yet" .

Man did I laugh when I got back into my car to leave there!!!!.

 

[labbats]

I second going the Sheble's route. You will fly your butt off after you instruct for them. They also seem to care about their instructors, and give away ratings. I think a couple years ago they gave away seaplane ratings to all their instructors for Christmas.

 

[jeepthrills]

Allright folks, Here is the $64,000 question. Which is more important:
coming out of school with all ratings (MEI, MEII, CFI &I, etc...) and a CRJ type rating and with only 500 hrs TT, (40hrs multi) and a bunch of unlogged sim time. and a 98% chance(their numbers) at placement with a regional

Or coming out of school with 190 hrs multi,High altitude and performance endorsement then needing to instruct. then getting 40Hrs CRJ FTD, 200+hrs glass cockpit, 550 hrs TT and an interview with ExpressJet.

Thanks

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

How about getting a small amount of PIC experience as a CFI first? Those numbers you listed are very low for getting hired "off the street" so to speak. Get yourself to at least a thousand hours first. Fly for a year or so after you receive all of your ratings you will have learned a tremendous amount about flying that you haven't even considered yet. Particularly on the business side about other avenues besides flying for a commercial airline.

As for your last question, a type rating is worthless without PIC time in that airplane. A high altitude endorsement seems somewhat worthless at low time. Don't let that be used as a marketing tool to lure you into somebody's program. You'll get the signoff when you're ready anyway.

As far as the glass cockpit is concerned, I have some time with them and they're great but I'm glad my first 1000 hours or so were flying kollsmans.

Lastly, some some flight schools can get you thru you're ratings pretty quickly and far less expensively if you put the time and effort in. User997 probably knows about most of the flight schools in your area as he's trained and flown there. Typically reputations get around even if you're never been to the school.

Good luck in your search and your flying.

Mr. I.

 

[urflyingme?!]

If all you want to do is e an airline pilot, and ONLY an airline pilot the MAPD. www.flightcareers.com.

PS Everyone starts off broke!(As you most likely aready know)
Buying a plane can be smart too. (If you get the right one)
A&P= Mechanic
IA: An inspector authorized to do certain required inspections, which can also be your A&P guy!

Have fun!

 

[mcjohn]

I just got my commercial single with multi add-on for $3285 (Shebles) and my CFI initial for $4150 (www.amfly.com) including all check rides.

I hear there's only a 20% pass rate for CFI so I would really take that training seriously. If you have to take your ride with an FAA Safety Inspector you should spend more than eight days training (referring to Sheble's 8 day CFI). Your instructor has to give the FSDO a call 1st for an FAA Safety Inspector (Free but a harder ride) and if their too busy a normal DPE can be used ($300-500 but an easier ride). Tip: In Florida all the FAA Safety Inspectors are too busy.

Spend 2-3 weeks on CFI training for a solid education.
In general the FAA thinks there are too many unqualified CFIs out there so they-re stepping in.