school research

[jeepthrills]

I am in a fairly unique situation. I am 33yrs old, and in dire need of a career change. I have been looking through the course catalogs at local university (NAU) with nothing grabbing my interest for more that 5 minutes. I hold an Assoc. in Laboratory Technology, and have 3.5 yrs under my belt as a chemist (that was 5 years ago, and the rest of the time in NY was as a manager for a statewide alcohol interlock program).
Fast Foward to today.
I am setteled here in Flagstaff, AZ (we relocated in 2003). I own my home (not outright..but better than half), my wife has an aspiring career in real estate. No kids, just a dog.
I have always wanted to fly. Up till now I have quenched that craving with simulators and 5 years of RC flight.
For me I think the time is now. I am going to be starting my PPL with Wiseman Avation (the only game in town). For all of my other ratings I am thinking about Pan Am in PHX, ALLATP in Sac(wifes brother with a spare bedroom in Vacaville) or PHX, and now possibly Ari-ben ( I see they include housing). I am looking for insight from the informed, and that falls to all of you.
I really appreciate all the info you may impart.
Thanks in advance!!

 

[minitour]

I am looking for insight from the informed

oh boy, did you come to the wrong place

Okay, I'm joking...

Seriously, go though the PPL and see from there. I'd look into ATPs. Mostly because of the ME time you'd build going through the program. Not familiar with the other programs, but ME time is good!

IMO

-mini

 

[User546]

For all of my other ratings I am thinking about Pan Am in PHX, ALLATP in Sac(wifes brother with a spare bedroom in Vacaville) or PHX, and now possibly Ari-ben ( I see they include housing).

Trust me when I say this, STAY AWAY FROM PAN AM in Phoenix. If your curious why, do a search of my previous posts on the subject.

I did all of my training in the area, and if I can recommend a school it would be AllATP in Phoenix. Stay away from the major flight academies in Phoenix.

PM me if you want more information!

Good luck on yoru pursuits, and now is the best time to pursue your dream as ever!

 

[qmaster3]

jeepthrills,

Another option is to buy a plane. Just make sure you're in good with an A&P, who's in good with an IA.

 

[jeepthrills]

Qmaster: A&P ?? IA?? and buy a plane??!!

My name is definatley not Rockafeller or Trump, or even Bush for that matter!!

I did the math today, to qualify for the ATP deal you need minimun of 85 hrs. If I manage to get my PPL at the FBO by 50 or 60, then I need another 25-35 hrs. Even on a block time discount thats another 2300 bucks, ontop of the 5900 they charge for the average students 50 hrs with 35 hours dual with instruction (also included in that is the written,the check ride, logbook, several text books...basicly everything but the headset).

ATP gives you 85 hrs, PPL, housing , etc in 60 days for $7000, only if you read the fine print will you see that it comes at that price if you pre-enroll in their 90 day fasttrac program.
I am going to think of that 2 grand difference as an insurance policy. If for whatever reason I decide professional flying is not for me, I am not obligated to continue in their training. If you dont comit to the extended program, the price goes up to about comperable with the FBO.

 

[sandslob]

Check out ASU - http://eastair.east.asu.edu/

 

[jeepthrills]

I dont have 4 years to dedicate to getting a CFI. If I am going to do it , I must be CFII and MEII within a year, two max.

Thanks for the option though!!

 

[lowtimeguy]

Call NorthAire in Prescott.

 

[jimpilot]

Good luck!

 

[mcjohn]

AZ training

You're in one the best places in the the world to train weather wise. One of the most affordable deals in the nation is in Kingman if you want to go the extreme casual route. Sheble Riviera Aviation is the name and it has some of the nicest folks on staff that I've ever met. If you get your private pilot, instrument, commercial, and CFI there they will want you to work for them and then all the other ratings will be given to you for almost free (CFII and Multi-engine stuff).

http://www.shebleaviation.com/index.html

 

[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.