seriously looking for flight school

[j-bird]

I'm seriously looking to join a flight school or academy. I'm currently an A&P mechanic and looking to expand my horizons. I was wondering if there are any flight schools that anyone has attended and could recommend or not. I also have an associates degree in applied science. I hear that some airlines and companies recommend having a bachelors degree, if thats true can my associates credits be transfered over. But my main concern is an accredited flight school or academy.

 

[wiggsfly]

A few that I've experienced include Southern Illinois University Carbondale, they would get you your ratings and a 4 year degree in the meantime you could get employed working on their planes. There is also ATP which has a good "quick" pilot program. Embry Riddle is another prominent university with a degree in flight as is University of North Dakota. Finally, there are a number of flight schools all over the country that might fit your needs if you check your local airport.

Hope this helps!

Wiggsfly
htttp://www.wiegman.us

 

[wheelsup]

MAPD if you want to get there a little bit quicker, they have a program at ASU (Arizona State University) if you want you BS degree. Some people will bad-mouth not instructing but its definately NOT a PFT gig! No where near it, its akin to Delta Connection Academy but no instructing before the airline and they fly much nicer equipment (Bonanza A36 and Baron B58).

Slew of flight schools either 61 or 141, Air Orlando is one of the most squeaky clean schools I've ever been to. They're 61 but a darn good place.

Good luck!

~wheelsup

 

[j-bird]

Has anybody heard any good things about Regional Airline Academy

 

[wheelsup]

I've had a few friends go there, and a few instruct there. They used to (several years ago) be fairly honest. However, I've seen their operation grow and with it heard horror stories of crooked managment. I'd stay away IMO.

What

~wheelsup

 

[User546]

Has anybody heard any good things about Regional Airline Academy

Well your doing the smart thing by getting on here and doing some research.

Below you'll find another thread that was already created about RAA. There's a lot to look thru, but take your time and carefully read through it. You should find some good tidbits of information that should help you make a wise decision.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=20700

 

[350DRIVER]

Look into the Mesa Airlines Pilot Development Program (MAPD). This is by far the best program that will get you from zero time to the airlines in the shortest possible time. If I had to do it all over again this is the flight school that I would have attended, wouldn't even think twice about this one... You will be flying very nice equipment and in 19 months you will be done and sitting right seat in either a CRJ, ERJ, Dash-8, or 1900. Mesa is by far not a "career" airline but it will allow you to build quality 121 time and move on to another bigger carrier flying larger equipment. Many of my friends who completed this program back in 97/98 are now at America West, ATA, SWA, and others... By far the quickest and best route in my opinion.

Stay far away from the RAA, they are nothing more than a "money making machine" to put it mildly.

Airman Flight School is also another good one in my opinion if Mesa is too much money for you.

3 5 0

you can finish your degree online via a long distance course, shouldn't be a problem for you at all.

 

[mayday1]

get a PPL first..

I see that your profile says you have zero time.. you might want to take some lessons at a minimum, or better yet, get your PPL to make sure flying is something you really enjoy, before investing ALOT in any of the flight schools mentioned. Also, most will credit your PPL toward any training they provide.

 

[BoilerUP]

I concur with the last statement. Get a private first, see how much you really like it and how good you are before committing a ton of cash.

I'd suggest MAPD as well, or ATP. DeltaConnection, FlightSafety and PanAm academies are all good, but IMO waaaaaaaay overpriced. You also might be able to go to a smaller 141 school and work there as a mechanic to help offset the cost of your flight training.

Stay away from the following, in this order:
1. Gulfstream
2. TAB Express
3. ERAU CAPT
4. RAA


Best of luck to you, whatever you choose!

 

[Fly BI]

Try Oregon!

If your up for a real good school, great people & equipment plus lots of mountains and IFR, try http://www.hillsboroaviation.com

I finished up my ratings and taught there for a year before landing an airline job. PM me if you'd like more info.