Tucson area

[moeron]

Anbody live in or very familiar with Tucson. I am contemplating moving there and was wondering what the flight school situation is like; I am very close to getting my private at the moment. Any comments on the lack of IMC would be appreciated.

 

[jergar999]

I did most of my training out of Williams Gateway (IWA) in Phoenix, but we usually flew to Tucson Intl or Ryan every day building cross country time. It was some of the most fun I have ever had, there are tons of aircraft graveyards and storage areas (Davis Monthan AFB and MZJ Pinal Airpark) and some really cool other sites to see in that state (Sedona and the huge pit mine right by Casa Grande). Right after graduating I got an SIC job up north, night freight in winter IMC in SD and MN. I didn't really have any problems as far as the IMC goes, just don't cheat when your under the hood and remember the plane doesn't know when you are flying in clouds. I would move back to that area, PHX or TUS, in a second if there was a good job there. Good training is good training anywhere.

 

[414Flyer]

I just moved here for an air ambulance job. Doesnt seem to be a bad place to live. I do not know much at all about CFI job here though

 

[aviatrix]

Tucson is a beautiful town and there is a lot to do! Especially during college basketball season as the U of A is ranked #1 !!!
Check out Genesis Aviation out of Tucson Intenational.
Tucson is a great place to train......Class C airspace, Davis-Monthan AFB nearby, mountain flying, wake turbulence experience, good place for practice approaches (when you do your Instrument Rating).

 

[azpilot]

Yes it sucks that we don't get IMC here on a regular basis. However, for the vast majority of your training it is great because flights don't get cancelled do to weather. On occaison, like last week, we get a good storm that comes through and you can get lots of IMC practice. You just have to have a flexible schedule so you can take advantage of it.

San Diego and LA are not that far away and you can get all the IMC you want out there. With Tower Enroute Control it is so easy to fly to a couple of different airports in IMC without filing a flight plan.

Why do you think the military has trained so many pilots out in sunny AZ? Tucson is a pretty good town. There are more flights schools in the Phoenix area but I don't think you will have any problems finding a good school in Tucson.

- AZPilot

 

[moeron]

Thanks for your help. Any other ideas about FBOs?

 

[Mongolikecandy]

I don't know about the FBO's, but you will eat well out there. I spent four years at UofA (go cats) and they have some of the best restaurants there. BisonWitches, The Buffet (OK so it's a bar) and Mi Nidito. Funky town, great place to live.

 

[DBacks]

Dude, the Buff rules!! Yes, it may be a bar, but it's got the best hot dogs cooked in beer that I've ever had. You ever do a "sweat" there? My buddies sweated me on my 21st B-day. Worst thing I've ever had in my life... but entertaining for everyone to watch!

The Buffet (OK so it's a bar)

 

[AZaviator]

Thanks for your help. Any other ideas about FBOs?

I have a friend who instructs at an FBO at Tucson-Ryan called Tyconic. I don't know much about them, other than they are a family ran business. They have several aircraft, but no twins.

 

[PositiveRate]

Tucson is a great place to fly and live. Look into Tucson Aeroservice Center at Marana (AVQ) 520-682-2999. Great people and lots of business. Tyconic out at Ryan. Tucson international doesn't have much for FBO's except for Adventure Flight Training. There are some great guys working there but the management will make you hate life. It's a tradeoff though, because their CFI's are flying 50-100hrs a month.

Best mexican food in the region, hot women, great college sports, unique culture, outdoor lifestyle....Arizona is a great place to be...flying or not.

 

[bobbysamd]

ATTI

For Tucson schools, the only one I know of is ATTI, Airline Transport Training International. It has trained Lufthansa students but had accepted self-funded students. Sorry, I can't find any contact information.

I remember passing through Tucson on my way to Florida during the summer of 1991. It was brutally hot. BE SURE you find a place with good air conditioning.

Good baseball there, by the way, during the spring, if you can get tix. Spring training is big business anymore.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

You ever do a "sweat" there? My buddies sweated me on my 21st B-day. Worst thing I've ever had in my life... but entertaining for everyone to watch! [/B]

No, Thankfully I wasn't in Tucson when I turned 21. I have heard about them though. Many a class were skipped playing shuffleboard in the afternoons there.

As for flight training, I have read about Double Eagle Aviation. They are one of those outifits taht offer 11 day IFR certs. and whatnot. http://www.2-eagle.com/

 

[list2002]

The Buffet, that place was fun.
Tucson is alright, a lot of crazies though.
Didn't fly there, but spent 3 years pretending to get an education.
Bear Down!

 

[aviatrix]

Adventure Flight Training of Arizona at www.adventureflight.com

I dont know anything about that school but just saw their ad in a magazine. Double Eagle Aviation is decent, certainly!

Mmmmmm........the Buffet, The Shanty, Maloney's, O'Malley's, & Dirtbag's!!! Gawd, I miss college! Life was so much simpler back then!

Would love to still be there with the NCAA basketball tournament upcoming! Go Cats!!!!

 

[501261]

Showing you my age when I went there the coolest bar around was the Green Dolphin, too bad I got kicked out. I remember when O'Malley's opened.

I think every UA grad lived at Scotia Club apartments at some point.

When I went there spending a night at Coronado dorms was pretty cool, since guys weren't allowed in the girl's dorm after 10PM. I still can't get used to the fact that Coronado is now Coed.

I did the "Sweat" at the Buff, you also have to go to the Buff at 6AM opening once (what a bunch of dead-beats).

Steve Kerr was the Man; Chris Mills drove around campus is a Mercedes.

After college I tried very hard to find a flying job back in Tucson, and quite frankly the job market there sucks. Of the very few flying jobs that are out there none of them I would consider "career" type jobs. If you need to live in Arizona, the Phoenix area has much more possibilities.

 

[dashtrash]

Where do you go to see all the old planes parked. How do you get in?

 

[jergar999]

There is no way to get in from the road without compromising your criminal record, just fly into KMZJ and look out your windows.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

There are tours from the Pima air and space museum. You have to ride on a bus but the windows open, allowing for decent pictures.

http://www.pimaair.org/amarc.htm

 

[dashtrash]

Bummer!

 

[azpilot]

Showing you my age when I went there the coolest bar around was the Green Dolphin, too bad I got kicked out. I remember when O'Malley's opened.

Don't feel bad. I used to win lunch money playing black jack at the Green Dolphin! What was it 25 cent drafts on Thursdays? The bar scene is a lot bigger now. I saw Steve Kerr is currently playing with San Antonio.

Go Cats!