western michigan

[Kream926]

anyone go to or work at this school. i met a couple of really cool guys there and i was considering applying there as a cfi. any info would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[BoilerUP]

Don't work or go there, but...

It is a highly acclaimed program, and the guys I know that go or went to school there have been upstanding - also heard some scuttle they might be getting Cirrus planes, but not sure of the status of that. There are some Broncos on this board that could give you some better info, though. About all I really know is Meeeshigan winters = brutal!

Purdue is also looking for full-time CFIs. Good luck in your job search!

 

[Jytters]

One of the pilots that went there is now a corporate pilot for the Dow Corp, out of MBS.

 

[SkiDawg]

I went to WMU, but didn't CFI there, long story. I could have though, and almost went back. I loved it there, but I am biased. The weather might be tough in the winter, but you are gonna get your time with students, primary, instrument, and commercial, gonna get your actual, and in a timely manner to get to the next step. I can't say much about multi instruction, but renting the twins will be cheaper for you as an instructor. Good luck with the decision........

 

[Kream926]

im from buffalo i know how winters can be. i could stay here in tulsa and work...bbbbbbbuuut i really really wanna get outta here and move closer to home.


thanks for the replies guys

 

[dmac530]

I went through the program at Western and can say the college flight program is one of the top three in the nation. Rumor has it that WMU is going to replace their C-172R fleet with new SR-20's starting this fall, even some SR-22's. And rumors were hinting for an annoucement at oshkosh, but sounds like there were some problems, and I would guess a delay ( push back to winter, spring)?
Good times can be had at Western and Kalamazoo....lots of good lookin women, party's, at main campus. And K'zoo has a fun selection of bars and festivals to keep you entertained. Most new students start at Kalamazoo's old aviation facility, and then go to the new facility in Battle Creek after the instrument rating. The down side are the winters, and flying is at a min. from December till March. Makes time for hard studying and icing situations though. Hope this helps with your choice.

 

[check6]

They have a good flight team. . .some of the time.

 

[BoilerUP]

Flight Team

Third in the nation the last 3 years and first place the year before that doesn't seem too shabby to me...

 

[TDTURBO]

I went to and graduated from WMU and lived in French Hall back in '82-86. I was in aeronautical engineering until I switched to Biology then went to med school. My freind Skip and roommate went through the program and is the manager and chief CFI at Windy City Flyers at PWK. Tons of women, great party school!

 

[Kream926]

as long as i can fly, party, and especially look at women, i think ill do ok. theres not too much of those here in oklahoma. either they are pregnant of have 4 teeth

 

[WMUchickenhawk]

Glad to see you have interest in our school. Its true that we are upgrading to S-20/22's. I believe we are getting 20 of the 20s and 10 of the 22s, but im not sure. The deal is still slightly in negotiations as there was some wording in the contract that got messed up. As far as I know though, our first shipment of the Cirrus' will be at the end of August.

Like any school Western hasits pros and cons. Ill sort them out as they appear to me.

Pros
Loads of parties and Alcohol oppurtunities. Since Kalamazoo has 5-6 microbreweries we have loads of good beer at our disposal.
Loads of hot chicks, Id bet most colleges have that though, and compared to a school like Embry Riddle of North Dakota, we have a smaller percentage of Aviation sudents to the total school body, so you can still use being a pilot to score with women. YAY!
Our loaction allows for students to get acquanted with the ATC system gradually, since they will be starting from 2 class D airports, with flights into C, and eventually B airspace.
Instructors. Many of our instructors have come from here, so they are familiar with the program, and know its ins and outs.

Cons
Weather. Like someone else said, the weather here in the winter can stop us from being able to fly as much as we like. This can also be a plus though as I have 1.7 of actual, but havent yet gotten my Instrument rating.
Living situations. The main aviation facility is in Battle Creek, but campus is in Kalamazoo 30 miles away, so you arer gonna be doing a lot of driving. there is talk that we may get a shuttle bus to battle Creek from KAZO, but I doubt it.

Im sure there are others, but These are the main ones. If you want any more info, let me know and Ill try to get it for you.

 

[convair007]

I graduated from WMU in Dec. 2001. It was the best time of my life. I loved the program, didn't get to instruct there though, being post 9/11. They really weren't too interested in hiring. All in all, it's a very professional environment and seemed like a fun place to work, at least when I was there. Check out The Wayside, Up and Under, and The Firehouse. All good places to go if your thirsty.

 

[WMUchickenhawk]

As of now they are hiring like mad. We have a batch of 8 new instructors going through right now, they generally hire about that many a semester.

 

[sopdan]

As of now they are hiring like mad. We have a batch of 8 new instructors going through right now, they generally hire about that many a semester.

I wouldn't consider that "hiring like mad".... but that's just me.

 

[Gutenberg]

Have you seen how many beaches are within an hour or so's drive from AZO?

 

[BoDEAN]

anyone go to or work at this school. i met a couple of really cool guys there and i was considering applying there as a cfi. any info would be appreciated.

thanks

Graduated from there, and have a buddy who is a CFI there. Good school.

 

[A350]

Went to WMU 1983-1986......lived in the Valley (Garneau) and then went off campus. The airport stuff was still at KAZO and was easy to get to. Interned there and had a blast.

The best instructors were awesome.....learning from old schools like Schiffer and Hutch, Sackett and Deckard.

Know Schiffer has passed on, Hutch probably too. What is up with Deckard and Sackett? Are they still around?

True, there are lots a beautiful women and definately a party a day.

A350

 

[sopdan]

Know Schiffer has passed on, Hutch probably too. What is up with Deckard and Sackett? Are they still around?

A350

Deckard is back on the faculty side of things (I think he retired before that), and Sackett retired a couple of years ago, but is one of the main DPEs for students at the school.

 

[RJP]

Have you seen how many beaches are within an hour or so's drive from AZO?

South Haven's about an hour west of AZO. Not a bad place. Otherwise it's inland lakes.
WMU should own the sky in BTL in a few years when the guard base gets closed by the BRAC.

 

[Almerick07]

If youre in Tulsa and in need of a job, over here in Stillwater we're looking for CFI's. Good connections at airlines and the chance to snag a ME student is pretty high. Ok State has some good parties; a hell of a bball team and a nice airport, dont expect to fly any sr-22's though.