Which Academy?

[Tater Salad]

Whats up everyone? This is my first posting here, but I figure I'll just jump right into it and see what I can find out.

I have been looking at different well-known flight schools to attend after I graduate from college this December. Originally I was interested in ATP, but recently I have placed an interest in the FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach (there upper level training program for ASA got me interested). I have read and heard all kinds of bad stuff about Delta Connection Academy, so I'm not really interested in their program.

Fellow pilots, Instructors, Career pilots, doesn't matter who you are. I am looking for opinions from accross the board. Which school would be the best, or are all of them just a glorified waste of money? Thanks everyone!

 

[mayday1]

I guess the best answer I could give would be, "it depends." What I mean by this is, in my opinion it really depends on your personal circumstances, particularly your financial situation. For example, it worked better for me to keep my full time job, and get my ratings on the side.. benefits: steady income and benefits, minimized debt, cost less than the academies, I feel good instruction, part time CFI opportunity at my FBO, etc. Drawbacks: the biggest one is that it took a lot longer than an academy (PPL-CFI - 2yrs).

An academy route.. benefits: you'll get your ratings pretty quick if you are a serious student (<1yr), possibly CFI gig at the school when you're done. Drawbacks: most of them (FSI in particular) are expensive. Plan on about $50-$60k to get your CFI at most big academies. I think the ASA program at FSI is another $23k on top of the professional pilot course, with no guarantees.

Basically, if money is not a concern or issue, I would have gone the FSI route in a heartbeat. I just couldn't bring myself to quit a decent job, take out huge loans, and roll the dice with the hope of making it to the regionals - i.e. I'm sacrificing time in the interest of not taking unnecessary risks.

If I were you, I'd look around at some local FBOs just to see what they have to offer.. you might be surprised.

 

[Flechas]

Flight Safety would be a great choice, good product for your money.
Ask Boby, he ca tell you more about it.

 

[Folding_Expert]

Originally I was interested in ATP, but recently I have placed an interest in the FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach (there upper level training program for ASA got me interested). I have read and heard all kinds of bad stuff about Delta Connection Academy, so I'm not really interested in their program.

Well, one thing's for sure - students currently attending both schools often have little or no clue how to park in a tie-down. Add Pan Am to the list.

Teaching them how to tune Unicom for parking instructions would be helpful for me as well. I still can't figure out how they miss the large yellow signs posted at every entrance to the ramp with big bold letters that say, "UPON ENTERING RAMP TUNE ARINC 128.825 FOR PARKING INSTRUCTIONS".

:throws hands in air:

All bitching aside, try a small school located at an FBO. That's what's I did and have no complaints so far.

 

[Goose Egg]

What I would probably do if I was in your situation is check out FSI or MAPD--I tend to do a lot better in structured programs. But don't fret if those won't work for you--there is more than one way to skin that proverbial cat. Find the best fit and go with it. What is your degree in? Is working full or part time while you finish your ratings an option for you?

In any case, best of luck and let us know what you decide.

-Goose

P.S. Dig the user name.

 

[Tater Salad]

Hey Goose Egg,

-My degree is in Criminal Justice (let the jokes flow!). Not too useful in the aviation industry.

-Anything in terms of working is an option for me right now. I'll work around it however it best fits.

Oh yeah. MAPD? I must sound like a serious idiot asking, but which school is that?

 

[sqwkvfr]

Tater, your username kicks ass.

I've yet to be thrown out of a bar in New York City.

 

[Goose Egg]

Oh yeah. MAPD? I must sound like a serious idiot asking, but which school is that?

Oh, sorry. I sometimes assume that everyone automatically knows what I'm talking about.

www.flightcareers.com


But then again, the mom and pop FBO route could work just as well.

-Goose

 

[pilotviolin]

Don't throw your money away! Just go become an airport bum and buy a Cessna 150 for $20,000 and hire some local to teach you. This will save you tons of money and you can start networking at the same time. My friend went to FSI at Vero and blew 45 G's to get 200 hrs? Insane! He works at Subway, and I bought the 150 and I am debt free, type rated, and have a flying career.
I was about to go to ATP, even went to Orlando to check them out. Thankfully they lost thier contract with ASA a week before I went there.
If you are self motivated and don't want huge debt, be smart about it!! Go hang out at the local airport and get to know people.

 

[bobbysamd]

FSI and MAPD

I have placed an interest in the FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach . . . .

As an instructor who has taught at both FlightSafety and MAPD, I would recommend both without hesitation.

FSI is, without a doubt, expensive, but the training is second-to-none. FlightSafety places great emphasis on checklists and procedures discipline. Some would question that emphasis so early in training when the most advanced airplane you'll fly is a Seminole, but that is exactly the point. The habits and discipline you form during your training will be the foundation for the rest of your flying. You will encounter procedures the first time you sit in the sim during regional training, and, if you don't have a procedures-oriented mentality already you'll have a tough time during sim. Along with great, professional training, FSI has excellent, well-maintained aircraft and great facilities. Three of the people who run the place were there when I was there in 1991-'92, and they are first-class individuals. Of course, FlightSafety carries excellent name recognition in the industry.

You earn your Commercial-Instrument-Multi in the main FSI course. Adding your Commercial Single and CFI tickets is extra.

Mesa Airlines Pilot Development is the Mesa Airlines-operated 141 school. It, too, is an excellent program, with emphasis from the beginning on airline procedures. Its procedures are adapted directly from Mesa Airlines line procedures. Training is conducted in Bonanzas and Barons, which are "hotter" aircraft than Cessna or Piper, but for good reason. That being to instill from the beginning flying aircraft that are somewhat like aircraft found on the line. At one time, MAPD grads hired by Mesa went into Beech 1900s as their first airplane. The panels on Bonanzas and Barons are similar to 1900s. I never flew a 1900, but I understand they handle somewhat similarly to Bonanzas and Barons. So, the building block concept is apparent, though, now, I understand that MAPD grads go right into jets.

MAPD requires you to earn an A.S. in Aviation Technology from San Juan College. Most of the students I knew when I was there in 1993 already had degrees or some college, transferred credits, and only took what was needed to earn their degrees.

The deal about MAPD is if you follow the program you can interview with Mesa Airlines for an FO position with 300 hours. Contrary to popular belief, neither "the interview" nor a job is guaranteed. The only guarantee is if you do what you're supposed to do you'll be trained for your Commercial-Instrument-Multi (and maybe Single, now) and earn your degree.

MAPD does not offer CFI training. Theoretically, if the airline hires you at 300 hours you wouldn't need to instruct. However, I understand that MAPD grads who have interviewed successfully are not going right to ground school but are being placed in a pool for later hire. This can be bad at a time when one should be honing one's newly-acquired skills. I wouldn't be surprised if MAPD poolies are still getting their CFIs so they can keep flying.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with your choice of training provider.