Which Academy?

[Tater Salad]

The local FBO training is starting to sound like a better bet. Buying my own plane to train in might not be a feasible option, but the more you guys got me thinking about it, I would much rather not rack up almost $80k in loans. That would HURT financially the first couple of years at a regional.

The ASA program looks good on paper when they say they waive the minimum hour reqs for FSI students who go through Advanced Airline Training. But $45k fir CIME training, and then $23k for AATP. Ouch!

 

[mayday1]

But $45k fir CIME training, and then $23k for AATP. Ouch!

right, and don't forget all your living expenses.

 

[BeeFCaKe]

The local FBO training is starting to sound like a better bet. Buying my own plane to train in might not be a feasible option, but the more you guys got me thinking about it, I would much rather not rack up almost $80k in loans. That would HURT financially the first couple of years at a regional.

The ASA program looks good on paper when they say they waive the minimum hour reqs for FSI students who go through Advanced Airline Training. But $45k fir CIME training, and then $23k for AATP. Ouch!

The thing is, if you BUY your own airplane, then when you are done with training, you recoup the costs, possibly even making money.

If I had it to do over again, that is what I probably would have done.
I went to a local tech school http://cws.gateway.tec.wi.us/departments/Aviation/Facility.htm to get my AS in aviation, all of my ratings, private through MEI/CFI. The main drawback was the time taken (2-3 years) to do this. After I graduated, I worked at the FBO at the same airport as the school. Man was that fun. My first students were great to fly with, and I was able to get my CFII for el-cheapo $.
It IS possible to do an accelerated program at an FBO, YOU have to be the motivated one. My first instrument student started and finished in 6 weeks. Another instructor had a primary student start & finish in 8 weeks. It all comes down to motivation -- YOURS.

When searching for an FBO, make sure that it meets all of your needs. They don't HAVE to have a complex single, but they DO have to have a twin! If you have to get your Multi-commercial or MEI before your CFI / SECOM, that is OK.

OR

Get your initial CFI as fast as possible and go work for a place that has a twin. Do your MEI & CFII on their 'employee discount program' and save yourself some $$ there.

Just throwing out a bunch of ideas!

-CaKe

 

[Tater Salad]

I've never really thought about it that way BeeFCaKe. I really appreciate the insight.

It seems that most pilots I talk to that have started there airline careers either took the military route (which is a possible option for me if I can build my motivation for it again), or the route of FBO training and instructing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is the FBO training sounds better to me costwise, along with everything else.

I greatly appreciate the ideas, thoughts and opinions. It's still gonna take a lot of research, but I think I have a little more direction on what I want to do. Thanks everyone!

 

[bobbysamd]

FBO training v. schools

The local FBO training is starting to sound like a better bet . . . .

But understand that flight training is a sideline for many FBOs who might be more concerned about fuel sales, charters, maintenance, tiedown rental and hangar rental. Meaning, that the instructor with whom you were scheduled might dump your primary training flight for a charter trip. Or, aircraft might be down for unexpected maintenance without a replacement(s) available for your flight. There are instructors who stick students in airplanes other than what they've been flying just to keep up their hours. Ideally, students should keep flying the same type aircraft during their primary training. Most are behind their regular airplane enough and flying unfamilar equipment can make for further setbacks (and more money spent).

Training regularly and consistently is important to make progress and to maintain momentum. Flight schools' only business is to train pilots, so you are assured of regularity and consistency in training. My experience is new students learn more, better and faster, and perhaps cheaper, in a setting devoted to flight training only.

Finally, you can expect larger fleets and more reliable maintenance from the bigger schools. I do not recall ever losing a flight at FlightSafety because of maintenance; we had such a large fleet! Maintenance at ERAU-Prescott was also excellent.

Just something more to think about.

 

[pilotviolin]

I really think it all depends on you. If your motivated you are going to save yourself a ton of money by not going to FSI or some other big school. So you don't want to buy a plane, shop around. I found a 152 for 45 bucks an hour. Not to bad. Time is time, I don't care what people say. BeefCake knows what is up. Go spend 4 Gs to get your private instead of 10 at FSI, then finish everything else up at Shebles in Las Vegas. I did my commercial single and multi in 4 days!! Look them up, you can't beat them. I still only have 6 hours of piston multi. Got my rating and now I have 1200 turbine multi 3 years later. A good goal is to get your CFI as fast as you can and don't spend a lot. Go to talk to shebles. http://www.shebleaviation.com
I have no doubt about how good FSI is, I got my type and go every 6 months to the FSI Citation center in Wichita. They do teach what is expected in the sims, but it is not worth going to Vero Beach and paying 50 grand to learn something that can be learned in a few days.

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

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.

Violin,

You're right on the money. In a decient 152, you can get your Private, Instrument, drop the cash on getting your Commercial in a local twin or buy it at ATP, then you can get your Commercial Single-Engine add-on entirely in the 152 again (in just a few hours, I might add), parts of your CFI, and all your CFII! That's a lot of flying and savings, my friend. I've been there, and I know a lot of people who have also traveled that road. Any further questions, feel free to write.

Shy

 

[Tater Salad]

I've been doing some research on taking ownership of an older aircraft for training, and just about every which way I look at it, it seems to be cheaper per training hour.

Here's a couple of questions to ponder on though................ It may seem crazy to say the least but if it is financially possible to do so, would buying an old Seminole or something comparable to it be a good idea?

My father (an ex-Navy fighter pilot) suggested it to me when I was talking to him about buying an old 172 or Warrior. He further suggested picking up my Multi first, then going back to do Instrument in Multi if we could make ownership of an old twin possible. I haven't had a chance to look at the FARs for training reqs, but is that possible, and if so is it a good idea?

 

[flyinlow67]

It's possible, but not a very good approach to do it.
You need to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run.
The 150 or 152 is a great trainer, and don't forget, you can do most of your commercial in the airplane as well. You need the 10 hours of complex time, but I have sent students on checkrides for Comm in a 152. They do the manuvers, come back, demonstrate they can wiggle the prop and gear and UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS (my personal soapbox there) and fini!
Starting out in a multi does build multi time faster, but you are dealing with a more complex aircraft, not to mention trying to get insured in the thing. Plus, the Seminole is a marginal one engine performer at best.
Just some thoughts from an old timer.

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

It's possible, but not a very good approach to do it.
You need to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run.
The 150 or 152 is a great trainer, and don't forget, you can do most of your commercial in the airplane as well. You need the 10 hours of complex time, but I have sent students on checkrides for Comm in a 152. They do the manuvers, come back, demonstrate they can wiggle the prop and gear and UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS (my personal soapbox there) and fini!
Starting out in a multi does build multi time faster, but you are dealing with a more complex aircraft, not to mention trying to get insured in the thing. Plus, the Seminole is a marginal one engine performer at best.
Just some thoughts from an old timer.

Well said, here-here.

Shy