tinyfuzz

hi, wondering if anyone out there has had any experience w/ this school

rickair7777

I have plenty of experience with them. They excel at their primary mission: seperating wealthy mid-life recreational pilots from their money.

But they will cheerfully seperate the occasional career-oriented student from his/her money as well. I saw at least one $80,000 private pilot...this was a kid who took out a loan and had career plans. Years later, I assume he's still a PPL and still trying to pay off that loan while working at Dominoes.

Basically they are WAY too overpriced for basic flight training, and their instructors are same $10/hr beginners you find at most schools. Don't even think about it for PPL/IR/COMM/ME. Look elsewhere for basic training.

You can get pretty good results from their CFI academy, although the quality and value varies widely depending on which branch office you are at.

Senior Skipper

Funny enough, I called American Flyers only today. I nearly laughed when I heard their prices for a 172R:

$180 solo
$215 dual

I can get a G1000 C182 (yes, 1 eighty 2) for less than that. In fact, for that price, you may as well pay the extra $20 and get an hour of multi time.

Rick says it best though- they separate pilots from their money.

Not worth it.

wrxsteve

sounds awesome, where do i sign up?!

tinyfuzz

well interestingly enough I called them up today, and compared to other schools they do not include any multi-time. That's awkward since it costs around 55k w/ about 190-200 time in the air in a single engine. He offered working towards cfi and going multi whilst being paid training other students!

Ok please help me out there from you vets, when I'm shopping for schools which I am very serious about these 2 wks, what are the general rules of ThumB! please educate me as I have tendency of being stubborn when listening to sales pitches. What do I look for generally when looking to the amount of hours offered by these schools? I got to make sure when I take out this school loan and bury myself legally that I am in a situation where I would not have to borrow any more since I'll be maxing out the amount of money I can get single handly.

cheers.

olympic

I have a buddy wanting to tune up his instrument skills, is there Instrument Refresher worth the money?

Senior Skipper

Need some background here? How far along are you? Started taking PPL lessons yet? Where are you located? What type of time would you like to build?

Senior Skipper

Do you live in South Florida?

rickair7777

The problem with 141 training is they tend to charge more for it, but the training is accomplished with less total flight time. Unfortunately, the airlines (and all other employers) screen applicants based on total flight time.

If you can get the it done part 91 for the same or less money, you will have 250 hours instead of 190. And, no, nobody gives a rats butt that you graduated from a 141 training program.

If you have the MGIB, then compare your out-of-pocket 141 costs with the cost of a 91 program, and then prorate the 141 cost up to 250 hours. Which one has the lower hourly cost?

tinyfuzz

I am beginning to scratch the surface.... I do live in south florida at the moment....was referred to check out www.flyoba.com ...which would mean relocate. I would consider moving back to orlando and getting training started there as well, mainly so I can take some classes at UCF simultaneously. No one has ever mentioned part 91. I've heard 141 nd' 61.