Otto123

Good evening,

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with accelerated flight programs? What I have found is there are really two that are recognized, Double Eagle Aviation in Tucson and Sunstate Aviation in Orlando.

I have everything I need to fulfill my commercial, minus polishing the maneuvers and taking the oral and practical exams. Is it worth the money to go to these places and finish in a weeks time, or are the frowned upon in the industry when trying to go acquire the first flying job?

Thanks.

rickair7777

Accelerated Flight Program? What do you mean by "recognized"?

But you have almost finished your commercial? That's a finish-up program, not an accelerated program.

If you have not been training for a while, or your current school cannot finish you up for some reason, then a finish-up course might be a good idea...they will have an organized plan to refresh you on everything you need.

Nobody cares if you use a finish-up program, or where you do it.

BTW, most of the aviation industry has never heard of those two schools...and nobody "recognizes" flight schools except in the case of FAA 141 schools, and there are probably hundreds of those.

freezingflyboy

I don't know anything about those programs specifically but I'll try to answer your last two questions.

As a rule, no one really cares where you got your training. Some guys don't like Riddle pukes or ATP but since I doubt you would put that you did some training at Double Eagle or Sunstate on your resume, who would know (or care)?

However, I would say that spending more than you have to is a waste. It sounds like you are pretty much ready to go. Why not just go down to your local FBO and go up with a CFI a few times until both you and your instructor are comfortable signing you off for the checkride? A lot of times at these "accelerated" programs they want to lock you into some sort of training program, which it sounds like you don't need. If you are as close as you say you are, I think you could knock it out as quickly (if not quicker) and cheaper at a local FBO. You might have to look around a bit but it shouldn't be too hard to find an airplane and an instructor that you can fly the wings off for a few days and then get the checkride done.

Otto123

Those are all good points for sure. I have not really taken the time to research the instructors in my area to help me fulfill the sign off for the practical. I do know the before I left my training to take care of work needs, that most of the CFI's were so young, that I was starting to feel that I knew more than they did and wasn't confident in their ability to teach me what I needed to know.

I understand that finding an instructor is MY investment and that I need to take the time to find someone capable and compatible (sounds like a marriage, lol). I will definitely take a look in the area though at some local instructors that might be willing to do this.

In any case, I do live in Michigan and already have nearly 100 hours actual IMC time, so if anyone knows of some good instructors either down in Florida, or out in Arizona I would definitely appreciate some contact information so that I won't be forced to wait due to Michigan's notorious weather.

freezingflyboy

Is that just because they were young or did they say or do things that would cause you to question their level of knowledge or professionalism? I was a relatively young CFI (at 21) and flew with a few students that were my parent's age. With some you could definitely detect a sense of...hesitation, for lack of a better word...but I found that the best way to overcome that was through some good ol' professionalism. Just have to show them that yes, I may be the same age as your idiot kid who is pub crawling his way through college, but I am also a professional aviator who takes my job seriously. Are there some punk kids running around with a CFI ticket in their back pocket? Absolutely. But for every one of those there are more than a few who are serious about teaching, who enjoying instructing and who are good at it. So if the age thing is the only hangup, I would suggest you try to overcome that. Also, I'm not sure what kind of CFIs you expect to find at an accelerate or finish-up program but usually at places like that you have a high rate or turnover in the CFI ranks as they quickly build time and move on.

I like your comment about it seeming like a marriage. Sometimes it can definitely feel that way, especially if you plan to spend a lot of long days together in tight quarters. However, I think a better way for you to approach it is to think of hiring an employee. You don't have to be each other's best friend, just need to get along for the few hours a day you spend together and find someone who can adapt to your learning style.

Otto123

No, I totally understand what you are saying with respect to the age thing. And I must admit that I don't believe that has anything to do with it, at least for me. One of the best instructors I have ever had was 22 years old. The unfortunate part for me, was I trained at a school that had a corporate side and they always drew from the flight instructors for new pilots. So as you can see, there was a pretty big draw for young instructors who had no other intention except building the time and waiting to be pulled over to the corporate side to fly King Air's and Hawkers. I will admit that to be that age and sitting either right seat in a Hawker or after a year, be sitting left seat in a King Air has to be pretty inviting.

Without a doubt, there are plenty of good young flight instructors out there who just have a passion for teaching. They may have other aspirations for themselves in the future, but they live in the present day and accept that they are teachers for the time being.

To me it really doesn't matter the age or sex, I am just like everyone else I think in that I want the most for my investment. And when you think about flying an aircraft, well without the proper training and knowledge base it can be deadly. So I am in the market to find an instructor who is willing to take the time and make the effort to hammer me with information while getting the best out of me in flying the aircraft. I am just not sure right now if I find that at a school, or if I network to try to find someone on the private sector of instructing...someone willing to take me on as their student.

Thanks for your repsonse(s).

tarfin

Where in Michigan are you? I'm in the Grand Rapids area and considering Benz Aviation for my PP and Instrument. Been looking around on the web and trying to find the most bang for the buck like yourself. Where did you get your training at?

Otto123

I am in the Detroit metro area and got most of my training at a 141 school, tradewinds aviation.

It was good training, but I have since let my training lapse due to work constraints. Now I am ready to finish things up and get on with what I hope to be a career in the aviation industry.

I will say that it is overwhelming to look at new schools to train at. Obviously there are the ATP's, all the regional schools, and so many more to choose from. As you will find out if you do your training here in Michigan, you will soon spend more money due to weather constraints until you accomplish the instrument ticket. That is the very reason why I am looking either down in Florida or out in Arizona to finish my training. I have spent many hours reflying lesson plans due to not flying for a week or two due to weather.

I wish you the best in your training. And if you can, don't get into the situation that I did and stop your training if you have plans on becoming a professional pilot. Once you stop your training, it is extremely difficult to start back up again.

tarfin

I'm still deciding on how to bite the bullet for training. I'm a mid-life career changer so I'm thinking it best to knock the PPL out quickly while I still have my severance money. Then if I decide I want to go all the way as a professional pilot I'll have to pick which school. Should I choose not to go further (or not be capable) I'll still have the PPL and can go back to IT work.

I also wish you well in your training. Let me know where you wind up. I'd love to hear where you end up going and what factors take you there.

Regards,
Tim