CRMcaptain

1) I am considering continuing my IFR training on a G1000 Cessna - I do have experience on the regular "steam gauges" instruments ... but am I messing up my scan my transitioning to a PFD this early (I have a bit over 100 hours)

They are asking 135$/h + 35/h/instructor ... I know is on the expensive side, but I am willing to pay the money for new equipment ( 2007 Cessna 250 hours on it, G1000, WAAS, Collision Avoidance, Terrain Avoidance, Weather, Autopilot, Airbag) ... I'm used to mid 80s warriors with no GPS or autopilots.


2) Anyone knows anything about Decatur Jet Center ( in Decatur, TX)?

3) They have a Level 3 Elite simulator ... meaning I can do up to 20 hours of sim time, what do you guys recommend? I've never used a sim, is this something I should take advantage of ?(it's much cheaper)

4) Since I am transfering from a Part 61 school I opted to continue my training as part 61.

I am getting conflicting information ... Should I add my solo cross countrys that I did during my private training towards my 50 hours requierd cross country time for the IFR? Will the airlines look funny at me if I do so? I'm not in much of a hurry...

5) They asked me to sign a waver ... if anything goes wrong (even if is negligence by the FBO in maintaining their airplanes) I am not allowed to sue. Is this common practice? At my previous flight school I did not sign one - and this is a bit of a turnoff.

The FBO is certified 141 they just bought a brand new 30k sim, they own 3 brand new 172s and (2 of them leased to different school) and 2x 152. But they only have 12 students (6 coming out on a regular basis) ... should I be concerned? How they can afford all this new stuff ... when they only have 12 students? I can understand one of the owner can be crazy rich ... but they are definetly in the red.


6) I've been in the south for about a week, I'm from central PA ...

Can you recommend any fight schools (preferably big ones) in the Wichita Falls, TX area?

It's 120 miles south of Oklahoma City, and 120 miles North of Dallas/FT Worth


Thank you very much!

P.S. I am doing this training because I want to do this as a career

ryan1234

1) personal opinion... for learning IFR, you'll be better off using the warrior and getting more hours... G1000 is nice, but it's like using a calculator for arithmetic (during IR training)... and using the autopilot during instrument training is pretty much like cheating (reserved for after you finish)...however WAAS and GPS is a good advantage for instrument.
2) Sim time is alright, but not that great.... but if you can manage to fly the cheaper plane for around the same price, I'd do that.
3) ALL PIC XC time is counted towards your 50hrs
4) The waiver.. it's normal for most schools (curve the liability)
5) don't know that area's schools
6) Good luck

Pilotpip

Save your money. An instrument rating works for both. You don't need the autopilot, you don't need the glass. Most students I taught in it had a sense of invulnerability that I didn't like. Take a look at most cirrus crashes and this becomes very apparent.

I think you'd be a better pilot doing it with round dials and no autopilot. Having more money in your pocket is just an added bonus.

rickair7777

Some die-hard traditionalists will always say start with steam gauges. To a career-oriented student, I would say train on the gauges. Many commercial airplanes still use them, and it's easier for a steam-gauge pilot to transition to glass than vice-versa. Plus you save money.

But since you are a recreational pilot, and may not have the time and/or money to achieve (and maintain) proficiency in both steam gauge and TAA aircraft, you need to ask yourself one simple question...

What type of airplane do I expect to fly? If you're going to be renting old beaters, better train on gauges and get real comfortable doing partial panel in IMC.

If you're going to buy a Cirrus or other TAA, or rent one, then the safest thing for you to do would be to get as much time as possible on the glass system you will be using, or a very similar system. Then if you ever need to fly a steam-gauge airplane, stay VFR.

Steam and glass are different skills...don't think one will transfer safely to the other without some training and practice. Insurance will usually ensure that TAA pilots get the right training, but there is no such mandate for a glass pilot going to steam. I'm sure this will be corrected by regulation or insurance once some blood has been shed.

Cubdriver

Agree with Rick. Don't use the G1000 airplanes unless that's what you plan to rent later on. You can buy a desktop simulator for it from Garmin if you do, and going backwards to steam is harder than going forwards to the G1000. What's worse, the G1000 makes everything so easy there is a chance you will be somewhat weak without it. I am leary of this and actually use a steam guage 172RG to do my currency flights.

Slice

I'd say you have very limited experience with round gauges. Not enough to walk away now and feel proficient jumping back into a plane with them down the road. For training, you should try and get the best training for the least money. You don't need a G1000. Use the money you save now and rent it after you have your ratings for fun trips. And as always, for training I recommend Prairie Air Service in the Wichita, KS area. Prairie Air Service, Inc

CRMcaptain

I do have 30 hours or so of simulated/actual instrument in steam gauges airplanes. I just moved to Texas from Pennsylvania so there is no way I can still fly the Warriors (even though I really like them)

I do want to this as a career, and I understand what you guys are saying. Saturday I am going to check a different school in Duncan, OK ... anyone knows anything about BREWER AVIATION?


Any recommendations for flight school around Oklahoma City, Dallas FTW/ Dallas area?

SoonerPilot5420

CRMcaptain are you in Wichita Falls? I fly in and out of there a lot and you could easily get a lot done out at Kickapoo.

If your looking for something around Oklahoma City, you could always go to OU in Norman. Im just about to start on my CFI there.
$123 Dual, $101 Solo PA28-161/G. They are all just a couple of years old, seems to be some of the cheapest flying I have found around here.

Become a Flying Sooner! ~ OU Aviation Department at the University of Oklahoma

ryan1234

You know when it's all said and done...I think the most important thing is a good instructor (hopefully you'll find that), glass or round... cessna or piper... whatever it is a good instructor will be able to lead you in a good direction for your career.
The initial instrument is one of the most important ratings you'll get. Partially....of course.. I'd go with the rounds.... my full advice would be to also get your tailwheel endorsement, and do a good bit of upset training/spin/aerobatics in a citabria or decathlon if you can find one for a decent deal. Good stick skills are starting to be few and far between in the airline industry... you should also try to enjoy this part of your career as much as possible.

CRMcaptain

Yes, I just moved to Wichita Falls. Thanks a lot for the tip about Oklahoma State, it's seems like a good value and I will give them a call tomorrow.

Yes ryan1234, you are right ... this instructor I talked to from Decatur seems pretty nice. He is a 8k hours pilot, he is pretty much a career flight instructor. He had some part 135 experience flying Lears and an ATPL ... and everything else is CFIing. He used to instruct at the Lufthansa flight school in Arizona, do you guys consider that a positive? He seems in his mid/late 40s.

The issues I have with that flight schools (and you guys tell me if I'm exagerated)

1) No 50 hours inspections on their airplanes (that's a red flag for me)

2) They are way overpriced 170$ for dual seems lika a ripoff to me

3) The flight school seems to have way too much money for the size of their operation. With only 6 regular students ... they bought 3 brand new 172s with pretty much all the options, they have 2 x 152s and they just bought a Cessna 210 and an Elite Level 3 sim.

4) I'm not sure how much CFII/Instrument experience the instructor has ... with the weather here, I'm pretty sure I've done a lot more precission/non precission approaches in the past year then he did.


What do you guys look for in an instructor?