Jones14

Just curious if anyone went to this school or could tell me anything that the website doesn't. Cost? Quality?

tomgoodman

A number of test pilots and engineers at Edwards were Parks graduates, and spoke highly of the Aeronautical Engineering department.

Jones14

I live in southern Illinois and have been considering moving to the STL area to work as an A&P. I definitely want to continue my aviation training but there are no good schools around there. They had Langa Air but it went out of business. There's also St. Charles Air Services but I've heard they are on the chopping block as well. Parks seems really nice, and would probably be some of the best training available but I don't want to fork over twice the amount of money to get it. Paying tuition at a college for flight training seems so ridiculous to me, I guess you would need rich parents to understand that?

250 or point 65

I went to Parks and then instructed at Parks. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. I have no idea how much it costs now, but I bet if you gave them a call you'd be able to get a very precise answer.

Also, Air Associates out of SUS is operating now. I have a couple quality students that are now instructors over there. I'd be happy to give you their names and numbers.

Jones14

Air Associates seems legit. I'll probably e-mail them and request some information. I wonder if it's self-paced?

Natca

Avoid Air Associates, they have not been flying much and on the verge aswell, Parks is way expensive and you have to be enrolled in a degree to flight train there, that means you have to go to RELIGION CLASS!

Best answer in St. Louis is the Scott AFB Aero Club (yes civilians can do it) and also Saint Charles (I fly there) which is still kicking, they are just moving up to KSET.

USMCFLYR

Natca -

I'm curious how the civilians use the Aero Club. How do they get onto base first, and is the Aero club not run (at least partially) by the AF's version of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR in USN/USMC speak) which requires that you be AD, retiree, dependant or civilian employee (I think that covers the categories)

I never did check in the flying clulb at NAS Lemoore, but I thought they operated under those restrictions.

USMCFLYR

HectorD

I attended Parks for one year and didn't like it at all. Good people and all, I just didn't like how they completely waisted one year of my life. Be advised, if you are a private pilot, they will make you take the private course over again.

You will fly Diamond DA-20s. They are simple to fly but they cannot fly into clouds in other words, don't expect to receive any actual during your instrument course. They only have two Seminoles and about 2 arrows so their fleet is tiny. The administration of the university are a bunch of A-holes and they make up the craziest stuff just to take your money (as if the school wasn't expensive enough).

I heard good stuff about the school but it seems like the info is outdated. As of '09 the school isn't worth the cost. Go somewhere else.

khaosanroad

Take a look at St. Charles Flying Service. They are actually a part 141 school.

Jones14

I'm considering SCFS for sure. They seem to have pretty reasonable costs. Their rental fees are lower than where I fly and on the FAQ is suggests $5-7K for a private license. I feel I got a good deal at my local airport for the upper end of that. I e-mailed the company and Dave Pressy got back with me. He's supposed to be putting a quote together for me some time soon with a breakdown for each rating. I'd imagine it's a good thing they are moving out to KSET, 3SQ seemed like a pretty drab place. And if you don't mind me asking how do they bill you for the training? Do you just open an account and manage your own balance or do they require you pay the whole chunk at once?

I have a friend that works at Lambert who thinks he could have some pull getting me an A&P job there. Found a nice apartment in New Town which you may know is situated a few miles off the end of runways 12L, 12R and 11. I also have some family in the St. Charles area so it would be a nice area for me.