ryjfair06

I'm very interested in attending SWIC and getting my flight hours from Aaero Aviation (formerly Langa). SWIC looks like a good school and much cheaper than Parks at SLU. I can get my AAS and transfer to SIUE for a bachelors in aviation flight training or aviation management.

Does anyone have any experience with SWIC? Aaero just opened up in the same building Langa was in but I'm going to look into them more.

Thanks,

ryjfair06

correction, transfer to SIUC

PiperDriver2010

Go to U of I in Champaign, they actually let you fly in actual conditions...

Jones14

I've been looking for schools in the STL area also. Right now I'm doing my training in Centralia, IL with Airgo Inc. It's half the cost of getting your ratings at a college. I was enrolled in SIUC's flight program but chickened out last minute realizing I was about to sign for a $50K loan for one year of school. SWIC may be in a whole different price range though? I did go through SIU's Aviation Technologies program to get my bachelor's degree and Airframe & Powerplant license. That is why I'm looking for work/training in the STL area.

I don't know your situation but I'm paying my own way through and for me the choice was easy in the end. I save a ton of money by living with my parents and training local. No rent, no tuition, etc. My CFI has 25 years experience and has chosen to be a "career" flight instructor in comparison to SIU's CFIs which are mainly kids who just graduated and are building hours. I never have scheduling conflicts, it's self-paced, and I think it's a far more personal, family-like experience. If you have the funds and an open schedule you can do it much faster too. A guy got his PPL in 2 weeks there one time. Another student I know went from zero hours to commercial in 6 months. Now he's mostly through his CFI, if not already.

I'll admit you would probably get a better overall education being spoon fed in a college, but the FAA is the final decision. We're all checked out by the same feds with their PTS. If you apply yourself and read every inch of your books, study hard, and discuss every question you might have with your instructor you'll be golden!

Anyway, I'll stop trashing your plans it's just something to think about. It took me a lot of researching and stress to finally find a place that I felt comfortable and I know you probably feel the same in some way. What area of Illinois / Missouri are you from?