Husky16

I'm looking into flight schools for the fall and i am impressed with DCA. Does anyone have any info regarding the school. I know it is expensive so i don't need to hear about that, but day to day stuff, i.e. quality of training, etc. Thanks

HSLD

It depends on your background. Do you have a degree and just trying to get some flight training, or do also need a degree?

Husky16

yeah. I already have a degree.just looking for the flight traing part now.

Ninety Two, Set

Husky,

DCA is great from a connections standpoint. You will meet lots of likeminded guys who are getting jobs ahead of you at the regionals and fractionals. You'll fill their void as they move on, and you too will move on through the contacts you'll make at DCA. You mentioned that cost wasn't a consideration, so I'd highly recommend it.

Husky16

thanks for info. cost is an issue but i already have a loan ready to go to whichever school i decide.

Vader

DCA is a very good school; however the work/training environment is not. I would suggest you go to SFB and checkout the school. I for one live near by and wanted to go to DCA so bad, but after my first few interactions and conversations with school officials and CFIs I decided not to proceed with DCA.

FlyerNY11225

I'm pretty new to the forum so hello everyone. I would very much like to know th reasons if you dont mind me asking why after just a few interactions and conversations with DCA changed your mind about attending?.

I'm 25 has a fiancee and has Private, Comm, Instr, in both SEL & MEL. I'm very much aware of the cost on attending DCA. Before I relocate from NY down to sunny FL I would like to know beside cost wise if there is anything in terms of working environment/ instructor teaching and overall make up of DCA that should have me reconsider.

After speaking to a representative at DCA and the questions i've ask'd him about training cost and employment he informed me that someone at my level will be put through their advance program earning a CFI,CFII, MEI & Jet Transition. 16 or 18hrs Sim and hands on on jet. cost around $20,000.00 for everything.

Also after completing my CFII which I should obtain in 2 to 3 months max the school will then interview me to be hired as a DCA Flight Instructor making around $850-$1,300 a month. I have no problem with campus housing since they do offer housing for out of state residents. And as for the so call gaurantee interview i'm not to pumped up too much about that, yes you will get an interview but it does not mean you will be hired. Even if you were to get hired who's to say you would not be on Reserve.

Anyhow two questions the first being for the person i've replied to or anyone else that may have other reasons other than cost you would not attend DCA?. Second question for those that may have a bit more experience in the Aviation field if $20,000.00 is a good enough deal earning a CFI, CFII,MEI & Jet transition from a Airline owned School compared to an FBO?.

If wanting to know the reason why i'm considering DCA, it is not because of brand name, its because of the network it has with various agencies in terms of employment and that is very important since i may be having my own little family in the near future. If i'm going to make a huge investment I might as well sure get a return from it.

WEACLRS

Suggest you go over to www dot flightinfo dot com. In the Hanger (their online forum) in Training section is a very large thread on DCA. Also includes a poll (which is very down on the academy). You will find a lot of good info.

de727ups

I'd tell you to go to jetcareers and do a search but DCA management asked the webmaster at jetcareers (who's a Delta pilot) to pull any threads that mentioned DCA. So the history of DCA posts is gone.

You have to ask yourself why DCA management would ask a Delta pilot to remove all mention of their school from his website...

In any case, don't base your decision on any schools marketing or what the recruiters tell you. You need to go down there and check it out for yourself while talking, privately, to some students and CFI's.

FlyerNY11225

Thank you very much for your replies WEACLRS & de727ups.Observing the threads on flightinfo.com there were more Cons than Pros about DCA. And speaking to one of DCA respresentatives they do have a salesman like attitude and I questioned myself if this individual is even a pilot or just a company rep that has a through knowledge of DCA practices but will only tell me what I want to hear.

Also speaking to him he sounded very confident in his explainations in terms of what DCA is all about but one question I''ve ask'd causing him to studder when I ask'd what will really be the cost for the CFI,CFII,MEI & Jet transition.
I mean its a sacrifice that i'm NOW re-thinking of making in terms of taking out a huge loan and taking my CREDIT into account if i were to make such a decision which it will surely have an impact in my life in terms of acquiring things for personal convienance.

There was one post from a DCA student that is currently enrolled said that the instructors attitude are ok but in terms of training material and instructional video's the qaulity are of such low standards a new Plastic model aircraft make the other matierals look as if a DUM truck ran over them a couple of times on I95.

My earlier times of flight training were through an all Aviation College in Alabama it was the cheapest way to learn to fly through the programs they offered. Average maintance on its fleet yet has it own Airport (71J) Blackwell airport 5 miles from (DTH)Donthan i think Comair operates out of there not too sure it was a while back but the moral of this paragraph that it was cheaper and the quality of training were just as much good as either DCA standards but they had better material and with out good working learning marterial is it the students fault that the learning process to catch on maybe somewhat delayed cause of that.

Anyhow the College and its flight department has since closed I believe the cheap cost hurt them in the long run due to rise in Fuel Cost. But they still do offer an good A&P and Avionics program.

I'm still going to attend thertour with a little bit more intell on there operation but would like to know if anyone can suggest other places where you can recommend or suggest I have a look at a place I would really appreciate it. Guys like myself with low time and these corporate and charter operators here in New York would not even Glance at my profile even if i were to waive a $100 infront their face.

I've also heard of some FBO's in the caribbean can be somewhat of a plus in terms of flight training and getting on board as a CFI and even fly Charter doing island hoping building ME time or even TT. Plus doing so, would having island hoping through out the caribbean would that be a plus since it would be considered International flight experience and if so do the regionals of our U.S carriers even care about that.

Sorry for such a Long post but would appreciate your replies.

Just a low time guy trying to get by.