DMP9679

Do what you have to do, if you do not like the "academies", then scratch that out as a topic to discuss. Having said that, it looks as though you are only left with FBO's as an option!

I don't care what choice you or anybody else makes in choosing a flight school. Why? Simple, trying to talk about any certain place only draws in vultures' opinions, the best place to go is the place that they went to, or the best place that they heard about.

I went to ATP, and yes it had its bad moments, but in the end, I feel that is was the right decision for me. I finished in a little under 5 months from start to finish (146 me, 250 ttl). Going to ATP allowed me to finish rapidly, and it also gave me a little over the minimum multi time that most regionals require.

I can tell you this though, on a daily basis numerous individuals call from ERAU and DCA, looking elsewhere for training. Many are extremely bitter with each school, and all are looking for the fastest route to make up for lost time and money!

Ultimately, research yourself, talk to as many pilots as possible(but take each opinion as advice only), and then make your best educated decision on the next step.

razorseal

ATP sucks, ATP is great, DCA sucks, go to a local FBO yadi yadi yada...

opinions are like *******s, everyone has one...

I'm new here but I will give my 'opinion'

to me 'choosing' something is like reading a movie review... I have seen movies that I personally thought were great, yet it had gotten the worst reviews, or movies I thought were so bad I wanted my money back, but got great reviews. Choosing a place to get your license is the same... I started going to DCA not knowing much anything...

I was told about the 'guaranteed interview' this and that. Well after some research of my own, I found out that the guaranteed interview is a load of bull... now it might be, or it might not be, but if you have done your research, you will find out that anyone who meets the min requirements to an airline that applies will be called for an interview (well 90% of the time, but don't apply to one, apply to many) so guaranteed interview means nothing to me.

To me the way the school is structured does matter a lot... I'm a very gung-ho type of person. I like having my uniform, I like having it ironed, and I like being proper. I like how the school is structured like an airline with your ops manual, standards manual and few other things they might have. To some people these really don't matter, well then I recommend you look elsewhere, DCA has a certain structure. At DCA, you don't just go out and fly, you have lessons you have to finish, you have stage checks to show that you are on track and whatnot.

also there are loads of people saying 'oh it is so expensive' and cry about it with a huge vagina face... Well let me say this, if you study your stuff, you know what every procedure you will be doing in that lesson and how to execute it, you will do JUST fine... Currently the rate to rent a 152 is like 104 with the instructor, thats pretty reasonable to me. Now there are idiots who don't do their studying and have no clue how to execute a say power on stall, they don't get it right the first time, so the instructor has to show how its done for the student to understand. well you just wasted 10 minutes, and every second is money. I have passed all my lessons in minimum hours required, never had to repeat a procedure/lesson and always ahead of myself. that is the trick in an academy. come prepared more then you need. Once you do that, you will not be raped with $$$... it might cost a bit more since the school is 141, and if that is a problem for you, you can either go to a 61 school or ask the chief inst. for a switch over to 61.

Just remember this with DCA. stay ahead of yourself, KNOW the stuff you will be doing for that flight so you don't have to have the IP show you, or explain it to you. and study study study... When you do that, you will finish very VERY close to minimum hours and you will not spend much money... I got my PPL at just short of 5 grand. I NEVER failed a lesson/stage check, procedure (or had to repeat it) and always stayed about a week ahead of the other students.

and remember, opinions are aholes, everyone has one. You never know until you try. I'm very happy I go to DCA but I don't expect anything from there other then my licenses/ratings, and a bit of experience that other schools don't have. I don't expect a 'guaranteed interview', I don't expect to get a job as soon as I'm done with school with an airline or anything.

also one other reason that might be good for you is the name... I'm not a US citizen and my parents are Turkish, and they never really liked the idea that I wanted to be a pilot, but they were 'somewhat' eased/comforted with the idea that at least 'delta' will be training me (although they really aren't, but its just a comforting and a known name to them) so it helped ease things. also I'm getting an AA on aviation on top of my BA in biz.

I'm sorry but my REALLY long sometimes make not too much sense, because I write these posts real quick, I'll go over it and try it fix it up... if something doesn't make sense post away, and I'll try to help you out.

I registered here because I've been reading all these things about ppl just calling BS on other schools, I had to say something... someone has to speak up to teach people to choose for themselves.

Now also don't think of me as a 'richboy' with money to waste. My parents aren't the richest people out there, but they help with what they can.. I have to work my ass off here delivering food in daytime... I also had to sell my car to get some 'initial' money to get started with flying... so i'm not being fully supported by a rich dad.

When you want something, and you want it a specific way, you will get it. now I'm highly against PFJ (like gulf stream) but if thats your thing, and if thats how you think you will get a head start on me, then do so by all means, I will always support you, but I will always inform you on what is going on. Always research your stuff.

your poll is very 'personal' really the gotta define best here... because all in honesty, they all teach the same crap... if best means 'cheapest' then none of those... I'd go to the local FBOs and to my stuff there. if you were to define best as 'best enviroment, somewhat similar to airlines' then I would probably choose DCA... if best means 'best planes' then at the moment DEFINITELY not DCA as we have 30 year old 152s and 172s (152 is one of my fav airplanes btw lol)

best luck to making your decision, and I'm always here to help ya guys out as best as I can when it comes to decision making.

FlyingChipmunk

I did my training from Instrument on except for MEI at DCA. Training I got there was quality but, not a place I would want to work. If I had to do it again knowing that I wasn't going to work there I would just go to a local FBO. I was offered an interview to instruct with them but turned it down to go instruct part 61. As far as the guaranteed interview goes I was offered an interview at Comair months before any of my classmates whom I would have gotten hired with.

razorseal

if I was a US citizen, i personally would have gone with ATP, not DCA... DCA came in 2nd in my options

planecrazyjenn

Don't forget ari-ben...not all that far from Sanford (DCA)...and it's cheaper than ATP for the multi time. I don't have too much experience with any of the other schools...I scratched out ATP the second they said they weren't VA approved...and I wasn't about to spend that much money when I could get the same time for less money elsewhere...and I got lucky to do all my training in the multi under the VA program. If your not military, that part doesn't matter to you anyway. I'm very happy with where I'm at, but I wont bad mouth any other flight school because I didn't go there.

stealth114

I highly recommend TailWheels Etc.. Its a small quaint flight school thats been churning out pilots for a long time now. I been there and will highly recommend it.