Aspiring Pilot's question to members

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Ven Sri

Filing Flight Plan
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May 4, 2019
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StudentPilotAZ
After thinking about it for years, I started my pilot training a month ago. I picked a private CFI who had access to couple of Cessna's. I was referred to him through a distant friend. He seemed very busy with his schedule but he assured to accommodate me for two times a week. We flew two lessons on the first two weeks. More on those flight experience later (but I can say the experience was very different than I have heard/read).

After the first two lessons, I was stood up a few times at the airport for various reasons from this CFI. I understand life happens to people so I shrugged it for the first two times. When it happened for the third consecutive time with some silly excuse, I decided to stop and look elsewhere. I paid money in advance and he is open to paying the remaining back.

Since that experience, I inquired a local flight school in Chandler. They have a wait period of 4 months (yes you need to wait to pay them 15K to get trained :) It's understandable coz they are unable to retain quality CFIs. I started inquiring other private CFI's and among the two I met I don't have that warm and fuzzy (given what I have gone through). I still have a lot enthusiasm to learn. I am 80% into preparing for the written test, bought headsets, ipad, foreflight etc., The question is:

1. Should I wait for the reputed flight school for 3 or 4 months
2. Should I continue looking for private CFI. I want to stay local to Chandler, AZ for training coz of proximity from where I live.
3. Are there alternatives to the above

I am looking to fly two times a week at least. Any recommendations for any of the points above would be great. Alternatively, suggest CFI names that you trust in the Chandler area through a private message (please!)

Sincerely,
An Aspiring Student Pilot!
 
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Unless that’s ABSOLUTELY the only option, I would not wait for them. There has to be just a basic FBO with flight instruction relatively close by and that will be just as good as the so-called reputed flight school.
 
Ven Sri said:
After thinking about it for years, I started my pilot training a month ago. I picked a private CFI who had access to couple of Cessna's. I was referred to him through a distant friend. He seemed very busy with his schedule but he assured to accommodate me for two times a week. We flew two lessons on the first two weeks. More on those flight experience later (but I can say the experience was very different than I have heard/read).

After the first two lessons, I was stood up a few times at the airport for various reasons from this CFI. I understand life happens to people so I shrugged it for the first two times. When it happened for the third consecutive time with some silly excuse, I decided to stop and look elsewhere. I paid money in advance and he is open to paying the remaining back.

Since that experience, I inquired a local flight school in Chandler. They have a wait period of 4 months (yes you need to wait to pay them 15K to get trained :) It's understandable coz they are unable to retain quality CFIs. I started inquiring other private CFI's and among the two I met I don't have that warm and fuzzy (given what I have gone through). I still have a lot enthusiasm to learn. I am 80% into preparing for the written test, bought headsets, ipad, foreflight etc., The question is:

1. Should I wait for the reputed flight school for 3 or 4 months
2. Should I continue looking for private CFI. I want to stay local to Chandler, AZ for training coz of proximity from where I live.
3. Are there alternatives to the above

I am looking to fly two times a week at least. Any recommendations for any of the points above would be great. Alternatively, suggest CFI names that you trust in the Chandler area through a private message (please!)

Sincerely,
An Aspiring Student Pilot!
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I don't know what the going rates in your area is, but the $15k and 4 month wait seems unfathomable to me. In my neck of the woods, you can get it done for half that cost and start today.

When picking a CFI, I would suggest that the most important quality to look for is their patience. Ask some dumb questions and see how they respond. When I first started 25 years ago, I still remember how the first CFI talked to me like I was an idiot (even though I had a PhD). I didn't come back to flying for a year. All I'm saying is, you are wise to wait until you find the right CFI. This is more important in primary training than for higher ratings.
 
Ryanb said:
Unless that’s ABSOLUTELY the only option, I would not wait for them. There has to be just a basic FBO with flight instruction relatively close by and that will be just as good as the so-called reputed flight school.
Click to expand...
The closest next one is about 20 odd miles. If nothing else, that would be an options. Thanks!
 
sarangan said:
I don't know what the going rates in your area is, but the $15k and 4 month wait seems unfathomable to me. In my neck of the woods, you can get it done for half that cost and start today.

When picking a CFI, I would suggest that the most important quality to look for is their patience. Ask some dumb questions and see how they respond. When I first started 25 years ago, I still remember how the first CFI talked to me like I was an idiot (even though I had a PhD). I didn't come back to flying for a year. All I'm saying is, you are wise to wait until you find the right CFI. This is more important in primary training than for higher ratings.
Click to expand...

The 15k reference was with factoring in the national average for flight hours (70 hours instead of 40). It could be less if I am able to pick it quicker.

I am continuing to look for CFIs. Agree that a good teacher would make all the difference.
 
Tell your current CFI," if you can't teach me on a regular bases, I'll find some one who can"

If they want to continue, tell them you will hold back 10 hours pay, If they miss any more flights as planed they loose the 10 hours pay.
 
I know those guys in CHD and I'm sorry to say, you're experience isn't unusual. They can be a little... snobbish to say the least. I'm sorry you're having such a negative experience. If I wasn't leaving for Alaska soon, I'd fly with you.

BUT <--- and that's a big but... Here's something I bet you never considered... Oh the possibilities.

http://www.agflight.com

PJ
 
I would go the private route. I enjoyed learning to fly from guys that had GA coursing through their veins, I’ve always thought I got a more in depth or “real world” education from them than from someone who this is just a step along the way that they gotta go through. Now I’m sure as heck not saying there’s no great instructors in that crowd or anything wrong with it. But I am saying for my dollar and butt I’ll take the lil airport old rental plane and the old salt instructor...
 
Ven Sri said:
It's understandable coz they are unable to retain quality CFIs.
Click to expand...

They want money up front and they can't keep CFI's? I would never pay 15K up front. Maybe buy some block time to show your dedication to the program, but handing over 15k gives them too much control. And in my experience few deserve the trust...
 
FlySince9 said:
They want money up front and they can't keep CFI's? I would never pay 15K up front. Maybe buy some block time to show your dedication to the program, but handing over 15k gives them too much control. And in my experience few deserve the trust...
Click to expand...

The air school is not asking money upfront. The 15k was my guesstimate total in all. Thank you for your response.
 
Professionalism from a Flight Instructor is arguably one of the most important traits that they can have as it fits in with their people skills. If your instructor is not communicating with you well, standing you up, etc, find a new CFI as soon as possible.

As others have said, never give a flight school money up front.

Instructors are unfortunately the biggest issue with flight training these days. Many are in it just to progress on to the airlines, which is fine, however they don't bring that airline professionalism to the school. Find an instructor who is able to sit down with you and chat about your training goals and work with you to achieve them.

I would put in for this new school and tell them that you're available to start whenever. If you're looking to move somewhere else for flight training, PM me and I can recommend you a few good schools (and possibly work with you myself).
 
Is your goal a private pilot license (“PPL”) or to fly for the airlines?

With the state general aviation is in, I am surprised to hear there is a waitlist to start training, unless you are looking at a 141 operation with start dates etc.

Do some research on the AOPA and EAA websites. Look for flying clubs. Most work with private CFIs.

You want a CFI with a syllabus and professionalism, but if it were my money, I wouldn’t need a guy in a white shirt and tie and fancy office space.

20-miles isn’t too crazy, especially if you can find an airport near work or something.

Maybe schedule back to back lessons on Saturday or something? Fly 8-12 take a break and 3-7 or something? Not ideal for initial instruction but limiting yourself to one airport is causing your constraints.
 
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