Flight School Reviews in DFW

[Franco1024]

Hello all, I am currently in the process of picking out a flight school in the DFW area. I have had an introductory flight with Aviator Air in Grand Prairie and really liked the family atmosphere, and being in the KGPM terminal it was cool to see a Nice Red Cirrus park in front.

I have heard of long waits at KADS and I am looking into an accelerated program to offset the cost of paying to rent the plane just to have jets get priority and wait to takeoff behind them. That is the only reason I do not plan on training out of there if i don't have to. unless someone knows of any good Accelerated PPL Training out of KADS. I plan on training elsewhere.

My plan for training since I have a family and full time job is to:

1. Get Medical
In the next couple weeks

2. Get Online PPL Ground school course
Right after I make sure I could pass a class 1 or 2 medical

3. Pass FAA Written
Plan is to finish Online Ground 1-3 months

4. Start Fight Training
Right after passing the written sign up for school
Est. August 2019

With this info does anyone recommend any changes or see any non realistic goals?
also does anyone know of any other Good Schools in the area? if they are not accelerated programs in KADS I appreciate it but I have already been in contact with them.

I plan on taking about 2-3 weeks off work at one time to try and complete the PPL accelerated training in one go have heard of schools offering the 14 day "Challenge". How realistic is it to complete PPL in 14days?

 

[AggieMike88]

For your Step #1, Get Medical.

Before you head of to the Aviation Medical Examiner's office for your first FAA medical, let's make sure you become knowledgeable about what hings the FAA is going to ask about you and your medical history.

Below is one of my copy/paste items about the FAA application for a medical certificate. Please read and take to heart this information. Because if you bomb into the office unprepared and get stuck on one of the landmine or hand grenade issues, it could end your flying dreams before you even get started.



To gain confidence, and more importantly, knowledge, of what is involved with obtaining your first medical certificate, start by reviewing the instruction manual for MedXpress, the FAA's online form for applying for a medical. You can find that here: https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress/Content/Docs/MedXPressUsersGuide.pdf

Scroll down to page 24 of 36. This is where they ask about any medications you are currently taking (Question 17). If there are none, move to the next section. But if there are some, you will be asked to list the names, dosage, and frequency. Most medications are permitted. Some are not and will be a show stopper. Others may be an indicator of a medical item that the FAA will want to know more about. In many cases, the FAA will need a letter from your treating doctor that mention the medications, why they were prescribed, and how well they are helping you. During the examination, the Aviation Medical Examiner will ask questions about the medications and the doctors letter, fill in some blanks, and make notations on his side of the application form.

Now scroll down to page 26 of 36. This is the medical history section (Question 18). An important phrase here is "Have you ever in your life..." Review these items and see if any should be answered yes. If one or more is answered yes, then definitely do not go to an AME to obtain a medical certificate until you thoroughly know what the FAA is going to want to know about the item you checked as yes.

Some of these are minor and the documentation required is also minor. Others are big, BIG things, and while they might not be show stoppers, you will have to obtain more things that are the right things and in the right format and order in order to satisfy the FAA.

Again, do not go to an AME for a live exam until you know what information and documentation the FAA wants for the item(s) you marked "yes"

How do you find out what the FAA wants? The best way is to have a consultation visit with an AME. This visit does not get reported to the FAA. All it is is a information gather visit with the medical examiner to find out what you need to obtain. If you are unable to find an AME in your area to do this, then reach out to Dr. Bruce Chien in Bolingbrook, IL, www.aeromedicaldoc.com Dr. Bruce is a member here and can answer your questions online. But direct emails are often more efficient and allow him to discuss things in a way he cannot on a public form.


Another important area of Question 18 is Question 18v. Alcohol and drug related motor vehicle actions. Question 18v asks about a history of “arrests or convictions involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug.” This would include arrests or convictions for offenses that were reduced to a lower offense, such as careless driving. This also includes offenses that were expunged by the courts after a certain time period. Pilots who have been ticketed for operating under the influence while driving a golf cart or a boat have also been required to report these offenses. Remember, your signature on the Form authorizes the FAA to search the National Drivers Register.

Do not try to lie or fib or skirt the issue here.... if you are found out... it is major bad voodoo.

If you do have an alcohol offense in your past, it is not a showstopper. But there will be some added steps to demonstrate to the FAA that you are worthy of the certificate in spite of alcohol being a part of your past life.

Moving on, look at page 28 of 36 and Question 19, which asks questions about medical professionals. If all of your past doctor visits have been routine things with no major medical issues. Then the FAA will say all is good, thanks for telling us about the visits. But if there were visits for particular medical things, then additional explanations about the reason for the visit, and the doctor's findings will be needed.
_______________________________________

I hope this helps. Do continue to ask questions as you think of them.

 

[AggieMike88]

For your Step #2, get online ground school.

Lots of good choices out there. Popular ones are (in no particular order)

• Sporty's
• ASA Prepware
• Gold Seal (https://www.faa-ground-school.com)
• King Schools
• Gleim
• Jeppesen
• Self Study using the free materials from the FAA.gov website

All of these do pretty much the same job, with the variance being cost, how the information is accessed, how it's presented and sequence of presentation. There will be other contributors to the thread who will share which they use and which is/was their favorite.

 

[AggieMike88]

For your Step #3, Pass the FAA Written.

You said 1 to 3 months. And indicated you wanted to pass before you start actual flight training.

If you are going to hold back from flying with an instructor until written passage, 3 months is honestly too long unless you are procrastinating or real world life keeps getting in the way.

If you can dedicate 10-12 hours a week for study in the evenings or other available time away from work and family, you'll likely be ready to take the written in just 3 to 4 weeks.

Since we are close by, if you get totally stuck on a topic or three, I'm very willing to meet up with you and provide some review. That helps me too since I'll have my Ground Instructor credentials soon and need to start flexing those neurons.

 

[AggieMike88]

Step 4, start flight training.

You posted August as a potential start date. And having a date posted as a goal is good. Just keep in mind what the weather environment is like in North Texas in August.

While cloudy weather like we have had these past few weeks in February won't happen that much, the interior of an aircraft can quickly become an EZ Bake Oven in August. And it can be pretty bumpy in the lower altitudes where training happens (typically 3,500 feet MSL). But if you can "weather" that, then let's get you started.

(For some in advance homework, download a copy of the Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and read up on both Density Altitude and how hot weather and high Density Altitude affects the way an aircraft and its engine performs.)


Now on where to train.

You mention Aviator Air at Grand Prairie. If you enjoyed your time with them, and you can get paired with a good instructor, and you find their operation and rates good, by all means use them.

But I have an alternative to suggest. Before you lock in with a school, go visit Tamara Griffith at Fox Aviation in Justin, TX (about 10 minutes from the intersection of FM407 and I-35W. Look for Propwash Airport on Google Maps). She is one of this areas most seasoned instructors and is an excellent teacher. And her recently hired CFI, Josh Smith, is also good. With so many other schools being a CFI revolving door where the instructors leave as soon as they have the 1500 hours of time to get hired by a part 121 or 135 operator, being with a school that doesn't suffer that turnover is a very good thing.

Here is a cost comparison chart that Tamara recently published.




You also mentioned the accelerated schools at KADS. I would be a little wary of the accelerated programs. There is too often too much opportunity for them to "overstate" their promises that they don't always deliver on. And with KADS, we've already discussed with you how busy that airport is and that it's not out of the ordinary for a flight lesson scheduled for 1.5 hours of flight time to spend .4 to .5 hours on the ground waiting your turn for the runway.

With Fox Aviation, it's a sleepy little private strip where you are taking the the skies very soon after you started the engine and have performed your pre-take off actions.

 

[AggieMike88]

As before... If you ever want to get together and talk in person about any of these things, hit me up and we'll schedule a time and place.

 

[bobmrg]

Just my perspective from a few decades in the aviation instruction industry: Passing the written before doing any flying is a mistake. There is so much to learn, and trying to absorb it without at least some experience in the air can be overwhelming. I have taught ground schools in which one or more students had not as yet begun training, and believe me, it was an uphill battle trying describe something that they had not as yet experienced. Reconsider.

Bob Gardner

 

[kath]

+1 ^^^^
The ground training and the flight training should complement one another.
You can read about a thing, and then try/experience the thing for real, soon afterward. Or the other way around. Either way, it's a good way to Learn All The Things in a way that will stick in the brain.

Exceptions may include: a) if you live in one place now, but know you're going to live somewhere else soon, or b) you're not old enough yet to solo and want to get started anyway.

 

[Franco1024]

Thank you all, Aggiemike88 I might take you up on that meetup offer. I need to put a face to name that has answered most of my questions lol.

Taking into account all the information that was shared. I have now a new plan that speeds things up a bit to try and reach my goal before the end of the year.

Medical: I will be 25 in April this year have not had any major accidents or surgery's. Last checkup/ Physical was 2 years ago I think I'll be ok.

As for the ground school I do plan on completing the class now and maybe going over it again as I fly and take my written around the time I solo.

If I can complete everything and pick out a school before late june or early July to hopefully finish before August. If not I'll have to just fight through the heat to get it done.

Now that I have more info, I might be starting early and study ground and flight sametime or study ground 1st and study ground again until weather is a little better to start flying and then take my written. I have access to the online Ground for 1 year if I'm not mistaken.

As for school choice I am definitely considering the fox aviation school even with the 1hr drive. Because it would save me a good 20% on training cost compared to others I am currently looking at. Anyone else with good recommendations?

Considering outside schools as I plan on taking time off work for the bulk of training and if I have to complete after that I would just get somekind weekend schedule going if I have to drive over 1hr or just switching to closer school to finish.

 

[texashikergal02]

Franco, welcome!

My plane is based at GPM (been there 11 years), and it is a wonderful place to base out of for flying. While I've not flown with Aviator, I've heard good things about them. If you want to chat sometime, I'd love to help welcome you to the aviation community, and give you a chance to ask questions and talk flying without having to pay an instructor just yet. Feel free to ping me offline. And, I agree with the above folks who say you need to balance time in the air with time in a book.

Kathy

 

[RyanShort1]

As for school choice I am definitely considering the fox aviation school even with the 1hr drive. Because it would save me a good 20% on training cost compared to others I am currently looking at. Anyone else with good recommendations?

Considering outside schools as I plan on taking time off work for the bulk of training and if I have to complete after that I would just get somekind weekend schedule going if I have to drive over 1hr or just switching to closer school to finish.

Pre-solo it's all dual regardless of where you train. You've got to decide how much that 1 hour drive is going to cut into your ability to spend time actually training. I do suspect that Fox is a good choice, but that doesn't mean it's the only choice, or that you might not find a good instructor close by. Also, TAKE it easy finding an instructor you like. You have a perfectly reasonable and important part in deciding who you train with and a decent school should recognize that. Ask to meet more than one of a school's instructors and then check around to see who people recommend. If it takes a couple of weeks of asking around at the airport, that's ok since a better instructor will be worth it. Also, it's OK to ask an instructor up front if they think they might be moving on to the airlines or somewhere else before you reasonably might be finishing up (3-6 months). Another thought is that if being closer and finding an instructor you can work with works out and it means you can fly one or two extra flights a week, it might end up saving you money even over a cheaper program because no matter how good the instructor is, if you aren't able to fly often enough (minimum 2x per week, ideally 3+), some of your time flying you'll potentially be fatigued after dealing with traffic for an hour and then catching up where you left off on the last flight. Lastly, I'd agree with those above about the written. Don't stress it too much, but by the time you've got about 4-5 flights in and building familiarity with the environment and you are working on landings you should be studying hard for it. Some of the stuff should be on your pre-solo knowledge test anyway, so it's a good time to hit that hard and you want to have most of the knowledge under your belt before cross-country solo.

 

[Volitation]

Hello all, I am currently in the process of picking out a flight school in the DFW area. I have had an introductory flight with Aviator Air in Grand Prairie and really liked the family atmosphere, and being in the KGPM terminal it was cool to see a Nice Red Cirrus park in front.

I have heard of long waits at KADS and I am looking into an accelerated program to offset the cost of paying to rent the plane just to have jets get priority and wait to takeoff behind them. That is the only reason I do not plan on training out of there if i don't have to. unless someone knows of any good Accelerated PPL Training out of KADS. I plan on training elsewhere.

My plan for training since I have a family and full time job is to:

1. Get Medical
In the next couple weeks

2. Get Online PPL Ground school course
Right after I make sure I could pass a class 1 or 2 medical

3. Pass FAA Written
Plan is to finish Online Ground 1-3 months

4. Start Fight Training
Right after passing the written sign up for school
Est. August 2019

With this info does anyone recommend any changes or see any non realistic goals?
also does anyone know of any other Good Schools in the area? if they are not accelerated programs in KADS I appreciate it but I have already been in contact with them.

I plan on taking about 2-3 weeks off work at one time to try and complete the PPL accelerated training in one go have heard of schools offering the 14 day "Challenge". How realistic is it to complete PPL in 14days?

Take a look at Marcair at Alliance.

 

[ivansie]

hi guys,

resurrecting this thread and apologies in advance for the long message

I will be hopefully starting my aviation flight journey (already started with online ground school on my own) late july in north texas (Southlake/Keller area). I have read some of the post specially on this thread and have seen a few recommendations. Since the thread is over a year old, any experiences with the mentioned Fox Aviation, Aviator air or any other recommendation in the area. Below is my plan so I will gladly accept comments/suggestions and any other information you guys can provide to make this a successful endeavor

1. Already started with Sportys learn to fly ground school in May (about 65% done with the videos). Will start taking the practice test when done fully with videos and then continue doing them until actual FAA written. Also will start with the foreflight tutorial soon. I am already playing with the App, specially weather stuff
2. Will try to get medical in Aug most likely. I am over 40, pretty healthy I think. Had a surgery a few years ago for a broken leg (will this be an issue????). Eyes and ears are totally fine
3. I plan on doing a discovery flight with no more than 3 (hopefully 2) shortlisted schools/instructors and then make a decision based on that experience and other factors. I think it will be money well spend in the long run. Small price differences will not be an issue but a gap of $8k versus $11k might swing it
4. Due to work commitments Oct/Nov will probably be no fly time so my plan was to do some good amount of flying July/Aug/early Sept and then resume with another big block in Dec/Jan. I believe by then I should have accumulated the hours as well as taken the FAA test (planning on doing it in the next 3 months or so). I might delay the test also because I have noticed that although a lot of the concepts i grasp fine, there are some other things I dont quite understand because I am not doing it so it seems alien to me. Maybe after a few hours of dual some of this will become clearer
5. Ultimately I would like to buy an airplane (still debating if after solo or after PPL). I will be on the look from late 2020 so timing might vary if a good candidate comes up.
6. What options are around where I could potentially get either a hangar, open T or at least a covered tie down?? I have read about all the waiting list drama, not sure if one type or certain airports might be easier than others. If not individual, what are the best options for multiple planes hangar facilities and what type of cost these carry? Ideally I would like to be no further than 30 minutes but one can only wish
7. My plan is to go IFR right so sometime in 2021, same plan start with online ground school and then fly. I have gone over my mission and the needs versus wants several times so getting a bit closer to have it narrowed down

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions

 

[SixPapaCharlie]

Start with a check ride. That way you know for sure you can be a pilot before you start putting all of the work in.

it would suck to work for months and months and months only to find out that you can't pass that test at the end.

 

[ivansie]

Hi,
What do you mean by check ride?

 

[SixPapaCharlie]

Hi,
What do you mean by check ride?

Sorry. Ignore me. I make jokes.

 

[ivansie]

i can see that, not sure how could I do that at the frontend not the backend... will probably fail miserably

 

[RyanShort1]

4. Due to work commitments Oct/Nov will probably be no fly time so my plan was to do some good amount of flying July/Aug/early Sept and then resume with another big block in Dec/Jan. I believe by then I should have accumulated the hours as well as taken the FAA test (planning on doing it in the next 3 months or so). I might delay the test also because I have noticed that although a lot of the concepts i grasp fine, there are some other things I dont quite understand because I am not doing it so it seems alien to me. Maybe after a few hours of dual some of this will become clearer

Don't expect this to go as planned... but if you can schedule it, try to fly 3 times a week for two months... also, big blocks in Dec. Jan are very weather and holiday subjective.

5. Ultimately I would like to buy an airplane (still debating if after solo or after PPL). I will be on the look from late 2020 so timing might vary if a good candidate comes up.

Leave that decision until you are closer to solo. Literally don't give it any more thought for a few months.

6. What options are around where I could potentially get either a hangar, open T or at least a covered tie down?? I have read about all the waiting list drama, not sure if one type or certain airports might be easier than others. If not individual, what are the best options for multiple planes hangar facilities and what type of cost these carry? Ideally I would like to be no further than 30 minutes but one can only wish

Again, it's a big headache (I'm looking right now) and unless you have the kind of money to blow to reserve a hangar even without a plane in it right now, you don't even know what kind of plane and hangar options you have right now.

7. My plan is to go IFR right so sometime in 2021, same plan start with online ground school and then fly. I have gone over my mission and the needs versus wants several times so getting a bit closer to have it narrowed down

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions

Stay flexible, especially with weather and training.

 

[Lindberg]

My $.02:

1) If you want to learn to fly, start by flying.
2) I trained at an airport 45 minutes from my house. ADS would have been <10 minutes from my house. I would have had a lot more hours in the airplane (on the ground) and fewer in my car if I'd trained at ADS, I would have paid for all those hours, but I wouldn't be any better of a pilot. I might have gotten it done quicker because of fewer hassles though. Decide what's important to you.
3) Talk to your instructor and schedule an AME consultation before going in for your actual medical exam. Go to a hard-case AME the first time even if you don't think you are a hard case; let him tell you that.

 

[ivansie]

Don't expect this to go as planned... but if you can schedule it, try to fly 3 times a week for two months... also, big blocks in Dec. Jan are very weather and holiday subjective.

Leave that decision until you are closer to solo. Literally don't give it any more thought for a few months.

Again, it's a big headache (I'm looking right now) and unless you have the kind of money to blow to reserve a hangar even without a plane in it right now, you don't even know what kind of plane and hangar options you have right now.

Stay flexible, especially with weather and training.

Indeed, as mentioned that is my plan on paper based on prior commitments and time availability, etc but I am sure weather and life will get in the way and some things will need to adjusted

Tell me more about your search for hangar or other space please I dont want to waste money but if paying for an empty place a couple of months secures it might make sense, but again not at all familiar with the space situation in the area

 

[Skip Miller]

@Lindberg 's point #3 above: Be aware that the prior use of SSRI meds (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as Ritalin - there are many others - apparently given out like candy in some schools - treating ADD, ADHD, and other diagnoses - cause huge problems for many hopeful airmen and airwomen. Also DWI and other alcohol related offenses may be an expensive issue to overcome, if it is even possible.

This is why Lindberg's advice to consult with an AME (point #3 in message #19, above) is so important. During a consultation, no information is sent to the FAA. If the AME thinks you qualify, the consultation can be turned into a FAA Medical Exam with the flick of a pen. The Key is that your option to fly with a driver's license medical is forever gone should you take the full exam and be denied.

-Skip

 

[ivansie]

My $.02:

1) If you want to learn to fly, start by flying.
2) I trained at an airport 45 minutes from my house. ADS would have been <10 minutes from my house. I would have had a lot more hours in the airplane (on the ground) and fewer in my car if I'd trained at ADS, I would have paid for all those hours, but I wouldn't be any better of a pilot. I might have gotten it done quicker because of fewer hassles though. Decide what's important to you.
3) Talk to your instructor and schedule an AME consultation before going in for your actual medical exam. Go to a hard-case AME the first time even if you don't think you are a hard case; let him tell you that.

flying was not an option at the time so I decided to start learning and getting an idea of how things worked to get some basic knowledge. Certainly actually flying will make some of the things make more sense and understand the reasons why

Certainly time in the air is the most important factor, if a bit of longer ride gets me in the air quicker it might be a good trade off. I am planning on shortlisting 2 or 3 school and then select based on several factors including driving distance and how busy the school/airport is

How do you find a hard-case AME??? any suggestions in the area?

thanks much

 

[ivansie]

@Lindberg 's point #3 above: Be aware that the prior use of SSRI meds (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as Ritalin - there are many others - apparently given out like candy in some schools - treating ADD, ADHD, and other diagnoses - cause huge problems for many hopeful airmen and airwomen. Also DWI and other alcohol related offenses may be an expensive issue to overcome, if it is even possible.

This is why Lindberg's advice to consult with an AME (point #3 in message #19, above) is so important. During a consultation, no information is sent to the FAA. If the AME thinks you qualify, the consultation can be turned into a FAA Medical Exam with the flick of a pen. The Key is that your option to fly with a driver's license medical is forever gone should you take the full exam and be denied.

-Skip

Thanks for the insight. None of those apply to me thankfully but also I do understand the value of the non binding consultation with the AME. Will certainly go that route

 

[Lindberg]

How do you find a hard-case AME??? any suggestions in the area?

The two I know are Dr. Kramer in Frisco and Dr. Fried in Addison. I'd recommend either. And if you call and say you want to schedule a consult, they'll understand. You might still be asked to complete the medxpress form, but take a printout and make sure that it doesn't get submitted until you and the AME are sure you're good to go. I am sure there's someone good on the west side if you are looking for closer, I'm just not aware of them.

 

[Lindberg]

Thanks for the insight. None of those apply to me thankfully but also I do understand the value of the non binding consultation with the AME. Will certainly go that route

If you're a really healthy 40, then it may be $300 wasted. But there are a lot of "minor" issues that can tank an FAA medical that are not necessarily obvious.

 

[ivansie]

The two I know are Dr. Kramer in Frisco and Dr. Fried in Addison. I'd recommend either. And if you call and say you want to schedule a consult, they'll understand. You might still be asked to complete the medxpress form, but take a printout and make sure that it doesn't get submitted until you and the AME are sure you're good to go. I am sure there's someone good on the west side if you are looking for closer, I'm just not aware of them.

thanks much for the info will keep in mind. Not too far from me still

 

[RyanShort1]

Tell me more about your search for hangar or other space please I dont want to waste money but if paying for an empty place a couple of months secures it might make sense, but again not at all familiar with the space situation in the area

Ah, I'd probably shoot myself in the foot to do that just now, FWIW.

 

[NHWannabe]

thanks much for the info will keep in mind. Not too far from me still

Don't be afraid to do a flight with a few different instructors to see if you mesh personality wise and teaching/learning style wise. I flew with 4 total at 2 different airports I was looking for someone I could connect with and could fit my schedule 7am weekday flights.

 

[ivansie]

Ah, I'd probably shoot myself in the foot to do that just now, FWIW.

understood makes sense

maybe just some general info and tips around space in the are if that is OK

 

[Ravioli]

If you don’t mind driving to KFWS call Jake Huffman at Huffman aviation. Solid “learn it correctly” guy and his instructors are very consistent. You need to ready for Jake’s way or no way” since he’s retired military. But Jake’s way is 100% about safety and competency.

there are a couple options at T67. What kind of plane do you want to train?

you can PM me for more if you’d like.

 

[ivansie]

If you don’t mind driving to KFWS call Jake Huffman at Huffman aviation. Solid “learn it correctly” guy and his instructors are very consistent. You need to ready for Jake’s way or no way” since he’s retired military. But Jake’s way is 100% about safety and competency.

there are a couple options at T67. What kind of plane do you want to train?

you can PM me for more if you’d like.

thanks for the feedback. Spinks should be less than 45 min for me so i could certainly consider that as well. I have in mind training in a basic plane 150/52 or 172. My interest is to learn to fly without much technology

For plane purchase and IFR purposes then the options will be totally different and I will be looking for something more technologically advanced

 

[ivansie]

If you don’t mind driving to KFWS call Jake Huffman at Huffman aviation. Solid “learn it correctly” guy and his instructors are very consistent. You need to ready for Jake’s way or no way” since he’s retired military. But Jake’s way is 100% about safety and competency.

there are a couple options at T67. What kind of plane do you want to train?

you can PM me for more if you’d like.

T67 is actually closer, I just had a look

 

[ivansie]

Sorry. Ignore me. I make jokes.

BTW this was reported to the FSDO... expect a call

 

[AggieMike88]

I will be hopefully starting my aviation flight journey (already started with online ground school on my own) late july in north texas (Southlake/Keller area). I have read some of the post specially on this thread and have seen a few recommendations. Since the thread is over a year old, any experiences with the mentioned Fox Aviation, Aviator air or any other recommendation in the area.

Tamara Griffith at Fox aviation is a very good choice for instructor. She is west of Justin, TX at Propwash. There is a (small) limiter, with her operation... currently she only has two Cessna 150’s. And this is only a limitation if you are a big or heavy person. If not, then the C150 is a good choice of trainer.

Aviator Air is well spoken of by many locals. I don’t have any direct experience with them but can provide contacts who do.

At Denton, 4.5 people are worth talking to.

1. Sherman Gardner at In The Pattern
2. Amanda Smolik at In The Pattern
3. Christy Wong with AeroValley Flying Club. (If you saw JustPlaneSilly’s video racing a blond girl in her Piper Warrior, that’s Christy
4. John Cranford. He is a PoA member, @JCranford
5. (4.5) is me. I hopefully will have my CFI done by early middle August. And I am always up to meet ups for answering questions, mentoring, or helping with written prep.

Another “hotspot” of training is Addison airport. There are some good schools there (Thrust Flight, Monarch, American Flyers) but the location can work agains your money budget. It’s. It uncommon to have a longish wait for your turn at the runway (lots of jet traffic) and it’s a 20 flight each way too and from the practice area. So you could have an hour of your lesson (and money) be used up while not actively working on skills.

Below is my plan so I will gladly accept comments/suggestions and any other information you guys can provide to make this a successful endeavor

1. Already started with Sportys learn to fly ground school in May (about 65% done with the videos). Will start taking the practice test when done fully with videos and then continue doing them until actual FAA written. Also will start with the foreflight tutorial soon. I am already playing with the App, specially weather stuff

Don’t get too far into ForeFlight just yet. Spend the mental cycles working with your written prep and first few hours of lessons. FF and it’s use will happen, but after you know how to fly the airplane and soon after you solo

2. Will try to get medical in Aug most likely. I am over 40, pretty healthy I think. Had a surgery a few years ago for a broken leg (will this be an issue????). Eyes and ears are totally fine

Broken leg should not be an issue, but you’ll be answering yes to the “admitted to hospital” question. If you can go get copies of the records from hospital, orthopedist, any anyone else associated, you will be ahead of the curve. Maybe they won’t be asked for, but if they are, you got the goods.

if you do have a “no nasty surprises” medical history, there is an AME In Roanoke that many of us locals like. Dr. Brad Griffith. He is a good choice when you’re a candidate for a revolving door medical. Mainly because he charges less than $50 for a third class.

If your medical was more complicated and you need an Senior AME who specializes in difficult cases, than you go see Dr. Stephan Kramer in Plano

3. I plan on doing a discovery flight with no more than 3 (hopefully 2) shortlisted schools/instructors and then make a decision based on that experience and other factors. I think it will be money well spend in the long run. Small price differences will not be an issue but a gap of $8k versus $11k might swing it

Good plan. Using this to find the right teacher for your learning style will make things good for the long run.

make sure to have your logbook on these flights as they can count toward the required time and activities.

4. Due to work commitments Oct/Nov will probably be no fly time so my plan was to do some good amount of flying July/Aug/early Sept and then resume with another big block in Dec/Jan. I believe by then I should have accumulated the hours as well as taken the FAA test (planning on doing it in the next 3 months or so). I might delay the test also because I have noticed that although a lot of the concepts i grasp fine, there are some other things I dont quite understand because I am not doing it so it seems alien to me. Maybe after a few hours of dual some of this will become clearer

For the months mentioned, you already know how hot it is in the afternoons. Plus a weather phenomenon called convection which is a component of thunderstorms being a thing.

if possible, schedule your lessons in the early AM. Much cooler, less turbulence, likely tamer winds

5. Ultimately I would like to buy an airplane (still debating if after solo or after PPL). I will be on the look from late 2020 so timing might vary if a good candidate comes up.

Come see me before you commit. I know of an opportunity at Denton you should take a look at

6. What options are around where I could potentially get either a hangar, open T or at least a covered tie down?? I have read about all the waiting list drama, not sure if one type or certain airports might be easier than others. If not individual, what are the best options for multiple planes hangar facilities and what type of cost these carry? Ideally I would like to be no further than 30 minutes but one can only wish

Hangar availability around DFW is low to none. Good ones do come up, and much is word of mouth and one falls in your lap.

Making friends and building your contact network helps in finding these opportunities

7. My plan is to go IFR right so sometime in 2021, same plan start with online ground school and then fly. I have gone over my mission and the needs versus wants several times so getting a bit closer to have it narrowed down

By that time frame, I should be a prime suspect to make this happen.

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions

Glad to help!

I’ll PM you my contact info if you ever want to talk on phone or meet in person.

 

[AggieMike88]

BTW this was reported to the FSDO... expect a call

You will fit into this crowd juuuuuust fine

 

[AggieMike88]

For T67 (Hicks) look at Nate Able Flying Club

and an instructor named Travis Fairbain.

 

[RyanShort1]

If you don’t mind driving to KFWS call Jake Huffman at Huffman aviation. Solid “learn it correctly” guy and his instructors are very consistent. You need to ready for Jake’s way or no way” since he’s retired military. But Jake’s way is 100% about safety and competency

I'd second working with Jake's outfit.

 

[AggieMike88]

I'd second working with Jake's outfit.

Third.

One benefit is that Jake (school owner) is a Pilot Examiner. This means you might avoid the common “hurry up and long wait” many ready for the exam students have experienced in our area

 

[ivansie]

Tamara Griffith at Fox aviation is a very good choice for instructor. She is west of Justin, TX at Propwash. There is a (small) limiter, with her operation... currently she only has two Cessna 150’s. And this is only a limitation if you are a big or heavy person. If not, then the C150 is a good choice of trainer.

Aviator Air is well spoken of by many locals. I don’t have any direct experience with them but can provide contacts who do.

At Denton, 4.5 people are worth talking to.

1. Sherman Gardner at In The Pattern
2. Amanda Smolik at In The Pattern
3. Christy Wong with AeroValley Flying Club. (If you saw JustPlaneSilly’s video racing a blond girl in her Piper Warrior, that’s Christy
4. John Cranford. He is a PoA member, @JCranford
5. (4.5) is me. I hopefully will have my CFI done by early middle August. And I am always up to meet ups for answering questions, mentoring, or helping with written prep.

Another “hotspot” of training is Addison airport. There are some good schools there (Thrust Flight, Monarch, American Flyers) but the location can work agains your money budget. It’s. It uncommon to have a longish wait for your turn at the runway (lots of jet traffic) and it’s a 20 flight each way too and from the practice area. So you could have an hour of your lesson (and money) be used up while not actively working on skills.

Don’t get too far into ForeFlight just yet. Spend the mental cycles working with your written prep and first few hours of lessons. FF and it’s use will happen, but after you know how to fly the airplane and soon after you solo

Broken leg should not be an issue, but you’ll be answering yes to the “admitted to hospital” question. If you can go get copies of the records from hospital, orthopedist, any anyone else associated, you will be ahead of the curve. Maybe they won’t be asked for, but if they are, you got the goods.

if you do have a “no nasty surprises” medical history, there is an AME In Roanoke that many of us locals like. Dr. Brad Griffith. He is a good choice when you’re a candidate for a revolving door medical. Mainly because he charges less than $50 for a third class.

If your medical was more complicated and you need an Senior AME who specializes in difficult cases, than you go see Dr. Stephan Kramer in Plano Good plan. Using this to find the right teacher for your learning style will make things good for the long run.

make sure to have your logbook on these flights as they can count toward the required time and activities.
For the months mentioned, you already know how hot it is in the afternoons. Plus a weather phenomenon called convection which is a component of thunderstorms being a thing.

if possible, schedule your lessons in the early AM. Much cooler, less turbulence, likely tamer windsCome see me before you commit. I know of an opportunity at Denton you should take a look at
Hangar availability around DFW is low to none. Good ones do come up, and much is word of mouth and one falls in your lap.

Making friends and building your contact network helps in finding these opportunities
By that time frame, I should be a prime suspect to make this happen.
Glad to help!

I’ll PM you my contact info if you ever want to talk on phone or meet in person.

Hi Michael,

Thanks so much for the detailed feedback and suggestions.

I should be fine in a small cessna or the likes not a large guy at all, just average. I will check some of the names on the list along with some of the other recommendations. I did see the video of the race, there might still be racing though it was kind of slow...

Happy to meet up I am sure I will have a million questions though. But building a network in the area aviation is certainly one of my goals, it will not be fun by myself anyways

I have heard Addison, Mckinney and Arlington are very busy, maybe the smaller places will be better options to get more flight time

I dont think I will really have any issues with the medical. Have not been to a doctor in ages and the only thing that happened was the leg which required surgery. I am sure I have the records from the hospital thanks for the heads up

I will make sure to take the log book for all the test flights, might add up to a few hours. summer that is for sure

Thanks

 

[ivansie]

You will fit into this crowd juuuuuust fine

Doing my best, I am sure I can improve