Would you mind telling me about the renting experience? I know you only glanced at it cursorily, but could you tell if it just beat-up cosmetically? How were the 172s? Did they seem well-maintained? It's a forty-five minute drive one way, so if it turns out they kinda suck, it'd be nice to skip it. I don't mind tired paint and old seats, but I prefer planes with good engines and structural integrity. LOL
I'm about a 35-40 minute drive to the South of them so I can relate. It stinks not having a place to rent from really close by.....
I wish I could be of more help..... it was a while ago, just before Covid hit when I was trying to knock my rust off. I went on only a few flights and stopped because of Covid....and just have let life get in the way again. I do intend to get back over there soon. I'd rent from them again but i can't give a flawless review either..... It's not a high dollar "dream school".
The place seemed decent enough. Seemed well enough managed and busy. Seemed to be trying to be a good place. I flew with the then chief instructor how what on his game and a decent guy. Not sure if he's still there or not.
My gut feel generally with the FBO was that issues were mostly cosmetic
One of the 172's was an old F model that was a dog. Mostly cosmetic and was flyable but it could have been better...but I'd fly it again. I've rented from another place at a different airport that had one that I would not fly again.... so that's some sort of measure that I have some standard
the other I flew was an N model, and was better cosmetically...but still an old leaseback. I'd fly it again.
I'm not really sure what to say about the Skycatcher. Having that inop placard right there prominently in their advertising makes me cringe a little...but I think it's probably mostly just cosmetic stuff.
From what little I could tell, there are probably some maintenance items that in my opinion should be addresses that aren't...but that's not unlike most places that rent leasebacks in my experience. One event comes to mind...shutting down after a flight with the CFI, it's not on the checklist but out of blind habit I did a mag ground check...and the engine kept running. The instructor was startled by my out of habit but unexpected move.... he was interested but didn't seem overly alarmed by the bad switch. I do think he flagged it for maintenance but I'm not sure that he made any big deal about it or if it was ever fixed or not....
My only other comment....
they talked me into doing their block rate thing to save money.... In the rattle of digesting the flight and everything else I didn't give it enough thought. basically the way they do it is a pre-paid "gift card". Turns out that the savings really isn't enough for me to justify tying up my capital, and justify keeping up with that stupid card. I still have some credit left to spend...At one point I thought I'd lost the card and had a little "panic" but luckily I found it later....
Good luck!...and I look forward to a report if you end up checking it out!