Schools in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area...

Jamesrw2002

Jamesrw2002

Well-Known Member
I just found out Skymates was denied for VA, so I guess I'm looking for a new school.. hopefully there's one somewhere in Dallas that is VA approved. If anyone has any information, it'd be appreciated.

I'm trying to get some stuff set up for my return from Africa...
 
I think it has something to do with their commercial program not being 141 maybe? In order to use VA you have to be able to make money at the end of the term IE you must finish with a commercial license... and also, in order to use the VA you must be under a 141 program. VA doesnt cover part 61.

Thats all speculation, the chick at the front desk was not helpful at all except to say "no, we're not closer, infact, we're denied." And that was it.
 
Hmmm. Strange.

Well...there are some other 141 schools in Dallas. Monarch Air at KADS has a good reputation - according to their website they are a 141 school, but I didn't see any indication about VA approval. You might call them - they're nice people.
 
Any thoughts on American Flyers?

Or US Flight Academy in Denton?

I actually just called american flyers... seem a little outrageous with their prices... but they are also proud of their program... I'll keep them in the back of my mind..
 
WOAH!! Hold the phone: Skymates has been VA approved for YEARS, and they are definitely a 141 school now. I'm inclined to think that the desk girl was uninformed as well as being unhelpful.

I'd call back on that one. Talk to Luca or Ryan.
 
Oh, and stay away from Flyers. I know no one who has had a good experience there. From what I've heard, they earned the nickname "American Liars."
 
CapnJim said:
WOAH!! Hold the phone: Skymates has been VA approved for YEARS, and they are definitely a 141 school now. I'm inclined to think that the desk girl was uninformed as well as being unhelpful.

I'd call back on that one. Talk to Luca or Ryan.
Click to expand...

Very interesting.....the girl at the front desk gave me misinformation and was very unhelpful with a very bad attitude before also. Perhaps they should reconsider who they have representing them at the front desk? :rolleyes:
 
Ok, I just got off the phone with Luca. Hadn't talked to him in two years, so this was a good excuse.

He told me that they were VA approved for Commercial, but not the PPL, and that approval is only days away. He also said the person to talk to is Deann, as she is the go-to girl for all things VA related. A quick browse of http://ww.skymates.com netted me the email address deann@skymates.com, so I'd shoot her an email to get the straight dope before you go blowing your money at one of those 'other' DF/W flight schools. (yeah, I'm biased :D ) Luca said she was out of the office until about Tuesday of next week, so by the time she's back the PPL approval may be a moot point, and the COMM will be a shoo-in.

Hope this helps!
 
CapnJim said:
Ok, I just got off the phone with Luca. Hadn't talked to him in two years, so this was a good excuse.

He told me that they were VA approved for Commercial, but not the PPL, and that approval is only days away. He also said the person to talk to is Deann, as she is the go-to girl for all things VA related. A quick browse of http://ww.skymates.com netted me the email address deann@skymates.com, so I'd shoot her an email to get the straight dope before you go blowing your money at one of those 'other' DF/W flight schools. (yeah, I'm biased :D ) Luca said she was out of the office until about Tuesday of next week, so by the time she's back the PPL approval may be a moot point, and the COMM will be a shoo-in.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

I know that their IFR is 141, wonder if I can also do my Comm 141 as well to save some money?
 
cignaguy said:
Very interesting.....the girl at the front desk gave me misinformation and was very unhelpful with a very bad attitude before also. Perhaps they should reconsider who they have representing them at the front desk? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

You're not the first person who has said that.
 
OMflippinG I am so releaved that that chick at the front desk had no clue what she was talking about. No one will ever be VA approved for PPL because the VA wont conver PPL, so that's a gimmie. Part of me wanted to think that she was misinformed... but isnt she Luca's daughter or something? Could of sworn I heard that somewhere....

I appreciate those of you guys in the states that cleared this up...
 
Jamesrw2002 said:
OMflippinG I am so releaved that that chick at the front desk had no clue what she was talking about. No one will ever be VA approved for PPL because the VA wont conver PPL, so that's a gimmie. Part of me wanted to think that she was misinformed... but isnt she Luca's daughter or something? Could of sworn I heard that somewhere....

I appreciate those of you guys in the states that cleared this up...
Click to expand...

No.
 
Luca's daughter DID answer the phones for a good part of one summer, but Smitty is correct no it's not her doing it these days.

It used to be one of the instructors sitting around doing it.
 
No doubt we are talking about Tiffany here. But, make no mistake about it....that girl does make things happen around there. You gotta understand that there is A LOT happening at that counter at any given moment. And, that damn phone seems to ring off the hook around there. If you ever stop in there for a visit, you will see what I mean. Although it doesn't excuse the definitive answer that you received at the time, I think that is a little more going on there than meets the eye. She is a sweet girl and can get some impossible things done for you if you befriend her. Trust me, you want to be on her good side....you will benefit when your plane suddenly gets the mx tag slapped on it 1 hour before your scheduled flight. On the other hand, you will NEVER get the feeling that they will EVER BS you about things. Just like the answer you got (although it was not the correct info for the long-term...moreso with a "right now" happenings)...sometimes they just tell you like it is. And, I certainly respect that and appreciate that. Have you ever went into a flight school and felt like you were on a used car lot? I have, and it made me cringe when I thought about spending 30k there. You will never get that at Skymates.

Dealing with the government is something that is almost impossible. Then, when you add on all of the bureaucracy with the VA on top of the already mess in dealing with the government.....government + VA = stymie. I don't work at Skymates or are in any way affiliated with them, other than the fact that I trained there for my PPL. Getting anything from the VA is like trying to get milk out of a dry cow. I don't envy any business in trying to do this, as your fate is not in your own hands. In the business world, if you want something bad enough...it is amazing you can make things happen. Surely not the case with the government...or especially with the VA.

My understanding of the situation is that they are trying to lean towards the side of being cautious and NOT setting a FROM/BY date in when VA approval will come. Trust me, I am certain that they wish they could do that. But, getting the VA approval is really something that is out of their hands....it is dealing with our extremely inefficient government. I know that they have had to resubmit papers on a few occasions in order to get the VA approval, and I believe that is the current hangup.

As stated above, you need to call Deann and talk with her. She will get you what you need. Hope this helps. BTW - that girl is Deann's daughter..so be careful in clubbing her too hard to Deann. But, do mention the mis-info to her.
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
I know that their IFR is 141, wonder if I can also do my Comm 141 as well to save some money?
Click to expand...

Not sure if you'll SAVE money doing the Comm 141. Look at how much dual you have to fly compared to the solo time doing it 61. You're done in fewer hours, but you're paying an instructor for a lot of that time when you would either just be paying for the plane rental or (even better) splitting the costs.
 
kellwolf said:
Not sure if you'll SAVE money doing the Comm 141. Look at how much dual you have to fly compared to the solo time doing it 61. You're done in fewer hours, but you're paying an instructor for a lot of that time when you would either just be paying for the plane rental or (even better) splitting the costs.
Click to expand...

Thats what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure about Skymates program. Part 61 was cheaper than the 141 course where I instructed.
 
kellwolf said:
Not sure if you'll SAVE money doing the Comm 141. Look at how much dual you have to fly compared to the solo time doing it 61. You're done in fewer hours, but you're paying an instructor for a lot of that time when you would either just be paying for the plane rental or (even better) splitting the costs.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
I know that their IFR is 141, wonder if I can also do my Comm 141 as well to save some money?
Click to expand...

We are approved for 141 everything, I believe, including the Commercial. 141 has a ton of dual instruction, so in the end, it is a hell of a lot cheaper doing it 61, especially if you are time building. We just got some 150's for time building. One of my students just finished his private, and is time building, and I have 2 more that will be getting their private in the next 2 weeks, and they will 100% be time building as well.
 
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