Delta Connection Academy

Originally Posted by chrisdahut1
After he gets done hanging the CFI out to dry, he might decide to make an example out of you. The flight school it self will most likely get nothing more then a slap on the wrist, if even that. Be very careful complaining to the Feds...

You did get me to thinking too, what if it can be proven that it is company policy to charge .5 for the brief. I was told in a stage check oral that even if we finished early he still had to put down 2.0 for the oral portion of the stage check.
 
kaiyo4u said:
Originally Posted by chrisdahut1
After he gets done hanging the CFI out to dry, he might decide to make an example out of you. The flight school it self will most likely get nothing more then a slap on the wrist, if even that. Be very careful complaining to the Feds...

You did get me to thinking too, what if it can be proven that it is company policy to charge .5 for the brief. I was told in a stage check oral that even if we finished early he still had to put down 2.0 for the oral portion of the stage check.
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That is crooked crooked crooked. I'm not sure what kind of a racket they're running in Sanford, but in Broward this was a big no no. You get charged for the time you spend with the CFI, not what he thinks should be charged. And the stage check pilot is full of crap. ALL briefing times, including orals, are RECOMMENDED times. While they do have to add up to a minimum total at the end of the course, the time allocated in the syllabus for a specific lesson is recommended.

You may have a case, if a CFI specifically told you that thats "what must be done". It would still fall into the slippery slope of record falsification (since billing is done directly from whatever is entered in the training folder). The tough part will be getting all this documented (that is, the apparent policy of charging/logging more then what was done)....the FAA won't be able to do much when it comes down to your word against theirs without solid evidence.
 
Just as a disclaimer:

I'm not 100% sure on my claims, as it has been 3 years since I worked there. rules can change, so be sure to ask someone with a more current understanding of whats going on there before you take any action.
 
What if I am keeping a log of time in my dayplanner? Which is kept current.
And I did have a backseater present when this occurred...
 
Contact Dale Nordoft at the Orlando FSDO....he was their POI 3 years ago and I'd imagine still is. Explain your concerns without being too specific, and see how it goes from there.

Needless to say, I can't guarantee that the outcome will necessarily be to your liking or if any action will be taken at all. But worth a shot. If anything, it might at least lead to a phone call to the Chief Instructor insisting this comes to an end.

Just to let you know, managers at DCA absolutely hate being called by the FSDO about anything that could potentially embarrasses or show them up (even if no punitive action is threatened). It might lead to them unleashing a **** storm on their subordinates, but sounds like a few of them need a good kick in the behind.
 
Just an update for this thread. I changed groups and have a new instructor (#7 for instrument). He is conscientious and has a teaching background. I have learned more from him in the three lessons than in all the prior instructors. He has helped get me up to speed and we are still working on it.
If I had known how little our money buys though, I would have chosen another school.
The ground school for instance is nothing more than Power Point presentations and I have seen better in hotel ballroom seminars for business. Yes, we have homework to do, but are they graded and reviewed? No. Same with our flight homework, they just want us to do it and checks on our answers.... Makes you feel wanting for something a little more...
I have attended two colleges and also tech school for the
Air Force (which is extremely accellerated) and in each school, our homework was reviewed and graded...
 
Don't forget all those informative backseat flights!:banghead: Glad you were able to get another instructor. There are a few in the school who actually give a ####. Everyone else has SJS and could give a rats ass.
 
H46Bubba said:
Don't forget all those informative backseat flights!:banghead: Glad you were able to get another instructor. There are a few in the school who actually give a ####. Everyone else has SJS and could give a rats ass.
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I did finally get a good one. He asked me on a backseat about my approach plates and said I wouldn't get credit for the next one if I didn't have my approach plates with me. Unfortunately though, I have to review and learn things I was not taught earlier on in instrument.... I'm going to see who is going to have to pay for that....:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
 
fludy12 said:
DCA blows monkey chunks! Please, any prospective students...do NOT go to DCA! Way overpriced for crappy equipment and you WILL get treated like shiznit BOTH as a student AND as a hired instructor. Also, you will NOT get the guaranteed interview at 800 hrs dual with 200 multi. It's running more like 1200+ these days because they won't let the instructors go. Because nobody is coming in to take their places!! Sign of the times...at least at the Sanford, FL campus.
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Couldn't have said it better myself!!! Thank God I left that place when I did!!!:nana2:
 
FatBastard said:
Okay, if Fabio wants to stay there, to the rest, I wish you success. Now for the latest installment of Family Guy..........YouTube - Family guy - Giant Chicken 3
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Hey Bastard! If you see Nathan Bigelow at X-Jet tell him I said hi!

I don't know how long I will be at DCA, but right now there is a lot that the Academy needs from us in order to get the transition to happen. I have been offered 3 jobs, some actually pretty good, in the last month.

But I chose to stay for now as a matter of integrity. Ask anyone there, I tell instructors that the guys before them put out the sweat and hours for them to get their ratings and graduate. Now it is their turn to do the same to the students that are currently enrolled.

The construction of the new building and hangar has started and the fleet of SR-20's is increasing. There is a lot to do in a very short amount of time.

It is my desire and the desire of our Chief Flight Instructor, our President and Vice Presidents to see our students succeed. I cannot tell you how many meetings we have a week to make sure we are doing as much as we can to help them.

And, as I have stated before, even though some people get the short end of the stick, there are those that dig their own graves by not taking their studies or responsabilities seriously. On my simple mind it is not acceptable to fail an FAA written test, when you have a book that gives you all the questions that can be asked with all the correct answers!

For that part, any of our current students lurking around here, come to my office and in 5 minutes I can show you how to prepare for those tests.

Hope all is well with you Bastard!
 
Orlando approach: Connection yada yada, verify you have Whiskey...

Connection yada yada: No! No whiskey on board!


ATC: Connection yada yada say intentions...

Connection yada yada: Intention is to be Airline Pilot!

Oh the bright side of things!
 
planediveguy said:
Hey Bastard! If you see Nathan Bigelow at X-Jet tell him I said hi!

I don't know how long I will be at DCA, but right now there is a lot that the Academy needs from us in order to get the transition to happen. I have been offered 3 jobs, some actually pretty good, in the last month.

But I chose to stay for now as a matter of integrity. Ask anyone there, I tell instructors that the guys before them put out the sweat and hours for them to get their ratings and graduate. Now it is their turn to do the same to the students that are currently enrolled.

The construction of the new building and hangar has started and the fleet of SR-20's is increasing. There is a lot to do in a very short amount of time.

It is my desire and the desire of our Chief Flight Instructor, our President and Vice Presidents to see our students succeed. I cannot tell you how many meetings we have a week to make sure we are doing as much as we can to help them.

And, as I have stated before, even though some people get the short end of the stick, there are those that dig their own graves by not taking their studies or responsabilities seriously. On my simple mind it is not acceptable to fail an FAA written test, when you have a book that gives you all the questions that can be asked with all the correct answers!

For that part, any of our current students lurking around here, come to my office and in 5 minutes I can show you how to prepare for those tests.

Hope all is well with you Bastard!
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Hey Fabio, what lacation did they choose to build the new buildings?
 
planediveguy said:
Hey Bastard! If you see Nathan Bigelow at X-Jet tell him I said hi!

I don't know how long I will be at DCA, but right now there is a lot that the Academy needs from us in order to get the transition to happen. I have been offered 3 jobs, some actually pretty good, in the last month.

But I chose to stay for now as a matter of integrity. Ask anyone there, I tell instructors that the guys before them put out the sweat and hours for them to get their ratings and graduate. Now it is their turn to do the same to the students that are currently enrolled.

The construction of the new building and hangar has started and the fleet of SR-20's is increasing. There is a lot to do in a very short amount of time.

It is my desire and the desire of our Chief Flight Instructor, our President and Vice Presidents to see our students succeed. I cannot tell you how many meetings we have a week to make sure we are doing as much as we can to help them.

And, as I have stated before, even though some people get the short end of the stick, there are those that dig their own graves by not taking their studies or responsabilities seriously. On my simple mind it is not acceptable to fail an FAA written test, when you have a book that gives you all the questions that can be asked with all the correct answers!

For that part, any of our current students lurking around here, come to my office and in 5 minutes I can show you how to prepare for those tests.

Hope all is well with you Bastard!
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Actually, I have seen him, and well tell him hello next time I see him.(that wiil be awhile, though.) Fabio, you have always been a wolrd class act, I appreciate your response. You students that are still there, I would take Fabio up on his offer. All is well Fabio, got a frieght flying job,(Shorts 360) Xjet has me on leave to build my hours to thier mins, then its' showtime!! I am learning alot right now, and its' good experience.

I love Xjet, they really believe in promotion from within, as you know, Jim Ream started as a engine mechanic, and now, is the CEO. Nice to see they are getting new buildings, never thought I would see the day.

Take care, and hope to see you soon!!!
 
H46Bubba said:
Hey Fabio, what lacation did they choose to build the new buildings?
Click to expand...

Remember the big grassy spot in front of the PA-44 parking row? Where the FAA had parking spots? Well there is a new Hangar and Sim hall, plus offices and more being built right now.

Also in the ops building, remember the unfinished area behind the men's bathroom, where the Sky Shop stock used to be? The whole thing is now being finished real nicely, and they are finally building an employee lounge that will have some Lazy Boys and TV so Instructors can hang out in between events...
 
FatBastard said:
Actually, I have seen him, and well tell him hello next time I see him.(that wiil be awhile, though.) Fabio, you have always been a wolrd class act, I appreciate your response. You students that are still there, I would take Fabio up on his offer. All is well Fabio, got a frieght flying job,(Shorts 360) Xjet has me on leave to build my hours to thier mins, then its' showtime!! I am learning alot right now, and its' good experience.

I love Xjet, they really believe in promotion from within, as you know, Jim Ream started as a engine mechanic, and now, is the CEO. Nice to see they are getting new buildings, never thought I would see the day.

Take care, and hope to see you soon!!!
Click to expand...

Great to know you are doing well ! And that is right, I meant what I said about offering help to the students...
 
planediveguy said:
Remember the big grassy spot in front of the PA-44 parking row? Where the FAA had parking spots? Well there is a new Hangar and Sim hall, plus offices and more being built right now.

Also in the ops building, remember the unfinished area behind the men's bathroom, where the Sky Shop stock used to be? The whole thing is now being finished real nicely, and they are finally building an employee lounge that will have some Lazy Boys and TV so Instructors can hang out in between events...
Click to expand...

When the oppresive humidity subsides in the fall I'll probably make a trip down and swing by. I got to say hi to some of the mx peeps as well.:)
 
Having read some of the criticisms of DCA, I feel obligated to respond. I am a 2001 graduate of DCA. I was a student, CFI and a check airman for the academy prior to being hired on at Comair. I can certainly understand why some out there have negative attitudes toward the academy. I'm also sure that some of them are warranted. I know from personal experience that I too had some students who I had to "no show" from time to time. In those situations where it was found that the student had a legitimate excuse for not showing up for a checkride or lesson, the no show was excused and no further action was taken. Keep in mind however, these policies are in place for a reason and are ultimately there to keep the student progressing towards your goal. We all have the goal of flying professionally someday...somewhere. With exceptions, we also have to fly in all kinds of weather, good and bad. DCA is set up by Delta to train you the way Delta flies....period. This sometimes mean that you will fly in inclement, nasty, windy, weather. If not deemed dangerous, then that means you will fly. I would like to think most other schools are set up the same way. If not, then you're not getting your money's worth. Flying and ultimately dealing with these conditions, improves your skills and confidence. Such that, when you do land your first professional flying job, flying in inclement conditions will be alot less stressful and actually enjoyable.

I found my experiences at DCA to be trying, stressful, disappointing at times, but ultimately one of the best decisions I've ever made! The training I received was truly second to none. I, in turn, gave the same back to my students once I became an instructor and I truly enjoyed the experience. I look back at my DCA days as some of the best I've had. The friendships I forged there still last to this day. Having done some of my training on the outside and through American Flyers, I would tell you that the system in place at DCA works. It took me 9 months to get my instrument rating up North, on my own. In the end, I spent just as much if not more as if I'd gone to a structured academy. I can also tell you that every single one of my students is flying professionally now...that's a fact. Say what you want, but DCA followed through on what they told me they were going to do. They gave me my guaranteed interview and ultimately, I landed an airline job...upgraded to Captain and I'm now flying at NetJets on the Citation X. I started DCA at 37 years of age and I'm now 43. I'm a career changer and I can tell you that my worst day as a professional pilot still beats my best day as a police officer!!

There are those out there who aren't going to be happy...no matter what. We have them at NetJets too of all places. Captain's making over $120,000 a year and working half a month, yet there still not happy???? Every airline has them and in fact every workplace has them as well. You truly can't please everyone, all the time. Certainly do your research and find out what's best for you. However, I wouldn't be discouraged by those who've had bad experiences. That is NOT to discount those here who've had bad experiences at DCA either. I'm sorry that happened, but there are countless graduates currently flying today and living out their dream....I'm living proof. There is currently a designated pilot examiner at Comair who performs all the checkrides for new hire first officers who told me the following....and this is the truth. He told me personally that he would take an academy graduate over anyone from the outside any day. He sees how better prepared they are than the rest and as a result, these folks tend to get through jet training and the sims, fairly easily...due in large part to the airline structured training at the academy. Trust me, the system works...they've been doing in for quite some time. I encourage you to tour the academy, see what they have to offer and look at what your pretty much guaranteed in the end. Most other schools will not guarantee your funds or guarantee you an airline interview. If you enroll and then decide it's not for you, then you get any unused funds back...they keep nothing but what you've already spent. I know that other schools will keep your money, just something else to think about. Anyway, I hope this helps some of you and good luck all!
 
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