Delta Connection Academy

Use the search feature and you will most likely find that the answer to your question is "no its not a good place".

I have absolutely no first hand experience about the place, but I'm sure you'll find plenty of info just searching for it.

What is your background? (may help others answer your question)
 
I'd suggest your finish your training at your own pace at the place you're doing it now. Don't quit your day job to undertake overly priced flight training at this moment in history.

Take your time. Get your CFI. Build some experience. See how things are in a year or so and reevaluate.

DCA has never been a good option, in my view.
 
take a look in the career changing forum. there are guys in there around your age that are changing careers and wanting to get their flight hours a bit faster. they should be able to help you sort things out! :)
 
As a former DCA student and CFI, I'd advise against it.

The flight training was good, but horrendously overpriced. I took my flight training between 1999-2001 at a college campus, when the prices were significantly lower and the prices at college bases even more so. By the time I left in 2004, students at our "cheaper" college base were typically paying in excess of $50,000 for all their certificates and ratings. Students at the more pricey Sanford location were regurarly taking out loans in excess of $100,000 to pay for flight training (with about $20K to go towards living expenses while in training). And this was all when Avgas cost less then $2.00/gl, compared to $5.00 today. I can only imagine what kind of loans people are taking out now.

Save your money and go the FBO route. Pay as you go, then instruct for experience. Do not be seduced by DCA or any other overpriced academy.
 
I'm obviously trying to find the shortest avenue with the most ratings to get me going. I can always come back to teaching (science/math) AND do the CFI thang while I'm building some time... :)

Thanks for your input(s)! :rawk:
 
DonR. If you're from PSC you'd be better off at either Bergstrom or the school at Kennewick. DCA can't do anything for you that you can't get done local.

PM me. I know some folks in the Tri-Cities.
 
You can go to an academy and become a highly trained first officer (read: button pusher) or you can go to an FBO and become an aviator. There is a HUGE difference.
 
RPJ said:
What the hell? AF is another high priced rip-off flight school. In fact, they perfected the swindle because they have been in business for decades.
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I agree. The school is not cheap. You pay more per flight hour BUT you will get it done faster and better. So, in the long run-it is cheaper than any other school... and the fact that that they have been in business for years means something, right???
 
esa17 said:
You can go to an academy and become a highly trained first officer (read: button pusher) or you can go to an FBO and become an aviator. There is a HUGE difference.
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Over-generalization alert! :)

While there is a lot of truth in what you say, there are waaaaay too many exceptions to allow that blanket statement to pass without some caveats.
 
SteveC said:
Over-generalization alert! :)

While there is a lot of truth in what you say, there are waaaaay too many exceptions to allow that blanket statement to pass without some caveats.
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The caveat is external flying. I instruct with DCA grads who are sho-nuff pilots but the trick is they didn't drink the kool-aide and know there is life outside of DCA. My buddy who banner towed is a great stick but the sad truth of the matter is most that come out of DCA assume there is only one way to do things. Sure they can quote the FARs verbatim but I've been in the plane with DCA grads when things went wonky and didn't show up on a checklist, they lost their minds. When that fan stops no one on board really cares what sub part B of 91.173 is.
 
esa17 said:
The caveat is external flying. I instruct with DCA grads who are sho-nuff pilots but the trick is they didn't drink the kool-aide and know there is life outside of DCA. My buddy who banner towed is a great stick but the sad truth of the matter is most that come out of DCA assume there is only one way to do things. Sure they can quote the FARs verbatim but I've been in the plane with DCA grads when things went wonky and didn't show up on a checklist, they lost their minds. When that fan stops no one on board really cares what sub part B of 91.173 is.
Click to expand...

Semi true dat
 
SteveC said:
Over-generalization alert! :)

While there is a lot of truth in what you say, there are waaaaay too many exceptions to allow that blanket statement to pass without some caveats.
Click to expand...

I agree. After 3 years of instructing, I found that what determines success in this field most of all is the student. A good, highly motivated student could excel in both the less structured FBO route as well as the spoon feeding academy. The good student didn't need to learn to fly GA aircraft in an airline environment, as the good student could learn and adapt to the airline environment when the time came. The good student studied hard and beyond what was required and showed up prepared for each flight lesson.

And as for the below average student (due to lack of aptitude, laziness, lack of motivation, intelligence or a little of all of these combined) it didn't matter which school he/she attended, how much money they spent or how good or bad their instructor was. They would never succeed, and if they did, they would be nothing more then "button pushers".

My point being...no academy (or FBO for that matter) will teach you how to be a well rounded, professional aviator. Thats up to you. So to all those salivating over those glossy ads...save your money, find a cheap C-172 and a half way decent CFI. You won't regret it!
 
Don't go to DCA... I am a former student. Dropped out after they sucked out almost all of my loan. Training wise, I thought they were going to teach similarly to a college. Not even close. I didn't even get my Commercial rating there and about 185 hrs.
My former roommate who borrowed more money is now looking at 250 hrs and getting close to his check ride and has to count pennies every day.

My former roommate and I are both career changers.
 
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