American Flyers CFI Academy

CristianC17

CristianC17

New Member
Hello, I have chosen to do my CFI/CFII at American Flyers in SMO. The accelerated program is 30 days and I'm expecting it to be very though. I wanted to see if anyone else has gone through the program and what did you think of it? Did you come from out of town? What should I expect.. Anything that will help me prepare would be greatly appreciated it. Thanks!
 
Reason why I chose to stay in SoCal SMO is because I would have free housing and that helps a lot. Do you have any insights of the academy at SMO?
 
CristianC17 said:
Reason why I chose to stay in SoCal SMO is because I would have free housing and that helps a lot. Do you have any insights of the academy at SMO?
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I interned at Pompano for a year, sat the academy, and worked there. That location is famous for the academy because of the instructor. I'm sure the program is great at SMO too, but you can't beat the success rate at PMP. 90% of people were out of town and traveled just for his class. Unfortunately I don't have any real insight about SMO.
 
Whichever location, be prepared to work hard for 30 days and come prepared, writtens, lesson plans done.

If you're disciplined you can stick to the cost estimate.

Alex.
 
I thought about going to American Flyers at SMO but in the end chose TakeFlightSanDiego because I didn't want to dedicate 30 whole days to it, and most people go over that as well. Lodging, meals, rental car, etc etc all add up. I did it with Dave Simpson in 6 days and passed on the first try. I'm going back for my CFII in August and will finish that in 5 days, so 11 days total vs 30, and it's all 1 on 1 with a very experienced instructor.
 
The good thing on the academy is price, and the time - that 30 days really sets you up well for the ground.

You can do quicker - ref: AllATPs programs, but you really gotta have your stuff together for that...
 
doog said:
I thought about going to American Flyers at SMO but in the end chose TakeFlightSanDiego because I didn't want to dedicate 30 whole days to it, and most people go over that as well. Lodging, meals, rental car, etc etc all add up. I did it with Dave Simpson in 6 days and passed on the first try. I'm going back for my CFII in August and will finish that in 5 days, so 11 days total vs 30, and it's all 1 on 1 with a very experienced instructor.
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Thanks a lot for the info. I live in SD and had all my previews flight training out of KSEE. How long ago did you do you CFI? Can you PM me?
 
ahw01 said:
The good thing on the academy is price, and the time - that 30 days really sets you up well for the ground.

You can do quicker - ref: AllATPs programs, but you really gotta have your stuff together for that...
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Have you done your training at a AF location?
 
ahw01 said:
Yeh I was at PMP.
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That's awesome! I chose SMO cuz I have a friend that lives out there and won't have to worry about paying housing. I have taken all my written tests as well have both CFI/I lessons plans (got them from an instructor that is CFI/I MEI and has been using them) I am now going through it adding and making notes to know all details that's inside. Any tips on how you did your lessons plans? You made them from scratch or used same method as me?
 
I modified existing like you. Make sure you go over them and practice drawing out the plans on the board. My big tip is make notes and continuously revise them, going over your weak areas.

Out of 300 hours, only 30 were flying, the rest was study. You'll learn a lot from your classmates. (I didn't do the academy, but got MEI too in that time).
 
ahw01 said:
I modified existing like you. Make sure you go over them and practice drawing out the plans on the board. My big tip is make notes and continuously revise them, going over your weak areas.

Out of 300 hours, only 30 were flying, the rest was study. You'll learn a lot from your classmates. (I didn't do the academy, but got MEI too in that time).
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I got them not to long ago so I've just started going over the CFII lessons first.. I'm excited to get started at the academy but also scared lol, heard it's intense.. And honestly I'm a bit rusty in instrument, I just did an IPC check a month ago and haven't flown a lot of IFR (money prob).. Thanks a lot for all tips!
 
CristianC17 said:
Hello, I have chosen to do my CFI/CFII at American Flyers in SMO...
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Hi ChristianC17, I plan to do the AF kSMO CFII/CFI in March. I plan on doing the FOI, FIA, FII before the class starts. I have a few questions...
Does AF schedule the checkride or do I need to schedule?
Is the CFII initial preferred or CFI initial?
If DPE, how much do they charge for Los Angeles area?
Does the class include spin, if not where should I go to do my spin training?
Thank you
 
I did the academy in PMP. Its not as intense as some make it seem like. Go in there with the right attitude and ready to learn and you will be fine. Patrick will take care of you. I got both of my endorsements in less than 5 hours and got a refund at the end. Just be confident and ready.
 
rlove7 said:
Hi ChristianC17, I plan to do the AF kSMO CFII/CFI in March. I plan on doing the FOI, FIA, FII before the class starts. I have a few questions...
Does AF schedule the checkride or do I need to schedule?
Is the CFII initial preferred or CFI initial?
If DPE, how much do they charge for Los Angeles area?
Does the class include spin, if not where should I go to do my spin training?
Thank you
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Went to ADS location. Here is just the basic, if you want more you can ask or DM me.

AF will schedule the checkride AFTER you've gotten your endorsement sign-off. In ADS it was about a 2-3 week wait, so I found an examiner myself through some classmate buddies and actually traveled to take my checkride. Cut about 3 weeks off for both checkrides instead of waiting for Dallas DPE's. I think the charge rate was similar in SMO, around $800-1000 is what they told me. My CFI initial was $800, add-on was $400. You can request the FSDO of course but who knows how long the wait is. You will do spin training with AF. Also, the class starts with CFI-I for 2 weeks and then CFI-A after. In ADS, it was your option. I chose CFI-I because it was most fresh and I had a checkride the day before "graduation" day. Add-on checkride was 2 weeks later.

After it was all said and done.... I passed both on the first try, spent $7000 for CFI-I and CFI-A, took me 45 days. I read the entire AF book before coming and had all my writtens out of the way. GET THEM DONE BEFORE! Also, made some GREAT friends and learned A LOT! My class was about 15 people. Spent 7 days a week/10 hours a day at the airport. Mechanics helped me out, got to fly when someone cancelled (if you stay at the airport they know you are committed and you'll get opportunities to fly over kids who just show for the 4 hour class) and had an ABSOLUTE blast there. They will probably offer everyone in the class a job for $17/hour. I declined and ended up at a school that pays decent that I had my eyes on for a while.

Either way, good luck! Study study study! Come prepared!
 
crticalaoa said:
I did the academy in PMP. Its not as intense as some make it seem like. Go in there with the right attitude and ready to learn and you will be fine. Patrick will take care of you. I got both of my endorsements in less than 5 hours and got a refund at the end. Just be confident and ready.
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Good to hear Patrick is still there. What an amazing dude.
 
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