American Flyers CFI Academy

BravoHotel

BravoHotel

Well-Known Member
Has anyone attended or has any experience with American Flyers? I am finding info about their flight training, but not so much about their CFI program.
 
I attended the KSMO academy as well. Thought it was a great experience. Not a bad way to get the ratings. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
I've been thinking about doing the 30-day program myself. It's just so expensive! $6k to sit in a classroom for a month. I have some experience with AFlyers and their weekend classes(crash courses) and i was always pleased with them.

My last experience was finishing up my instrument rating with them. Before it was all said and done they shook me down for 4k. Looking back, they didn't leave me with anything I couldn't have learned at the FBO for a few hundred bucks.

I'm still kind of bitter about the 4k shake-down, they are some money hungry......Anyways, I have heard nothing but good things about the CFI program. There is some old info about the program if you want to search the forum.

Someone said it's the diamond amongst the pile of tirds AFlyers tries to sell.

30-35 days, $6k, CFI-A CFI-I
 
I went to the CFI Academy in KADS. It was a great experience. They advertised $3000 on their website. When I went and talked to them they were straight up and said it would be closer to $6000. It was one month of class which was the best part of the whole thing. I learned so much from the classroom training. I don't know where your looking at going but they have a great relationship with the Dallas FSDO. They also have nice housing options too. Very pleased, passed both check rides on 1st try.

As far as cost, my thoughts are, you get what you pay for. I would do it again.
 
I went to the CFI academy at the Pompano Beach location last year. They advertise $2995 under pt.61 and something like 6K for doing it pt.141. Everyone in my class did it under pt.61. However, they did tell us to expect to spend more than the min price. It was a great experience for me and I would recommend at least taking a visit. You really learn a lot from not only from the instructors but also your fellow classmates. I think that is one of the biggest points for the CFI academy, because you get to practice teaching your classmates and you get feedback from them. Also it is a great way to network in aviation. I still talk to 4 of my classmates from then. In the end I spent something like $4,500 and about 38 days ( was the first in the class to finish both CFI/CFII). So not perfect but I would do it again.
 
Thanks guys. Your input has been valuable. Everyone has shared a positive opinion on American Flyers. I am pending a student loan through SallyMae and want to attend the January 14th class in Houston.
 
Don't forget to bring all the FAA publications with you such as your FAR/AIM, Pilots handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Airplane Flying Handbook, Instrument Flying Handbook and even the Instrument Procedures Handbook, the FOI ( I think called the Aviation Instructor handbook?).
 
I'm missing one of the binders but I will sell you 3 out of the four they require at quite a discount.

As for my experience I really wasn't to happy w/ the way the Chicago one was ran. I felt as if me and my fellow classmates learned so much more from each other then the classroom. They also have an awful relationship with the Chicago FSDO.
 
The southern locations tend to be the best. Chicago is probably one of the worst CFI schools in the country. My advice is to go in with one or two tests out of the way. Also have all of your FAA books and be studied. Do everything above and be current with flying and the price tag could be lowered to around $4,000-$5,000. I payed a little over $5k for my experience at the KPMP location.It is the lfight time that kills ya with the price.
 
Maurus said:
Chicago is probably one of the worst CFI schools in the country.
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What are you saying? :)

Good advice, and to be honest I had all but one written done before going into it and I wish I had them all done. If you have any intention even the slightest to get your gold seal just knock out the IGI and AGI as you study for the other tests.

I can't stress this more though become very good friends w/ your classmates. Just because class is from 8-5 doesn't mean you go home at 5. You go out to a Panera Bread or somewhere where you can sit down grab a bite and study till about 8-9. Bust your rear-end and you will be fine. As for the flying I did the 141 for the double eye. I think I spent 6.5 all said and done. You spend 15 hours in the plane for your -II and I was ready to take my stage check after about 5. You can do anything on the -II PTS during those 15 hours so stalls, steep turns, and landings basically anything but ground ref can be reviewed. I wasn't very proficient from the right seat so that is what I used most of that time on.

PM any questions and good luck.
 
jhugz said:
As for the flying I did the 141 for the double eye.
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Ah, that is where they got you. 141 always costs more because of the required flying time. The even told us the 141 would cost more in KPMP and I believe we all did it 61 as a result.
 
Got the FOI, FIA, FII writtens out of the way, and the spinny spin flight. Didn't know a C-172 could do that!

However that was awhile ago, so it wouldn't hurt to gleim it up and the AGI and IGI writtens out of the way.
 
Before spending any money on a CFI ticket and considering the state of the industry, it would be wise to work out a deal at some place that actually needs CFIs and do it there. AMF is a nice place but from what I heard from one of their chief instructors, there's not many students. There's no point in droping 6000 for the CFI if you're not going to find a job. Just my 2 cents..
 
Thats what my thoughts were too. I was going to go to AF but with about a billion CFI's looking for work I decided to stay local and have a job waiting for me when I get done.

On a side note.....While at the FBO about a month ago a person walked in with a resume looking for a job. He had about 4000TT and was just laid off from flexjet and they told him....sorry nothing here, but good luck.
 
Highly recommend Flyers! Did the CFI-A at the PDK location in Atlanta...definitely worth it! Went back and added on the CFII a month later...that took 2 weeks
 
I am looking for the focused learning environment, where everyones common goal is to become a CFI, that is how best I learn. Get to play my GI Bill card with these guys, so that helps a lot. But we'll see. I really don't want to quit the flying job I have, hopefully everything will fall into place.
 
I did the 30 day academy at ADS back in 1999. Took me a month and a half to do both the CFIA and CFII.

Back then it was almost a guaranteed job with them after you got through, but as mentioned above, now it might be better to train somewhere you have a better chance of getting a job afterwards.
 
Been checking out the local flight schools, we have a lot of them here and they have financing options. Up-rooting, leaving a flying job just would not be prudent, almost harrasy!
 
Easton14 said:
Highly recommend Flyers! Did the CFI-A at the PDK location in Atlanta...definitely worth it!
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I did the same, and agree. It was pretty intense in the classroom, and I did it pretty much for the advertised price. If you do the accelerated one, make sure you study & get the FOI, FIA writtens out of the way prior to going there. I did them while during the course, and wouldn't recommend it due to the lack of spare time.

I would also recommend FOI & FIA written scores in the mid 90's at least if you are going to the FSDO for your ride (you are :D). The writtens are pretty lightweight, but they sure take note of your scores, and I think I may have avoided the dreaded 7-hour oral because I had good written scores.

Also, if you can get a spin endorsement prior to attending, it will help you save your flight hours and possibly not have to purchase more than the course provides.
 
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