American Flyers?

troopernflight

troopernflight

Well-Known Member
I looked up some info on their website and read a little about the 2 week program to get CFI-A and CFI-I. They are advertising $2995 for the entire program. Does anyone have any input on this? Is it a worthwhile program? I'm sick of procrastinating and I want to just get it done. Thanks.
 
Break that price down into hours and instruction you get. Then weigh your other options. Accelerated courses aren't always good for everyone.

your call
 
troopernflight said:
I looked up some info on their website and read a little about the 2 week program to get CFI-A and CFI-I. They are advertising $2995 for the entire program. Does anyone have any input on this? Is it a worthwhile program? I'm sick of procrastinating and I want to just get it done. Thanks.
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The price includes 10hrs dual and the ground school program.

It doesn't include:

Written exam fees

DPE fees

Airplane for the check rides

From what I have seen it looks like it comes closer to $4k+ plus lodging.
 
I've just decided to go the old fashioned route. It's just been hard working a full time job land job, flying part time, being a father and a husband, and working up the motivation to work on it. It'll take longer, but a lot cheaper in the long run I guess. Thanks for the comments.
 
troopernflight said:
I've just decided to go the old fashioned route. It's just been hard working a full time job land job, flying part time, being a father and a husband, and working up the motivation to work on it. It'll take longer, but a lot cheaper in the long run I guess. Thanks for the comments.
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Another place you could check into would be Crystal River Aero Group in FL. They have their own DPE that does a lot of the rides. There are a few guys on here that did their CFI down there on an accelerated schedule. The owners are nice people that seem to really care about the students and not just the money! If you do a bit of home study and do your writtens you should be able to do the CFI in 8-10 days. They also have housing right on the field for like $18-$20/day.
 
troopernflight said:
I've just decided to go the old fashioned route. It's just been hard working a full time job land job, flying part time, being a father and a husband, and working up the motivation to work on it. It'll take longer, but a lot cheaper in the long run I guess. Thanks for the comments.
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Been there. And took the same path as a working husband and dad with many other activities and commitments. The best advice I have is to formalize your schedule. Get a target date say 4-8 weeks out, work backwards from that, scheduling 1 hour per day to accomplish specific goals, be those your written exams, completing lesson plans, reviewing PHAK/AFH, or flying... so you know what to do with an hour per day, and you'll make a lot more advancement and it'll be much less daunting.
 
Maurus said:
That and finish up programs. They are too expensive otherwise.
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Finish up is not cheap either!! I went by the ATL location a couple years ago to get a quote to do some fixed-wing add-ons. Sim- $125/hr, 172 rental ~$200/hr for an R model, and $80/hr for instruction!!

I had to seek help to remove myself from the floor!
 
We can do just one, then the other. I work at AF for another 10 days, then off to the airlines after my 4 year run there at the KDPA location. We can do a 1-on-1 course and treat it like the 2-week CFI-A course that only Atlanta and Addison, TX offer, but we can do the same style at any location using the same syllabus. We can do the same thing for the CFI-I as well. If you have any specific questions other than pricing, because I stay away from $$$ like the plague, feel free to PM me troopernflight
 
rframe said:
Been there. And took the same path as a working husband and dad with many other activities and commitments. The best advice I have is to formalize your schedule. Get a target date say 4-8 weeks out, work backwards from that, scheduling 1 hour per day to accomplish specific goals, be those your written exams, completing lesson plans, reviewing PHAK/AFH, or flying... so you know what to do with an hour per day, and you'll make a lot more advancement and it'll be much less daunting.
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:yeahthat:

Plan the work, then work the plan.
 
mshunter said:
Used to work at the SMO location. IMO, it's the only good thing they offer.
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I did the CFI academy at SMO. I absolutely loved it. I spent probably double what is advertised, but I also hadn't flown in 3 years before doing my CFI. It is great for people that like an accelerated, structured program.
 
troopernflight said:
I've just decided to go the old fashioned route. It's just been hard working a full time job land job, flying part time, being a father and a husband, and working up the motivation to work on it. It'll take longer, but a lot cheaper in the long run I guess. Thanks for the comments.
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I understand this completely. I'm faced with exactly the same dilemma, myself. Add to it the difficulty in scheduling an instructor's time, and... yeah.

I'm actually considering AF for the same reasons.
 
I looked at AF for the CFI, I even did my CSEL add on with them. But I opted for the cfi care package down in Houston, never felt so prepared for a checkride in my life.

Search around, there are tons of options to get the CFI done
 
I too am in search of a good structured CFI flight school. I liked the thought of attending ATP for initial CFI/CFII/MEI but that option is gone now. With a busy schedule at home and current job, I will have to pursue an accelerated school (2 - 3 wks) away from local area. I was open to mom and pop or bigger schools but prefer something in the middle.
  1. I will use rframe advice(set date plan backwards).....to pursue written exams in local area 1st.
  2. After that I would like to maybe visit before I sign up a school with good curriculum and plan to get you done, access to simulators, well maintained aircraft, and not too pricey.
  3. What else would help prepare me to succeed?

It sounds like American Flyers fits that description.
After looking at websites for Aeroism, Colorado Contrails, Crystal Aero Group, Ari Ben,Prarie Air Service, and American Flyers it seems that AF is the route for me. I will do a bit more research on prices, actual curriculm, lodging options, better Business Burea reports but initially sounds like AF will fit my needs.

How does American Flyers compare to ATP in terms of graduation rate? or failure rate?
It sounds like the experience is similar, would that be a corrct statment?

Thanks....(for any advice you can offer)
 
I went to AF at PMP last year. The program was as advertised, I spent $1500 for additional training and a/c rental for the check rides.
I thought about the self study route but I wanted to get it done. The AF program provides a template for you to use and the support to get it done.
 
Ajax BU said:
I looked at AF for the CFI, I even did my CSEL add on with them. But I opted for the cfi care package down in Houston, never felt so prepared for a checkride in my life.

Search around, there are tons of options to get the CFI done
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Their website seems to imply that they do CFI/II addons, and other such, but not CFI initial...?

Is this the case, or is the website just poorly designed? I'm very much looking for a solid, structured, focused, rather intensive course for getting my CFI initial done done done done done done. I want to feel overprepared, too.

~Fox
 
I'm signed up for the March CFI course at Colorado Contrails. I've spoken to many people who have gone through the course, and they had nothing but great things to say about it. It's 3 weeks for the CFI/CFII. The owner of the school, Jack is a DPE, and you do your ground, and take your CFII ride with him. He knows exactly how the local DPE's conduct their check rides, so you will be super prepared for your ride..
 
ryan4sail said:
I'm signed up for the March CFI course at Colorado Contrails. I've spoken to many people who have gone through the course, and they had nothing but great things to say about it. It's 3 weeks for the CFI/CFII. The owner of the school, Jack is a DPE, and you do your ground, and take your CFII ride with him. He knows exactly how the local DPE's conduct their check rides, so you will be super prepared for your ride..
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thanks!! ryan4sail.....if you can send a note as you go through school ...let us know your thoughts
 
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