FBO in Daytona area?

[BigPoppa]

I'm not interested in one of the big flight academies (don't want to go into massive debt, nor rush through my training). However, a lot of the smaller flight schools here in Daytona also seem to specialize in Part 141 training for foreign pilots, with the prices and setup to match (from their websites, at least, they look like mini-ATPs).


I would like to be able to get my training from PPL all the way to CFI in a less regimented and less expensive way (including the option for self study rather than paying instructor rates for ground school).


Any particular schools or FBOs you would suggest?



Thank you

 

[Mabgibai]

I've been using Air America since 2005 and I have not been disappointed once with the service or the prices. You can check out their website at airamericafc.com.

 

[allds83]

I work at Air America. You can't beat the prices and we have plenty of aircraft. We tailor our training to each individual student. We have no formal ground school so we usually use the Cessna Pilot Center/King Schools home-study course (although it's up to you how you want to learn). Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

[BigPoppa]

I talked to Chuck at Air America, and am definitely considering them.


I'm a bit concerned about learning at such a busy airport. It seems that half of each lesson would be spent taxiing back and forth from the hangar to the runway and getting out to less crowded airspace before I actually got to practice anything. Is this much of an issue?


They also appear to have only 3 planes that rent for under $100/hr (one each of 150/152/172Q). So I'm worried that I may have to decide between a more expensive rental or not flying at all some days.

 

[Mabgibai]

Flying out of Daytona is not bad at all. You might spend 10 to 12 minutes on the ground between startup and wheels up, and another 5 or 6 minutes to get out to the practice areas. I would suggest riding in the back of a flight so you can see for yourself.