FBO's in New England, 0hrs to Comm

N1ksa

N1ksa

New Member
Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some feedback on FBO's in MA, CT, or RI. Have you had any experience with any? I'm looking to pursue all my ratings the local FBO way instead of the cookie cutter academy way and hopefully saving much bucks in the process. A couple that I've looked at online thus far are Exec Aviation - KBED, Horizon Aviation - Providence/TF Green.

Anyone have any other ideas? input? feedback? opinions?

I'm planning to start pursuing my ratings by July 08.

Thanks!
 
I am also from Rocky Hill believe it or not. Small world.

Anyways, I went to Metro Flight at KHFD. I guess it's called Connecticut Flight Academy now. I loved it there. Let me know if you have anymore specific questions.
 
Do you happen to live at "Sensuous Thills" too? ha ha

I took one of my intro flights at Premier KHFD, nice people there. My lease is up here in June...so I am planning to con the rents to allow me to move back home and live for free while I pursue the ratings like a mad dog. I'm originally from Charlton aka the Sturbridge area. Or move home temporarily if I go to one of those costly academies.

Thanks for the feedback
 
I would second whatever torch has to say. I've flown with him and he hasn't really scared me yet, so wherever he did his training must have been pretty good. :-)

But seriously, if you decide on BED, check out East Coast Aero Club. Exec Flyers has some nice airplanes, but are a 141 academy like school. It's a much more business-like environment as opposed to the relaxed, mom n' pop flight school environment of ECAC. Plus, ECAC has some nice planes too. Just got 4 ex-UND Warriors with Dual Garmin 430's which fly great. They also have 2(?) DA40's and the maintenance/staff at ECAC is great.
 
N1ksa said:
Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some feedback on FBO's in MA, CT, or RI. Have you had any experience with any? I'm looking to pursue all my ratings the local FBO way instead of the cookie cutter academy way and hopefully saving much bucks in the process. A couple that I've looked at online thus far are Exec Aviation - KBED, Horizon Aviation - Providence/TF Green.

Anyone have any other ideas? input? feedback? opinions?

I'm planning to start pursuing my ratings by July 08.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I did my private at exec in KBED. Liked the school, good course structure(although I hated the Cessna DVD's), very good instructors, and well maintained fleet, but not cheap - you won't save a whole bunch. Prices at Horizon (they are also at Norwood) around the same as Exec. These 2 are part 141 which is rare in the area. Most everything else is Part 61.

At exec, for the private I flew a C152 at $87hr + $6 fuel surcharge (I don't think they have the 152 anymore so a 172 classic might be the cheapest). Instructor was $46 PH and that has gone up to $55 PH.

Currently doing the instrument part 61 at KPYM in a Warrior with Garmin 430 for $94hr (no fuel surcharge) and $43 ph instructor. They rent out 152's for $76 and instruction for the private license is $40.

Hope this helps....good luck
 
If your talking about Century Hills I dont live there but I have been to many parties there LOL. I went to both Premier and Metro (CT Flight). Ended up finishing at Metro though.
 
Check out Harvest Aviation out of KASH, 35 min north of KBED but worth the ride. Great prices and great instuction. Eagle-East out of KLWM quality operation but not the newest fleet.
I would stay away from KBED, too damn expensive!
 
Come check out Robinson Aviation in New Haven. We have 4 Warriors, 2 Arrows and in the process of taking ownership of a Seneca for ME training. We have 4 instructors, the fifth coming online in April. Two instructors are CFII's and I am the only MEI. If you go all the way from 0 time through CFI, as long as you don't piss off the owner, you are pretty much guaranteed a CFI position with 280+/- hours as soon as you pass the checkride.

If you have any questions, let me know.
 
N1ksa said:
Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some feedback on FBO's in MA, CT, or RI. Have you had any experience with any? I'm looking to pursue all my ratings the local FBO way instead of the cookie cutter academy way and hopefully saving much bucks in the process. A couple that I've looked at online thus far are Exec Aviation - KBED, Horizon Aviation - Providence/TF Green.

Anyone have any other ideas? input? feedback? opinions?

I'm planning to start pursuing my ratings by July 08.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I went to EFA(Exec) at KBED to get my 'private single add-on'... I really liked that place. Family run, dependable, professional. I believe they also offer the Discovery Flight for $79.

I also checked out ECAC as well(across the hall). They seem like a well run operation as well. My EFA Instructor jumped ship to ECAC.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, it def helps. Rather than just jump from 0 hrs to headstrong in July. I am going to start taking the lessons starting next week. I plan to only do 1 lesson a week to start with, but come June/July I plan to go full on. Since I took 1 lesson already over at Premier Flt Ctr and really liked the instructor that I flew with, and the local mom and pop ownership there, I figure I can at least make a go at it there to get some training in on what I already started and actually start logging the hours. But, am still going to look around at all the other schools before I make my final decision for June/July.

I'll keep everyone updated with my progress and keep those opinions and feedback of local schools coming.

Adam
 
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