Flight schools in Northern California/West Coast

ilove2fly925

ilove2fly925

New Member
I'm a 230 hour private pilot looking to get on an airline training track. Any recommendations on schools and overall advice is greatly appreciated. I've talked with ATP and while I like them, I'm worried with the payment plan of $12,500 every 2 weeks. My local ATP in Hayward only has 1 good instructor and I'm not sure how quickly I'll be able to get things done considering that they have a handful of students.

Are there any other schools like ATP located in California that are reputable? Any other mom and pop flight schools with good instructors that are highly recommended?

I own my own 1970 Piper Arrow so what are my options with training with that?
 
Your cheapest bet is probably to find a local instructor that can give you the training for instrument and commercial in your Arrow. After that you'll just need to build time to get to the ATP or Restricted ATP flight time requirements. CFI ticket is probably the best way to get that, but there are other ways. It's going to cost a lot more if you use someone else's aircraft I would expect. Build your time and later down the road go get your Commercial Multi Add-on. Skywest only requires 25 hours multi-engine, and I think most other regionals are similar, so don't really need to worry if almost all your time is in a single.
 
Hey 925, Where do you live or keep your airplane? Have you considered sharing your plane or at least spliting the time building?
There are way you can fly with 2 and split the cost and still log PIC.
I am at the same spot as you. ATP Hayward is a waste of time. Stay away. San Carlos flight center has a ton of good independent instructors that can teach in your airplane.
I would start the IFR right away. And then do XC trips at the same time to build TT towards the commerical ride. And NIght flying as well~ Gotta do the night time fliying.

PM me if you think you might want to share some flight time. thanks
 
I am on training for my PPL in HWD Hayward. I am wandering if you have any interesting to split building time and share cost.
I live in San Francisco.
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Last edited:
TaxiBack said:
Hey 925, Where do you live or keep your airplane? Have you considered sharing your plane or at least spliting the time building?
There are way you can fly with 2 and split the cost and still log PIC.
I am at the same spot as you. ATP Hayward is a waste of time. Stay away. San Carlos flight center has a ton of good independent instructors that can teach in your airplane.
I would start the IFR right away. And then do XC trips at the same time to build TT towards the commerical ride. And NIght flying as well~ Gotta do the night time fliying.

PM me if you think you might want to share some flight time. thanks
Click to expand...

Looks like a few of you have some information about ATP Hayward? I'm interested in finding more out about this locations. I know many say to be weary of all of ATP's 'Guarantees', which I am not taking into account (airlineinterviews, gaurenteed CFI job, etc...) . However it seems increasingly as if the cost per hour of flight time is really not a whole lot out of line with smaller Part 61 schools. Do you guys have any information about the instruction, or availability of plane/ instructor time at Hayward? Anyone have first hand experience with them?
 
ilove2fly925 said:
I'm a 230 hour private pilot looking to get on an airline training track.
Are there any other schools like ATP located in California that are reputable? Any other mom and pop flight schools with good instructors that are highly recommended?
I own my own 1970 Piper Arrow so what are my options with training with that?
Click to expand...

Mr. ilove2fly....
If you are stuck in the Bay Area,then u have plenty of options. I will tell you this....you DO NOT have to go to a fancy school that has an affiliation with a 121 regional carrier to get hired by a regional. All you need is the 1500TT...The regionals dont care where or how you go it.
Here is why, i work for one and we cannot find any pilots, anywhere...So you can get your training where ever it feels good. Also, if you plan to teach after, to build time, then that might change yhour mind. But one can get a CFI job on any given day.
Also, if you r not tethered to NOrCAl, there are a few really good schools in SoCal.
 
Do not do ATP. Find an independent CFI. I live in Marin. So I can't help you likely but you can find someone and pay by the hour.

Not in 12.5K payments.

YIKES


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You have your own airplane? Definitely don't spend the money at ATP. Find a CFII and pay them by the hour. PM me if you need recommendations. I know a couple.

Fix
 
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