Insider's Look at Flight Training--Start to Finish

[stormchaser]

If you're like me, then you appreciate a good, honest look at what really happens behind-the-scenes. I spent numerous hours online here at jetcareers and elsewhere and on the phone before starting my flight training, trying to learn from those who have gone before me. And their stories greatly benefitted me. So I would like to help out, as well, and maybe give an even clearer picture of what to expect.

Just two days ago, on February 23, 2008, I moved out to Chanute, Kansas, to begin full-time flight training at White-Air Aviation (www.flywhiteair.com). I am a 90-hour Private Pilot, and I will be obtaining my Instrument, CFI, CFII, MEI, and Single/Multi Commercial Ratings.

If you want to know anything at all about the experience, in general (the cost, what it's like, the up's and down's, the joys and frustrations, etc.), then feel free to ask!

I am currently living here at the airport (I can see the runway lights outside my window right now!), and I would be more than happy to give an insider's perspective into flight training, in general, but even moreso into how White-Air operates. With so many flight schools, it's good to see what really takes place at each one.

To get a REALLY detailed description, you can check out my day-to-day blog at www.becauseihavenowife.com/blog.html. I will try to post daily about every day's events!

 

[Customx]

Thanks for starting the blog about your experience. I'm flying into Kansas City this Sunday and will make the drive to Chanute to check out the facilities. Hope to see you there

 

[Chief Captain]

Congratulations!

Good luck with your future training. I wish I lived that close to a runway. I'll be looking for blog updates!

 

[stormchaser]

Thanks for starting the blog about your experience. I'm flying into Kansas City this Sunday and will make the drive to Chanute to check out the facilities. Hope to see you there

I should be here! The other student and I are discussin' the possibility of a flight to Chicago over the weekend, but that hasn't been confirmed yet...

Lookin' forward to meetin' ya!

 

[WindyCityPilot]

What airport would you fly into in Chicago? If you wanted to grab some lunch consider hitting up 06C....great restaurant there! Let me know if you decide to fly in and I can try to meet up with you guys if I can.

 

[stormchaser]

What airport would you fly into in Chicago? If you wanted to grab some lunch consider hitting up 06C....great restaurant there! Let me know if you decide to fly in and I can try to meet up with you guys if I can.

We actually decided to stay here for the weekend. The weather wasn't lookin' too good in Chi-town on Sunday anyway...or anywhere across the Midwest for that matter.

I'll keep your offer in mind for the future, though! I've got months of training ahead!

 

[desertdog71]

Don't forget the part where you and Jarryd went and scored free McSkillet Burritos today and then FAILED TO BRING ME ONE..:banghead:

 

[jelloy]

Consider yourself lucky...My stomach still isnt right

 

[stormchaser]

Don't forget the part where you and Jarryd went and scored free McSkillet Burritos today and then FAILED TO BRING ME ONE..:banghead:

Two lessons learned from the free McBurrito this morning...

#1--ALWAYS buy your instructor a McBurrito to keep him happy. Cuz if your instructor ain't happy, ain't no one happy.

OR...

#2--Don't tell your instructor that you went out to eat without him!!!

(And Jarryd, my burrito is sittin' just fine! Thanks for takin' me!)

 

[Scuba]

Definitely love the blog idea.

Can't wait to hopefully you see all in August/September

 

[Scuba]

So Van, apparently you're a talker.

 

[Scuba]

Sorry for all the posts, but I just got finished reading all your blog entries and.........

They're awesome, a lol'd too many times to count. Good stuff, keep it up!

Scuba

 

[desertdog71]

So Van, apparently you're a talker.

I have been known to talk some smack from time to time.

Students like I have here, make my job enjoyable. They have a good sense of humor and are like sponges when it comes to their training. I hope I can give then all the tools they need to succeed.

 

[TexasFlyer]

Glad to see things are going so well up there. It was a hard choice for me not to go to White Air. When I stopped up there, I had concerns about the school makikng it long term because it was in a transitional phase (it was a couple months after Van left I beleive... would have been April or May last year when I was there). Well, it's clear. The transition clearly went the right way. So glad to heat you all are rockin' up there!

Just wanted to say, when I visited White Air for the day last year, it's like for that day I was part of the family. It's nice to see a place that truly cares about every person in a purely genuine way.

:rawk:

 

[Scuba]

Just thought I'd mention that I've been reading your blogs every night and I just need you to keep up the quality of writing that you've been doing. Your insight and side stories are great.

For the love of God keep it up!

 

[stormchaser]

Just thought I'd mention that I've been reading your blogs every night and I just need you to keep up the quality of writing that you've been doing. Your insight and side stories are great.

For the love of God keep it up!

Well, if that doesn't make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside...I sure don't know what does!

(Thanks.)

And, yeah, White-Air treats ya like one of the fam. It helps that we live here at the airport, too...I'm usually either flying, hanging out in the FBO, or hangin' out in the hangar quarters. It's pretty enjoyable...we've got a fun crew here.

And from what I hear, business is more than good. I think they are booked up until 2009 right now. That's a good problem to have.

And the blogs will keep on comin'! No worries there...I love writin' 'em!

 

[Lear Mech]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself, and say that I'm heading out to Chanute on April 7th to start my training with White Air. I can't wait to start, everyone has been a class act from the get go and I'm fully confident that it will continue during training and beyond. The blog has been a great read stormchaser. I look forward to meeting you and I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Take care everyone,
Jesse

 

[stormchaser]

Hi guys,
Just wanted to introduce myself, and say that I'm heading out to Chanute on April 7th to start my training with White Air. I can't wait to start, everyone has been a class act from the get go and I'm fully confident that it will continue during training and beyond. The blog has been a great read stormchaser. I look forward to meeting you and I'm sure we'll have a good time.

Take care everyone,
Jesse

Sounds great! Yeah, it's pretty nice out here...treated like family. It's no problem to shoot the breeze in the FBO, hang out with the mechanics in the hangar, or go out to eat with our instructor. Actually, that's pretty much a normal day right there! Well, that...and FLYING!!! I often wonder if training might not be more fun than actually getting a flying job??? It's a pretty fun life right now...

Lookin' forward to meetin' ya! Chanute's a'waitin'...

 

[desertdog71]

Should be enroute to KOJC for Jarryd's checkride right now, but.........

[FONT=Monospace,Courier]KOJC 141153Z 17005KT 1/4SM FG VV001 03/03 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP064 T00330028 10044 20028 53005[/FONT]


:banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Sachi]

Wow thanks for keeping your blog! I think I just read about 2 weeks of blogs in one sitting, what an effort. You have a great way with words. Sorry to hear about your car!

I will be in a similiar position to you perhaps in 12-18 months hopefully. I too have been looking around for flight school and have only read great things about White Air. This blog is only helping out their reputation. Sounds like a fantastic place to be!
Sach