Interest in Skymates

C

cignaguy

New Member
Hi all-

I have been attempting to compare Skymates and ATP. Thanks to this informative website, I have found lots of useful information.

However, I was hoping some current Skymates students/instructors could provide their perspectives regarding life at Skymates. I am leaning towards Skymates, but would just like to get some more information regarding quality of housing, ability to complete the "quick multi course" within the 5 months as stated on the website and at the quoted cost of $38,595, your ideas of the pros and cons of the school, the culture (all business or somewhat laid back and fun?). My reason for leaning towards Skymates is because I think I would feel better given 5 months versus 3 months to complete the program. Also, based on various previous posts, it sounds like it is a bit more laid back and "fun" than ATP. ATP seems like it is a "my way or the highway - if you don't like it, leave" type of environment. The cost also appears to be a bit cheaper. Are uniforms required at Skymates?

I noticed the price does not include checkride fees or written tests. Can someone provide an average cost for these fees?

Appreciate any feedback!
 
I fly at Skymates, I'm doing my CFII initial right now. Can't help you on the housing subject because I live in the DFW area. I've been doing all my training under 61 as opposed to 141. I came into the school with my PPL and multi rating, started my instrument in Nov. '06. Went through the instrument, comm single, comm multi and was started on my CFII by the beginning of March. If you are a good pilot and learn quickly and able to learn on your own I would recommend just going through 61 training. It's quicker and less expensive. You don't have to follow those long drawn out syllabi and all those prog checks. Equipment is ok, I did most of my stuff in the 172SP's which are newer and nicer. They have an Arrow for the single complex that blows. The Seminoles are decent but down 75% of the time and none have GPS. The DPE's are pretty cool and average checkride fee is around $300. I take writtens at JetTest over by KDFW and they are $90 a pop.
Hope this helps :)
 
I can't help you on the cost, because frankly, I don't know them, but most of the students are averaging 5-6 months for private - commercial multi. Uniforms? lol. The instructors wear polo style shirts, but students aren't required to wear uniforms. The program is self paced. You are given a password to our scheduling system, and it is up to you to keep up with the scheduling and ground school. It all depends on your aptitude for flying, and your drive to succeed. Some people pick it up faster than others.

The ground is mostly done on the Cessna Pilot Center CD course for private - commercial single engine. I have been teaching a revolving ground school that is every Monday and Thursday, at 10:00, and is free for students.

Pros: Everyone here is great, from the owner, on down. All of the students are friendly, and everything is laid back. The facilities are nice and clean, and the aircraft are nicer and cleaner than any other school I went to when doing my training. The Arrow is nice and clean, although I don't care for its flight characteristics, but that is the same with any Arrow. Im not a big fan of Arrows, in general. This one is fine, and I am not sure what the gripe of the student above is...

We had one Seminole down for a while, but just got back one of them, so we have 2 Seminoles and a Duchess available for your multi-training. It looks like the guys in the shop are working on the third one to get it ready.

Cons: We are getting crowded, so you have to schedule at least a few days in advance to guarantee a plane. The smell of Indian food sometimes stinks up the break room, but that is only temporary.

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them. Ryan is the person to ask about monetary specifics though.
 
mojo6911 said:
I can't help you on the cost, because frankly, I don't know them, but most of the students are averaging 5-6 months for private - commercial multi. Uniforms? lol. The instructors wear polo style shirts, but students aren't required to wear uniforms. The program is self paced. You are given a password to our scheduling system, and it is up to you to keep up with the scheduling and ground school. It all depends on your aptitude for flying, and your drive to succeed. Some people pick it up faster than others.

The ground is mostly done on the Cessna Pilot Center CD course for private - commercial single engine. I have been teaching a revolving ground school that is every Monday and Thursday, at 10:00, and is free for students.

Pros: Everyone here is great, from the owner, on down. All of the students are friendly, and everything is laid back. The facilities are nice and clean, and the aircraft are nicer and cleaner than any other school I went to when doing my training. The Arrow is nice and clean, although I don't care for its flight characteristics, but that is the same with any Arrow. Im not a big fan of Arrows, in general. This one is fine, and I am not sure what the gripe of the student above is...

We had one Seminole down for a while, but just got back one of them, so we have 2 Seminoles and a Duchess available for your multi-training. It looks like the guys in the shop are working on the third one to get it ready.

Cons: We are getting crowded, so you have to schedule at least a few days in advance to guarantee a plane. The smell of Indian food sometimes stinks up the break room, but that is only temporary.

Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them. Ryan is the person to ask about monetary specifics though.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response! How many students are currently enrolled in the "quick multi course"? Also, even though it is crowded, how many days/week would I be able to fly? In addition, if you only have a couple of multi planes, how is the cross country phase coordinated?
 
Dunno how many are enrolled in the quick multi-course. I would say that there are at least 15-20 students getting Private - CMEL, probably more. You can fly everyday if you like, just schedule your flights with enough notice. All of my students fly at least once a day (the weather has sucked the past two weeks), when the weather allows. Not sure about the X-C time...
 
Uniforms? HA! I flew in flip-flops half the time.

Everyone is really chill at Skymates. I don't fly there much anymore, but I like pretty much everyone there that I know. The overcrowding comment is right on-- it's pretty difficult to get on the schedule sometimes.

PROS: There is a <ping> pong table in teh hangar.
Every once in a while Luca will order some pizza or somethin'
There were hot CFIs there when I went through. Damn you XJET.
You can take your writtens right there

PS, is simba or whateverthehell melissa's dog was still around? I heard Ryan adopted it.
 
DirectTo said:
I fly at Skymates, I'm doing my CFII initial right now. Can't help you on the housing subject because I live in the DFW area. I've been doing all my training under 61 as opposed to 141. I came into the school with my PPL and multi rating, started my instrument in Nov. '06. Went through the instrument, comm single, comm multi and was started on my CFII by the beginning of March. If you are a good pilot and learn quickly and able to learn on your own I would recommend just going through 61 training. It's quicker and less expensive. You don't have to follow those long drawn out syllabi and all those prog checks. Equipment is ok, I did most of my stuff in the 172SP's which are newer and nicer. They have an Arrow for the single complex that blows. The Seminoles are decent but down 75% of the time and none have GPS. The DPE's are pretty cool and average checkride fee is around $300. I take writtens at JetTest over by KDFW and they are $90 a pop.
Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...

Disreguard, I completely forgot what year I got to Skymates in. You just missed me and the bunch of instructors I worked with.
 
DirectTo said:
I fly at Skymates, I'm doing my CFII initial right now. Can't help you on the housing subject because I live in the DFW area. I've been doing all my training under 61 as opposed to 141. I came into the school with my PPL and multi rating, started my instrument in Nov. '06. Went through the instrument, comm single, comm multi and was started on my CFII by the beginning of March. If you are a good pilot and learn quickly and able to learn on your own I would recommend just going through 61 training. It's quicker and less expensive. You don't have to follow those long drawn out syllabi and all those prog checks. Equipment is ok, I did most of my stuff in the 172SP's which are newer and nicer. They have an Arrow for the single complex that blows. The Seminoles are decent but down 75% of the time and none have GPS. The DPE's are pretty cool and average checkride fee is around $300. I take writtens at JetTest over by KDFW and they are $90 a pop.

Hope this helps :)
Click to expand...
Who is this and why would you go to jetTest to take writtens? You can do them all here.

Arrow blows? Thats one of the nicest Arrows(older model) you will find.
 
frog_flyer said:
Uniforms? HA! I flew in flip-flops half the time.

Everyone is really chill at Skymates. I don't fly there much anymore, but I like pretty much everyone there that I know. The overcrowding comment is right on-- it's pretty difficult to get on the schedule sometimes.

PROS: There is a <ping> pong table in teh hangar.
Every once in a while Luca will order some pizza or somethin'
There were hot CFIs there when I went through. Damn you XJET.
You can take your writtens right there

PS, is simba or whateverthehell melissa's dog was still around? I heard Ryan adopted it.
Click to expand...


I still have chico! Want him?


Actually, I have a CFI student now who came here from Flight Saftey and he was telling me all about their uniform stystem with the cool epalauts. I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course :)
 
ryanmickG said:
I still have chico! Want him?


Actually, I have a CFI student now who came here from Flight Saftey and he was telling me all about their uniform stystem with the cool epalauts. I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course :)
Click to expand...

I think we should go with tuxedo t-shirts, because it says we want to be formal, but like to party, too.
 
ryanmickG said:
Actually, I have a CFI student now who came here from Flight Saftey and he was telling me all about their uniform stystem with the cool epalauts. I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course :)
Click to expand...

I think you should implement dress code, but in the form of "Skymates" basketball jerseys. I think you could use black electric tape to you use as "stripes." I'm still waiting for the flight school that steps it up a notch and issues airline-type hats with the uniform. If that doesn't scream professionalism, I don't know what does.

By the way, I'm looking forward to Spurs-Mavs Western Conference finals - with Ginobili's flops leading us to the Finals.
 
I haven't noticed a problem with the Arrow yet. It's rediculously nose heavy, but I hear all Pipers are.
 
ryanmickG said:
I think we are going to impliment that policy.....everyone 'cept me of course :)
Click to expand...

uofmcp1201 said:
I'm still waiting for the flight school that steps it up a notch and issues airline-type hats with the uniform. If that doesn't scream professionalism, I don't know what does.
Click to expand...

I think we should do it Ryan! Let's be the school to raise the bar on these uniforms. I think the FSDO would really appreciate our professionalism!
 
And BTW, the Arrow is fine. I wish it had toe brakes on the right side, but other than that I don't have any complaints with it. ;)
 
Monty said:
I think we should do it Ryan! Let's be the school to raise the bar on these uniforms. I think the FSDO would really appreciate our professionalism!
Click to expand...

I have a better idea! We can wear whatever we want! We can wear t-shirts, flip-flops, cut off cargos...........but it is mandatory to wear a pilots cap!
 
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