Needed: Advice on Comm ME, SE and CFI ratings

LoadMasterC141

LoadMasterC141

Well-Known Member
I am sitting at 227TT, 70+ complex, PPL w/IFR

The time has come for me to expedite completion of my final ratings.
I would like to complete my Commercial SE and ME together and may well have that plan locked now.

Also though, I need to get my CFI, II, and MEI. I was set on American Flyers, and still am interested. What I don't like is that their price is not the $2995 advertised. Rather it could be double that, and it does not include the MEI. No good.

As I will be leaving my job to finish these ratings, I have about 6 total weeks to wrap this up, maybe 2 months total to find a CFI job, before depletion of savings gets too big.

Any reccomendations? I have been searching the web relentlessly, but nothing is popping out. I want a school that is not a "finisher".
 
Re: Needed: Advise on Comm ME, SE and CFI ratings

Have you looked at White Air? Housing, good prices, honest people.
 
You and I are in the same boat. Im scheduled for my comm sel on the 26th, and need to finish up getting a me add-on and cfi asap since I am currently without a job and need to get to a point of being able to make some money.
Im curious about the amercian flyers comment. what is/could be the price, if not the 2995 advertised? I have yet to get a reply from them.
Let know what info you get, I might be interested too!
Good luck
 
I know a guy who spent $7k at AF. He admitted it was a bit higher for him due to several things. The average is around $4-5k. Still not horrible, but it makes me a bit uneasy.

For the Comm SE and ME, Alchemist gave me this a few weeks ago:
http://osaviation.com/
Seems to be a pretty good deal and I have been told they are solid on the cost regardless of what it takes.

Initially I figured I would do this for the CMEL/SE and then go to a CFI school. However, I kind of wanted to finance the whole thing though(Someone revive SteveC). I have the money for alot of this, but because I am quitting my job, I want to keep as much backup cash available for "just in-case moments". I'll pay the loan off pretty quick, after I get established in a CFI job, with what I have left. So anyway, it seems it may be beneficial to do all this stuff in the same place, for financial reasons and probably some other benefits as well.
 
Hello,
ALL ATPS had a comprehensive CFI program that earned you all three ratings in two weeks. I did the program about 6 years ago and found it met all my needs and the price was very afforable. Given the scarcity of instructors, I think that this program offers you an opportunity to be immediatly employed as an instructor with some good incentives.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead
 
LoadMasterC141 said:
I know a guy who spent $7k at AF. He admitted it was a bit higher for him due to several things. The average is around $4-5k. Still not horrible, but it makes me a bit uneasy.

For the Comm SE and ME, Alchemist gave me this a few weeks ago:
http://osaviation.com/
Seems to be a pretty good deal and I have been told they are solid on the cost regardless of what it takes.

Initially I figured I would do this for the CMEL/SE and then go to a CFI school. However, I kind of wanted to finance the whole thing though(Someone revive SteveC). I have the money for alot of this, but because I am quitting my job, I want to keep as much backup cash available for "just in-case moments". I'll pay the loan off pretty quick, after I get established in a CFI job, with what I have left. So anyway, it seems it may be beneficial to do all this stuff in the same place, for financial reasons and probably some other benefits as well.
Click to expand...

Trust me on this one. Go to os aviation to get your se and multi comm. I just came back from there and I couldn't be happier with how things went. Good price, good training, decent plane, great instructor and owner. If you want more info feel free to send me a PM.
 
BE19Pilot said:
Hello,
ALL ATPS had a comprehensive CFI program that earned you all three ratings in two weeks. I did the program about 6 years ago and found it met all my needs and the price was very afforable. Given the scarcity of instructors, I think that this program offers you an opportunity to be immediatly employed as an instructor with some good incentives.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead
Click to expand...

Oh dude you ain't kiddin! This was a no brainer, for me, but then ATP went and DISCONTINUED the initial program and raised the price of II and MEI to the point it is no longer worth it.
 
Pilot84 said:
Trust me on this one. Go to os aviation to get your se and multi comm. I just came back from there and I couldn't be happier with how things went. Good price, good training, decent plane, great instructor and owner. If you want more info feel free to send me a PM.
Click to expand...
How did you pay for it?
 
Pilot84 said:
Trust me on this one. Go to os aviation to get your se and multi comm. I just came back from there and I couldn't be happier with how things went. Good price, good training, decent plane, great instructor and owner. If you want more info feel free to send me a PM.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

C141 - I'll be glad to share my experience on OS as well: it was a good one. I think I put a write up on it here somewhere, maybe checkride central.

Pilot84 - how'd it go down in good ol' Siler City?
 
How did you pay for it?
Click to expand...

Fortunate enough I had some money saved up.


Pilot84 - how'd it go down in good ol' Siler City?
Click to expand...

It went great. Wx was good (although some gusty winds), Oscar very nice guy and so was the examiner. Overall very good experience, worth every penny. Should have done this a long time ago.
 
LoadMasterC141 said:
I am sitting at 227TT, 70+ complex, PPL w/IFR

The time has come for me to expedite completion of my final ratings.
I would like to complete my Commercial SE and ME together and may well have that plan locked now.

Also though, I need to get my CFI, II, and MEI. I was set on American Flyers, and still am interested. What I don't like is that their price is not the $2995 advertised. Rather it could be double that, and it does not include the MEI. No good.

As I will be leaving my job to finish these ratings, I have about 6 total weeks to wrap this up, maybe 2 months total to find a CFI job, before depletion of savings gets too big.

Any reccomendations? I have been searching the web relentlessly, but nothing is popping out. I want a school that is not a "finisher".
Click to expand...

Depending what your situation is here are a few thoughts.... If you are willing to travel I would HIGHLY recommend getting your Comm multi at White Air or possibly an FBO in Indiana I know of called IndyAero (www.indyaero.com). They have a great multi package set up where you could get it for about 2600 I do believe and that includes your checkride and 8.5ME and 1.5 for your checkride.... Anyways that's for your commercial multi.

Now as far as the CFI Courses this is a tough one... I honestly went to ATP for the whole course... They no longer have that course however I was VERY pleased with that course. I was able to get them all for a great set price. I would say maybe doing your II/MEI there would be a great thought. However I would also say that our advertisers would be able to help you out as well. I am sure any of those schools can offer you something and would be more then willing to help you out with your goals.... Anyways if you have any questions about IA give me a hollla... Great place to get your CMEL....
 
Load- I really don't think you need to go to a CFI school. Everything that you need to know to get yourself to a sign off and the three hours in the airplane within 60 days can be done on your own for a fraction of the cost.

We talked a couple months ago, and I told you I was interested in doing a CFI academy (AF, shelbes etc...). Best decision of my flying career was to not go to one of these places and do it on my own.

Are you still close with any of your old instructors, or any current ones? If you are, ask them if you can sit in the back as they teach lessons, and sit in, and eventually help teach ground lessons. I did this for two months, and a ton of self study every night, and i'm ready for my CFI initial in 2 weeks.

To each ones own, and what works for me won't necessarily always work for you, but its something to consider.

If you do decide to do it on your own, then let me recommend the PHAK, AFH, Flight Instructors Handbook and Jepp Private Pilot text. Between these four books, and sitting in on my old instructor, I am ready for my initial ride after about 8 weeks of studying, and my pockets aren't empty!

goodluck
 
I second the above. We met down in Temple several months back. Dude you are the type of guy that will be fine with studying on his own. The CFI stuff is all about knowing the PTS. So grab it, the PHAK, the FOI, and the POH for whaterver AC you'll be using and study every day for the month it will take you to schedule your FSDO ride. Give me a shout if you need any gouge on the Ft. Worth FSDO.
 
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