Please let me know about FSA..

ATP is a good school, but they have you get all your ratings in a very short time, probably 4 months including private. Since English is not your native language, I would not advise this. You would probably learn a lot more if you had more time. FSA also has ground schools for each rating that are from 2 to 4 weeks long. This would probably be better given your situation. It would also be a big question whether Asiana would accept safety pilot time (at ATP when people are building time, one pilot flies with a view limiting device (hood) and another pilot is used to watch for traffic. Both pilots log the time, which is legal, but some airlines don't like this.)

I think you will find that when you look at other comparable schools, that FSA is cost competitive. Sierra Academy, Delta Connection Academy, Embry-Riddle and the other big academy type schools are all quite expensive.

As for the e-mail to FSA, If you just sent them this week, you may have to wait a while longer. Most people are not around over the Holidays. What I would advise is to wait until after January 1st and give them a call. You should not have to talk to them for that long. Just give them your address and they will mail you some information and get someone's personal e-mail that you can communicate with. Spending a few dollars now on the phone is nothing compared to what you will be spending, so I would not worry too much about a few phone calls.

As for the wife and kid, I know of at least one student who brought his wife from Iceland and who worked as an instructor, so you may want to bring the family with you if you can afford to. I left my wife in another state and only saw her a few times the first year I was at FSA, so it is doable, but it is hard.
 
Even though I don't know well, after I read ATP web, I think ATP isn't better than FSA just for me. But I think it is necessary to reiceive the information from ATP.

I sent email FSA on Dec. 22th for the first time. Moreover my friend tried to contact FSA before I do, but result is the same. If I couldn't get reply after Jan. 1st, I will talk on the line like ananoman's advice. After I searched, I could realize major academys(Sierra Academy, Delta Connection Academy, Embry-Riddle and etc..) will cost me a lot just like FSA(I roughly know it). But if there is no big gap in comparison with the others, I will go FSA.

I am sure FSA knows very well the fact to help me to Asiana air pilot. And I never forget your advice. Hopefully, I want you to certainly realize your vision. Thank you.
 
intern_mike said:
I visited the school about two weeks ago and got an extremely comprehensive tour. I've been meaning to post about my visit so here goes.

I arrived at noon to find my name on the welcome sign and a current student ready to show me around. We started at the classrooms in one of the main buildings. I found them to be very large and modern with nice projectors in each.

Next we moved to another large building which housed the flight shop, restaurant, two HUGE level-D simulators, library, and instructor and administrative offices. Again everything here was very clean and new. One thing that really impressed me was the availability of resources available to the students. The library has a huge selection of flying related DVD's and literature as well as computers. There was also a separate room in the library with around 10 computer simulators. These had multi-engine controls and rudder pedals. These basic simulators were available to all students at any time. An excellent resource to help you practice/prepare for any ratings or tests.

Our third stop was the flight building, which had many pre/post flight rooms with weather computers and a separate simulator room. This building was right on the flight line. I found most of the students hanging out in this building. The sims in this building were very impressive as well. They were all IFR projector sims where your instructor acts as ATC. There were about 8 of these. Again, very nice.

Next we checked out the flight line. All of the aircraft are Pipers. They are all IFR and very well maintained. I couldn't believe how many planes they had, nearly 100. They also had 2 Zlin 252's fully aerobatic aircraft that I was told required you to wear a parachute! Yeikes!

We then made our way to the maintenance hanger which was super clean. They hold each aircraft to a 60-hour inspection that is 40 hours less than the FAA requires. Again very nice, very clean, very professional.

Our next stop was the on campus housing. This was less than impressive. The main dorms were old and dingy, kind of like an 80's motel. The 3 bedroom apartments were not much better and very small. There was also only one bathroom. The bungalows were plain, expensive, and lacked a kitchen. The only nice apartments were so expensive, you'd be better off finding a place off campus. One good thing is that you are only charged per night. My advice is to live on campus for a few months, make some friends and move out with them.

Finally, we met with one of the schools financial people to talk prices. For a student like me, with zero time, the cost up to CFI, CFII, MEI was quoted around $65,000. The basic training up to CFI should take around 10 months, definitely no more than 1 year. Then another month for your CFI. If you sign an 800-hour CFI contract with the school they will refund you a good part of your CFII and MEI, I think like $4,000. Instructors can expect to make $1200 to $1500 every 2 weeks.

I was very impressed with the quality of the school. The student who gave me the tour was very honest and upfront about everything and didn't sugarcoat. In short, you get what you pay for. I highly recommend FSA and from what I was told and saw they had an excellent placement rate for their instructors. Usually, mins were met after about a year. I plan to start my training in February. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Reading your post brings back some great memories. The academy is pretty sweet. You are correct about the dorms though. I would suggest off campus housing with a roomate. you can find one very easily by asking around.

The training is some of the best I have experienced. I hope you enjoy your time there if you choose to attend...

ILS
 
I have not received reply which includes cost outline from FSA yet. So, I don't have exact information of housing cost. According to kind calebflyer40, rental cost is $850 including electricity and tap water cost per month. But it will make me to go bankrupt. I'd really like to live inside FSA even though outside housing is more cheaper.

Questions;
1. Is there another type of accommodation more cheaper or the cheapest in FSA? If so, how much does it cost?(I will be satisfied, if there is bathroom and worn-out bed)

2. How many students can stay at a housing? I mean it is possible to pay the housing cost with partners.

3. How much does a meal of the cafeteria in FSA? Or, Can I cook in housing if it is more cheaper than eating out?

4. Although live inside FSA, certainly need a car? I don't want to waste money on gas, tax, etc...

5. Please recommend the most reasonable accommodation in FSA from your experience.

Your prompt and detailed response will be really appreciated.
 
I don't know what the current housing prices at FSA are, but there were several options. The cheapest was sharing a dorm room similar to a hotel room with another student. The Bungalows were probably the most expensive. Even though the housing is not cheap, it has the advantage that you pay by the day. So, you can leave at any time with almost no notice and no penalty.

My advise is to go stay in the cheapest FSA housing available, then try to find someone to share an apartment with.

When I went to FSA back in 2000, the dorms were about $540 per month per student. I lived in one of these for about 6 weeks, then moved. Three of us ended up getting a 3 bedroom apartment close to FSA for $750 per month. I got the master bedroom with it's own bathroom and paid $280, the other two guys each had their own room upstairs and shared a bathroom for $240 per month. Throw in another $70 for all the utilities, phone, cable and it was pretty cheap. We also had a full kitchen and were able to buy some old furniture from second hand stores.

The Cafe is reasonable, but I would not want to eat there all the time. The cheapest dorms do not have cooking facilities. Some of the FSA apartments had kitchen facilities. You can definitely save money if you eat in your apartment.

One of my roommates was from Italy and he did not have a car. He bought a bicycle and was able to get around pretty good. He rode all over and never had too many problems. Just try to live close. If your roommates have cars, they can probably take you shopping for food once a week when they go.

In addition to finding roommates and renting together, there are also other houses/apartments in the area where local people will rent a room. The other option is to find an existing group of students or instructors who need to replace a roommate who is leaving. Since students are always leaving FSA when they are done with their training, you can probably find some people looking for a roommate. This is what we did. In a very short time, all three of the instructors who lived in the apartment we moved into left. Usually they will leave most of the furniture as well, so this helps.
 
Dear ananoman,
I am really appreciative of your advice very much!! I will follow your path. Can I find my roommates on this fourum, even though my conversation is not good? Anyway I will consider to buy bicycle for saving money. How long would it takes me by bicycle from apartment to FSA?

Thank you in advance
 
It all depends on how far away you live. I would try to stay as close as possible. I doubt you could find roommates on here, there are really not that many FSA people on here, but you never know. Sometimes people who have rooms to rent list them on a bulletin board in the Administration building (at least they used to).
 
Dear all,

I could get the information from FSA. Thanks all who gave me advice.

but I have another problem. In order to attend FSA, it is necessary to get the TOEFL score. I see, I can do whatever I can to attend FSA. But I don't have time to take a test. In Korea, all seats are already reserved until March. I have to leave for USA on March. Before leaving, I never get the score.

Can you all recommend another school which doesn't require TOEFL score as the best as FSA??

Price is important but training quality is more important. Please let me know the flight academy which train with the best quality and reasonable price. And The academy can issue the I-20 for foreigner.

Thank you,
 
Requiring you to take the TOEFL is for your benefit. If you can't 'read, speak and understand' English, you can't get your pilot's license.
 
Call FSA back and ask them if they're able to help you take the test here. If you're confident that you'll pass, then you should be able to take it here and begin your training shortly afterwards. I believe there are places that offer the test online also....someone there should know where you can take the test....good luck
 
Thank you for your advice. I have a 810 TOEIC score. According to ETS designed TOEFL and TOEIC, my score can convert into a 570 TOEFL score which is over the limit of FSA. I contacted with representative of admissions again to ask him wheather my score instead of TOEFL score can apply to FSA admission process or not. As a result of it, I could get the negative response.

As you mentioned, I've realized it is very important to speak and listen in English, so I will always try to improve my English conversation skill.

But I have no time to wait to register TOEFL test.

If you know the school as good as FSA, Please let me know.

Thank you in advance.
 
"If you know the school as good as FSA, Please let me know"

Give this place a try. They do a lot of foreign pilot training at an old bomber base in California. Also, there are is a forum for them at JC and flyguy works there.

http://www.sierraacademy.com/
 
DE727UPS, Thank you very much!!

Unfortunately, Even in Korea, Sierra academy is notorious for unfair president. In addition, The some instructors and managers are biased against students. I heard from some people who were trained in Sierra that they focus on just money. I don't trust all of the story. But There may be the truth. Surely, The training is fairly good.

I am still waiting for help of expert on the field of the aviation academy....

Thank you,
 
DE727UPS said:
"If you know the school as good as FSA, Please let me know"

Give this place a try. They do a lot of foreign pilot training at an old bomber base in California. Also, there are is a forum for them at JC and flyguy works there.

http://www.sierraacademy.com/
Click to expand...

Hey Don, I know you have it out for FSA but if you are going to recommend a school other than FSA, please try to recommend one that is at the same level. Apples to apples.... Sierra has has lots of issues in the past. I have not cruised their forum in awhile, but experience tells me that when a school has developed a bad rep, they usually do not shake it. Just look at Westwind...

Remember this guy?
http://www.sierraacademy.150m.com/sierra.html


ILS
 
ILS, even current FSA guys see there are other routes to success that equal FSA. Do we have to go over all this again....

Personally, I'm not a fan of the big academy route so there is no point in naming names. I already mention that Flyguy is a CFI at Sierra's Atwater school. If enthusiast78 wants more info, he can PM him.
 
Thank you ILS for link, his experience makes me keep awake.

I am absolutely not interested in Sierra Academy as I mentioned. How about Comair (Delta connection academy)? This school can accept the TOEIC score. Can the Comair is affordable to compare with FSA?
 
Comair is not even comparable to FSA or any other flight school. we don't recommend them.
 
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