So I just finished the professional pilot program here at FSI and can say that I am very pleased with my experience. The quote given to me on my tour was for $44,059.00 from zero-time until multi-engine commercial. I just did the math and found that I finished at $42,167.62. That includes one lesson repeated (couldn't get those short-field landings right away) and 1 extra lesson thrown in to make sure I was ready for one of my checkrides. That includes all ground achools, uniforms, supplies, tests, etc.... There were a few "extra" items that I bought for myself that were not necessary but I wanted to have anyway that I did not include.
Let me also say that I finished at least a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. That includes 4 trips home throughout the program including a 2 week trip for the holidays.
Obviously everybody elses experiences will differ, but as long as you study, work hard, and most of all COME PREPARED to your lessons you will not have any problems. Do not expect anything to be handed to you though, you must earn it!
The biggest money saving tips I can give are this:
1) STUDY....if you come prepared to your briefs and know the material to be covered in the lesson you will not be charged for what is on the syllabus. They usually allow about 1 hour for brief time per lesson, if you only need 15-20 minutes to go over everything, you will only be charged for 15-20 minutes. It's small, but can add up to thousands by the time you are done. This is where you will save the bulk of your money!!!
2) Practice your procedures in the airplane (chair-fly) on the ground. The less time you need to spend in the air going over checklists/procedures, the more time you can work on perfecting your maneuvers.
3) Save the Frasca time for when it is truly important...Step 4B (Approaches). If you can cut off some time throught steps 2-4A it will give you more time in 4B for approaches, holds, simulated X/C's, etc...
4) In steps 2 and 4B, keep your X/C's relatively short so that you can get back early and either work on maneuvers (step 2) or incorporate more approaches (step 4B).
5) This is obvious, but try to not have to repeat any lessons. If you are having trouble getting something it is much cheaper to stay in the air and extend your current lesson than to go back early and have to repeat the entire lesson over again.
6) Gemeni!!! (Ride along on another students lesson) Especially in 4B (approaches). I would also suggest riding with a different instructor when you do this. It can many times give you a different prespective to things and teach you methods your instructor may not employ.
I hope this helps some people.
Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions
Let me also say that I finished at least a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. That includes 4 trips home throughout the program including a 2 week trip for the holidays.
Obviously everybody elses experiences will differ, but as long as you study, work hard, and most of all COME PREPARED to your lessons you will not have any problems. Do not expect anything to be handed to you though, you must earn it!
The biggest money saving tips I can give are this:
1) STUDY....if you come prepared to your briefs and know the material to be covered in the lesson you will not be charged for what is on the syllabus. They usually allow about 1 hour for brief time per lesson, if you only need 15-20 minutes to go over everything, you will only be charged for 15-20 minutes. It's small, but can add up to thousands by the time you are done. This is where you will save the bulk of your money!!!
2) Practice your procedures in the airplane (chair-fly) on the ground. The less time you need to spend in the air going over checklists/procedures, the more time you can work on perfecting your maneuvers.
3) Save the Frasca time for when it is truly important...Step 4B (Approaches). If you can cut off some time throught steps 2-4A it will give you more time in 4B for approaches, holds, simulated X/C's, etc...
4) In steps 2 and 4B, keep your X/C's relatively short so that you can get back early and either work on maneuvers (step 2) or incorporate more approaches (step 4B).
5) This is obvious, but try to not have to repeat any lessons. If you are having trouble getting something it is much cheaper to stay in the air and extend your current lesson than to go back early and have to repeat the entire lesson over again.
6) Gemeni!!! (Ride along on another students lesson) Especially in 4B (approaches). I would also suggest riding with a different instructor when you do this. It can many times give you a different prespective to things and teach you methods your instructor may not employ.
I hope this helps some people.
Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions