Riverside Flight Center-Tulsa, OK

A150K

A150K

Well-Known Member
I have a CFI job offer with them and I'm seriously considering it since I'm having a hard time making it as a contractor here at home. Anyone have any recent experience with them? Fleet in generally good condition?Tulsa a bearable town to live in (I've never been there)?
 
Busy place a few years back. I live near Tulsa and I like it but I'm old and boring. It's a busy place and you can make good contacts around the field there as well.
 
Sounds like they're still pretty busy there according to the guy I talked to earlier (director of operations). I think my mind is mostly made up, but I have until Monday to fully decide.
 
Is that different from Christiansen Jet Center and their school, or the same? I've heard that Bill Christiansen is known to be heavy-handed at times, so make sure that he's not trying to turn out their lights.
 
I did all of my training and instructed there and I enjoyed it. All of the planes are maintain well. Bill Christiansen doesn't own or run the place and it's not at the Jet Center. Tulsa is a good town, plenty of apartments near Riverside.
 
Tulsa grows on you. It's a good town. Heck, if it doesn't workout for you there you can always apply at spartan.
 
Is this the one south of Christensen in a pre-fabricated structure of some kind? We used to fly a LOT of trips down there when I was medevacing...always got better service there...didn't care for Christensen so much. People hanging around (at least one CFI) seemed happy enough.
 
Boris Badenov said:
Is this the one south of Christensen in a pre-fabricated structure of some kind? We used to fly a LOT of trips down there when I was medevacing...always got better service there...didn't care for Christensen so much. People hanging around (at least one CFI) seemed happy enough.
Click to expand...
Not sure. Look's like the first day I'll see the place will be my first day working there.
 
I actually am doing CMEL there right now, been here since I started flying. I have to leave to go to Norman during the year for college but whenever I'm back in Tulsa I try and get a rating done. Really good group of guys, (I'm obviously biased though). Pretty busy currently it seems and I know they're looking for instructors. People that work there seem to be happy, some have been there for quite a while. I think most of the planes are leased from Christiansen but they aren't a subsidy or anything like that.
 
desertdog71 said:
I wanna say it was Jay something. I can't remember. We had barbecue in Jenks is about all I can remember.
Click to expand...

Yes sir, that was me. I can't believe that was 7 years ago but it dang sure was.

As for RFC, It is a different school from when I was there. I am sure it is still busy. The planes were generally well maintained but they are older 152/172s. The program is top notch, very high standards and expectations for the students and thus the instructors. They will teach you how they want things taught and from what I remember it was very effective. You will fly a lot! The majority of the student population if foreign and on a time schedule. I am not sure what the flavor of the year is now but it was Indian in the past. The owner was a good guy to work for and helped me out quite a bit. My understanding is he is less involved and a guy named Landon is semi running the show. He is a really good guy. I believe the school has self examining authority and he does the check rides. In the past each instructor "specialized" in a program. In other words, private instructors taught only pre-private and instrument guys only instrument etc. Not sure if this is still the case. RVS is a busy class D airport but they do a good job. As for Tulsa, I am a fan. Downtown has drastically improved in the last several years and people are generally nice. There are some decent places to live in south Tulsa and I believe a newer apartment complex or two to the west of highway 75 near the airport. Good fishing, Golfing, walking/running trails, and casinos in the area. Most importantly a good BBQ joint just down the road in Jenks. Aviation in Tulsa is a little cliquey yet abundant, so if you can get out and meet the right people there are jobs from C-206 to G-3 to be had. Keep us up to date with your decision, best of luck!
 
planejay said:
Yes sir, that was me. I can't believe that was 7 years ago but it dang sure was.

As for RFC, It is a different school from when I was there. I am sure it is still busy. The planes were generally well maintained but they are older 152/172s. The program is top notch, very high standards and expectations for the students and thus the instructors. They will teach you how they want things taught and from what I remember it was very effective. You will fly a lot! The majority of the student population if foreign and on a time schedule. I am not sure what the flavor of the year is now but it was Indian in the past. The owner was a good guy to work for and helped me out quite a bit. My understanding is he is less involved and a guy named Landon is semi running the show. He is a really good guy. I believe the school has self examining authority and he does the check rides. In the past each instructor "specialized" in a program. In other words, private instructors taught only pre-private and instrument guys only instrument etc. Not sure if this is still the case. RVS is a busy class D airport but they do a good job. As for Tulsa, I am a fan. Downtown has drastically improved in the last several years and people are generally nice. There are some decent places to live in south Tulsa and I believe a newer apartment complex or two to the west of highway 75 near the airport. Good fishing, Golfing, walking/running trails, and casinos in the area. Most importantly a good BBQ joint just down the road in Jenks. Aviation in Tulsa is a little cliquey yet abundant, so if you can get out and meet the right people there are jobs from C-206 to G-3 to be had. Keep us up to date with your decision, best of luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks! I've been doing some research on Tulsa and it doesn't seem too bad. Look's like it's about the size of Albuquerque give or take. I spoke to the director of operations, Robbie over the phone (he's the one who offered me the position and who I'll be calling tomorrow). Does that name ring a bell?
 
I used to work at Riverside Jet Center (it was called Roadhouse Aviation then) I was a line guy and flew fire patrol/aerial shots on the side building time.

the owner would always have a pissing contest with Christianson Aviation...it got old pretty fast
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top