Skymates?? Should I??

B

BFG767

New Member
After reading JC for what seems like an eternity, I'll jump into the mix with a first post.

I've been looking for a school to do the pro pilot thing for a while and it seems that Skymates has a good deal going. Plus being somewhat near family in Colorado (closer than schools in Florida), I like it already.

A few questions are:
1. Is the 50 XC PIC req. still applied? (I have about 30 last time I checked)
2. How much of the time is in a Sim?
3. Is the housing decent?
4. What is the Arlington area like to live in?
5. What is the management like?

Enough pesky questions for you all. I apologize if these questions overlap a previeous post. I just was looking for some fresh answers.

Thanks all!

BFG
 
BFG767 said:
After reading JC for what seems like an eternity, I'll jump into the mix with a first post.

I've been looking for a school to do the pro pilot thing for a while and it seems that Skymates has a good deal going. Plus being somewhat near family in Colorado (closer than schools in Florida), I like it already.

A few questions are:
1. Is the 50 XC PIC req. still applied? (I have about 30 last time I checked)
2. How much of the time is in a Sim?
3. Is the housing decent?
4. What is the Arlington area like to live in?
5. What is the management like?

Enough pesky questions for you all. I apologize if these questions overlap a previeous post. I just was looking for some fresh answers.

Thanks all!

BFG
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1. Yes, 50 XC PIC is required as per the FAR's to take the instrument and the commercial rides

2. You can spend as much or as little time in the sim as you want if you taylor your own program. I spent a few hours in it, and others choose to use it more. I imagine you will use it as much as you can gain use out of it. It's a good sim and has it's uses and the instructors know that.

3. Housing is cool, unless you have to kick it with Kellwolf (KIDDING!)

4. Arlington is alright. I hate Texas, but I'd go back there to instruct if I had the chance to tell you the truth. There are worse places to be in the world.

5. Luca is the sh*t. He does not screw around with anything and bends over backwards to make sure things get taken care of. I can't say enough good things about the guy. Ryan holds down a decent part of the shop too (he was also my instructor) and again, makes sure things get taken care of.

If you've got questions, read this first, then PM me...

http://www.johnherreshoff.com/blog
 
Were you not given a shot to instruct at Skymates? Or were there no open positions when you were done? j/w
 
Naw, I am finishing up my last semester at Western Michigan University is all. I had to get back to Michigan to complete my degree.
 
The school is second to none. Awesome staff/management, good housing, good people all around. Completely honest and just good good good. Did i mention the school is awesome?

I left for Texas in December of 04, about a year ago (good math eh?). It was perfect temperature (ok, so i came from the North and drove through snowstorms to get there...but it reeally was good wx by anyones standards), good blue skies, good people, good planes. yep.


I must say though, that the owner of the housing threw out my potatoes! Public Service Announcement to texans...Potatoes are small brown little things grown in the ground and you can eat them. Just because they are growing roots does not mean they are bad!

;]
 
Keep in mind that we also offer the 141 track now as well, in which case the 50 hrs x-c PIC is not necessary for the checkride.
 
Propilot said:
The school is second to none. Awesome staff/management, good housing, good people all around. Completely honest and just good good good. Did i mention the school is awesome?

I left for Texas in December of 04, about a year ago (good math eh?). It was perfect temperature (ok, so i came from the North and drove through snowstorms to get there...but it reeally was good wx by anyones standards), good blue skies, good people, good planes. yep.


I must say though, that the owner of the housing threw out my potatoes! Public Service Announcement to texans...Potatoes are small brown little things grown in the ground and you can eat them. Just because they are growing roots does not mean they are bad!

;]
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Thanks for the info. I'm looking for a laid back yet professional place to train. The place I received my PPL in Colorado (McAir) was second to none, so a place that keeps high standards would be great. Skymates is sounding more and more like the place to get 'r' done.

BFG
 
When you thinking about starting down at Skymates? Wish ya the best of luck and if you could keep me posted on your progess. I am looking foward to visiting sometime shortly and let alone going to Skymates in Janurary of 2007 after I graduate college! I cant wait but keep us posted!
 
done that.

Several years ago I had the same decision to make. Without any thought I would chose Skymates if I had to do it over again. I instructed at several places and Skymates was by far the best. I think the thing that sets Skymates apart from the rest is the atmosphere. If you have read the previous posts on this place there are a lot of people that have great things to say. (some of them are inside jokes but yoiu get the point) Luca and Ryan are what make Skymates what it is. There is no other flight school that you can get such a personal touch. Trust your gut and make the wise choice.



Hank
 
If you don't have the money or time to visit a few school to see,and compare, first hand what you think,then I would STRONGLY suggest spending your training dollar at Skymates.

Luca runs an extremely professional operation!!!! (What he is doing is true example of a good businessman) And just as important the employees are empowered to take care of the customers if any minor mix up's take place.
You will be dealt with honestly and with respect at every turn.

Fair prices,

The facilities are first rate,Clean and well equipped class rooms. Great Sim,very effective schedualing system,On site "Razor Grade",Extremely well stocked pilot shop.
Plenty of tables and chairs to plan your stuff and prep as needed.Flight planning area,etc.

You may not appreciated that last point until you see some other options that are out there.

Mechanic's run a tight ship.

Arlington has anything you could want as a visitor for a few months,Every possible store and restaurant you can imagine.

The airport environment is hassle free,lots of different approaches and airspace close by.

Realizing my post could be accused of being from an insider I assure you its not, I am simply a customer that reccomends this place highly!!!

On the down side,..man, This place is flat :)
 
I did my instrument and multi/single commercial at Skymates and I had a blast. I came down from Ohio with about 50 hours and in four weeks I had my instrument (utilizing the simulator some); and about seven weeks later I had my multi and commercial ratings with 100 hours of multi time. I met a lot of great people there and had some adventures flying all over the south. The owner has an excellent business ethic and will help you with any problems that you may have. You pay as you go (unlike some schools that rob you and then maybe give you something for your money), plus they will train you as fast or slow as you like.

The only negatives that come to mind are the smog/pollution of the Dallas/Ft. Worth/Arlington metropolis, but I am from hickville where the only air pollution is the smell of cow crap.

The housing is cheap, but the last two weeks I was there some guy moved in that was dating his daughter (or at least that is how he introduced her) and I probably could have made some money if I had a video camera
 
Pfactor8 said:
The housing is cheap, but the last two weeks I was there some guy moved in that was dating his daughter (or at least that is how he introduced her) and I probably could have made some money if I had a video camera
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I think they're the only ones in that house right now, too. BTW, we have a CFI instructor, so you can come back now. :)
 
Skymates is great so far. I finished up my commercial in 3.5 days. Before I got here I was envisioning some disorganized small fbo with good people and instructiong. It turns out its actually one of the most professional places I have ever trained at.

The location is great as far as training goes. Lots of variety when it comes to the operations on the filed (I parked the arrow between Falcon 200's now and then), good busy airspace experience but close to good practice areas, and a variety of wx as I'm finding out today. The new sim kicks a$$! I was doing a single engine ILS in it using real world weather and my windshield got cracked from hail. Most important is great people, management and instruction.

As far as Arlington, I wouldn't know from anywhere else. I've been living and breathing aviation since I got here. There are lots of restaurants nearby and a movie theatre that has a full bar and brings food to you (including 38 oz. mugs of beer).
 
BrettInLJ said:
There are lots of restaurants nearby and a movie theatre that has a full bar and brings food to you (including 38 oz. mugs of beer).
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Brett... I friggin' live here and didn't know about that place! Where is it?

Bob
 
You're kidding, right? It's one exit west of your friggin house! :)

Movie Tavern behind the Hooters on Green Oaks. We're probably gonna wind up going about once a week or so. You can't beat $6 re-fills on your 38oz beer mug.
 
Dude... seriously... didn't know it was there! LOL! But hey now... cut me some slack... wasn't I the one that told you about the free beer at Hooters! :)

OK... here's another for ya... at least as of last week. The new restaurant at GKY between ATP and the new hangars is also offering free beer... until they get their liquor license!

Bob
 
Captain_Bob said:
Dude... seriously... didn't know it was there! LOL! But hey now... cut me some slack... wasn't I the one that told you about the free beer at Hooters! :)

OK... here's another for ya... at least as of last week. The new restaurant at GKY between ATP and the new hangars is also offering free beer... until they get their liquor license!

Bob
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There is also a pretty cute waitress there also.:)

I didn't know about that movie theater either!
 
Ahh, the Movie Tavern.
There could be no finer place for such beer-soaked offerings as Team America or Old School.
Not so great for scary movies or high drama though.
"And the murderer was..."
"SHAY MAIN! Kin Ah git annuder Keers Laight ova hurra??"
<roll credits>
 
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