Re: So really... what\'s the deal with the acadamies
Having instructed on both sides of the fence, I think I'm qualified to make a few observations oon the academies vs. FBOs. (Remember that there are some smaller 141 schools at FBOs also. Also, some big schools like ATP are FAR 61, and most academies offer parallel FAR 61 courses.)
The main advantage to the academies offer is total immersion. This is a good route if you are a busy person who has trouble finding time to study at home, or if you have trouble motivating yourself to crack the books or schedule a lesson. I spent two years working for an FBO in college. I inherited a couple of students from the previous CFI. Several of these guys were still students when I left. At the academies, you don't have any excuse for letting something come between you and your licenses. The fact that you paid them a truckload of money is also a motivating factor.
Additionally, the fact that the academies have relationships with airlines can also be helpful when looking for a job. It is not a guarantee that you will find a job though, and it doesn't mean that you won't have to pay your dues. I can say, however, that I would not have my current job if I had not taught at FSA.
Third, the academies have the advantage of consistent quality in instructors. This is due to FAA oversight and strict standardization policies. This is not to say that FBOs don't have some good instructors or that academies don't have some bad ones. Generally, however, most instructors within an academy have similar methods of teaching and use the same syllabus. At an FBO, teaching methods and curriculum may vary widely.
The flip side to that is that many academy instructors may be freshly minted CFIs with little or no teaching experience. It's been my experience that FBO CFIs are much more likely to be seasoned with a lot of teaching experience.
Furthermore, the knowledge level needed for a professional pilot trainee is vastly different from the knowledge level required for a Sunday afternoon pleasure pilot. Both must meet FAA minimums in the PTS, but a prospective professional pilot or CFI needs to go further.
Furthermore, most FBOs specialize in two things: the private license and the instrument rating for single-engine airplanes. A multi- rating or commercial training may be next to impossible to find at an FBO.
My personal recommendation would be to find a good FBO to get a private license and then build some time and experience. If you get this far and like flying, then consider going to an academy for advanced ratings. But don't stop there, talk to people where you fly and ask questions about local schools and instructors.
