Thanks everyone...I am Excited!!!!

[rayray311]

so I spent allll this time researching schools for the last few years. And for the 1st year or so I thought I was going to be picking up my stuff and moving to Florida to go to a academy to do my training. Now after much advice and more thorough research I think I will be going to a small part 61 school in the LA area.

I have visited about 6 schools and met with instructors and went through a complete list of questions the AOPA has on their website that you should ask every school. I am starting to whittle down my choices and getting excited.

Plus I can complete ALL my training in about the same time as the academies. And I can keep a part time job for like 2 days a week and do flight training about 4 days a week. That way I can help my wife with the bills.

I am somewhat old school in the way I was brought up in a southside irish community in Chicago with blue collar families. This seems more my style. So I have spoken with a bunch of veteran CFI's who have made me feel comfortable at some schools. More of a family feel than at an academy I assume.

No dissing the academies at all. i am just glad I am choosing the right path "for me." I must have posted about 15 threads over the last 2 months trying to get advice and opinions. And it was awesome.

Just gettin excited and felt like sayin thanks to everyone who has helped me.

Senior Ray

 

[bunghole]

So Ray...so which school did ya choose? Or at least give us your top three choices if you havent decided yet.

 

[tprops4me]

Good job! Glad you were able to find something.

 

[OnTheFly7]

Way to do that research. It is amazing how much a little research (or a lot) and the advise of people on this board can help.

Good luck with your training, I think you will enjoy it!

 

[akaFlyboy 4]

Good for you. Gives us an update on how things go. The best advise I got early in my PPL was "don't forget you are the customer, they are working for you." Of coarse during ground shool and actually flight lessons let them be tough on you it will make you a displined pilot, IMO.

Enjoy

 

[mooneyguy]

Thats Great, Now get with it, and stick to it!!! I started flying about 7 years ago, but didnt really decide to switch careers until about 1 year ago(at age 38, 39 now). Since then I have picked up about 150 hours flight time, and I'm 4 training days (OCT 18) from my IR check ride! I was not able to go the academy route myself and am limited to about two days a week for flying, but im getting there! I hope to have the commercial by the end of november!
IT can get tough, just hang in there and slowly step by step you will see the pieces start comming together!
Good Luck!!! and keep us posted on your progress!!!

 

[PGT]

Congrats. Let the fun begin. I've been reading your posts and have been curious to see what you were going to pick.

 

[MarkE]

Congrats Ray. I can't wait to hear about your first flight lesson!

 

[rayray311]

So Ray...so which school did ya choose? Or at least give us your top three choices if you havent decided yet.

Well I went and visited with about 6 schools in the LA Area at Santa Monica Airport, Van Nuys Airport and talked to a few at Whiteman.

I went twice to Justice Aviation at Santa Monica and got to meet the manager, the owner and 3 cfi's. I really like it there. Seem like a down to earth group of people with a solid fleet and training staff. Lots of planes and instructors. Good group of veteran instructors too. www.justiceaviation.com

I am just waiting to improve my credit a little bit more before I apply for the loan. Think I'm gonna wait about 6 months and try.

But I havn't made my exact choice yet. I just like those guys so far.

2 years of research coming close to an end. ahhhh

 

[tprops4me]

Is that average for what people are paying per hour in California? Wow! I guess my rates here in Michigan are not that bad after all. Looks like a good place. Get that credit fixed and hit it. Remember that loans suck, but if you have your plan in place be sure to stick to it.

 

[falconvalley]

Cool. Glad you're taking a serious look at part 61 schools. If you find the right one, you can do this just as fast, for alot cheaper. Enjoy the ride!

 

[ClearedForOption]

Well I went and visited with about 6 schools in the LA Area at Santa Monica Airport, Van Nuys Airport and talked to a few at Whiteman.

I went twice to Justice Aviation at Santa Monica and got to meet the manager, the owner and 3 cfi's. I really like it there. Seem like a down to earth group of people with a solid fleet and training staff. Lots of planes and instructors. Good group of veteran instructors too. www.justiceaviation.com

I am just waiting to improve my credit a little bit more before I apply for the loan. Think I'm gonna wait about 6 months and try.

But I havn't made my exact choice yet. I just like those guys so far.

2 years of research coming close to an end. ahhhh

Hey RayRay... I used to freelance out of Santa Monica Aviation @ SMO... give me a ring, (click on my web link in my sig and my # is under the contact section) or drop me a PM and I can give you the skinny on all the schools in the area.

Rich