Hey all. I'm getting back in the saddle after not flying for nearly 15 years and I'm interested in how you all would approach what I'm facing regarding an instruct/place to train.
I have my commercial and instrument and looking to get my flight review and IPC done before moving on to get my CFI. I found a club at an airport roughly 45 minutes from me with really good rates for both planes and instructor. There only 2 full time instructors and the only one who has an opening is an old fella who I have nothing against, but just rubbed me the wrong way from the word go. He never flew jets or turbo props and has been instructing since the 70's. He tends to throw dirt on the other instructor, but whatever. I'm supposed to start flying with him next week, but just his tone and attitude pushes me away.
Unfortunately the planes certainly show their age. They are pretty beat up and some people have said the maintenance is okay at best, but they stay there because the rates are cheap. Their 182RG has been out of service for 6 months. He told me right off the bat there will not be an ipad in the plane. The planes are not GPS equipped (there goes my enthusiasm for doing RNAV approaches, and my wife bought me an iPad for my birthday). I brought up the ADS-B and he said it's for the birds and he'll quit flying when that day comes. I don't disagree with learning how to fly by the 6 pack and looking out the windows, but today's technology can really help us pilots make better decisions faster if trained correctly.
I'm 37 and I told him my intentions are to get my CFI and CFII and eventually go corporate or maybe a regional. His response, "Good luck with that, I don't see it happening". This was after 10 minutes of first meeting him.
There is an FBO closer to me and the Chief Instructor is a former 767 captain and a guy who you could sit at the airport and talk aviation with until the cows come home. He told me to shoot for the stars because it is certainly possible. Really nice aircraft that are all GPS equipped and the instructors are all super nice. Unfortunately, their rates are much higher.
At this point I'm tempted to pay more for a guy who supports what I'm working towards than some grumpy instructor who does not have much respect for anyone else.
Anyone ever been in this spot? Cheap rates, beat up airplanes, and an instructor who seems to not even want you there. Or more expensive rates, nice airplanes, and instructors who have a passion for what they do.
I have my commercial and instrument and looking to get my flight review and IPC done before moving on to get my CFI. I found a club at an airport roughly 45 minutes from me with really good rates for both planes and instructor. There only 2 full time instructors and the only one who has an opening is an old fella who I have nothing against, but just rubbed me the wrong way from the word go. He never flew jets or turbo props and has been instructing since the 70's. He tends to throw dirt on the other instructor, but whatever. I'm supposed to start flying with him next week, but just his tone and attitude pushes me away.
Unfortunately the planes certainly show their age. They are pretty beat up and some people have said the maintenance is okay at best, but they stay there because the rates are cheap. Their 182RG has been out of service for 6 months. He told me right off the bat there will not be an ipad in the plane. The planes are not GPS equipped (there goes my enthusiasm for doing RNAV approaches, and my wife bought me an iPad for my birthday). I brought up the ADS-B and he said it's for the birds and he'll quit flying when that day comes. I don't disagree with learning how to fly by the 6 pack and looking out the windows, but today's technology can really help us pilots make better decisions faster if trained correctly.
I'm 37 and I told him my intentions are to get my CFI and CFII and eventually go corporate or maybe a regional. His response, "Good luck with that, I don't see it happening". This was after 10 minutes of first meeting him.
There is an FBO closer to me and the Chief Instructor is a former 767 captain and a guy who you could sit at the airport and talk aviation with until the cows come home. He told me to shoot for the stars because it is certainly possible. Really nice aircraft that are all GPS equipped and the instructors are all super nice. Unfortunately, their rates are much higher.
At this point I'm tempted to pay more for a guy who supports what I'm working towards than some grumpy instructor who does not have much respect for anyone else.
Anyone ever been in this spot? Cheap rates, beat up airplanes, and an instructor who seems to not even want you there. Or more expensive rates, nice airplanes, and instructors who have a passion for what they do.
