The great debate for me has been which FBO to choose to train at. I think, based on the two conversations I just had, I’m even more at a loss for a decision than before. It’s not that I don’t know what’s up, it’s more that I’m not sure which path I want to take.
API:
Talked to Tom in the office and he was more than helpful over the phone. He broke down the costs right away and suggested about $9K for the training. They prefer to schedule the lessons in three hour blocks, which would end up around $350 per lesson. The lessons need to begin between 8a-8p, except as we move into the winter the shorter days will mean earlier lessons. At once a week, I’m looking at $1400 per month, a little steeper than I wanted. But they have Cessna 172’s on the fleet, one with retractable gear. I really enjoyed talking with Tom and he seemed excited that he was about to get his instructors certificate. I think at the moment there are three instructors on staff.
Midway Aviators:
Now, I appreciate it’s a holiday weekend, and a Sunday. But the gent I talked to on the phone didn’t seem to happy to chat with me. Not that he should represent the school in it’s entirety, but it felt like pulling teeth to have a conversation. He kept referencing the website and suggested I go there for more information. (Which I’ve been doing for weeks now…) With that said, they have no ground school and no Cessna’s currently in the fleet. Something about an engine being replaced on theirs. They do have Pipers and the Diamond DA-40’s, which rent at different rates. They offer discounts if you buy a $1k block of lessons, and seem really flexible with their instructor times, as there are 6 instructors on the staff at the present.
I work downtown, a 9-5 gig. I’m trying to determine if the flexibility of scheduling (and cost) at MA beats out the 3 hour lessons on Cessna’s at API. I think I want to learn on a high-wing like the Cessna. Then again, I’ll save significant costs if I don’t have to pay for ground school (MA has none) and do the training on my own. That doesn’t worry me because my HAM ticket was all self study, and I’m sure I can do it.
My next step will be to take an intro ride, most likely at Midway Aviators. Maybe I can schedule that for late July.