Flight training with caeoaa

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

Hi,

I am looking for flight schools in the states to take licences all the way to CPL plus ratings.

I have been looking around including looking for both modular courses and found caeoaa Phoenix to be reasonably priced at around 59K.

Though it's an integrated program it seems comparable to modular learning price wise.

Has anyone trained there and got any comments? Am I missing something since the price of integrated has been touted in this forum as far greater than the modular way?

Thanks in advance.

[GClooney]

No doubt you are looking at the CAE FAA programme in Phoenix (now rebranded Oxford), rather than CAE Oxford EASA integrated, where the foundation flying is in Phoenix...quite different products

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

Yes I am looking at the FAA Program at Phoenix.

I am not based in Europe so I am not interested in the EASA program specifically. Though if there's a good EASA program that comes at the good price I will take it.

And the Oxford EASA program is almost twice the price of the one in Phoenix.

I am mainly comparing across programs in the States as I found the flight training there to be cheaper than anywhere else. No doubt partly due to the large GA community and the weakened dollar.

So at 59K for a FAA Program in Phoenix, is there something I am missing? I have seen some good reviews for Chandler and according their website, for a progression from PPL to CFI(ME) it comes to about the same price.

[pilotchute]

The price (59K) for an FAA CPL ME IR is rather expensive I would have thought. I notice that doesn't include housing. I would also say that there are a few things not covered by that price so its probably a few thousand more.

Now in the US there are only two differences in ab initio training and they have to do with how many hours you require to sit the CPL checkride. There is no such thing as integrated or modular in the FAA system.

Here is a link to a school that I got from google. I have no idea if its any good but look at the price and whats included compared to CAE. There is a big difference. You will notice that it includes everything.

Commercial Pilot Training - Become a Commercial Pilot in Just 13 Weeks! (http://www.sunstateaviation.com/ZERO_start.html)

$46,590 is a lot cheaper.

Or this place for $1000 more and they even include the price of the visa.

Guaranteed 250 hours commercial pilot Program & Flight School | 866-383-2400 | US Aviation Academy | 4850 Spartan Drive, Denton, TX 76207 (http://www.usaviationacademy.com/guaranteed-250-hours-commercial-pilot.php)

There are obviously hundreds more places to choose from so don't think I'm endorsing either of these schools. Just info for you.

Don't believe any of the CAE hype about placement programs or that going to CAE will make you more desirable to an airline. It's just all marketing rubbish.

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

Hi PC,

Thanks for highlighting the other two. Yes, I know there are tons. that's the main problem now actually - too many to choose from and don't know how to tell what's good. And there isn't a good source to find reviews.:ugh:

May I know how long you have been flying and where you got your licence from? Would that be a good place?

[pilotchute]

I haven't been flying for that long (3 years). I didn't do my licence in the US due to a very poor exchange rate but now if I had to do it again I would go to the USA for sure. Licence recognised just about everywhere and much easier to keep current.

As for picking a school, if your prepared to drop 60k on a licence then maybe you should around 2-3k in going to the USA and checking out some schools in person. Pick and area (East or West Coast) and go knocking on doors. If the school is reluctant to let you talk to current students then that is a bad sign. Schools that try to sell jet ratings and all sorts of other add ons telling you it will improve you chances of a job are also ones to stay away from. All you need now is a CPL-ME-IR and if other courses are needed you can do them later.

The closer you are to a big city the more expensive the school will be. Just because a school doesn't have a fleet of 30 aircraft doesn't mean its not as good as one that does. The bigger the school the bigger the price.

Hope that helps.

[GClooney]

Chandler have had a reputation for pumping up the price with "additional" training. Be aware that none of these outfits have a single upfront price that covers everything...except the Oxford EASA programme!

You'd be better off investigating though on forums with more US pilots; this is quite a Europe / HK / Australia - populated site!

[Nphl]

Are you looking to fly for airlines in the States or Singapore after graduating?

[dl_88]

if you are planning to work in SG in the future, you would be better off getting the ratings done here. Best though a cadet program, or else you face alot of issues converting & getting a job here.

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

Yes I am a Singaporean. At the moment, my plans do not specify where I want to fly. I am thinking of getting an FAA licence because of its recognition. Frankly speaking, I am willing to go wherever there is a job. Relocation is not a problem for me.

As previously mentioned, US prices are also way lower than NZ, OZ and EU.

In an ideal situation I would join the cadetship from SIA. Training with a local airline saves tons, not to mention that as a big airline it's a sponsored course. However, as of this morning, SIA has not reopened their cadet program. Also, the SIA cadet program has an upper age limit of 32, which I will be hitting next year. So if SIA doesn't restart their cadet program soon, it will be out of reach for me.

I have also been looking elsewhere for sponsored pilot programs,sadly most of them have citizenship restrictions. Hence I am looking to do it on my own.

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

OAACAE, to the best of my research so far, doesn't have a cadet program that I am eligible for.

STAA is also a self-sponsored program to the tune of 150K SGD, still way more than the US route.

[N5748E]

OAA CAE is pretty good, and they do a private candidate CAAS program. Don't take the FAA route if you can, although you pay less, work will be hard to get as you are gonna be a fish out of water.

[Nphl]

CAEOAA does provide cadetships for Jetstar Asia & Tigerair.

[NovemberWhiskyLima]

Yes they do. But not sponsored. 146. something K.

It's more than I can borrow. and twice as expensive than going to the States.

[FAviator]

I am pretty much in a similar boat as NWL. Is getting an FAA license really that hard to get a job? Or are we looking at working in Singapore itself?

I am planning to get my FAA CPL with Pan Am as all other available self sponsored programmes are a little out of reach for me. If anyone has been through this route do shed more light if you'd please :)

If i am willing to uproot i guess it would open more doors?