Right then . . .
If we’re going to have heart-warming plugs like the above post, it’s only fair to mention the flip side as well.
As well organised and popular as NAC undoubtedly are, they are not invulnerable - as yours truly and several other punters found out around 11 months ago (February 20th 2003 to be precise).
Fact: one of the biggest and bestest flight schools in Florida was shut down at a few hours’ notice by the state authorities, leaving them in limbo, and many students’ plans in tatters. The fact that they had been recommended by just about anyone who had ever been there counted for absolutely nothing. If you want the full story, do a search – you’ll find chapter and verse on the subject.
My advice to anyone considering any form of flying training in the USA (or anywhere else for that matter) is not to be dazzled by a company’s reputation, and to make sure they have a very good plan ‘B’ in case said company falls over at the worst possible moment. Otherwise, you may find yourself sat in a hotel 5,000 miles from home, having incurred sizeable fixed costs just to get there, with no-one to fly with and nothing but American cable TV to keep you company. And you wouldn’t want that now, would you?