Best place to train in USA
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Best place to train in USA
I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good school for CPL/ATP training in the US. Ideally what I'd like is an equivelant to the ATPL(A) APP First Officer training offered by places like Oxford Aviation and CTC Wings ie good reputation for high quality training, established links with airlines.
Cheers,
Andy
Cheers,
Andy
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Only responding as this thread has been dormant a while. AFAIK, there are plenty. A good one I've heard of is Embry-Riddle, but don't know exactly what they offer. I'm under the impression it's a degree course with flying to qualify you to CFI/II and MEI. You can't hold an ATP with less than 1500hrs anyway (including other various requirements)... but I think some schools were hiring people as instructors after training, then into a regional airline. Quite a few other academy's have a pretty bad wrap, and get knocked a lot for only caring about getting their hands on your $$$. People say the same about Oxford/CTC and the like, so it is what it is.
You could also go to a smaller operation, as most can teach everything you'll need anyway. They might not have all the advertising prowess of the shiny, bells and whistles big name "academies", but they will still get you through the training, and possibly be more enjoyable and be of the high standard you want. The "quality of training" at a small "mom & pop" operation may be head and shoulders above that of a much bigger, more expensive outfit.
Do you have the right to work in the US? I had to ask, as this is a big issue in itself, and I'm always keen to speak with other non-US people (foreigners) wanting to work there... as I tried myself and it's not a simple process. If you think (hopefully you don't) that doing a "direct-entry" style course and getting an FO job afterwards in the US, with a US operator, and that doing the training will make it easier to sort the immigration rubbish out, you might be in for a shock. If you have a Green Card OTOH, or a way of getting one, and the funds to do such a course, and want to live/work in the US (many in the Airline industry wouldn't), then go for it.
Sorry I couldn't be of any more help. Try googling ATP schools in the US, and/or degree courses.
You could also go to a smaller operation, as most can teach everything you'll need anyway. They might not have all the advertising prowess of the shiny, bells and whistles big name "academies", but they will still get you through the training, and possibly be more enjoyable and be of the high standard you want. The "quality of training" at a small "mom & pop" operation may be head and shoulders above that of a much bigger, more expensive outfit.
Do you have the right to work in the US? I had to ask, as this is a big issue in itself, and I'm always keen to speak with other non-US people (foreigners) wanting to work there... as I tried myself and it's not a simple process. If you think (hopefully you don't) that doing a "direct-entry" style course and getting an FO job afterwards in the US, with a US operator, and that doing the training will make it easier to sort the immigration rubbish out, you might be in for a shock. If you have a Green Card OTOH, or a way of getting one, and the funds to do such a course, and want to live/work in the US (many in the Airline industry wouldn't), then go for it.
Sorry I couldn't be of any more help. Try googling ATP schools in the US, and/or degree courses.
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ATP Flight School: Airline Pilot Training & Pilot Career Development
If you dont need a 4yr degree, dont spend the money at Riddle. Very expensive.
If you do want a 4 yr degree with the flying, look at Central Texas College
4 year degree and a lot cheaper.
If you dont need a 4yr degree, dont spend the money at Riddle. Very expensive.
If you do want a 4 yr degree with the flying, look at Central Texas College
4 year degree and a lot cheaper.
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I went the FBO route, so I can't speak first-hand about any of the training facilities in which you're interested. I can tell you, however, that any "established link", "hiring agreement" or "preferential interview" setup which any school may claim to have is not worth the paper it's written on - least of all in the current job market. I'm not sure how Oxford or any other academy on that side of the pond may work, but over here, such arrangements disappear at the drop of a hat.
I have worked with several people who worked with Delta Academy and Gulfstream. None of them had anything good to say about those establishments. Embry-Riddle is a respected 4-year degree course, but any talk of them being "the Harvard of the Skies" or "the fast-track to the airline world" is strictly marketing's hot air, often parroted by young pilots with misplaced priorities. Schools like ATP and PanAm seem to specialize in the kind of setup you're looking for, and I haven't heard anything really bad about either. PanAm seems to place more emphasis on international clientele, so they'd be the most likely to know all about the TSA hurdles you'll need to clear.
I have worked with several people who worked with Delta Academy and Gulfstream. None of them had anything good to say about those establishments. Embry-Riddle is a respected 4-year degree course, but any talk of them being "the Harvard of the Skies" or "the fast-track to the airline world" is strictly marketing's hot air, often parroted by young pilots with misplaced priorities. Schools like ATP and PanAm seem to specialize in the kind of setup you're looking for, and I haven't heard anything really bad about either. PanAm seems to place more emphasis on international clientele, so they'd be the most likely to know all about the TSA hurdles you'll need to clear.
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ER
Embry Riddle....wish I had never wasted my money. There are several really good second level aviation colleges out there that have an outstanding aviation program at a fraction of the expense.
ER is a lot like flight safety, youy are paying for a brand name product, not the quality. Shop around and look at the second level University aviation programs. You have more to choose from, more flexibility in your schedule, and very well respected in the industry.
Also, they offer many other degrees fields, while you attain your ratings, that can get you somewhere in life when the industry is down and you are BS Professional Pilot.
Don't get suckered into the ER gimmick. I have had many applicants come through with that stamp that on there resume and can't find their way out
of a bad situation.
ER is a lot like flight safety, youy are paying for a brand name product, not the quality. Shop around and look at the second level University aviation programs. You have more to choose from, more flexibility in your schedule, and very well respected in the industry.
Also, they offer many other degrees fields, while you attain your ratings, that can get you somewhere in life when the industry is down and you are BS Professional Pilot.
Don't get suckered into the ER gimmick. I have had many applicants come through with that stamp that on there resume and can't find their way out
of a bad situation.
