Flight Training in Phoenix Arizona area
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Denver, Co. usa
Take an AC with you. 115 degress F. in not uncommon. Tuscon further south is actually cooler. Phoenix also has high humidity due to the irrigation of crops. In other words, Are you sure you have to go there in the Summer ? <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 605
Likes: 10
From: UK
Lovely place, though, lovely place. And despite the irrigation, don't forget: "It's a dry heat..." <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Try <a href="http://www.airnav.com/airport/FFZ/ARIZONA_AVIATION" target="_blank">Arizona Aviation</a> at Mesa Falcon Field.
Or for aerobatics (Great Lakes - Great Fun) try Chandler Air Services: <a href="http://www.aerobatics.com/" target="_blank">Here</a>. They rent Super Cubs, too.
[ 12 February 2002: Message edited by: BossEyed ]</p>
Try <a href="http://www.airnav.com/airport/FFZ/ARIZONA_AVIATION" target="_blank">Arizona Aviation</a> at Mesa Falcon Field.
Or for aerobatics (Great Lakes - Great Fun) try Chandler Air Services: <a href="http://www.aerobatics.com/" target="_blank">Here</a>. They rent Super Cubs, too.
[ 12 February 2002: Message edited by: BossEyed ]</p>
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Southern England
I flew a number of years ago in the Phoenix area and found the folks at Glendale airfield very friendly and helpful. They operated various Piper aircraft. I flew a couple of their Archers, very clean aircraft and they had air-conditioning - absolutely essential during the summer in the Valley of the Sun.
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
What A Loop,
What exactly are you trying to acheive while you're out there? If you're just looking for dirt-cheap flying, there are plenty of schools in the Phoenix area. But if you don't mind paying a little bit more (although still way less than you'd ever pay in the UK!) then I recommend <a href="http://www.aerobatics.com" target="_blank">Chandler Air Service</a>.
I've just returned from spending 8 weeks out there, and logged around 100 hours. The initial reason I chose C.A.S. was the range of aircraft. They have 2 Super Cubs, which is what I did around 1/2 my hours on. Plenty of Warriors and a couple of Cessnas of course. There's also an Archer if you want a bit more power, an Arrow if you want to do a complex check-out, a Cessna (182 I think?) for a high-performance check-out, and they've just got a new aircraft, but I can't remember what it is, which is both complex and high-performance. Or, if you've got a commercial license and 500 hours total time, you can rent an Aztec. Even if you don't meet the requirements, you can still do what I did, and get some dual time on the Aztec. They also have an Aviat Huskey, if you want a taildragger with a bit more power.
I guess from your name that you're interested in aerobatics? C.A.S. have several Great Lakes bi-planes which they use for basic aerobatic training, and which you can rent after completing the 15-hour course as long as you hae 175 hours total time. (If you don't want to rent, you can do all the aerobatics in 10 hours - the other 5 hours is learning to land!) And then, if your wallet is still a little full, you can fly one of the two Pitts Specials (dual only, unfortunately!) to see what real aerobatics is like!
It was the list of aircraft that caught my attention, but when I spoke to them on the phone I was very impressed with their attitude. Their tail-wheel sign-off not only includes 3-pointers (which I could already do) and wheel-landings (which I wanted to learn anyway), you also have to be able to fly short approaches (full aileron into the turn, full opposite rudder, for one long, slipping turn from downwind to final), and my own favourite, fast-taxying on one wheel (relatively easy in a cross-wind, but they'll make you do it with no cross-wind, too!) They say that if you can do the one-wheel taxying, you'll never have a problem landing a taildragger in any cross-wind.
Like I said, this isn't the cheapest way to fly. You'll probably find cheaper rental rates in the US. And if you're interested in tail-wheel, for example, the check-out will take longer than it will at most places. But you'll be a far better pilot at the end of it!
I can also recommend some good cross-country trips for you - Phoenix isn't the most interesting place in the world, but it's within flying distance of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon.....
Feel free to contact me off-list if you want more information. My e-mail address is [email protected]
Despite this ad, I have no financial interest in C.A.S. except for being a satisfied customer with a wallet that's much lighter now than it was 3 months ago!
FFF. .-----------
[ 14 February 2002: Message edited by: FlyingForFun ]</p>
What exactly are you trying to acheive while you're out there? If you're just looking for dirt-cheap flying, there are plenty of schools in the Phoenix area. But if you don't mind paying a little bit more (although still way less than you'd ever pay in the UK!) then I recommend <a href="http://www.aerobatics.com" target="_blank">Chandler Air Service</a>.
I've just returned from spending 8 weeks out there, and logged around 100 hours. The initial reason I chose C.A.S. was the range of aircraft. They have 2 Super Cubs, which is what I did around 1/2 my hours on. Plenty of Warriors and a couple of Cessnas of course. There's also an Archer if you want a bit more power, an Arrow if you want to do a complex check-out, a Cessna (182 I think?) for a high-performance check-out, and they've just got a new aircraft, but I can't remember what it is, which is both complex and high-performance. Or, if you've got a commercial license and 500 hours total time, you can rent an Aztec. Even if you don't meet the requirements, you can still do what I did, and get some dual time on the Aztec. They also have an Aviat Huskey, if you want a taildragger with a bit more power.
I guess from your name that you're interested in aerobatics? C.A.S. have several Great Lakes bi-planes which they use for basic aerobatic training, and which you can rent after completing the 15-hour course as long as you hae 175 hours total time. (If you don't want to rent, you can do all the aerobatics in 10 hours - the other 5 hours is learning to land!) And then, if your wallet is still a little full, you can fly one of the two Pitts Specials (dual only, unfortunately!) to see what real aerobatics is like!
It was the list of aircraft that caught my attention, but when I spoke to them on the phone I was very impressed with their attitude. Their tail-wheel sign-off not only includes 3-pointers (which I could already do) and wheel-landings (which I wanted to learn anyway), you also have to be able to fly short approaches (full aileron into the turn, full opposite rudder, for one long, slipping turn from downwind to final), and my own favourite, fast-taxying on one wheel (relatively easy in a cross-wind, but they'll make you do it with no cross-wind, too!) They say that if you can do the one-wheel taxying, you'll never have a problem landing a taildragger in any cross-wind.
Like I said, this isn't the cheapest way to fly. You'll probably find cheaper rental rates in the US. And if you're interested in tail-wheel, for example, the check-out will take longer than it will at most places. But you'll be a far better pilot at the end of it!
I can also recommend some good cross-country trips for you - Phoenix isn't the most interesting place in the world, but it's within flying distance of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon.....
Feel free to contact me off-list if you want more information. My e-mail address is [email protected]
Despite this ad, I have no financial interest in C.A.S. except for being a satisfied customer with a wallet that's much lighter now than it was 3 months ago!
FFF. .-----------
[ 14 February 2002: Message edited by: FlyingForFun ]</p>
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Paros, Greece
BossEyed - flown with Arizona Aviation recently then? I've just booked a few hours with them in early March. Never flown in US before so not quite sure what to expect. Email me if you don't mind giving me some advice. Thanks.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 605
Likes: 10
From: UK
Knobby,
I last flew with AA in November '99 - seems much more recently than that. I've rented 172s, 152s (inc. Aerobat) and their lovely red Aeronca Champ, and they've about 25 hours of my money!
The aircraft aren't new, and some can be a bit tatty around the edges. In fact they are probably equivalent to a consituent of the average UK club fleet! <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> However, they do the job and the prices (certainly then) were very reasonable indeed. $58/Hobbs hour for the 172, $33/hr for the Champ. Instruction (e.g. for a Biennial) was about $20/hr IIRC.
Take your own headset, and yoke mounted PTT if you're flying the 152s. You can rent them from AA, but if you're doing more than a few hours then your own will probably work out cheaper.
Get a thorough checkout on the effects of Density Altitude. A good hop for this is to Payson, about 30 mins to the NW and at about 5500' elevation. Lovely place, too. The transit will help you with local (and general US) procedures too.
You'll need a US licence, of course. If you don't have one, the place to go is the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). There isn't one at Falcon Field - I think the nearest is at Scottsdale Muni.
If you're going any distance at all, you'll see a lot of the GABA (Great American Bu**er All), which would be a bit rough if you ended up in it, so a rucksack with water, protective gear and first aid kit - plus a guide to desert survival - tended to help my confidence. Hundreds of outdoors stores can equip you here.
Small list of places to go:
Monument Valley (stage through Page).. .Grand Canyon (of course).. .Meteor Crater (second most impressive big hole in AZ) Winslow is the nearest airfield -Eagles' lyric t-shirts available.
. .London Bridge (Lake Havasu City). .Sedona (airfield in the sky' - on top of a Mesa, and like landing on a rockbound carrier). .+ lots of others. Excellent part of teh world - have fun.
I last flew with AA in November '99 - seems much more recently than that. I've rented 172s, 152s (inc. Aerobat) and their lovely red Aeronca Champ, and they've about 25 hours of my money!
The aircraft aren't new, and some can be a bit tatty around the edges. In fact they are probably equivalent to a consituent of the average UK club fleet! <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> However, they do the job and the prices (certainly then) were very reasonable indeed. $58/Hobbs hour for the 172, $33/hr for the Champ. Instruction (e.g. for a Biennial) was about $20/hr IIRC.
Take your own headset, and yoke mounted PTT if you're flying the 152s. You can rent them from AA, but if you're doing more than a few hours then your own will probably work out cheaper.
Get a thorough checkout on the effects of Density Altitude. A good hop for this is to Payson, about 30 mins to the NW and at about 5500' elevation. Lovely place, too. The transit will help you with local (and general US) procedures too.
You'll need a US licence, of course. If you don't have one, the place to go is the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). There isn't one at Falcon Field - I think the nearest is at Scottsdale Muni.
If you're going any distance at all, you'll see a lot of the GABA (Great American Bu**er All), which would be a bit rough if you ended up in it, so a rucksack with water, protective gear and first aid kit - plus a guide to desert survival - tended to help my confidence. Hundreds of outdoors stores can equip you here.
Small list of places to go:
Monument Valley (stage through Page).. .Grand Canyon (of course).. .Meteor Crater (second most impressive big hole in AZ) Winslow is the nearest airfield -Eagles' lyric t-shirts available.
. .London Bridge (Lake Havasu City). .Sedona (airfield in the sky' - on top of a Mesa, and like landing on a rockbound carrier). .+ lots of others. Excellent part of teh world - have fun.
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Boss,
Scottsdale FSDO have changed the rules slightly since you were last there. Don't bother going all the way to Scottsdale, because they won't issue you with the license you need. Instead, they'll give you a list of phone-numbers of the examiners. You can save yourself a journey by either calling the FSDO for this list, or get it from your flying club. You then need to pick a name and phone number at random, call that number, and arrange to visit the examiner in his home.
The "examination" will basically involve checking your UK license and medical is in order, and that you can speak English, and then issueing you with your US license, for a small fee.
No big deal, just a bit of formality and a way of taking money off you before you even get to fly.
FFF. .---------
PS This only applies to Scottsdale - each FSDO makes up their own rules. Anyone flying in another part of the States will need to check the local rules - it may be appropriate to visit the FSDO in other areas.
Scottsdale FSDO have changed the rules slightly since you were last there. Don't bother going all the way to Scottsdale, because they won't issue you with the license you need. Instead, they'll give you a list of phone-numbers of the examiners. You can save yourself a journey by either calling the FSDO for this list, or get it from your flying club. You then need to pick a name and phone number at random, call that number, and arrange to visit the examiner in his home.
The "examination" will basically involve checking your UK license and medical is in order, and that you can speak English, and then issueing you with your US license, for a small fee.
No big deal, just a bit of formality and a way of taking money off you before you even get to fly.
FFF. .---------
PS This only applies to Scottsdale - each FSDO makes up their own rules. Anyone flying in another part of the States will need to check the local rules - it may be appropriate to visit the FSDO in other areas.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: Paros, Greece
Thanks Boss - sounds like perhaps I should emigrate rather than just visit.
Just to clarify - I'm only a student at the moment so it'll be a case of wherever the instructor wants to take me. The idea is to get used to the way things are done in the US before going to one of the JAA schools out there later in the year. Probably won't learn much but I couldn't go all that way an and NOT go flying, could I? I'm hoping to go back there with the family and do some of the things you suggested when I actually get a license (and a few hours on top as well).
The main thing was to get feedback on AA. They seem prettly well organised and reliable then? By the way, I am in a Warrior which is currently $68/hr + instructor. I'm going to buy a headset over there so I'll do this first.
Thanks
Just to clarify - I'm only a student at the moment so it'll be a case of wherever the instructor wants to take me. The idea is to get used to the way things are done in the US before going to one of the JAA schools out there later in the year. Probably won't learn much but I couldn't go all that way an and NOT go flying, could I? I'm hoping to go back there with the family and do some of the things you suggested when I actually get a license (and a few hours on top as well).
The main thing was to get feedback on AA. They seem prettly well organised and reliable then? By the way, I am in a Warrior which is currently $68/hr + instructor. I'm going to buy a headset over there so I'll do this first.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Hampshire
Thanks for all the replies, sorry that I took so long to get back, work been too busy keeping me from flying, will have to get new job <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Quite fancy doing the Areo's on the Great Lakes at Chandler, but don't know if I can convince Mrs W.A.L on the $1800. Looks like I will have to earn some serious brownie points or I might do a taildagger course.
Thanks Again
What a Loop
Quite fancy doing the Areo's on the Great Lakes at Chandler, but don't know if I can convince Mrs W.A.L on the $1800. Looks like I will have to earn some serious brownie points or I might do a taildagger course.
Thanks Again
What a Loop
