Flying Schools in the USA
 

Over Xmas I am heading to Florida, and want to know if any of you out there could recommend a good flying school which would offer a trial flying lesson to my fiancee? We will be staying in Kissimmee, but are able to travel to a good one.

While I'm there, I want to fly something different as well. Ideas please....

A couple of years back I rented a retractable 182 to takemy wife to the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos.

The aeroplane came from an outfit at Ft Lauderdale In'tl. This was the smartest flight school, with cheery folk and every aeroplane was beautiful. No tired old hacks, just as good as theday they left the factory. It is called Cav-Air.

Of course Pompano Air Centre is almost next door, so you can treat yourself to a ride in an Extra with an ex-American aerobatic world champion. :)

sNr

Courtman,

have a look at the Studentpilot Network (ufly.com):

-- search function for flight school
-- forum / message board

If you want to fly something different ...
well, there is a museum ... some call it junkyard ... with lots of old planes. Actually they rebuild/reconstruct them there. You can fly with an instructor in one of their planes (don't ask me which one, please, I have forgotten). It's awesome ... and too cheap, I am afraid.

Whatever you do, have fun :)

Avicenna

PS the museum is at the airfield in Kissimmee

[This message has been edited by Avicenna (edited 26 September 2000).]

Yep, go to Tom Reilly's place on Hoagland Blvd at Kissimmee. If you are on a budget get her a ride in the T6, if you are feeling flush go for Crazy Horse, the P51 - either way the rations will be yours that night buddy !

Hi AC ?
(I think ?)

Doh, I may be wrong ?
anyway,
its DP from SX...

enjoy florida,


------------------
todays thought...
who tested Orville &
Wilbur Wright for their type rating & base checks ??? *****

Old-timer...Orville and Wilbur were not professional pilots and, as such, did not need base checks and type ratings.....but ask yourself about Brian Trubshaw.

Courtman, there is another place close to Kissimmee: Fantasy of Flight

Interstate 4, Exit 21, maybe 30/40 min car drive from Kissimmee

Apart from Ultralight and Hovercraft flights, you can fly a fighter simulator at fightertown or climb on board of a B-17 Flying Fortress.
They have an incredibly large collection of planes, including an impressing Short Sunderland flying boat. I went there yesterday and enjoyed the whole day!

If you are interested in Museums, there is another one in Titusville and of course the Weeks Museum at the Kendall Tamiami airfield.


[This message has been edited by Avicenna (edited 03 October 2000).]

Good point Bear cub,

but they were test pilots & surely they should have taken full test pilot training prior to getting airborne ?
I believe the FAA are looking into it !! ?

seriously though, back to the original thread, I remembered that one of my old
instructors went to work for Naples Air Center (www.naples-air-center.com)
I dont know how close they are to Kissimee though ?
They advertise in pilot mag' a lot.

:-)

Right folks, thanks for the replies. Yes DP, it is me - don't tell anyone, especially LC who knows nothing about the plan! You've all helped me sort out the weird and wonderful airplanes I shall be trying, but I've got 600 hours. My fiancee wants a boring old trial flight in a PA28 or similar, can anyone suggest anything???

A new girlfriend? :)

sNr

Hi Capt'n A,


my lips & 'e'mail are sealed ref'
the surprise trip,

another suggestion...
how about an hour or so in the big
white aircraft that some operator
called NASA operate in florida ?, it looks fun,
its a Quin' though, you will need a Quin rating ?
(I think thats right, a twin = 2,
a quad = 4, so a quin must = 5 ?)

Whatever you decide on, have a great time out
there & happy Xmas in advance !!

cheers,

Capt'n old-timer

Stiknruda,

Nice idea - but I'm happy with the current model. She knows nowt about this plan, its a surprise I'm trying (and failing) to organise. A PA28 sounds a reasonable aircraft to look for as I have 500hours+ in the things and she is comfortable in them also. Will look at other training types too, not essential for it to be a PA28!!!

Renting an aircraft is easier than buying a beer in Florida! Heres a few phone numbers on the Orlando Kissimmee Municipal Airport in Osceola County:
FBO's :
Kissimmee Aviation 407/847-9095
Marathon 407/846-6128
Reilly Aviation 407/847-7477

If you can't rent a PA28 from any of these guys, I'll eat my proverbial!

Kissimme is a good airfield with a very friendly tower.

Good luck and happy flying.

Kissimee friendly - I'd buy that. Went night flying out of there once, taxi'd to completely the wrong end of the runway and took off, only noticing my error on the take-off roll (good job it was quiet and calm!!) Apologised to the tower guy when I got back and he said "Gee, that's okay I could see ya!!!". I always double-check the Jeppessen's these days. The Texan blonde I was trying to impress didn't notice the difference, and she was an FAA dispatcher!!! :) :) :)

I always wondered what those big numbers
were painted on the runway for ?

There are pliots who have got it wrong & those that will get it wrong,
its all experince that counts & the best pilots are the ones who are honest about these things, its easily done, I have similar myself, but on landing....
oops,

so much sky, so little time :-(

Me done that?- All I will say is that it makes a fair bit of difference when a head wind becomes a tail wind, the aforementioned runway threshold numbers pass beneath too quickly to read! Whoosh! why won't this aircraft land?