PanAm Aviation school ?
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Pan-Am flight academy Miami
Just a quick question,,, has anyone been out to Pan-Am flight academy in Miami for type ratings lately ? did a search but the last time it was discussed was a few years ago and feedback wasn’t that good,, so I am looking for people who have been out there this year and what ye thought of it..
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Hola Flankerpilot...
xxx
The name PanAm is quite famous - yes...
There is nothing left of PanAm (airline and pilot academy) -
I was a pilot with PanAm from 1969 until 1991, and instructor at the academy.
xxx
After the demise of the airline, the academy continued to provide training.
That is, advanced training, simulators, and some training staff remained.
Years went by, the management changed by attrition.
Nobody and nothing left from the old days.
Yes, the building in Miami, and a couple of old simulators.
xxx
PanAm was never involved with basic (primary) pilot training.
Some other schools (one in Arizona, one in Florida) now use the PanAm name.
The new PanAm (PAIFA) now sells training, basic through type ratings.
This with some airlines throughout the country.
xxx
There are many pilot schools in USA.
Some can enroll foreign students for the student visa requirements.
A few are excellent for basic training.
Suggest you make choice based on reputation, not the "prestigious names".
There is one near San Francisco catering to Indian/South Asian student pilots.
And... compare the prices... The CPL/IR licence is the same - everywhere.
xxx
Good luck to you -
Happy contrails
xxx
The name PanAm is quite famous - yes...
There is nothing left of PanAm (airline and pilot academy) -
I was a pilot with PanAm from 1969 until 1991, and instructor at the academy.
xxx
After the demise of the airline, the academy continued to provide training.
That is, advanced training, simulators, and some training staff remained.
Years went by, the management changed by attrition.
Nobody and nothing left from the old days.
Yes, the building in Miami, and a couple of old simulators.
xxx
PanAm was never involved with basic (primary) pilot training.
Some other schools (one in Arizona, one in Florida) now use the PanAm name.
The new PanAm (PAIFA) now sells training, basic through type ratings.
This with some airlines throughout the country.
xxx
There are many pilot schools in USA.
Some can enroll foreign students for the student visa requirements.
A few are excellent for basic training.
Suggest you make choice based on reputation, not the "prestigious names".
There is one near San Francisco catering to Indian/South Asian student pilots.
And... compare the prices... The CPL/IR licence is the same - everywhere.
xxx
Good luck to you -
Happy contrails
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Flankerpilot -
xxx
Flight Safety, has excellent reputation, but I do not know much of their basic training.
They are known for type rating training, i.e. Citation or 737...
As far as the schools you mention, they are mostly having foreign students.
In view of their prices, few "American boys" will go there for training.
xxx
Among the schools I heard as being good are -
Embry-Riddle - I think they are based in Florida and Arizona.
They are associated with a university, for FAA licencing and degrees.
American Flyers - head office in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
They have schools in several locations, of which Florida.
Sierra Academy - in Oakland, California.
Florida is best for housing expenses.
xxx
Quality training depends primarily on instructors.
Avoid instructors who are "building time".
Best instructors are those with a few years of experience.
The curriculum for CPL/IR are the same, everywhere.
Americans mostly seek "quality training" for type ratings.
Remember, they need 1500/2000 hrs for airlines, not 300 hrs total time.
Flying a Cessna or a Piper is not their career goal.
xxx
Best wishes to you -
Happy contrails
xxx
Flight Safety, has excellent reputation, but I do not know much of their basic training.
They are known for type rating training, i.e. Citation or 737...
As far as the schools you mention, they are mostly having foreign students.
In view of their prices, few "American boys" will go there for training.
xxx
Among the schools I heard as being good are -
Embry-Riddle - I think they are based in Florida and Arizona.
They are associated with a university, for FAA licencing and degrees.
American Flyers - head office in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
They have schools in several locations, of which Florida.
Sierra Academy - in Oakland, California.
Florida is best for housing expenses.
xxx
Quality training depends primarily on instructors.
Avoid instructors who are "building time".
Best instructors are those with a few years of experience.
The curriculum for CPL/IR are the same, everywhere.
Americans mostly seek "quality training" for type ratings.
Remember, they need 1500/2000 hrs for airlines, not 300 hrs total time.
Flying a Cessna or a Piper is not their career goal.
xxx
Best wishes to you -
Happy contrails
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Also as an Indian student you really wanna go for a school that will allow you to follow DGCA regulations, because a typical FAA program won't have all the solo hours and x-country hours you'll need to convert your FAA license into and Indian license.
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Pan Am
Dear BelArgUSA,
I am sorry to brake this up to you. But you completely wrong about Pan Am. Some of the old staff from the old Pan Am Airlines still work for the flight academy including its president. The only difference is that Pan Am is now privatly owned by another company.
I have just recently completed my B737-NG type rating with them. I am not sure what kind of Spacecraft you must be flying now days but the Boing 737 Ng sounds pretty new to me - compared to your comments related to Pan Am having old simulators.
I don't know too much about the cadet training academy, I agree it must not be from the original Pan Am but from what I see, Pan Am is one of the biggest academys in the USA and unlike Flight Safety and others, their prices are not set in killos of gold, they are much more down to earth where people can actually affort it without having to sell my car or house to take my training. I have received excellt training and they gave me much more than what others were offering me.
I suggest you check your referrences before you post something you have no idea you are talking about!
I am sorry to brake this up to you. But you completely wrong about Pan Am. Some of the old staff from the old Pan Am Airlines still work for the flight academy including its president. The only difference is that Pan Am is now privatly owned by another company.
I have just recently completed my B737-NG type rating with them. I am not sure what kind of Spacecraft you must be flying now days but the Boing 737 Ng sounds pretty new to me - compared to your comments related to Pan Am having old simulators.
I don't know too much about the cadet training academy, I agree it must not be from the original Pan Am but from what I see, Pan Am is one of the biggest academys in the USA and unlike Flight Safety and others, their prices are not set in killos of gold, they are much more down to earth where people can actually affort it without having to sell my car or house to take my training. I have received excellt training and they gave me much more than what others were offering me.
I suggest you check your referrences before you post something you have no idea you are talking about!
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Spacecrafts...
Señor Tigrado...
xxx
Do you use MIN, MED or MAX autobrakes...?
Definitely, a 737NG simulator is not a PanAm vintage, I do not recall too many of these in our fleet.
Nor many "747-421" as a matter of fact.
So they are new simulators.
xxx
PAIFA is now a TRTO using the old PanAm Academy name.
They bought the name. Anyone can buy a name. Even another airline used that name in the 1990s.
PAIFA is now the biggest bla bla bla. So is GM (or is it Toyota)...
xxx
I voiced my comments about PanAm as one of the old PanAmigos.
As you trained with them for your 737NG rating, is fine.
If your rating bears a tag as made by "United" or "Delta" would be the same.
If I lived in Miami, I could have continued to work for them.
But nothing much is left on 36th Street of the old Academy days.
Yes, the building.
As far as the instructor staff, I do not recall too many still active.
We all (me included) are old farts, smiling in reading the lines on Pprune.
xxx
I see the name PAIFA even used in Egan (MSP)...
For me, that smells much of NorthWest Airlines... nice training facility.
I would suspect that MSP facility is staffed by many NW instructor pilots.
So, do not call them PanAm...
xxx
As to the PAIFA in Arizona with CPL/IR training, they may be good or not.
The quality of training does not depend on a name.
Nowadays, everyone "sells" pilot licences.
Agreed with you, the USA is the best place to train, in view of costs.
xxx
I am just enjoying my old little Piper L-21B, a 1953 Korean War vintage.
And glad to be finally retired of this industry.
Hope you will enjoy it.
I suggest when you get interviewed for a job, that you do not ask that chief pilot about "his spacecraft".
He might be close to my generation...
xxx
Happy contrails
xxx
Sorry you brake it up to me...
Definitely, a 737NG simulator is not a PanAm vintage, I do not recall too many of these in our fleet.
Nor many "747-421" as a matter of fact.
So they are new simulators.
xxx
PAIFA is now a TRTO using the old PanAm Academy name.
They bought the name. Anyone can buy a name. Even another airline used that name in the 1990s.
PAIFA is now the biggest bla bla bla. So is GM (or is it Toyota)...
xxx
I voiced my comments about PanAm as one of the old PanAmigos.
As you trained with them for your 737NG rating, is fine.
If your rating bears a tag as made by "United" or "Delta" would be the same.
If I lived in Miami, I could have continued to work for them.
But nothing much is left on 36th Street of the old Academy days.
Yes, the building.
As far as the instructor staff, I do not recall too many still active.
We all (me included) are old farts, smiling in reading the lines on Pprune.
xxx
I see the name PAIFA even used in Egan (MSP)...
For me, that smells much of NorthWest Airlines... nice training facility.
I would suspect that MSP facility is staffed by many NW instructor pilots.
So, do not call them PanAm...
xxx
As to the PAIFA in Arizona with CPL/IR training, they may be good or not.
The quality of training does not depend on a name.
Nowadays, everyone "sells" pilot licences.
Agreed with you, the USA is the best place to train, in view of costs.
xxx
what kind of Spacecraft are you flying...
And glad to be finally retired of this industry.
Hope you will enjoy it.
I suggest when you get interviewed for a job, that you do not ask that chief pilot about "his spacecraft".
He might be close to my generation...
xxx
Happy contrails
BelArgUSA,
NW spun off their training dept. into a stand alone company, NATCO, which was bought by the PAIFA. So while you're right, many of the instructors are NW, it is a Pan Am facility. Just not "The Pan Am."
NW spun off their training dept. into a stand alone company, NATCO, which was bought by the PAIFA. So while you're right, many of the instructors are NW, it is a Pan Am facility. Just not "The Pan Am."
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Marketinbound -
xxx
Is it not what I said, or the the equivalent...?
I last knew them, as you said, as NW, then as NATCO in Egan, Minnesota...
And now part of PAIFA... I heard about their change of banner.
xxx
If I was in aviation business nowadays, I would be investing in a TRTO.
Buy a respectful old airline name.
And would laugh my way to the bank.
xxx
Happy contrails and 2009...
xxx
Is it not what I said, or the the equivalent...?
I last knew them, as you said, as NW, then as NATCO in Egan, Minnesota...
And now part of PAIFA... I heard about their change of banner.
xxx
If I was in aviation business nowadays, I would be investing in a TRTO.
Buy a respectful old airline name.
And would laugh my way to the bank.
xxx
Happy contrails and 2009...
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Flankerpilot - I like your attitude - train now, be ready when the depression is over.
I don't have any personal experience, but I've heard good things about Sierra Academy. Also Hillsboro Aviation in Oregon.
Only one piece of advice - avoid like the plague anyone that wants you to put the money up front for your ratings. Always pay as you go. I had a friend put 30,000 USD+ down only to have the "school" fold up overnight and disappear with his money.
I don't have any personal experience, but I've heard good things about Sierra Academy. Also Hillsboro Aviation in Oregon.
Only one piece of advice - avoid like the plague anyone that wants you to put the money up front for your ratings. Always pay as you go. I had a friend put 30,000 USD+ down only to have the "school" fold up overnight and disappear with his money.
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Oh oh..
Flankerpilot,
If you want schools which do NOT cater to Indian pilots, then i wouldn't recommend Orlando Flight Training, i thought you did a better research through their website. It clearly says Air India's training provider
OFT flight training school aviation academy, Florida
best of luck in your decision..
If you want schools which do NOT cater to Indian pilots, then i wouldn't recommend Orlando Flight Training, i thought you did a better research through their website. It clearly says Air India's training provider
OFT flight training school aviation academy, Floridabest of luck in your decision..
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PanAm
DO yourself a really, really big favor and stay as far away from PanAm as you can. They are primarily a "buy a type rating school" without any real knowledge. The first PC you take after you have left with shinny new type will be the worst moment of your life. You'll feel like a flippen fool and probabky have demonstrated that level in the sim also.
You will have this concept that "I paid for a professional school like PanAm to train me" and now I have the skills i need......WRONG!
These people are, for the most part, a collection of has beens that can't make it anywhere else in the industry and you are paying their salary. Not because you're getting any significant training, but because you were duped into thinking that the name "PANAM" means something. Well, it does. But not what you would want to be associated with.
If you are an Indian national and are coming to the States for training because of the cost, then check with other students that are here for the same thing. Beware of schools like Dean without checking them out. Some have a very bad reputation and feel very good about themselves.
The first thing they will do is tie up your funding so you can't go anywhere else without losing it. Be very careful, you can get quality training in the States, but you can also get hosed big time. Once you let a school arrange the VISA paperwork for you, they have you in their trap if you don't like and want to move elsewhere.
I have been to the afore mentioned schools and CAE DXB as well. DXB is pricer, but very good.
You will have this concept that "I paid for a professional school like PanAm to train me" and now I have the skills i need......WRONG!
These people are, for the most part, a collection of has beens that can't make it anywhere else in the industry and you are paying their salary. Not because you're getting any significant training, but because you were duped into thinking that the name "PANAM" means something. Well, it does. But not what you would want to be associated with.
If you are an Indian national and are coming to the States for training because of the cost, then check with other students that are here for the same thing. Beware of schools like Dean without checking them out. Some have a very bad reputation and feel very good about themselves.
The first thing they will do is tie up your funding so you can't go anywhere else without losing it. Be very careful, you can get quality training in the States, but you can also get hosed big time. Once you let a school arrange the VISA paperwork for you, they have you in their trap if you don't like and want to move elsewhere.
I have been to the afore mentioned schools and CAE DXB as well. DXB is pricer, but very good.
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I agree to that my school closed down too Regional Airline Academy (Deland and Fort Pierce)... real bad experience all my hard earned money down the drain. 10500 USD to be more precise.. you have to really look into the school before joining, Currently I am training at Paris Air, Really professional school the owner is actually involved with every student.
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If you can afford it, DAE looks like an good school. I know some people out there and being Dubai there has been no expense spared in setting it up and some very good staff employed.
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Just a quick update of the situation at Hillsboro, noting that a number of prospective students from India had contributed to this thread.
A mate of mine from Asia tells me that almost all of the CFI openings are occupied by Americans or Scandinavians, and so he has next to zero chance building hours there as CFI after his training.
So much for travelling half-way round the world and shelling out a fortune for a J visa ... maybe it's a reflection of the US economy and CFIs aren't moving on.
A mate of mine from Asia tells me that almost all of the CFI openings are occupied by Americans or Scandinavians, and so he has next to zero chance building hours there as CFI after his training.
So much for travelling half-way round the world and shelling out a fortune for a J visa ... maybe it's a reflection of the US economy and CFIs aren't moving on.
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PAN-AM Final Verdict????
Gents I am too looking for some training with Pan Am and after reading all the threads I am having 2nd thoughts... any progress made or new experiences with Pan Am?????
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PAN-AM Final Verdict????
Gents I am too looking for some training with Pan Am and after reading all the threads I am having 2nd thoughts... any progress made or new experiences with Pan Am?????
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I think it is fair to say that PanAm Academy is more suited to the experienced jet pilot as far as TRs go, as you are pretty much on your own and left to your own devices. That's the way they keep costs low and you walk away with the product - a TR printed on your licence.
Besides, a TR is just a licence to learn, not a cure-all solution.
Besides, a TR is just a licence to learn, not a cure-all solution.