Delta connection?
Question:
Answer:
i just completed my CFII at the Delta Connection Academy in New Bedford Massachusetts..I started with zero hours..through 270 hours with a Commercial Single/Multi engine rating..instrument rating and a certified flight instructor airplane and instrument airplane
the training is very structured..with a good group of instructors..who rise through the ratings just like me..in a generally short amount of time..this can be a good or bad thing...good meaning they have the same training and its very standardized across the board
teh bad thing is..its almost like a pilot factory..they're pumped out with such speed, that they may not know everything that a new private student with zero hours will need to be successful.
overall the training is very very good..they give a very good base of knowledge and go over everything needed to pass the end of course tests
Private Pilot
Instrument
CFI
are all self examining..meaning delta give those ratings out (The FAA authorizes them to do so)
Commercial
Commercial-Multi
CFII
are FAA exams..meaning a DPE comes in, and checks you out with a fee of about 300 dollars
airplane costs are a little pricey..and the fleet is aging..but Sanford (the main base) is getting a new fleet of Cirrus's i believe this coming fall...and they'll filter out to the other bases shortly thereafter
Currently DCA Flies
Cessna 152
Cessna 172
Cessna 172 RG
Piper Arrow
Piper Seminole
the other bases around the country are
New Bedford (2nd largest)
-Agreement with Bridgewater State College to get 4 year degree along with flight training
Jacksonville
- Agreement with Jacksonville University for a 4 year degree along with flight training
Ft. Lauderdale
- Agreement with Community College for a 2 year degree along with the flight training
Ohio
- Sinclair Community College
Houston
- San Jacinto College
After you finish your training Private-CFII..you get the opportunity to be interviewed for a job instructing at DCA..in turn, if hired, you're sent down to the main base in Sanford Florida, and go through an intensive 10 day groundschool there
once thats completed (80% or better, just like every test you'll take for the most part at the academy) you're sent to your base of original training, or if an option, a base of your choosing...
at that point you instruct for 700 more hours or so (whatever it takes to get you to approximately 1000 total time)..during this instruction time the academy will eventually train you for a Multi Engine Instructor Rating, you'll give 100 hours of instruction in a twin, then you'll pretty much be done with the contract you signed when you started instructing with DCA
Once you finish 1000 hours of total time wiht the 100 hours of multi you're offered a chance to got back to florida to do the "Bridge Program" (that is, if you've done most of your training with Delta)
the Bridge Program is a "jet" transition course, that puts you through a simulated airline groundschool, and prepares you for life in the airlines..theres a simulator involved, and intensive ground work
after this point (about 3-5 years after you start the whole program at private) you're eligible for an airline interview
Delta Connection Academy has relationships with all the Delta Regional Partners
ASA
Comair
Chautauqua
Skywest
as well as other regionals
American Eagle
Trans State Airlines (TSA)
NW/Pinnacle
Express Jet
Air Takoma
Mesa
Atlantic Southeast
and many others
Overall DCA isn't that bad, i've heard horror stories and i know plenty of people who don't like the way they operate..but they're successful and they get the job done safely and efficiently...
The going flight instructor rate is 54 an hour
the cessna 152 runs around 70 an hour
the cessna 172 runs around 90
the 172 RG about 100
the seminole is pricey..at about 190 per hour because its a twin
hope this helps..if more info needed..check their website below
There is an academy in Sanford, Florida. My friend is a pilot for Comair and they asked him if he came from the academy. He told them he flew F-16s for the Air Force. Then the other pilots had respect for him. They said if he graduated from the academy, then they would laugh at him.
I don't know of any good academies. For me, the best place to get training is the Air Force.
its ok
Whether it's any good or not depends on why you are wanting to go there. If you want to crank out hours and ratings, it's fine. If you want to learn how to fly, you'll get better training and more experience elsewhere. Pilot mills generally don't have the reputation of providing quality training.
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