Flight schools around Philly?
Posted by Middle_Canary194@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I’ll try to make this as brief as possible…I’m 26M. Air Force veteran, clean medical records. Half my GI Bill left. Nearly finished a bachelor’s degree in business. I have a full-time job with good flexibility in what hours I work. I’m looking for a career change into becoming a commercial pilot. I’ve yet to start my PPL yet but I’m comfortable paying out of pocket to get it since and then knocking out some of my other ratings with the GI Bill. Loose plan after that would be to instruct to get my hours up.
There’s so much information out there on all this and it’s pretty overwhelming. Hoping to hear some feedback on if I’m totally off the mark on something or if it’s pretty reasonable.
XeroG@reddit
If you're ready to start your PPL and paying out of pocket, I always recommend to people that the best place is the one that has airplane and instructor availability, and the more consistently you can fly the better results you will get. Its also highly recommended to minimize any kind of upfront payment unless you are getting a large discount. Look on this sub for horror stories about flight schools that have gone under and taken student's deposits with them.
In addition to the others people recommended around philly, check out Beyond Aviation at KVAY. Depending on where you are coming from it's the closest to Philly without being at a busy controlled airport.
SeriousEgg2684@reddit
ATP is at both TTN and PNE, Fly Legacy is at PNE, and flyGATEWAY is at LOM or ILG depending on which side of PHL you're in. Most if not all of these offer accelerated programs. These are big commitments (cost & time) but are the fastest ways to get your ratings. Military guys seem to accel well in these fast-paced programs.
Middle_Canary194@reddit (OP)
What constitutes the ‘accelerated’ aspect of the program?
Iancshafer@reddit
Just got my PPL on Monday, lots of options in the area. i am based at N14. DM me if you’d like any pointers, happy to help.
NoConcentrate9116@reddit
Around Philly? Check out Mercer County Community College and Infinity Flight Group. They’re who I went through for my rotary transition program. Big population of vets there.
Middle_Canary194@reddit (OP)
Really appreciate this!
NoConcentrate9116@reddit
I should clarify that they’re in Ewing, NJ, just outside of Trenton. But that still counts as “around Philly” to me.
Middle_Canary194@reddit (OP)
Yes I saw. And that’s definitely close enough to me.
NoConcentrate9116@reddit
Perfect. I do highly recommend them. They have a very nice fleet of planes and great maintenance. The local flying area there is great for getting you used to talking to ATC as well. It’ll be brutal starting out since KTTN is a very busy class D airport, but once you understand it you’ll appreciate learning there.
constructionpros@reddit
There are few in KPNE by Roosevelt and Grant, and most of them try to milk students especially if you are quite new to the industry. So do your due diligence, go and talk to them about the process. If you have a good hang of it, u could be ready in 40-50 hours, if not 60-65 should top to my experience. I would go ahead and buy Sporty’s PPL course in the mean time and get ready for the exam. If you can, get it even before the flight lessons
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’ll try to make this as brief as possible…I’m 26M. Air Force veteran, clean medical records. Half my GI Bill left. Nearly finished a bachelor’s degree in business. I have a full-time job with good flexibility in what hours I work. I’m looking for a career change into becoming a commercial pilot. I’ve yet to start my PPL yet but I’m comfortable paying out of pocket to get it since and then knocking out some of my other ratings with the GI Bill. Loose plan after that would be to instruct to get my hours up.
There’s so much information out there on all this and it’s pretty overwhelming. Hoping to hear some feedback on if I’m totally off the mark on something or if it’s pretty reasonable.
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