The reality of section 141 schools

Well, my first experience after finding ATP and deciding on spending 2k to almost double of other flight programs, is that they no longer offer a private pilot program. Also I have little interest in all the multi-engine experience. As such I mentioned that I would like to pursue a private plus instrument and single engine commercial certificates. Unfortunately to follow this path it would only drop the overall price by 2000 dollars from the nearly 60,000 dollar total program.

As such, and seeing as how they do not offer the simple private license I thanked them for their time and continued searching for the right school. Fortunately I had dropped by the flight club in Sanford NC, Wings of Carolina. A very nice group of pilots and students that is nearly 300 members strong. Clubs like this are a great way to get information as they generally are gathered around the idea and love of flying. This particular club uses their dues to cover the costs of several aircraft, maintainance, and guest speakers on subjects such as weather.

While at the flight club and talking with some of the members I noticed an odd little plane taking off. Which led me to the discovery of the "b bar d" flight school. This school has instructors with thousands of hours of experience but they teach using a fairly new category of plane called the LSA, or "light sport aircraft." These are smaller aircraft than normal and require substantially fewer hours and just a drivers license to get a certificate for. Granted there are quite a few extra limitations on what you can do with them and when you can fly. However, if your instructor is a regular pilot instructor as well then the hours count towards your 40 hours for the private license. Oh yeah, did I mention they are substantially cheaper to rent and fly?

So, while the initial cost looked to be around 10,000, the LSA program would allow me nearly 100 hours for the same price. Potentially substantially more including solo time at $80 an hour.

Which led me to the one other thing ATP had to offer, financing. Fortunately, there is a fairly new company called Pilot Finance that provides up to 15,000 in financing for the part time student pilot. The only requirement is that the school sign up for their program, and after a quick chat with the b bar d folks they were happy to do so. So it looks like I am back on track and should have a substantially advantage hours and price wise. Additionally, I am hoping the experience translates into experience that would help me fly a j-3 piper cub, while nearly 80 years old its still one of the most spectacular classics around, and can fit the LSA category!