You do need a signoff for the knowledge tests.  The way to not "pay" an instructor is with the knowledge kits such as Gleim, King, Sporty's, Cessna, etc.  and take their test (either CD/DVD, VHS, of just a paper test).  Then you will send in your results to the specific school/publisher.  They will return the required signoff for the written exam.

Now, before you solo an aircraft, you must take a written exam that is model specific, before an instructor can give you signoff to solo that aircraft.

The only written test you do not need a signoff for is one of the instructor and ATP writtens.

Brian

P.S.  Several sites offer free online testing (which will be administered very similarly to your actual written exam), but do not give the signoff with these sites.  Just makes for VERY good practice.  MyWrittenExam.com is where I sent my students.  Many others have them by now, I am sure.

Actually, its a percentage of those hours earned.  But first, before they can be transfered, you must take a "check flight" with usually the cheif instructor. 

The military contracts 141 schools to train some pilots.  We used to get Navy contracts (the school still does, I have moved on).  If the student did not pass a stage check within a certain number of hours, they washed out.  The 141 has such a structure to it, that it can be "fair".

VA benefits will also reimburse around 80% to those who qualify (with preapproval) for 141 schools. 

Long story short, schools that are 141 and 61 can train a larger group of students.  A student who "knows" they wish to become a career professional pilot will benefit from 141 schools; the commercial license alone can save about 50 flight hours.

In my opinion, if you are adding a rating or license, you may benefit from a 141 instructor going under part 61.  The instructor is used to the structure and will probably not "waste" your time and money.  My case and point would be the instructors (who I will not name) that I know have taken pre-solo students on several cross-country flights "for the experience".  It is the instructor who is "benefiting" not the student.  There are certain things that need to be learned and mastered before moving on to the next "stage" of flying.

Brian

Join the club!  I got my Private license when I was 27.  I originally did it for a hobby, but loved it so much I ended up switching careers.  Actually, your height, will end up being a benefit to you.  Cockpits where not designed for the pilots height in mind (at least not us tall guys).  This is more of a visual joke, but I think you get the meaning:  "How can you tell the pilot of a Lear jet from the co-pilot?  The pilot walks like this (this is where you would lean your head to the right) and the co-pilot like this (now lean your head to the left).

Now, decide what type of flying you wish to do.  Corporate, Cargo, Charter or Airline?  Airline is the easiest to get into nowadays.  You can go to one of their "schools".  Do not plan on making that much with them though.  It will take several years before you will start making money you can live off of. 

The others, however, to get a good job, you need to KNOW someone who is influential with the company.  So, network, network, network.  You must also be a very, very good and competent pilot.  Otherwise you will not last long.

My 2 cents.

Good luck,
Brian

My name is Brian and I got my private license back in March 2001.  At first, it was just something to do, but I liked it so much I got my instructor certificates and changed careers.  Have not looked back since.  I currently live in the MEM area and fly C-208B Caravans.  I am looking to add-on my ATP MES when I take the family to Daytona Beach in October.


Jeff, I used to live in Gainesville for about 2 years, but at the time I got my license at LZU (Lawrenceville).  I too, was in the finance industry (Assistant manager at Lanier Federal Credit Union), and I can say it helps pays for the lessons, but it did not satisfy me.  It was a JOB.  Now, I have fun. 

Anyway, I do have a suggestion to make.  Stick with one set of instruments, the dials to help you teach and train in others.  Once you have your private, get checked out in the G1000 and possibly even your instrument rating.  I have had too many students spend extra time and money trying to learn new/different planes while they were training and it was just that, EXTRA time and money.  1st goal, get your ticket.  2nd goal, get checked out in all the fun toys!!!!

Brian

Have you decided on a flight school yet?  If so, ask them what they recommend.  Some schools do not care, but others base their curriculum/syllabus around some of the pilot kits.  To name a few:  1)  Jeppesen, 2) Cessna, 3) Gleim, 4) King Schools, 5) Sporty's.  You can locate these kits (usually come with textbook, FAR/AIM, logbook, written test prep, and some other misc items that are needed/used in the training enviroment.  The kits are usually $100-300 (depending on which one, and if you get CD/DVD or VHS tapes to go with them).

I would second the previous motion of Rod's book, as well.  If you go online to Sportys or King Catalog or mypilotstore.com or Marv Golden and I am sure several others, they will have books and DVD/VHS courses available with a brief description.  From instructing, I can tell you, you can never know too much.

If your situation is you cannot afford the time or money for actual "flying" you may still have time to get with an instructor a few times per month and get ahead of the game.  Start by learning about the planes they have and maybe do a "discover" flight in a few.  These usually can be had for about $50 for 1/2 hour.  With this knowledge under your belt, you can more tailor your learning towards a specific make and model (which you will have to do before you solo, let alone take the "checkride").

Good Luck!!
Brian

Cute, but no.  Certified Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane; or an instrument instructor, in layman's terms.  Just in case you are wondering about MEI, its Multi-Engine Instructor.

Brian

Looking to grow with a corporate or 135 company.  Would prefer mid south location.  Currently fly C-208B for 135 comany.  Previous school for Piper Meridian and Piper Malibu.  Experience in King Air 200's & 90's, C-310, C-421.  CFI, CFI-IA and MEI certificates still current.

Any leads would be appreciated.

Brian Greene

I am a flight instructor and have tried many different brands and models.  Remember you are talking about your hearing, so I agree with the last that ANR is a must.  Most of my headsets have had ANR.  My first pair were FlightComm 50DLX.  These were pretty good for $100-150 and they had the highest passive noise canceling at the time (about 5 years ago).  I have used Sennheisers, David Clarks, and even tried my buddy's BOSE X.  I really liked the Sennheisers alot (they worked well in cabin class planes, but I did not like them as much in the light twin).  I use DRE Communications 5000 now (I do not think they make it anymore, they are up to the 6000 now).  It is a great bargain at just under $300.  They have a total of 40-44dB cancelation.  It also comes with all the accessories.  

The last thing is to make sure whatever headset you get, get the gel earseals.  They are 100's of times more comfortable than the standard foam seals.

Brian

I got my MEI at ATP in BWG.  Very structured program.  It was good for the rating and that is it.  Real world flying, maybe, maybe not.  I did only get my MEI there, so it is possible with the other programs (upwards of $60K) you can get some real education out of it...

Brian

Anyone out there have a good place to get the MES add-on.  I would prefer an accelerated course (2-4 days) and where I can take my family for a vacation (beach or something fun for wife and 4 year old to do while I'm flying).

Thanks,
Brian