I read the IFR Training debate with much interest. I am planning to earn my IFR rating and would have liked to do it with my local CFII (who is very good) training twice a week. Unfortunately, my schedule changes everytime we attempt to develop a long term schedule. I have decided to take an accelerated training school earn my ticket then come back and train further with my CFII to ensure I am completely comfortable flying in IFR conditions.
My question to everyone is what accelerated training schools are out there, where are they located, costs etc. Most important what type of feedback do you have on these schools?
I want to ensure that I get the best training possible and am willing to pay for it.
I just got my IFR Rating. I signed up for PIC and then changed my mind and worked with my CFII on a fast track. I knew I did not want this to drag out and I also knew that I could not take off for 10 days straight. It took me 43.5 hours of hood time and approx. 6 weeks. We trained in my plane and I paid him $20 per hour. We also made sure that we worked in actual conditions. Living in FL, there are IFR conditions almost every afternoon. I think I had about 10 hours of actual. I also paid him for a couple of hours of ground school. It cost me about $1,000 compared to $5,000 at PIC. I am not sure about things where you are, but in Florida the CFI's need money, if you found one and told them you would like to do a fast track for your rating I am sure they would bend over backwards to help you out. Good luck.
If you want to do an accelerated program in your plane with the best instructor I know (being a CFII), I can recommend Bill Zaleski, he will come to you or you can fly to NY. His phone # is 518 388-8563. Bill has provided accelerated training for over 10 years now and is very, very good.
Accelerated programs are a good idea as you are immersed in the training, when you finish you are sharp and have been well trained.
Learning in your own plane with your own equipment is the best, and Schenectady in Winter is really great as the weather stinks! I spent a week in February with Bill flying my own plane, when I finished and had my CFII renewed I felt fantastic, I learned alot (despite having my commercial since 66).
Don't take the time to drag the rating out, get away from family, work and worries and fly up to 10-12 hours a day, in the end you'll be a good IFR pilot.
I find that my students who drag the program out months on end spend most of the time getting back up to speed if they don't fly several times a week. Progress is slow and you tend to loose your edge after several months.....
I look forward to IMC (except icing and CB's), with no autopilot a few hours on the guages is a real workout and you'll rapidly improve your skills.
Don't think about getting the ticket, just get out there and get it done!
Dan, I'm considering the same. I'm in Richmond, VA and want to use my own plane also. Don't want to travel to far away. PIC looks good but I don't get away from all of the distractions. GATTS offers something that looks good in Manhattan, KS. Theirs takes 7 days, you don't pay until you're rated. Fee includes rental car and accomodations. American Flyers has more locations and I don't think you have to take a checkride when finished, they claim 10 days. AOPA gave me the name of another in Toledo, Ohio that is very similar to GATTS. If you would like numbers or contact info let me know. Good luck, and feel free to keep me posted on what you find.
GM
PIC is the top IFR course. Fly with an experiened instructor with a professional and laid back attitude. Real world/common sense thinking. Get your rating in your own plane, and don't have to deal with a snot nosed kid who dreams about flying in the "big leagues". Dave
I did the PIC course...never regretted it at all. Used our plane and got done in 10 days....passed with flying colors and even better, felt very good about my skills and judgement going forward with my own training schedule, etc. Highly recc. PIC as long as you continue to fly IFR afterwards and coninue to gain experience and IPC's to cross check yourself.
I found this site and it seems to fit into this discussion. [www.ifrwest.com] seems like it would be fun and a good learning enviroment and it is about the same expence as some of the other accelerated programs.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to carve out enough time (or cash) to take the course. It now looks like September when I will be able to dedicate the time to take the course.
