HiDue to some fortuitous transactions in the market I am now able to realize a life long dream which is to be able to pursue a realworld PPL and beyond.The question I would like to ask is if anybody has information on the best training facilities in the PHL/South Jersey areas.I would like to do this but would like to stear clear of the run of the mill and learn from the best in this area of the U.S.My ultimate aim is to earn a CFI ticket and to do this on a full time basis.Any comments,questions,or information would be greatfully accepted.ThanksRon [email protected]

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Hi Ron,I can't help with your geographical area. My intent is to do the same (become a CFI); I just passed my private certificate a few months ago, and am now into my instrument rating. Commercial next.Good luck,Bruce.

HiThanks BruceRon

I would just go to the local airports-talk to flight schools. Look for clubs also. Don't confuse slickness with quality-you can get good quality instruction in a club. My instructor who was a member of the flying club I first belonged to was a wwII aircraft carrier pilot, korean jet pilot, instructor for the Navy for years and more hours and experience than you could count. He taught for fun (can you say free or very little) because he loved flying and did it for retirement pleasure.The flight schools will have newer aircraft-but you may also pay twice as much per hour as an older aircraft. The cessna schools have a very nice programmed course. You just have to decide which cup of tea is for you-and you will know.http://members.telocity.com/~geof43/geofanim2.gif

HiI value your opinion and know you as well as respect what you have to say.I just hope I have the good fortune to pick IP mate.I`m sure that what I pick up here will help.I need a Yoda of PPL`sThanks Ron

>The question I would like to ask is if anybody has information on the best training facilities .... areas.Not an answer to your question, but.VERY early in your training, get your medical exam from an AME. This is needed for your student/medical ticket before you can solo. You may sail through, or you may need to "clean up" some med problem.AOPA helped me immensely in solving "my problem" with a prescription drug, cutting a year's delay to about 3 months.Best $37/year I ever spent. Plus, "member" weather/flight planning is VERY nice.Oops, I forgot. AOPA has a GREAT monthly magazine included.Dan Pursel

HiYep,That was the first question I asked.I take no scrips but can see how that would affect the phy.BP is ok ES is 20/20 as long s they don`t get to measuring things I`ll be ok Thanks MateRon

HiBy the way I`m EX-NAVY myself.Would love to have an IP of the same vintage. (79-83).Ron

Ron,If you are willing to make the trek, I attained my PPL thru Century Air in Morristown NJ about 5 years ago. It's in the North part of the state so it would be far to drive. I lived up there so the commute took minutes.I have the utmost respect for Century's owner, Richard Green. It's a Part 141 school, on a controlled field and at times you will private jets. He's a former Airline captain and has a reputation of being tough. I LIKED that because if I passed there, I know I got good training. But that's me. My primary CFI, Jessica, is flying as a second officer with an airline somewhere out in Michigan the last I heard.When I do fly, I fly out of either TTN or 47N. But I haven't been flying alot lately. I have not experienced any schools on your side of the river... :-)Here are some links I found helpful:http://www.centuryair.com/cfa/cfa_dyn_home.asp?cid=1http://www.centraljerseyairport.com/http://flightphysical.com/http://www.airnav.com/airports/ (search for an airport near you and look at the flight school links at the bottom of the pages)http://www.carneyaviation.com/links.htmDitto on the other stuff in this thread. Become a member of AOPA, sign up for the AOPA's FLIGHT TRAINING magazine. I still read it.Another suggestion: diversify your training. Take a basic aerobatic lesson or fly simulated air combat or a flight in a glider. Sitting straight and level in a Cessna, you will never get to appreciate the different types of flying and what an airplane can do. I've gone as far as Atlanta to take an ATOP course (http://www.b737.com) and Houston for an aerobatic course (http://www.airaces.com/flash/index.html) I doubt I'll ever see a real 737 cockpit but doing these things helped me understand alot more about flying.Good luck to you.

HiThanks for the great advice and for the links.Ron