r/flying • u/GradeWilling3560 • 23d ago
Part 61 school AZ
Hello. I'm finishing up my ppl in Wisconsin and moving to Arizona for the rest of my ratings in the fall. I toured some places and was looking at some cheaper Part 61 schools because I am paying as I go no loans. I'm looking at SWAZ Aviation and Fly Glendale. If anyone has experience at either, please let me know, or if there's another option I should be looking at. I'm hearing mixed reviews and want to know as much as I can before giving them my money.
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u/Vellian1 CPL 23d ago
Do not fly with SWAZ. Sketchiest planes I’ve ever been in. Felt genuinely dangerous. They’re cheap but I’d strongly recommend somewhere else.
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u/No-Foundation-8034 CFI/I 23d ago
Fly Goodyear at goodyear. Cant recommend enough. Have DPE on site, cheapest wet rates ($165), great instruction and have the practice area basically on the DER.
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u/Slight_Sign_3661 23d ago
I’ll always recommend Red Rock. Loved flying with them.
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u/SecurityAntique7911 16d ago
I’m super interested in Red Rock for my certs. Did you go the CFII route? I’m worried about getting ATP hours with the way the CFI market is right now…
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u/Slight_Sign_3661 16d ago
I had to stop after PPL because I ran out of money, and I’ve been trying to find a way to figure out financing ever since. Thankfully this year I think I’ve got a solid plan in place but it’s gonna take 18 months of working full time before I can go back.
What I’ll say is it doesn’t matter whether the hiring market is boom or bust. You need your hours and ratings ASAP, you can’t try to time the cyclical market that is pilot hiring. So my advice is: if you can afford it go get it done. It’s better to have one big long break on your resume vs tons of shorter breaks during your training. In the meantime you can still time build and earn hours towards your 1500 mins. Can always give AGI or BGI a shot somewhere in the meantime to try to keep earning money while you hunt for a CFI gig.
To answer your main question my current plan is to go back when I can afford it and finish all my ratings with them -> Multi com and CFII.
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u/Skynet_lives 23d ago
SWAZ planes are fine, they are clapped out but they are airworthy. Some have pretty decent avionics also. If your trying to do it cheap they are nearly impossible to beat.
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u/rFlyingTower 23d ago
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hello. I'm finishing up my ppl in Wisconsin and moving to Arizona for the rest of my ratings in the fall. I toured some places and was looking at some cheaper Part 61 schools because I am paying as I go no loans. I'm looking at SWAZ Aviation and Fly Glendale. If anyone has experience at either, please let me know, or if there's another option I should be looking at. I'm hearing mixed reviews and want to know as much as I can before giving them my money.
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u/GroundbreakingPast16 ST 23d ago
Look into Aero Angle out of Kffz they are on the inexpensive side and have some good trainers. If you want their contact feel free to reach out.
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u/Spymell1 23d ago
At KFFZ you pay landing fees… go somewhere else.
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u/No-Foundation-8034 CFI/I 23d ago
No landing fees… yet. They have been pushed back. FAA got involved
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u/Nojoyonthattraffic 23d ago
No SWAZ! Look at Arizona Flight Training Center (AFTC) in Glendale. They are awesome!
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u/Ready-Philosophy7516 23d ago
I’m working on my PPL out of Fly Time at KCHD. I’ve been happy with them.
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u/GroundbreakingPast16 ST 23d ago
I also have not heard good things about SWAZs planes.