Best FBO in Pensacola area

[Beefalo]

Let me start off by saying I am enlisted Navy and NPQ for aviation. With that being said I still want to pursue aviation as a hobby and maybe as a civilian career after I retire from the military. I am stationed in Pensacola and am trying to decide on an FBO to get my PPL. I did a discovery flight with Skywarriors a couple weeks ago and the instructor and staff seemed decent and knowledgeable. Doing some research I guess Navy flight school students get farmed out to multiple FBO's including Skywarriors?

Have people had good experience with this company? I was also looking at AMS in Milton. Thanks.

 

[A Day In The Life]

Not sure how far you're willing to drive but I did IFS out in Foley @ Lightning Aviation. If the 45-60 minutes commute(from the back gate) isn't too much I would definitely recommend them.

Two of my roommates did IFS out of Milton and had no issues with them.

 

[HAL Pilot]

I'd look into the Pensacola Navy Flying Club as well, might be a bit cheaper.

Where I got my private pilot license in 1983.

 

[Yardstick]

My roommate and I both did IFS at Trident, based out of Jack Edwards in Gulf Shores, AL. It's about a 30-40 minute drive from the back gate apartment complexes. All the instructors were solid and it was a great place to do IFS. I'm not sure what the wet rates are, but they had a decent selection of 150s and 172s, which is really all you need for your ppl.

 

[Beefalo]

I emailed the Pensacola Navy Flying Club but got an undeliverable response maybe ill try calling tomorrow. I live by the airport and UWF so I prefer not to drive all the way out to Gulf Shores. Pensacola or Milton would be best. I scheduled a formal lesson with Skywarriors but if that doesnt go well I may consider some of the farther options. Thanks for the help all.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

I went through AMS in Milton. Can't speak to their rates, but I liked working with all the instructors I came into contact with.

Fam flights will be due South along the beachline for the most part, and any cross-countries you do will probably be either to Andalusia or Florala, both of which have pretty good food.

 

[Gatordev]

I went through AMS in Milton. Can't speak to their rates, but I liked working with all the instructors I came into contact with.

Fam flights will be due South along the beachline for the most part, and any cross-countries you do will probably be either to Andalusia or Florala, both of which have pretty good food.

Does Florala have 100LL? I didn't think Sunshine Aero sold it (and Airnav.com seems to agree). Or do you not get gas, which would seem sketchy to eat their food to me, but I guess if they're cool with it.

 

[KBayDog]

Does Florala have 100LL? I didn't think Sunshine Aero sold it (and Airnav.com seems to agree). Or do you not get gas, which would seem sketchy to eat their food to me, but I guess if they're cool with it.

No AVGAS at 0J4. The buffet is open to anyone, $8 per person with no gas purchase.

 

[Gatordev]

No AVGAS at 0J4. The buffet is open to anyone, $8 per person with no gas purchase.

Ahh. I've never had occasion to ask that question.

Not sure if KMVC even has food anymore, but I flew in there one day and several of us in green suits were munching some food. A guy on his solo cross-country in a 172 came in. I can't remember if he bought gas, but he saw the food and asked if he could buy some. He was told it was for the military pilots that bought gas there. Not really a legal thing to say, but whatever. I felt bad because he was willing to pay for it, which would probably have been more profit towards the FBO for his plate than anyone of us were giving the FBO with our gas card purchases. They did finally let him eat.

 

[Renegade One]

I got my license at the Navy Flying Club when I was a student but their prices have gone up to the point that I wouldn't consider going back.

Man, I'm sorry to hear that the few "Navy Flying Clubs" that continue to exist aren't competitive/"best deal" any more. They used to be...and SHOULD be...for PPL and rental for recreational flying, at any rate.

North Island Navy Flying Club was my best friend...until they folded their tents.

 

[scoolbubba]

Man, I'm sorry to hear that the few "Navy Flying Clubs" that continue to exist aren't competitive/"best deal" any more. They used to be...and SHOULD be...for PPL and rental for recreational flying, at any rate.

North Island Navy Flying Club was my best friend...until they folded their tents.

NAS Jax wasn't competitive money-wise when I looked into it, and the codgers who run it gave a definite chip on the shoulder vibe when they found out I was a winged aviator. I decided to rent elsewhere after poking around a little bit.

 

[HueyCobra8151]

Ahh. I've never had occasion to ask that question.

Not sure if KMVC even has food anymore, but I flew in there one day and several of us in green suits were munching some food. A guy on his solo cross-country in a 172 came in. I can't remember if he bought gas, but he saw the food and asked if he could buy some. He was told it was for the military pilots that bought gas there. Not really a legal thing to say, but whatever. I felt bad because he was willing to pay for it, which would probably have been more profit towards the FBO for his plate than anyone of us were giving the FBO with our gas card purchases. They did finally let him eat.

I had a similar experience at Florala. We flew up from AMS, parked the -172 next to a Turbomentor, and went in for chow. I felt like a middle school kid showing up to a high school party going in there rocking my polo-shirt and jeans with all the guys in flight suits floating around.

 

[cameron172]

I rent out of Ferguson and while I would definitely recommend it to rent out of, it may be a tough airport for students to learn at.

NAS Jax wasn't competitive money-wise when I looked into it, and the codgers who run it gave a definite chip on the shoulder vibe when they found out I was a winged aviator. I decided to rent elsewhere after poking around a little bit.

I got my license through the club at Jax. I lucked out and got a pretty lady instructor but I had a couple flights with those old drumpy men and I could see why the club was having issues retaining students.

 

[OscarMyers]

I rent out of Ferguson and while I would definitely recommend it to rent out of, it may be a tough airport for students to learn at.



I got my license through the club at Jax. I lucked out and got a pretty lady instructor but I had a couple flights with those old drumpy men and I could see why the club was having issues retaining students.

What kind of resources/rates does Ferguson have? Their website doesn't have to much and both times I've stopped by I couldn't find anyone to talk to. I would like to find someone that does tail wheel training around here.

 

[cameron172]

I'm actually about to finish my tailwheel endorsement. The only guy I could find is a retired P-3 mechanic at J-22 Ranch Airport in Pace with a 1947 Aeronca Champ. PM me for his info. Definitely recommend you do it, it's a lot of fun to fly! Ferguson has one 172M at $110/hr wet that they keep really nice. And if you schedule it a week out, it's pretty open.