IFS affecting future learning

[ChuckMK23]

Interesting tidbits here:
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a08be8_1f45a568ee464fda96e6606cca81e751.pdf

I am SHOCKED at the age and config of the aircraft listed that SkyWarrior uses.
Crappy fleet. Ancient airframes.

 

[bucka]

Interesting tidbits here:
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a08be8_1f45a568ee464fda96e6606cca81e751.pdf

I am SHOCKED at the age and config of the aircraft listed that SkyWarrior uses.
Crappy fleet. Ancient airframes.

As of 2016 there are 5 or 6 mom and pop flight schools that take advantage of the Navy money to quick turn 14 hour syllabi. I went to Lightning at Foley, AL. Motley mix of Pipers and a few Cessnas run by a Navy retiree. All steam, some working.

The end-of-stage exam had some sort of FAA stamp on it, and I think it was the PPL written test, but I don't know that for sure. That was taken at the FBO. There were some lead up exams, all taken at the API building, and those were the same for all students, but pretty useless by how gouged they were. I've heard that the program has since been redone to be tougher, typical stud rumor mill stuff.

The IFS instructors ran the gamut. Some were young CFIs milling for hours, some were older dudes. Future me would love to buy a few rust buckets and take that contract at a little airfield.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Does IFS even make a difference in SNAs or is like most government contracts and a waste of money? Didn’t have it when I went thru flight school in ‘94. After a bunch of carrier landings and now wide body airline Captain it must not be that big a deal.

 

[bucka]

Does IFS even make a difference in SNAs or is like most government contracts and a waste of money? Didn’t have it when I went thru flight school in ‘94. After a bunch of carrier landings and now wide body airline Captain it must not be that big a deal.

In my opinion, no, but I'm sure renting a wet Cessna and a bored CFI for 13.5 hours is cheaper than getting an SNA through ground school, sims, and a few remedial T-6 flights only to discover an insurmountable fear of heights, airsickness, or nonexistent study habits. It was a good time, though.

 

[Pags]

Does IFS even make a difference in SNAs or is like most government contracts and a waste of money? Didn’t have it when I went thru flight school in ‘94. After a bunch of carrier landings and now wide body airline Captain it must not be that big a deal.

I knew of one or two folks who said "no thanks" after their IFS flights. One or two every month or so adds up to approx 10-20 drops/year that USN saves the time and JP-5 on. I'm guessing because it's been going on for over 15yrs USN bean counters have deemed it to be worthwhile.

 

[Griz882]

Seems a bit silly to me. Didn’t have it back in ‘86 and as I recall the instructors in primary were able to weed out the non-flyers very quickly.

 

[Pags]

Seems a bit silly to me. Didn’t have it back in ‘86 and as I recall the instructors in primary were able to weed out the non-flyers very quickly.

Probably also helps to remove the initial screening aspect from the VTs so IPs can focus on instructing. Like I said above I knew of a few who dropped during IFS but not many who dropped during/failed primary.

 

[Python]

Interesting tidbits here:
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a08be8_1f45a568ee464fda96e6606cca81e751.pdf

I am SHOCKED at the age and config of the aircraft listed that SkyWarrior uses.
Crappy fleet. Ancient airframes.

Eh, I’m not so shocked. Almost every FBO I’ve rented planes from, the ancient ones with crappy avionics were by far the most common on the line. The FBOs that did have a plane or two with a G1000 charged an arm and a leg for its use. I think Skywarrior’s fleet is typical of many flight schools, and it’s not financially logical to invest in a G1000 IFS syllabus for 14 hours of student screening.

 

[Gatordev]

Seems a bit silly to me. Didn’t have it back in ‘86 and as I recall the instructors in primary were able to weed out the non-flyers very quickly.

Sure, but they did it at 40 gallons/hour (and now I would guess it's more like 50-60 gallons/hour). Part of the point, as Pags said, was to weed out the people that need to be weeded out before the cost/flight hour increases.

Beyond that, no, it really doesn't add much to the training.

 

[wink]

Do u get orders to a specific FBO or do u get to pick from a list?

IFS back for NFOs?

 

[Pags]

Do u get orders to a specific FBO or do u get to pick from a list?

IFS back for NFOs?

I think I was told where to go.

 

[bucka]

Do u get orders to a specific FBO or do u get to pick from a list?

IFS back for NFOs?

API staff make an effort to assign FBO based on where you live in the Pensacola area. Loose association at best. Yes.

 

[ChuckMK23]

When I was at Oshkosh this summer,the Cessna folks advertised a base 172 for $420K and 2018 and2019 production was already spoken for! Probably none of these deliveries where bound for Navy IFS contractors

 

[ChuckMK23]

Eh, I’m not so shocked. Almost every FBO I’ve rented planes from, the ancient ones with crappy avionics were by far the most common on the line. The FBOs that did have a plane or two with a G1000 charged an arm and a leg for its use. I think Skywarrior’s fleet is typical of many flight schools, and it’s not financially logical to invest in a G1000 IFS syllabus for 14 hours of student screening.

Flying club or small group ownership is the way to go. @PEPfromage can attest to the quality of the airframes in my club. I’ve given him around a dozen hours of instruction in our aircraft. All our 172’s are upgraded to 180HP, modern Garmin FMS/navigators, ADS B IN & Out. Immaculate levels of cleanliness. No dirty hands from preflighting my airplanes!

 

[AllYourBass]

Flying club or small group ownership is the way to go. @PEPfromage can attest to the quality of the airframes in my club. I’ve given him around a dozen hours of instruction in our aircraft. All our 172’s are upgraded to 180HP, modern Garmin FMS/navigators, ADS B IN & Out. Immaculate levels of cleanliness. No dirty hands from preflighting my airplanes!

I can only assume this means your aircraft has navigation equipment that points to the nearest In-N-Out, which is a compelling argument for flying club membership. Sold!