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My MIL and I have been thinking pretty seriously about getting our private pilot license. My inlaws have a small (~600 acre) ranch near Telegraph and flying would make getting there a lot easier. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good flight school near H-town?

Just remember - any reputable school teaches landing.

MasterOfNone wrote:Just remember - any reputable school teaches landing.

beware of the ones who wait till you're up in the air before negotiating prices

What side of town is your preference and I will try to direct you.
PM me and I will give you my phone number if you would like to chat flying and lessons.
I am a current instructor but don't have time to instruct between my corporate flying gig, school and family but I might be able to give you some general pointers when choosing a flight school and what to expect as well as point you in the directions of a couple.
Barry.

FL450 wrote:What side of town is your preference and I will try to direct you.
PM me and I will give you my phone number if you would like to chat flying and lessons.
I am a current instructor but don't have time to instruct between my corporate flying gig, school and family but I might be able to give you some general pointers when choosing a flight school and what to expect as well as point you in the directions of a couple.
Barry.

I am in Downtown and she lives towards Crosby so pretty open to location. We both only work about 14 days a months so we have plenty of time if the drive is a little ways. Thanks

Sounds like Baytown Humphrey might be in between I will make a call and find out what they have to offer, We buy all our gas there because they are the cheapest in town it's worth the flight from Ellington.

I took ground school before climbing in to a plane (student/pilot's seat) for the first time. It sounded backwards at the time, but I really liked having the book teaching before the real life teaching. (Took my training in another state, and haven't flown in more years than I care to admit, so can't help with schools or instructors in TX, let alone Houston.)

Good choice to get your licenses. Happy flying!

I'd also suggest taking a groundschool class before starting flight lessons.

I'm not an instructor any more (let it expire ), but I'm happy to chat about getting started as well. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about flight schools in Houston.

For reference, I've got commercial helicopter, instrument helicopter, CFI (expired), and AGI. Although I haven't taught one in over three years, I used to teach 4 to 5 private pilot airplane (SEL) Part 141 groundschool classes a year.

There are no flight schools at Baytown. I recently checked into a flight school at West Houston Lakeside ( Hwy 6 @ I-10) for my bosses son, He is starting lessons tomorrow. Clover Field(Pearland, Friendswood) Area as an aero club you could join. I wouldn't recommend any schools at Ellington or Dutch wings at Houston Southwest( fm 521/Hwy 6) Stay away from FAA part 141 (fAA)schools unless you are using student loans or VA money. Their structure required cost a lot more money than FAA part 61 schools but it doesn't mean it's safer or better training. Most schools follow some standard syllabus while maintaing some flexibility to best your needs. Harvey and Rein Aviation At Laport airport (Spencer Hwy) is a possibility. I don't know what Sugarland Airport has to offer. Hobby has no flight schools that I know of any more.
Pm me if you would like to chat or have any questions as you investigate these. I will try to help all I can.
Edit: Sorry for the typos.The IPhone isn't the easiest to post from with fat thumbs.

Check W/ San Jacinto College Main Campus in Pasadena. Probably the cheapest in town plus you get college credits.

OldCurlyWolf wrote:Check W/ San Jacinto College Main Campus in Pasadena. Probably the cheapest in town plus you get college credits.

They have contracts with a FAA part 141 school. Not as cheap for the flying part a it was when I received my advanced ratings there in the 80's. I know prices have increases but I am speaking relative to other options today. Usually Aero Clubs are the best value for renting. They use freelance instructors which also cost less. I still feel like the safety and quality are there. You can get good and bad Instructors at any school. You need to ask around also if your not happy with the instruction don't be afraid to switch. Some schools operate new equipment and some old. There is nothing wrong with old if thay are maintained according to FAA standards. Also. Don't let schools quote you a package based on the FAA minimum time requirements of 40 hours. In today's world of complex airspace the average is closer to 65. I pass on this adviceI have gained through 24 years as an instructor, Corporate Pilot and Aircraft Mechanic.

FL450 wrote:

OldCurlyWolf wrote:Check W/ San Jacinto College Main Campus in Pasadena. Probably the cheapest in town plus you get college credits.

They have contracts with a FAA part 141 school. Not as cheap for the flying part a it was when I received my advanced ratings there in the 80's. I know prices have increases but I am speaking relative to other options today. Usually Aero Clubs are the best value for renting. They use freelance instructors which also cost less. I still feel like the safety and quality are there. You can get good and bad Instructors at any school. You need to ask around also if your not happy with the instruction don't be afraid to switch. Some schools operate new equipment and some old. There is nothing wrong with old if thay are maintained according to FAA standards. Also. Don't let schools quote you a package based on the FAA minimum time requirements of 40 hours. In today's world of complex airspace the average is closer to 65. I pass on this adviceI have gained through 24 years as an instructor, Corporate Pilot and Aircraft Mechanic.

Last time I checked, SEVERAL years ago, SJ had one of the best rates in town and at that time it was handy to me.

But you are obviously better informed in that area.

OCW

The rates might be good but Under the 141 program you will spend many more hours at that rate earning your certificate so the total cost will be much higher. They might give you an example using the minimum time the FAA sets out but almost no one will qualify in that time. I have been out of the full ti
E instructing business for years so I havnt kept up with all the pricing around town. I only do occasional instructing for pilots with their own plane, just for currency requirements not for complete ratings.
I did teach at San Jac right after I earned my Instructors rating at San Jac.

FL450 wrote:The rates might be good but Under the 141 program you will spend many more hours at that rate earning your certificate so the total cost will be much higher. They might give you an example using the minimum time the FAA sets out but almost no one will qualify in that time. I have been out of the full ti
E instructing business for years so I havnt kept up with all the pricing around town. I only do occasional instructing for pilots with their own plane, just for currency requirements not for complete ratings.
I did teach at San Jac right after I earned my Instructors rating at San Jac.

Please explain how you would spend more time in a 141 program.

Part 61 = 40 hours minimum. Most part 141 programs = 35 hours minimum. Average time needed for most students is 50 to 65 hours. If the price is the same, or less at a 141 school how does this equal more money?

With a part 141 program you are following an approved written syllabus. Your instructor might not even have a syllabus at a part 61 school.

You are correct, but there is a standard format that is usually followed. The 141 program is so ridged that between meeting the exact criteria and stage checks the average time is closer to 80 hours. Don't get me wrong, I am not against 141 programs, infact it is the only option with VA money or student loans, I am just saying that if you are on a budget there is nothing wrong with part 61 schools. I feel they can be equally as safe and quality instruction, just a little bit more value for the money.