Testimonials
Going into the accelerated Private course, I was optimistic, but skeptical. I was skeptical that a person with little or no flying experience could receive training and demonstrate the skills required to obtain a Private pilots license in two weeks. After flying for 13 days and passing my check ride, I can enthusiastically say that it can be done! The laid back atmosphere at Career Pilot School made the training a lot of fun. Also the professionalism of the flight instructors pushed my limits and caused me to grow as a budding pilot. Overall, the experience was awesome. I whole heartedly endorse this school to anyone with the desire and dream to become a pilot.
—C.J. P.
I just went through Career Pilot School’s CFI training program. I am writing this review to let people know how great the school is. I will say that as a flight school it has its kinks, but show me one flight school that doesn’t. I have now been through three flight schools and out of all of them I would rate Career Pilot School with some of the best instruction you can get. The amount of ground school that I received was amazing. You could tell Michael Siegel is one of the very few instructors that actually takes an interest in his students. I did my previous CFI through another school, which when I went into my check ride my head was all screwed up because of how nervous I was, just because of the fact my ground school training was all self based. At Career Pilot School the ground was so detailed by the time I went for my check ride I have never been so calm and relaxed before. While I was with Career Pilot School I did my CFI and CFII which I went 2 for 2. My main point is just to let people know if your looking for a one on one flight school where the instructors go the extra mile, go to Career Pilot School.
—Tyler F.
Career Pilot School helped me achieve my IFR rating quickly and economically without sacrificing training. In fact, I’d say I’m a better IFR pilot following their accelerated program than I would have been if conventionally trained. With accelerated training, little is lost between lessons. The curriculum is intense and demanding … but then, so is IFR flying!
—Larry H.
I am currently a Private Pilot, and I am now beginning my training for my instrument rating. As I have realized my dream to become a pilot, it has been a pleasure flying with Michael Siegel as my instructor at Career Pilot School.
From the moment I began my Private Pilot flight training, Michael’s passion and knowledge in flying has always been present. I have benefited greatly by his focus on individualized training and development. Michael has always had the ability to recognize areas of improvement and the determination to focus on them until I reached proficiency and confidence.
What I like most about the training at Career Pilot School is their commitment to safety. Because of the training I received, I feel prepared and confident to deal with any situation that may arise.
I can’t imagine getting better instruction than what I received from Michael Siegel and Career Pilot School!
—Dave B.
I earned my private rating in 1971 and flew about 250 hours during the early 70’s. With the press of professional duties as an earth scientist and the desire to spend an appropriate amount of time with my family, I did not fly much until January of 2006, when I decided to enroll at Career Pilot School. At that time I decided I would like to work on the instrument rating and to ultimately buy an airplane. First of course, I had to take a Biennial Flight Review. Michael Siegel worked with me over the next few hours of airplane time to make me comfortable doing the standard things one must do to fly safely and intelligently. Once the Biennial Flight Review was completed, we started on a rather standard curriculum for the Instrument Rating using the Gleim books as guides. Being a university professor, I understood how to study and soon passed the written exam. During the spring and summer we typically flew twice a week for about 1.5 hours at each outing. Michael was well prepared for each of these sessions and we did a critique of each flight afterwards. Michael would typically go over the more important aspects of what we had done, what needed improvement, and what we would do next time. I had no particular time line and was not in a hurry to finish up. My progress during this time was good, but sometimes I would lose my edge because of not flying for an extended period due to other commitments. Michael was always encouraging and positive about my ability to finish the rating, but was persistent about doing things correctly.
We did the required cross country to Salina, Kansas in actual instrument conditions. I am very grateful that Michael gave me the opportunity to finish the rating with several hours of actual instrument conditions, but of course that also depends on the weather cooperating. At Michael’s suggestion I decided to concentrate on finishing up quickly by flying most days leading up to the check ride. We had ground school at various times throughout the course when needed; and, Michael was to be a very good and knowledgeable teacher. In particular, we thoroughly discussed material necessary for the cross country and for the oral part of the instrument practical test. Michael encouraged me and assured me that I was ready for the check ride. I confess that I had some doubts. The oral exam and check ride were successful, Michael had prepared me well.
—Carl McElwee
Professor of Geology, University of Kansas
Just a quick note on how much I appreciate you and your accelerated flight school program in preparing me for and ultimately receiving my instrument rating. It is a given that the chances of me becoming an instrument rated pilot were minimal if I had not attended your class.
By enrolling in your school I was given your full attention. I return I received the skills, knowledge, and confidence that enabled me to pass both the oral and flying portions of the exam. Your instruction not only helped me get my rating, but also taught me how to become a much better pilot.
I would highly recommend your school to anyone.
—Hugh Kelly
After completing my PPL and accumulating about 120 hours, I wanted to get my instrument rating for the additional flexibility it offered and the skills I would develop. Accelerated training was my only option given a demanding job and busy schedule. Career Pilot School offered a curriculum that worked for me and access to an airplane that would have been more complicated using other vendors.
Michael’s approach was exceptional. He taught me new skills and, the moment I was comfortable, added complexity. It was a continual stretch that, though often unsettling, developed my competency as quickly as possible. I also appreciated the pragmatic approach to flying. In addition to meeting the PTS standards, Michael encouraged me to learn to use different autopilots and built comfort with my hand-held GPS just in case it was all I had on a dark and rainy night.
After the training the checkride was a non-event. And in addition to a new IR, I built better piloting skills, earned a complex rating, improved my decision-making, and even made a friend. I’d recommend Career Pilot School to anyone who’s looking for an accelerated program with the highest standards.
—Anand M.
