SunState Aviation Accelerated Flight Training Reviews 51

Upon arrival it was apparent that the school was short of instructors. However, this did not phase them in the slightest. The team of instructors were outstanding. I was paired with a highly professional and extremely competent young instructor, Levi, who organized my schedule and prepared my daily flight training program. I was motivated, and there for a reason, which they appreciated and made every effort to go out of their way to make sure I got every opportunity to get my Private done accelerated as promised. Of course weather is not under anyone's control, as well as getting an examiner for my check ride but, for all other training matters, I was ready for my check ride within 3 weeks and at 45 hours under my belt. The organization was superb and the level of instruction amazing. I believe the school has the best instructors in Florida. Of course, instructors move on, however, after having completed my Private I am returning for my instrument and hour building. Superb location, amazing facility, wonderful G1000 aircraft, great airport, and yes, the folks in the control tower are super super nice. The instructors made sure we paid them a visit.

Sunstate offers an accelerated pilot training for upcoming pilots with prior training hours and experience. I followed this accelerated training to get my PPL. Your primary contact at Sunstate will be Mike Camelin, who is very communicative and a pleasure to work with. However, please take into account that the instruction staff is not always up to par with Mike and it is very important to get all documentation, planning and checkride date set prior to starting the accelerated training. I ended up going twice as the documentation to start took longer than expected and at the end, the examiner was not booked and not available. Last week I finished my PPL after setting all dates including the booked checkride prior to my travel to Kissimmee. This second well-planned-and-agreed-on week worked out fine, but also is a reason for me to note this to others wanting to do the same program. All in all, I can recommend Sunstate for the accelerated pilot program.

I went to SunState Aviation to complete my Commercial ASEL certificate and was able to accomplish this within ten calendar days using their accelerated program (Most of my solo requirements were met prior to my arrival). The cost of the training is more expensive than other flight schools however that additional cost goes into their aircraft and to some of the hardest working-knowledgeable instructors in the industry. It is a school that ensures students are ready for their practical FAA exam well before taking the ride. It is NOT a school that one can throw money at to "buy" a license as the instructors will not schedule a practical exam unless the student is ready. However, if a student arrives to this school with a mindset to study hard and rehearse the flight maneuvers prior to entering the cockpit, SunState will help accomplish your dream of flying. - Joe B

Be aware, be VERY aware! They will promise you what you want to hear, take your money, and then you have to fight tooth and nail to get your training. Absolutely don't come here for their 'accelerated training', they have no interested in that as there's more money for them to dragging it out. I spend 5 months preparing, flew in from Singapore to come here for two weeks. 3-4 hours of usable flight training cost me almost $3,000 in the first week, so I quit while I was behind. Their so called 'two students per instructor' actually mean 5-6. If they had been honest and told me they had an instructor shortage I could have changed my dates.
Nothing was organized or accelerated. Looking now for recommendations.

I enjoyed my stay, learning, fellowship, and experience at SunState. I would recommend going to Sunstate if you are looking an accelerated program.

Sunstate aviation is a great pilot training school. They are extremely professional on pilot license accelerating training program. Instructor Kyle W Tucker was my instructor. He is a very responsible, dedicated and passionate CFI.

Very well maintained aircrafts and extremely helpful staff.

I completed my PPL / SE-IR / ME at Sunstate and cannot speak highly enough of them. The facility is impressive and the standard of training is second to none. Steve & Mike are a pleasure to deal with and nothing is too much trouble. There is nowhere else I would consider going.

My own personal path was FAA licences that I converted to UK upon returning home and am now flying the A320 for an UK airline, down in no small part to the excellent training I received at Sunstate.

I started working on my Private Pilot Certificate in 2014. Twenty hours and almost three years later, I was no where. I was working full-time as was my private instructor so my hours were very spaced out. I needed to take a different route. After googling flight schools all over the south-east U.S. I chose Sunstate Aviation. It was definitely the best choice for me! They sparked my interest with the accelerated program and reasonable prices, not to mention the quick response time! Mr. Camelin stayed in touch with me throughout my deployment, making sure I was on track to start at Sunstate. When I arrived, the whole team welcomed me into their family! Jeff greets you every morning with a smile and maybe a song, and knows all of the good restaurants nearby! My instructor, Mike Goss, was the absolute BEST! He pushes you to succeed but still manages to be patient. He can critique while building your confidence, simultaneously. And he can detect when you need a break or you just need to add a little more effort. He balances other students while still making you feel like a priority. In fact, the whole Sunstate team makes you feel like a priority - from the Maintenance team to the Chief flight instructors! In my case, there were a couple of hiccups (weather, inspections, family time [bad idea to make a vacation out of it] etc.) and although we tried our best to finish, I had to return to work before I completed my course. My instructor stayed in contact with me and I figured out a way to get back to FL for a week. He rearranged his schedule and we made a plan! It felt like everyone was on my team! Joe Suarez, the Chief Flight Instructor, even dedicated time to help me prepare.That Saturday, I took my checkride and PASSED! I could not have picked a better flight school! Even the ATC guys rock! You meet awesome talented people from all around the globe and you just might get to see Disney's fireworks. The view is definitely better from above! If you're looking to fly, Sunstate is definitely the way to go! I couldn't thank them enough!

Professional and knowledgeable team, high standards of training, great and well maintained aircraft fleet and always committed to the safety and success of all students. Could not be any happier flying with Sunstate.

I was a part 61 student from Ohio (15G Skypark) looking only for hourly training while my family played at Disneyland. I should have (and it's my fault) been more clear on what I was being charged for. My credit card (again... I paid forward) was cleaned out in NO time. That's my only issue. I would return for instrument training if my family wants to go to Disney, but only with a firm understanding of what I am being charged for. As for my instructor Mike Goss however; he was great. He was exactly the instructor I needed. If my landing was bad, he told me so. He was not easy on me and that's a good thing. Flying is hard, flying is potentially dangerous. So my review is a good one. I was treated well.

I never usually write reviews but due to the terrible experience I received at SunState I felt it was only fair to inform people contemplating a fast-track flight school.

Before going to SunState I had already received 20hours of flight instruction, and I was reasonably comfortable with all the basic maneuvers and could fly the circuit pattern, take-off, landing, etc. the only landing I was struggling with a did not know too well was a glide (engine failure) landing, so I felt I was on target to complete my PPL close to the 45 hour flight time required.

I came to SunState with intention of completing the additional 25hours of flight training needed, however I only managed an extra 20hours and the instruction I received was completely below standard, although I got 20 hours of flight time, I never really got to control the aircraft and may as well have been a passenger. The instructors provided little assistance or feedback and the only advice provided was to read the manuals that make you buy from the shop! The whole time I was there if felt as though they were just after my money and had no care for student progression.

I spent thousands of dollars going to SunState and I can not stress how terrible the experience was. If you are reading this review and planning on a fast track course, I can only advise not to chose SunState! Not only will you save a lot of money you will receive better training at another flight school and in turn you will be a better pilot!

Hello everyone,

My name is Charbel, I have been in sun state aviation for a short period for my ATP certificate, the place is great, the crew are very respectful and nice and the instructors were very experienced.

I recommend this place for anybody who would really want to gain knowledge along with the certificate.

Charbel

I began flight training here in July of 2016. The CFI I was partnered with was one of the laziest individuals I have ever met. She honestly didn't care about her students and was only concerned with building hours for her ATP which is a common occurrence with students who become instructors. She could never work around my work schedule and always gave excuses why she couldn't fly that day. If there was a cloud in the sky, it was going to be a huge storm according to her. So after I brought up this situation to the Owner and the chief CFI, they finally decided to pair me with another CFI. This guy was a good instructor but he ended up quitting and working for a different flight school about a week after I started working for him. I asked him why the job move and I was informed it was not a great place to work. Also, while I was attending SunState Aviation, the chief CFI was forced to resign. I would not recommend this flight school what so ever. Honestly, unless you aren't having to pay for flight school out of pocket, your best bet is to find an individual who has been a CFI for a while and chooses to do it because he enjoys it. Not because he needs the hours to transition.

I can thoroughly recommend the staff and facilities at Sun State Aviation if as a UK PPL you want to fly in Florida. Once checked out flew G1000 equipped Cessna 172's which were immaculate. Lots of amazing destinations to fly into and no landing fees!

Great variety of well maintained & kitted out aircraft, fantastic new premises with impressive training & planning facilities.

Very friendly & helpful staff in the administration section, highly experienced & effective ownership & management and all rounded off with a highly competent, skilled & dedicated group of high grade instructors.

Cannot recommend this facility highly enough, definitely the best I have had the pleasure to fly with anywhere in the world.

Mat P

I highly recommend this school. I successfully passed 3 checkrides at Sunstate. Facility and airplanes are in great shape. Instructors very knowledgeable and willing to help

Vacationing at Disney and figured Kissimmee would be a good place to get my hour of training. Well you know how mornings can be in Florida but they hung in there day after day and conformed to my family centric schedule. Very happy with the customer treatment and the professional training. They get MY endorsement.

A former Naval Aviator I looked for a school that was run like my Navy Squadrons. In other words - SAFETY, STRUCTURE and PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP. SunState did not disappoint.