AV-ED at Leesburg or Winchester, VA

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HerrGruyere

Line Up and Wait
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Middle River, MD
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Pistol Pete
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Hey!

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything bad about AV-ED's two locations in the DMV area. I've been flying with Frederick Flight Center so far, but I'm moving to Fairfax. AV-ED is a lot closer. Seems they have cheaper planes to rent, which is nice considering I'm about to undertake my IFR. They also have a functioning sim, which is also good for my IFR.

Anybody?

Pete
 
My experiences at Leesburg have been good.
 
They seem like a reputable shop. Glad I've heard one positive thing about them so far. How's it dealing with the SFRA there?
 
Easy. Squawk 1226 going out, 1227 coming back in, no flight plan required as long as you go through the maneuvering area. You will need a flight plan for pattern work or if you want to exit via other gates. I did my training at GAI so dealing with the SFRA is no big deal, and it's even easier at JYO.
 
They seem fine, several friends fly there. I hold a grudge against them kicking me out of my tie down back in the early days at Potomac Airfield (that and their instructors used to leave their plane blocking the pumps between lessons) but I think they've learned some manners since them.
 
HerrGruyere said:
Hey!

I was wondering if anyone has heard anything bad about AV-ED's two locations in the DMV area. I've been flying with Frederick Flight Center so far, but I'm moving to Fairfax. AV-ED is a lot closer. Seems they have cheaper planes to rent, which is nice considering I'm about to undertake my IFR. They also have a functioning sim, which is also good for my IFR.

Anybody?

Pete
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I'm going to PM you about your options at Leesburg...

There's also Manassas, too, which might be closer depending on where you live in Fairfax.
 
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I think one of our members may have taught at OKV. Don't know if he's still there.
 
Leesburg and Manassas are a whole lot closer than Winchester. I relocated from VKX to OKV right after 9/11 (well five weeks later when they finally deigned to let us get our planes out of there). From Herndon, it takes about an 25 minutes to drive to JYO, 35 to HEF, and about 60 to FDK, OKV, or CJR.

It's really too bad Dulles is no longer workable. I used to keep the plane there and it was 5 minutes away. There were two flying clubs on the field and both are long gone.
 
flyingron said:
Leesburg and Manassas are a whole lot closer than Winchester. I relocated from VKX to OKV right after 9/11 (well five weeks later when they finally deigned to let us get our planes out of there). From Herndon, it takes about an 25 minutes to drive to JYO, 35 to HEF, and about 60 to FDK, OKV, or CJR.

It's really too bad Dulles is no longer workable. I used to keep the plane there and it was 5 minutes away. There were two flying clubs on the field and both are long gone.
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Agree.

It's about 40 minutes from where I live to HEF or IAD, and about 45 to W32 or VKX. About 15 minutes longer (plus a highway toll) to JYO. Stafford is a crap-shoot because of I-95, might be 45 minutes or so one day (non-rush), 2 hours the next. DCA is under 30 minutes but that ain't happening (though I do remember a time when there were GA planes based there...)
 
Ahhh I forgot about HEF! I'll have to look for schools there, too.

Thanks for your help, everyone!
 
I'd consider Aviation Adventures.. this is old information but the Av-AD folks were usually older/more established/already had their "flying jobs" and so this was something they did because they loved it. They would teach around their schedule.

Av-ED used to be all young kids, fresh out of flight school, and seeking their actual flying job. Younger, less experience, and the possibility of having them leave before you were done.

Granted this is old info but I'd poke around a little before deciding. This is JYO.

There is another school at JYO now, too, I believe called Atlantic... my CFI (FANTASTIC guy - retired fighter pilot) left Av-AD because his planes were always either Diamonds or now a Cirrus... and Av-AD prefers to do leasebacks with owners who have Cessnas. I think Av-AD has planes other than Cessnas, but their rule with Cessna is that they can't have owner-leasebacks that are not Cessnas (there may be quota issue...)
 
Well, I also don't do flight training full-time. I can only do it on the weekends and the occasional evening. I think I met one instructor from Av-Ed once. He was up in Frederick for a checkride. Seemed like a nice guy.
 
I got my CFI ticket with AvAd, taught part-time with them, and continue to rent from them. They are in my opinion a very very good outfit. By the way, I got my private through commercial at Frederick with Frederick Aviation/Frederick Flight Center, so I have a similar experience base to you. I really think that you'd enjoy renting or learning at any one of the AvAd locations.
 
Ah okay! You know where I'm coming from, then. I really like Frederick Flight Center. Everyone is always happy to see me and some even know me by name (even if I call over the phone!), the planes are well-kept, and the tower is nice practice. I just can't keep driving there to rent when I'm living in NoVA. I'll try to pay some of these places at JYO a visit to see how I might fit in.
 
One more thing--I think Aviation Adventures lets you rent from either the JYO location or the HEF location on the same account, which gives you access to tons more planes. Av-Ed has a location in Winchester (I think?) too, and when I was there for my written exam, I heard them telling some guy on the phone that they have completely separate account systems and it's completely non-transferable.
 
James is correct, once checked out by one location they can confirm your privileges at the other Av-Ad locations.
 
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