Florida flight training and living.....?

"30 Years. Hmmpf. All these danged carpet baggers wandering in. :)"

Well, my ancestors came to Florida about 450 years ago, from Europe, and settled in a town called San Agustin. How about yours ?
Of course, the "Native Americans" were here well before that. ;)

Cheers
 
Half Fast said:
Well, yes, they will be welcomed, even by us native-born Crackers, assuming they satisfy a few more criteria. They must agree to the following:
  • If they meet other northerners (aka "damn Yankees") who insist on telling us how much better things were back up nawth, they must be willing to explain in no uncertain terms that I-95 and I-75 have northbound lanes and the complainers should use them immediately.
  • They must be eager to cheer for the Bucs, the Jags, and the Dolphins except when they're playing one another; cheering can then be determined by the newcomer's geographic location in the state.
  • They must spend some time visiting and learning about areas that aren't theme parks. Florida has lots of history, and some beautiful and unique places. St. Augustine, the Everglades, the Suwannee river, the springs and cave systems of north Florida, Bok Tower in Lake Wales, Ravine Gardens in Palatka, the Ford and Edison estates in Ft. Myers, and many others are worth visiting.
  • Attending Sun-N-Fun is non-optional.
  • An appreciation of fresh seafood is required.
  • They must make at least one trip to Key West and visit Mallory Dock at sunset. A bowl of conch chowder and a slice of real key lime pie afterward is also essential.
  • At least once, they must watch the sunrise over the Atlantic and the sunset over the Gulf on the same day.
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Indeed :)

Cheers
 
ralarcon said:
"30 Years. Hmmpf. All these danged carpet baggers wandering in. :)"

Well, my ancestors came to Florida about 450 years ago, from Europe, and settled in a town called San Agustin. How about yours ?
Of course, the "Native Americans" were here well before that. ;)

Cheers
Click to expand...

Well, OK then. My grandfather came as late as the 1920's, so you're well ahead of me. But there are darned few 1st generation natives, much less 2nd generation. Alas, I'm a half breed, my mom came from Alabama (at a young age).
 
Oh, yeah - should've mentioned this.

A few posts back I brought up Polk State's program in Winter Haven. Polk State is about 15 minutes from KGIF. KGIF is home to Preston Aviation ( http://www.flytailwheel.com/ ) and next door to world-famous Jack Brown's Seaplane Base ( http://brownsseaplane.com/ ).

About 30 minutes away, at KLAL (home of Sun-N-Fun), is Tailwheels, Etc ( http://www.tailwheelsetc.com/ ).

Maybe a 45 minute drive in the other direction is Sun State Aviation in Kissimmee ( http://www.sunstateaviation.com/ ).

First Landings, where I'm training, is at X04, about an hour's drive away.

Between the college and the flight schools, if you can't find CFI work within an hour's drive you ain't trying.

Winter Haven is a fair sized city, but Polk County as a whole is mostly rural with several small towns. Lots of citrus farming and cattle ranching here. We moved to Polk County in 2002 to get a little land so my wife could have horses.
 
Half Fast said:
Oh, yeah - should've mentioned this.

A few posts back I brought up Polk State's program in Winter Haven. Polk State is about 15 minutes from KGIF. KGIF is home to Preston Aviation ( http://www.flytailwheel.com/ ) and next door to world-famous Jack Brown's Seaplane Base ( http://brownsseaplane.com/ ).

About 30 minutes away, at KLAL (home of Sun-N-Fun), is Tailwheels, Etc ( http://www.tailwheelsetc.com/ ).

Maybe a 45 minute drive in the other direction is Sun State Aviation in Kissimmee ( http://www.sunstateaviation.com/ ).

First Landings, where I'm training, is at X04, about an hour's drive away.

Between the college and the flight schools, if you can't find CFI work within an hour's drive you ain't trying.

Winter Haven is a fair sized city, but Polk County as a whole is mostly rural with several small towns. Lots of citrus farming and cattle ranching here. We moved to Polk County in 2002 to get a little land so my wife could have horses.
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Yes , and much more as you know, Thanks. The pilot community is very friendly everywhere you go, many times they give you free food, just for visiting their airport.:D

Cheers
 
My mom was born in a log cabin in a grapefruit grove near Alturas Florida in 1917. Near the RR tracks.
 
Thanks all. Good replies and info.

Still in the planning stages, so this info comes in handy! :)
 
There are plenty of pilot puppy mills to learn and work at in the greater Daytona area. There's a big flight school in Sanford. Anywhere along the I-4 corridor will suit you also.

My suggestion would be to use the airport directory on the AOPA website.

ArnoldPalmer said:
So, we got back from a 5 day vacation in sunny FL. Even though we did not get to see it all - we did spend a lot of time in Tampa and Orlando. We loved it! Loved it so much, that we are seriously thinking of making the move from MN to FL.

If we did move, I would pursue a career in aviation. Either CFI-ing on a full time basis or building time to make it to the airlines. Currently at almost 190 hours and should have my instrument rating soon. The missus is a nurse, and should have no problem finding work. I currently work in higher education....


Considering this: where in FL would be a good place to move to and get the rest of the ratings knocked out? Cost of living is a major factor. And anyone have insight on what full time CFIs make in the area?
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