I have 270 hours, only 6 in complex aircraft, and passed my written two days ago with a 95%. Im signed up to go to Shebles to bust out a commercial license. Has anyone has experience with this? They say it is 2 days, which seems very quick. Even at 3 or 4 days, thats fine with me. However, I feel like I am not prepared. I havent read any of the commercial check ride material and have only practiced my commercial maneuvers for about 6 hours. Can it be done?

Probably not in two days.

To complete it in two days they expect that all the requirements listed in FAR part 61 to take the check ride to be completed BEFORE you arrive except for the dual test preparation. In other words their "commercial course" is actually an oral exam and check ride prep course.

They will be happy to get you through your other requirements (I summarized them below) but it will take more time. How much depends on where you are with them.

I strongly suggest you call them and ask to speak with one of the instructors or to Valerie herself and talk specifics. Or you can take a deep breath and remain flexible, leave your return travel plans loose, and finish when you finish. The training environment there is what I would characterize as "laid back" and it is no use being uptight about the pacing and scheduling.


-Commercial written exam test results
-20 hours of DUAL training to include….
10 hours of DUAL complex time
1 two hour DUAL, DAY, VFR, 100 Nm (straight line distance) cross country
1 two hour DUAL, NIGHT, VFR, 100 Nm (straight line distance) cross country
-10 hours DUAL Instrument (or an instrument rating)
-250 hours of total time
-100 hours pilot in command
-50 hours cross country PIC
-10 hours of solo to include….
One 300NM cross country with 3 full stop landings, one of which is 250NM straight line distance from the point of departure.
-5 hours of NIGHT SOLO, and in those five:
10 take offs and landings at NIGHT, at an airport with an operating control tower.

Good luck. For a few bucks more you can also take the course in a Lake amphibian and end up with both land and sea commercial ratings.

Here are the actual experience and training requirements from the FARs: http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... .1.2.6.1.5

I went to Sheble's in Kingman in October 2005, for the 10 day instrument and 2 day commercial course. I had 500 hours TT. It took just under a month down there to get it all wrapped up, including driving to Vegas to take my COM/INST writtens on the same day and get my 40 hours of INST dual. I had all my long cross country flights done (living in AK). I figured it would take longer than advertised, since there were airplanes and humans involved, and I was right. A 10 day instrument/2 day commercial course is rather optimistic, but they tried their best. I enjoyed it a lot, and I want to go back for my COM ASES and AMEL/IFR soon. The price was right, the instructors were great, and the airplanes...well they flew.

Thanks for the advice. I actually have finished all of the requirements that they list on their website and that are listed above. Well not completely the complex hours, but those will be done in a few days. Just not sure that I could be thrown in front of a fed or equivalent examiner and be able to pass an oral.

ington6 wrote:Thanks for the advice. I actually have finished all of the requirements that they list on their website and that are listed above. Well not completely the complex hours, but those will be done in a few days. Just not sure that I could be thrown in front of a fed or equivalent examiner and be able to pass an oral.

They "teach to the test" and have their own DPEs on contract. If you are average or better you will pass with flying colors.

Whether that is a good thing in the long run is left up to each pilot to decide. What do you want? I took my instrument training there. I passed with flying colors. There was no way I was prepared to fly in IMC through the enroute and approach environment the next day despite the temporary certificate in my wallet. :shrug: At least I knew that and didn't try before additional mentoring.

Shebles are good people, have good pilots, and will do what you need done to get you done.

Show up prepared, ready to fly, ready to learn something, and have your shit squared away, and you'll have a ball flying with those guys. And while I realize times may have changed (I'm still sworn to secrecy about one check-ride adventure), those boys down there love beers and lie telling after the day's flying is done. Go have fun.

Gump

I went to Sheble's for my ME and CFI and had a great time. They are indeed a rating factory, but you can really take advantage of it if you come with the knowleadge and at least familiar with the manuevers. I don't know if I'd recommend the syllabus for someone who truly needs to learn at a slower pace, or who requires personal instruction, but if you just need to get your rating done in the shortest possible time, it's about the best deal going.

That said, you can't possibly come out of there fully competent IFR, ME, etc pilot unless you keep flying when you get home. It's just a mill remember...

It ain't no Flight Safety, but all the CFIs were great (even the low time guys), and I got along well with all the staff. There's enough inept, forgein students there to make you look like a rock star. The aircraft...yes they fly but I saw 2 of em' make emergency landings when I was there in June due to engine problems. They just get abused like any flight school ships.

However, Kingman is entertaining in and of itself. Some good beer joints to frequent after the flyings done.

Mike-

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:They "teach to the test" and have their own DPEs on contract. If you are average or better you will pass with flying colors.

Whether that is a good thing in the long run is left up to each pilot to decide. What do you want? I took my instrument training there. I passed with flying colors. There was no way I was prepared to fly in IMC through the enroute and approach environment the next day despite the temporary certificate in my wallet. :shrug: At least I knew that and didn't try before additional mentoring.

SHACK!

stearmann4 wrote:They are indeed a rating factory

Double SHACK!

I would not recommend Sheble's for anyone who actually needs training. I would only recommend them as an inexpensive place to get a checkride done. Given that you probably don't live near there, they may not be the cheapest option when you factor in the travel time.

I'm signed up, and I'm going at the end of the month. They said 4-5 days for the ten hrs complex.

Cessna_pilot wrote:I'm signed up, and I'm going at the end of the month. They said 4-5 hours for the ten hrs complex.

FIFY

My bad 4-5 DAYS. Sorry, it's been a long day for me.

Cessna_pilot wrote:My bad 4-5 DAYS. Sorry, it's been a long day for me.

Never mind. You had it right the first time

Can't say enough about Sheble's. I have used them twice and would recommend them to almost anyone. Attitude makes a HUGE difference, be flexible, study, know your sh!t ahead of time as to not waste their time or yours. Good luck