Aviator vs. Aerosim vs. FlightSafety

FL360

FL360

Well-Known Member
Hi all
I have narrowed my choices down to these schools. For those interested, my ultimate goal would be to reach the majors. I am located in Canada and planning to undergo a college credit/university program enlisted under these schools respectively (aviator - 2yr degree, aerosim - Jacksonville university, FSA - numerous college/universities will give credits for flight training). Out of these schools, I would think that my top choice would be Aviator due to the amount of multi engine time handed out. FSA would be last, strictly because of the cost (80k and upwards). I am curious which organization you would pick and why? Anyone have any prior knowledge and first hand experience on any of these schools?

Thanks for all the help
FL360
 
Visit Aerosim and Flight Safety. Pick what's best for you. IMHO... Don't go any further south than Vero Beach! Quality beats quantity.

I have experience with all 3 schools. PM sent for more detail.
 
If you can visit the schools it would be best. You can find info on all 3 of these here in the forums. I was also looking these 3 for my training. I contacted all 3 of them, liked what I saw from FSA and Aerosim, was impressed but the cost of both of those was too high. My experience with Aviator was not good at all when I spoke to them a few times, which is why I didn't go with them. There's a mixed opinion here on JC regarding Aviator, some say positive things some had bad experiences. Just search for Ariben & Aviator and you'll find a lot of reading material.
 
I wouldn't recommend any of those... But if I had to choose I'd pick AeroSim. I worked with a couple guys who went there back when it was DCA and they had good things to say about it. I also currently work with a couple instructors who went to/worked at Flight Safety and they have had a lot of negative things to say about it. Never heard of Aviator so I can't really comment.
 
FL360 said:
Hi all
I have narrowed my choices down to these schools. For those interested, my ultimate goal would be to reach the majors. I am located in Canada and planning to undergo a college credit/university program enlisted under these schools respectively (aviator - 2yr degree, aerosim - Jacksonville university, FSA - numerous college/universities will give credits for flight training). Out of these schools, I would think that my top choice would be Aviator due to the amount of multi engine time handed out. FSA would be last, strictly because of the cost (80k and upwards). I am curious which organization you would pick and why? Anyone have any prior knowledge and first hand experience on any of these schools?

Thanks for all the help
FL360
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What happened to the local mom and pop flight schools?


Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
 
I hate to tell you but all aviation degree programs will give you college credit for the training that you did anywhere. It is the license and rating they are giving you credit for. So yes even Mom and Pops. Pretty sure you can find better places than the ones you mentioned.
 
Do you plan on working in the US? If not(can you legally work here), is training in Canada that much more expensive than getting FAA certs and then having to convert them?
 
Don't waste your money on any of those schools. You can get the same rating + Multi time for much cheaper.
 
Either way, you get what you pay for and it's more about the instructor than the school. I've had personal experience with 3 Mom and Pop schools, ATP, Flight Safety Academy, Aviator, and Aerosim.

You can get the same rating anywhere, the quality of training however... is not the same. Again, it's more about the instructor that the school. There are some great instructors/Mom and Pop schools out there but saying a more expensive school is a "waste of money" is a little shortsighted.

Also, something else to consider, you will most likely work as an instructor at the same place you get all your stuff.
 
In Canada have you looked at Moncton or Harvs for a non-degree program?

I have experience of several different schools. Aviator was crap. FSA was fantastically good training, but very expensive. Generally the best for the money is a Mom and Pop school.
 
NickH said:
In Canada have you looked at Moncton or Harvs for a non-degree program?

I have experience of several different schools. Aviator was crap. FSA was fantastically good training, but very expensive. Generally the best for the money is a Mom and Pop school.
Click to expand...


Yes I do plan on continuing on and working in the U.S. (I am a dual citizen). The only problem with local mom and pop schools is that they usually don't offer a degree or are in collaboration with a post secondary institution.

Ultimately, my first choice in Canada was Moncton. However their base price + instructor ratings + weather delays will add up to be equal or greater than that of a U.S. school. Not to mention conversion fees.
Aviator's program was my first choice. Their degree program offers 500+ multi engine time something neither school offers
 
So common sense would say to go to a local school to get a degree while pursuing your ratings at the same time. It will still end up being way cheaper than going to a university that specializes in aviation. It seems your mind is made though. And just so you know, I'm not so sure that having more than 100 multi engine hours will mean much especially if your goal is a regional airline. They are going to be desperate for pilots so I think we'll see some taking guys with 0 multi engine time. The next few years are going to being a lot of change to the "lower 50%" of the aviation industry. The "truths" we know today about it might prove to be changed in the very near future. Just my .02 but it is your time/money. Use it as you see fit.
 
Ash Williams said:
but saying a more expensive school is a "waste of money" is a little shortsighted.
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Total waste of money.

You can get the same results for cheaper. There are many advantages to researching your best options and getting the same ratings for much much cheaper and having an overall better learning experience.

It still amazes me how many prospective student pilots get most of their information from large flight schools advertisements and propaganda. This material is obviously geared towards pitching the big schools as the best or only choice.

Research, Talk to people, Research some more.
 
Krieger said:
Total waste of money.

You can get the same results for cheaper.
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That's being shortsighted Aaron. I know you like to cut and paste from your blog about glossy magazine flight school propaganda, but in the same way the most expensive product is not always the best... the cheapest is not always the best deal.
 
Ash Williams said:
That's being shortsighted Aaron. I know you like to cut and paste from your blog about glossy magazine flight school propaganda, but in the same way the most expensive product is not always the best... the cheapest is not always the best deal.
Click to expand...
I don't think I've seen anyone advocating for the cheapest flight school being the best. We're all just saying with certainty that the most expensive flight schools aren't the best. ;) There is absolutely no need to go into debt/spend a ridiculous amount of money on a profession that promises no security/stability. Especially when there are much better options out there financially speaking.
 
chrisreedrules said:
...with certainty that the most expensive flight schools aren't the best. ;) There is absolutely no need to go into debt/spend a ridiculous amount of money on a profession that promises no security/stability. Especially when there are much better options out there financially speaking.
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Now THAT, I totally agree with. In fact... one might be able to say ANY money spent in aviation these days is a total waste. I keed!

-Merry Christmas ya'll.
 
Ash Williams said:
That's being shortsighted Aaron. I know you like to cut and paste from your blog about glossy magazine flight school propaganda, but in the same way the most expensive product is not always the best... the cheapest is not always the best deal.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reading my blog! I've got some more additions coming soon.

I think prospective student pilots are typically smart. Usually smart enough to understand and take control of their own training.
Choosing a big flagship school a student gives up a lot of freedom to uncertainty.

Ash Williams I never meant to imply that the cheapest flight school is the best. chrisreedrules summed it up well. The expensive ticket mill schools certainly are not the best deals.
 
Aviators program involves getting a degree from the local community college. You can do that anywhere. The 500 hours of multi includes time spent working as an instructor. Aside from the fact these are not people you want to work for, that's something that can be had at many other schools too.
 
NickH said:
Aviators program involves getting a degree from the local community college. You can do that anywhere. The 500 hours of multi includes time spent working as an instructor. Aside from the fact these are not people you want to work for, that's something that can be had at many other schools too.
Click to expand...
Not exactly true, if you were to compare the degree from Aviator and the one you would get from ATP, you would see that Aviator uses a local college for some of the classes by Aviator is the college that issues the degree, while at ATP the college would issue the degree.
This made a huge difference for me when i got to choose a college since i was able to get scholarship by choosing Aviator but not by choosing ATP
 
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