My Ari Ben Aviator Experience

Maverick2 dropped by to see one of his guys a bit ago and asked me to tell you all what's going on...

He's finished with all of his ratings and is now instructing here, said he was really busy at the moment and hadn't found time to come and post here and update everybody with more detailed specifics, but to say hi and that he's instructing away!
 
October 22nd, 2006

Sorry guys and girls that I havent posted in a while. Ive been really busy since I finished the whole course two and a half months ago (8/1). A few days after the necessary paperwork and formalities of becoming an instructor at the Aviator, I was given a few timebuilders to check out and then the two students Mike promises plus one more student. So right now I have my hands full. So full that I have to quit my other job outside the school because I wanted to concentrate on my students of getting them thru the course as fast as possible. And boy am I having fun instructing. Its such a pleasure to see my students learn, build their skills to a correlative level, and watch them pass a checkride. Right now, I have almost 400 TT and a little over 300 ME. I'm not looking at the regionals until I hit 600TT or after I take the ATP written. I'm gonna get going now, feel free to PM me about anything, but I cant promise you I will reply the same day. Good luck everyone!!
 
Hello everybody,

It's my first post after I read most of your experience. Congratulations to maverick and to all of you that work and get done your training at ari-ben.
Maverick, how long it took you from the first day untill you became instructor?
I intend to start from zero with ari-ben on May trough the pro course. An approximate expence on living there will be really helpfull. Also, do I need a car to go to the school or to buy food? I have to think very clear when I'm going to start considering that I'll borrow 45K and no job.

Thanks to all of you.
 
Great first post! Well, it seems like it took him about 12-14 monthsto complete. When you consider that the course is scheduled for 5-6 months that doesn't look too good, does it zburatorul? Thats not Mav's fault though, he's a good, hard working guy. Why not read through some of the previous threads to find out why it takes so long? The car? You MUST have a car because the subway in Fort Pierce isn't always reliable. Budget $2000-3000 including insurance. I have a nice Chevrolet Chevette that you buy for off me for that price. It's a good deal!

I have to think very clear when I'm going to start considering that I'll borrow 45K and no job.
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Dude, it don't seem like you're thinking too clear to me! You've scheduled the course for May. Now you're asking what it will cost and how long it will take! It tells you in the blog how long it took him to get done. The future sure don't look bright for you! Where are you coming from? Are you a foreign guy? Best idea would be to ask Catherine for some advice, she'll tell you what you want to hear. Good luck with your training, sounds like you're going to need it.
 
Yes, I'm a foreign guy, I'm coming from New York and I don't know nothing about the area, not talking about the aviation experience, I didn't register yet, first I want to find out answers at some questions even if for you are kind a jokes or stupid.
 
I believe it only took maverick 7 or 8 months to complete the program when you factor out all the time he spent away from Fort Pierce.

Like Florida flyer mentioned you will most definitely need a car. I also second his comment about May not being the best time to start. You'd be much better off waiting till the end of September at the earliest that way you can avoid hurricane season.
 
zburatorul said:
Hello everybody,

It's my first post after I read most of your experience. Congratulations to maverick and to all of you that work and get done your training at ari-ben.
Maverick, how long it took you from the first day untill you became instructor?
I intend to start from zero with ari-ben on May trough the pro course. An approximate expence on living there will be really helpfull. Also, do I need a car to go to the school or to buy food? I have to think very clear when I'm going to start considering that I'll borrow 45K and no job.

Thanks to all of you.
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It took me one year and a week to finish the whole course from zero hours to my CFII (last checkride). I know it would have taken me less amount if I wasn't working three quarters of the course and taking some time off to see my wife and family, and two hurricanes, but I did it comfortably on my own pace. Mike has two options for housing, the apartments or houses, and they cost 500 to 600 dollars a month. I just filled my gas tank today for $2.33 a gallon and I bought a weeks worth of groceries for $30 today. I dont live in Mike's housing, but I rented an apartment with a fellow instructor and student, and we save at least $150 dollars in rent including utilities and internet. We have a shuttle service between the apartments and the school, that runs every hour during business hours at the school. If you dont have a car, its a bit inconvenient but there are many foreign students who sell their cars when its time for them to go back home . As of right now, I know at least three cars for sale right now. Hope this helps.

For everyone reading this, I am not paid to post this or any of my previous posts anywhere on the internet. However, I am a paid employee at Ari-Ben as a flight instructor, front desk/dispatch on Saturdays and Sundays, and a proctor when administering FAA written tests at the school. This should end all skepticisms of me.

Feel free to PM me or post on this thread if you any questions or just wanna say hello.
 
Last year, there were no hurricanes. In 2005, there were two that hit late like in September and October. In 2004, I think there were four and it they started in the middle of summer. There is no guessing when it would be this year. There was a tornado that ripped thru Embry Riddle (about 110 miles north of here) just this last Christmas, so you never know with weather.
 
maverick2 said:
For everyone reading this, I am not paid to post this or any of my previous posts anywhere on the internet. However, I am a paid employee at Ari-Ben as a flight instructor, front desk/dispatch on Saturdays and Sundays, and a proctor when administering FAA written tests at the school. This should end all skepticisms of me.
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Yes, for all concerned, we know that's the transition path for anyone in the program. Thanks for the reminder. I've followed your posts with great interest, and I commend for you for a job well done as you've completed this milestone and begin what promises to be a rewarding career in the future.

So, what are your totals?

Kudos to you!
 
maverick2 said:
Just shy of 500 TT and 400 multi, sick isn't it?
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Sounds superb to me. My co-worker friend is around 900 TT with 700 multi. Her former husband owned a Geromino. Funny is the fact that now she's divorced, fellow pilots are quick to offer flying time with her. In the past two months, she's flown the new TBM 850, 700, and a King Air 90. (Yep, many associates didn't like her ex husband.)

All fellow pilots tell her the multi time she has is superb. Yours too.
 
Thats one way to your multi up, buy your own plane or marry someone that has one. Its amazing how instructors leave here with that kind of a total time to multi time ratio. I met some timebuilders that have over 1000 hours but only fifty hours or less multi, and they had to spend a bit more money just to get their multi hours up to get hired. A few weeks later they call back and let you know they got hired. Its amazing how important multi time is and the way this industry work.
 
maverick2 said:
Thats one way to your multi up, buy your own plane or marry someone that has one. Its amazing how instructors leave here with that kind of a total time to multi time ratio. I met some timebuilders that have over 1000 hours but only fifty hours or less multi, and they had to spend a bit more money just to get their multi hours up to get hired. A few weeks later they call back and let you know they got hired. Its amazing how important multi time is and the way this industry work.
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More of a reason why I don't mind paying for the multi time out of pocket then doing the Part 141 utilizing my GI Bill to get commercial and instrument utilizing a twin.
 
May 17th, 2007

My time at the Aviator has come to a sweet end. On May 14th, I was hired by ExpressJet. My total time is 715 and 535 multi. I appreciate and thank everyone at the Aviator for their help in fulfilling my dream of becoming an airline pilot.

To all prospective students, this is the best place to get your training especially with the massive amount of multi hours and your instrument training is done in a multi and not a slow moving, fixed pitch C172 shooting approaches at 75. VA program (which I did) is a very challenging yet rewarding program especially with the 55 hours of solo time in a Duchess. The total cost of the program is a lot cheaper than all the programs out there after the VA reimburses you. And by the way, I got all my money back from the VA.

To all current students,
Get all your ratings done quick since the regionals are hiring at such low time and by the time you get your commercials, you have more multi than most pilots who dont work 121 or 135. If you find yourself not flying one day, go study for your written or read the PHAK and get yourself prepared for the MEI. When you hit the timebuilding phase, fly at least six hours a night five times a week, dont slack off. Laziness creeps in real quick.

To current instructors, fly your butt off with the students and you will be out of here really quick. Do whatever you can to get your students flying and if you cant, go talk to Mike he'll help you out. Dont be afraid.

To Mike, Pierre, TJ, Josh, Mary and Karen
Thank you for all your help and I know I have been a pain in the butt to you guys and thanks for putting up with me and helping me get out of here. Call me if you guys ever need anything from me. Take care and good luck.
 
wow, its like a sad ending :( except its a happy ending

You did awesome man, I really enjoyed reading your blogs. Thank you. Now I want to get started as soon as possible :)
 
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