I've been to Aviator....it was the worse experience of my life...I would say 90% of the student hate it there and if they could leave they would. Most are locked in due to their visa. The planes are always broke down, I heard stories how the aircraft logs are "doctored" stories of them "fabricating" new wings. I had a plane for my check ride with large crack on the nose gear so I grabbed a mechanic and he said nope can't fly it has to be fixed. I grabbed another plane for the checkride and the next day the plane with the crack is out flying around and still hasn't been fixed. I heard about the linkage rod for the flaps broke on a checkride and the plane ended up doing a barrel role. Not all the instructors are mature enough to be teaching. They lack work ethic, cancelling flights just being plane too lazy to get out of bed. Some speak really poor english so there is a communication barrier. I ended going next door to the mom and pop opperation and finished up my instrument, single and multi commercial there. It took a month before they noticed I wasn't flying there but still living in the dorms...They really don't care about the student. I could go on and on....The DPE calls that place the junkyard. Some planes have fuel pressure and oil pressure gauges that seem to glued to be in the green..they never move...Some never make it in the green but it's OK because it never moved yesterday and the engine still runs.
Time building might not be so bad...if you have the time and do a really good pre flight...Do know that you can only go as far as the fuel in the tanks will allow...They will only reinburse you up to like a $1.20 a gallon for av gas. Your only flying at night so if you do need to put it down it will be at night. I would check the regs on the safety pilot logging..I don't think you log that as x country time as a safety pilot.
Good luck! You have been warned....
Trade Winds is just next door and always treated me right!
I am with you on this!
DONT EVEN BOTHER SEARCHING AVIATOR COLLEGE OR ARI BEN AVIATOR!
I am a current student at Aviator College and leaving it next week. I have been at Aviator College since Oct 2013 and so far only hold a Private Pilot + Instrument Rating.
I have so many negative things to say about Aviator College, the staff, their organization, fleets, maintenance and even the owner himself. But I dont have the time to explain it all. You just need to experience it yourself if you really want to.
All this school cares about is your money. They have this sort of "student account" thing you deposit money in for your training. If you are a 50k dollar student, they'll stay on your side till you run out. Once you've spent all that with them, get ready to be kicked out for no reason without prior notice.
The school is poorly organized, i mean its terrible. Every staff have different informations, they dont have any proper answers and even your ACMS is a complete mess.
Training takes forever, not enough planes and too many students. Planes are in terrible condition, terrible maintenance and all that. The admin doesnt even know that. The school is not buying any new twin engines. These duchesses are starting to time out and are very oftenly squawked. Aviator does no longer allow multi time building and forces all students to take commercial 141 to fly their singles for their time building and just do a few hours for their multi add on.
I have so much more to say but i might just start a new page.
Basically Aviator College is just a joke. If you do enroll, just be ready for your pocket or your loving parent's pockets to be drained. You will realize how bad of an experience this school is.
A quote I personally heard a high ranked staff / cheif pilot said;
"He's a 50.000 dollar student, you're not."
Hope this helps.