Re: *Follow On Discussion* from ATP vs. Ari Ben
I am now a CFI at Ari Ben. Finished last Thursday and already have a student.
Following is a post of mine from several weeks ago in the FBO thread....
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I am a current student (working on CFII & single add-on).
Before moving my family 1/2 way across the country, I "interviewed" various schools. The "Aviator" (as it is know locally), was my last stop, and sealed the deal.
In seven months time, and 25G's later, I have gone from Multi Private to MEI. I arrived with my Private single. Had there not been some delays in my training (not due to the school), I could have progressed faster. The 6 months that they advertise is realistic if you are motivated and disciplined.
As far as two pilots logging PIC during the "time building phase", please review FAR's 61.51 (e)(1)(iii), then review 91.109 (b)(1)&(2). Additionally, John King endorses the method. If you have the joint King/Cessna "Cleared For Approach" book, please look at section 14-7 under "Safety Pilot". The Aviator operates under these regulations. Hardly illegal!
Jetcareers helped me define my flight training path. Thanks Doug!!! I too was a bit turned off by some of the negative feedback that I had read. Without a visit to the school, you are doing yourself a disservice. The instructors are very knowledgeable, anxious to teach, and do not have an attitude. There are no "in house examiners" for any checkrides. CFI's apply at the FSDO.
About the aircraft. They are not fabric covered. Yes they are older, but so are most GA planes out there. They are very well maintained, yet not as shinny as the ones across the field or at FSA in Vero. The interiors are not leather, or even pleather. I don't care. The cigar lighter is placarded inop.
The O-360's run when you want them to, and don't when you don't. I did have to make an actual SE landing once when I could not get it to restart. But that is what flight training is all about. What better environment to experience these situations in.
When my future employer looks through my logbook, is he going to ask me what year the Duchess was, or if it was waxed regularly?? I do know that he will be impressed with the plethora of multi time that will bite him in the nose, compared to my measly single time. In the time I have been here, I have had only one occasion in which I had to cancel a flight due to MX, and not been able to get another aircraft. Bottom line, the aircraft are safe!
Perhaps the biggest frustration to me at the school is the fuel truck. You can see a picture of it on their web site. Its a real piece of work, having a personality all its own, requiring MX often. They did however recently acquire another fuel tug that does help out. There are some funny stories about the truck. A mx guy fuels the aircraft most of the time, other times it is up to the students to fuel themselves.
There are students and instructors who started their training at other schools, and jumped ship to the Aviator. Some of whom are teaching there now. I assume business is good as there are more cars than parking spaces during weekdays.
There is not much overhead as far as staff, buildings, etc. It is a small operation. Therefore, costs to the student remain reasonable.
I am not an employee, just a satisfied customer.
Base you decision on actual visits to schools. Talk to instructors, students, mx people. Talk to them where they can speak freely (away from employing eyes and ears)
This is my contribution to this site and it's readers. Prior to my Ari Ben Aviator days, I too relied on others personal experiences. Hope you find this informative and helpful.
Luftpost
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Others who have first hand knowledge of the school have also posted in the same area concerning the same subject.