MrSkyKingRon
New Member
Well I'm back from Florida after making a tour of the area and traveling from Orlando to Stuart, but spending most of my time between Vero and Ft. Pierce.
Through many month's of investigation via websites, talking to pilots and largely all the flight school forums here at JC, I narrowed my search down to Flight Safety Vero and Ari Ben Aviator. After visiting both, my choice was the Aviator.
It has been a much debated subject here on the forums, which "school is better", what is "better", a FBO, large academy or flight school etc. We all have our opinions, needs and goals, and comparing which school is better is like saying what is better, an apple or pear? (I like pears better!) It mostly boils down to what works better for yourself. Sometimes concessions have to be made also, which factor into the decision process.
I had mostly narrowed my search down to FSA due to most of the usual reasons. They are absolutly a top notch, professional machine with all the bells and whistles. In spite of that I felt that the Aviator could help me accomplish my goals equally as well, for thousands of dollars less.
Here are the highlights: the instructors at the Aviator I felt were professional in appearance, attitude and demeanor. I talked with many during my two day visit and was satisfied with everything I saw in them. They sent me up on two flights with a different student and instructor each time for me to observe the training/instruction and I was glad to see that the students were being well trained and the CFI's were knowledgable and professional. They were eager to help and advise the student throughout the flight. They have several single engine aircraft, but the core of the training is with the very capable Beech Dutchess. They have eight of those and all the students that I talked to all said they rarely had to reschedule due to maintainence squawks. There were of course as with any fleet occasional minor squawks but all were taken care of quickly. I spoke with the Director of Operations for a hour or so(I'm trying to remember the blokes name,tip of the tongue) and he showed me the facility, the maintainance hanger, the aircraft also and was welcome to hang with him while (JULIAN! his name!) while he discussed some issues with some mechanics about a new engine in one of the twins. He was very helpful.
I also sat down with the owner of the Aviator, Mike Cohen, and we disscused my plans and goals, what the school can provide for me etc. and was pleased with that meeting as well. Mike is a honest straight shooter kind of man, I liked him straightaway. I also met Ari, as in Ari Ben, and we talked for a while and he showed me around was very accomodating to all my requests and questions. He called up a hotel for me and set up a discounted rate at a decent place. He also listened to my input about something on their website and made the change right away to the new site that is being developed. And if all that wasn't enough, he personally drove me around in his car to show me some of the houses for students. Very nice houses inside and out. I believe he said there was twenty something of them, Don't quote me on that. Not important.
They allowed me to just hang out and be a airport rat for the two days I visited them to talked to staff and students. I also met with the lovely and helpful TJ who works in the office handling admissions and all. I had talked with her several times on the phone before coming down, so it was nice to meet with her. She was even nice enough to set me up with two volumes of their in house Dutchess training manuels to take home to pre-study(this bad habit I have!). I just asked if she had alittle something I could look at to get some numbers on the aircraft, and she went and gave me those. Above and beyond what I was asking for. Now I will be prepared ahead of the game as soon as I arrive. All in all, everyone was helpful and friendly and I left with a good feeling of the program as a whole.
On the negitive side, the aircraft are a little older(late 70's) and a little worn in the interior, carpets etc. Not all the comm/navs are digital like I'm used to, but they work and do the trick which is the important part. Most have storm scopes, which I would trade any day over a GPS if given the choice. One of the twins has GPS but you are trained properly from the getgo to navigate by conventional means, as you should be. They all have RMI's(as well as VOR) which is a real treat for me because I have only used VOR's in real world. RMI's I have learned how to use in MS sims only, so now I get to use a RMI and VOR too.
Seems as though I've said a bit but some have asked as to what anyone thought of the school so there you go. All your textbooks, the Jepp flight bag with books is included in the cost. They even throw in view limiting foggles too. There may be more, but you can't beat the whole package with a stick. Great bang for your buck.
One more thing, the student I went up with for my first ride was none other than fellow JC'er Bwalker. He spoke well of the whole package also and is very pleased with everything. He has his multi and is just starting his IFR training. He was competent and performed well on the ground and in the air. Way to turn to and hold a heading Bwalker!
So... that ought to be enough for now, if anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. I'll driving down from Oregon the first week in Jan. to start. And so the adventure begins...
Blue Skies
Through many month's of investigation via websites, talking to pilots and largely all the flight school forums here at JC, I narrowed my search down to Flight Safety Vero and Ari Ben Aviator. After visiting both, my choice was the Aviator.
It has been a much debated subject here on the forums, which "school is better", what is "better", a FBO, large academy or flight school etc. We all have our opinions, needs and goals, and comparing which school is better is like saying what is better, an apple or pear? (I like pears better!) It mostly boils down to what works better for yourself. Sometimes concessions have to be made also, which factor into the decision process.
I had mostly narrowed my search down to FSA due to most of the usual reasons. They are absolutly a top notch, professional machine with all the bells and whistles. In spite of that I felt that the Aviator could help me accomplish my goals equally as well, for thousands of dollars less.
Here are the highlights: the instructors at the Aviator I felt were professional in appearance, attitude and demeanor. I talked with many during my two day visit and was satisfied with everything I saw in them. They sent me up on two flights with a different student and instructor each time for me to observe the training/instruction and I was glad to see that the students were being well trained and the CFI's were knowledgable and professional. They were eager to help and advise the student throughout the flight. They have several single engine aircraft, but the core of the training is with the very capable Beech Dutchess. They have eight of those and all the students that I talked to all said they rarely had to reschedule due to maintainence squawks. There were of course as with any fleet occasional minor squawks but all were taken care of quickly. I spoke with the Director of Operations for a hour or so(I'm trying to remember the blokes name,tip of the tongue) and he showed me the facility, the maintainance hanger, the aircraft also and was welcome to hang with him while (JULIAN! his name!) while he discussed some issues with some mechanics about a new engine in one of the twins. He was very helpful.
I also sat down with the owner of the Aviator, Mike Cohen, and we disscused my plans and goals, what the school can provide for me etc. and was pleased with that meeting as well. Mike is a honest straight shooter kind of man, I liked him straightaway. I also met Ari, as in Ari Ben, and we talked for a while and he showed me around was very accomodating to all my requests and questions. He called up a hotel for me and set up a discounted rate at a decent place. He also listened to my input about something on their website and made the change right away to the new site that is being developed. And if all that wasn't enough, he personally drove me around in his car to show me some of the houses for students. Very nice houses inside and out. I believe he said there was twenty something of them, Don't quote me on that. Not important.
They allowed me to just hang out and be a airport rat for the two days I visited them to talked to staff and students. I also met with the lovely and helpful TJ who works in the office handling admissions and all. I had talked with her several times on the phone before coming down, so it was nice to meet with her. She was even nice enough to set me up with two volumes of their in house Dutchess training manuels to take home to pre-study(this bad habit I have!). I just asked if she had alittle something I could look at to get some numbers on the aircraft, and she went and gave me those. Above and beyond what I was asking for. Now I will be prepared ahead of the game as soon as I arrive. All in all, everyone was helpful and friendly and I left with a good feeling of the program as a whole.
On the negitive side, the aircraft are a little older(late 70's) and a little worn in the interior, carpets etc. Not all the comm/navs are digital like I'm used to, but they work and do the trick which is the important part. Most have storm scopes, which I would trade any day over a GPS if given the choice. One of the twins has GPS but you are trained properly from the getgo to navigate by conventional means, as you should be. They all have RMI's(as well as VOR) which is a real treat for me because I have only used VOR's in real world. RMI's I have learned how to use in MS sims only, so now I get to use a RMI and VOR too.
Seems as though I've said a bit but some have asked as to what anyone thought of the school so there you go. All your textbooks, the Jepp flight bag with books is included in the cost. They even throw in view limiting foggles too. There may be more, but you can't beat the whole package with a stick. Great bang for your buck.
One more thing, the student I went up with for my first ride was none other than fellow JC'er Bwalker. He spoke well of the whole package also and is very pleased with everything. He has his multi and is just starting his IFR training. He was competent and performed well on the ground and in the air. Way to turn to and hold a heading Bwalker!
So... that ought to be enough for now, if anyone has any questions for me, feel free to ask. I'll driving down from Oregon the first week in Jan. to start. And so the adventure begins...
Blue Skies
