Aerostar Training Services
05-23-2017, 12:49 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2017
Posts: 105
Aerostar Training Services
I recently paid for an A-320 type from Aerostar - and if I had to do it over again, I would have gone somewhere else. My assigned sim instructor was a CRJ captain who had an A-320 type-rating.
Sim partner assigned to me told me he hadn't flown anything bigger than a Piper. As you would expect, he crashed consistently - and repeatedly - all week. Very little improvement, even with his PNF skills.
Nice enough dude, just in way over his head. I had never flown an Airbus, but I'm typed in a few other planes (all Part 121 training) - so I understand the typical protocol in getting typed. When I asked for a sim partner who was at least familiar with CRM, it seemed to really upset the executive mgmt at the company.
In fairness, my instructor fully understood that I needed an adequate partner - and promised me it would happen. He probably tried, but the top brass was determined to type the other guy (my sim partner). After session 6 - where we're signed off for the check ride - we had a different instructor, who told me that he wanted to give me one more session before signing me off. He said that since he was an Airbus captain, he knew what needed to be addressed before I took the check ride. I agreed to it (any remedial sessions are paid for by the student - above the original ten grand), and expected to be called by Aerostar with the updated schedule.
Instead, they put me back with the original instructor (CRJ guy) and the same sim partner (we were on lesson six, and he was still on lesson one). Since we had gone past the ten days that I had scheduled to be at Aerostar, I had to fly back home to check in for a four-day trip.
I emailed the company and told them I'd be back immediately after my trip to resume training, and that I would bring a friend with me to sit in as my PNF - who was an A-320 capt at Virgin America. Aerostar's mgmt was clearly upset, and told me "I was not permitted to leave." This was in February - and I still haven't been rescheduled. The fine print says they have complete control over the schedule - and despite my efforts to get them to schedule me, it's not happening. They either ignore my emails - or respond with a promise they don't follow through with.
They have my 10K, and I can't get them to 'allow' me to complete my training. After two months of not being scheduled back in the sim, I finally had enough - and went to the local FSDO and spoke to their POI. Now they're REALLY upset - and requiring me to sign a non-disclosure agreement to continue training.
They had an opportunity to fix this from the very beginning - and for whatever reason they chose not to. By creating 2 month-long gaps between sessions, they are also creating the need for me to buy more sim sessions just to get back to my proficiency level from my last session. Not a good business practice - especially since they profit from it, and the customer gets screwed. As I said, I wish I had gone somewhere else for the type.
Sim partner assigned to me told me he hadn't flown anything bigger than a Piper. As you would expect, he crashed consistently - and repeatedly - all week. Very little improvement, even with his PNF skills.
Nice enough dude, just in way over his head. I had never flown an Airbus, but I'm typed in a few other planes (all Part 121 training) - so I understand the typical protocol in getting typed. When I asked for a sim partner who was at least familiar with CRM, it seemed to really upset the executive mgmt at the company.
In fairness, my instructor fully understood that I needed an adequate partner - and promised me it would happen. He probably tried, but the top brass was determined to type the other guy (my sim partner). After session 6 - where we're signed off for the check ride - we had a different instructor, who told me that he wanted to give me one more session before signing me off. He said that since he was an Airbus captain, he knew what needed to be addressed before I took the check ride. I agreed to it (any remedial sessions are paid for by the student - above the original ten grand), and expected to be called by Aerostar with the updated schedule.
Instead, they put me back with the original instructor (CRJ guy) and the same sim partner (we were on lesson six, and he was still on lesson one). Since we had gone past the ten days that I had scheduled to be at Aerostar, I had to fly back home to check in for a four-day trip.
I emailed the company and told them I'd be back immediately after my trip to resume training, and that I would bring a friend with me to sit in as my PNF - who was an A-320 capt at Virgin America. Aerostar's mgmt was clearly upset, and told me "I was not permitted to leave." This was in February - and I still haven't been rescheduled. The fine print says they have complete control over the schedule - and despite my efforts to get them to schedule me, it's not happening. They either ignore my emails - or respond with a promise they don't follow through with.
They have my 10K, and I can't get them to 'allow' me to complete my training. After two months of not being scheduled back in the sim, I finally had enough - and went to the local FSDO and spoke to their POI. Now they're REALLY upset - and requiring me to sign a non-disclosure agreement to continue training.
They had an opportunity to fix this from the very beginning - and for whatever reason they chose not to. By creating 2 month-long gaps between sessions, they are also creating the need for me to buy more sim sessions just to get back to my proficiency level from my last session. Not a good business practice - especially since they profit from it, and the customer gets screwed. As I said, I wish I had gone somewhere else for the type.
05-23-2017, 03:21 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2012
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 504
Originally Posted by Brody
I recently paid for an A-320 type from Aerostar - and if I had to do it over again, I would have gone somewhere else. My assigned sim instructor was a CRJ captain who had an A-320 type-rating.
Sim partner assigned to me told me he hadn't flown anything bigger than a Piper. As you would expect, he crashed consistently - and repeatedly - all week. Very little improvement, even with his PNF skills.
Nice enough dude, just in way over his head. I had never flown an Airbus, but I'm typed in a few other planes (all Part 121 training) - so I understand the typical protocol in getting typed. When I asked for a sim partner who was at least familiar with CRM, it seemed to really upset the executive mgmt at the company.
In fairness, my instructor fully understood that I needed an adequate partner - and promised me it would happen. He probably tried, but the top brass was determined to type the other guy (my sim partner). After session 6 - where we're signed off for the check ride - we had a different instructor, who told me that he wanted to give me one more session before signing me off. He said that since he was an Airbus captain, he knew what needed to be addressed before I took the check ride. I agreed to it (any remedial sessions are paid for by the student - above the original ten grand), and expected to be called by Aerostar with the updated schedule.
Instead, they put me back with the original instructor (CRJ guy) and the same sim partner (we were on lesson six, and he was still on lesson one). Since we had gone past the ten days that I had scheduled to be at Aerostar, I had to fly back home to check in for a four-day trip.
I emailed the company and told them I'd be back immediately after my trip to resume training, and that I would bring a friend with me to sit in as my PNF - who was an A-320 capt at Virgin America. Aerostar's mgmt was clearly upset, and told me "I was not permitted to leave." This was in February - and I still haven't been rescheduled. The fine print says they have complete control over the schedule - and despite my efforts to get them to schedule me, it's not happening. They either ignore my emails - or respond with a promise they don't follow through with.
They have my 10K, and I can't get them to 'allow' me to complete my training. After two months of not being scheduled back in the sim, I finally had enough - and went to the local FSDO and spoke to their POI. Now they're REALLY upset - and requiring me to sign a non-disclosure agreement to continue training.
They had an opportunity to fix this from the very beginning - and for whatever reason they chose not to. By creating 2 month-long gaps between sessions, they are also creating the need for me to buy more sim sessions just to get back to my proficiency level from my last session. Not a good business practice - especially since they profit from it, and the customer gets screwed. As I said, I wish I had gone somewhere else for the type.
Sim partner assigned to me told me he hadn't flown anything bigger than a Piper. As you would expect, he crashed consistently - and repeatedly - all week. Very little improvement, even with his PNF skills.
Nice enough dude, just in way over his head. I had never flown an Airbus, but I'm typed in a few other planes (all Part 121 training) - so I understand the typical protocol in getting typed. When I asked for a sim partner who was at least familiar with CRM, it seemed to really upset the executive mgmt at the company.
In fairness, my instructor fully understood that I needed an adequate partner - and promised me it would happen. He probably tried, but the top brass was determined to type the other guy (my sim partner). After session 6 - where we're signed off for the check ride - we had a different instructor, who told me that he wanted to give me one more session before signing me off. He said that since he was an Airbus captain, he knew what needed to be addressed before I took the check ride. I agreed to it (any remedial sessions are paid for by the student - above the original ten grand), and expected to be called by Aerostar with the updated schedule.
Instead, they put me back with the original instructor (CRJ guy) and the same sim partner (we were on lesson six, and he was still on lesson one). Since we had gone past the ten days that I had scheduled to be at Aerostar, I had to fly back home to check in for a four-day trip.
I emailed the company and told them I'd be back immediately after my trip to resume training, and that I would bring a friend with me to sit in as my PNF - who was an A-320 capt at Virgin America. Aerostar's mgmt was clearly upset, and told me "I was not permitted to leave." This was in February - and I still haven't been rescheduled. The fine print says they have complete control over the schedule - and despite my efforts to get them to schedule me, it's not happening. They either ignore my emails - or respond with a promise they don't follow through with.
They have my 10K, and I can't get them to 'allow' me to complete my training. After two months of not being scheduled back in the sim, I finally had enough - and went to the local FSDO and spoke to their POI. Now they're REALLY upset - and requiring me to sign a non-disclosure agreement to continue training.
They had an opportunity to fix this from the very beginning - and for whatever reason they chose not to. By creating 2 month-long gaps between sessions, they are also creating the need for me to buy more sim sessions just to get back to my proficiency level from my last session. Not a good business practice - especially since they profit from it, and the customer gets screwed. As I said, I wish I had gone somewhere else for the type.
Last edited by pilot0987; 05-23-2017 at 03:23 PM. Reason: Hh
05-23-2017, 04:25 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2017
Posts: 105
Thanks - I had initially thought of that. Unfortunately, to avoid the 'fee' they charge if you pay by CC, I chose to just wire the money from my bank to theirs. You're right - that would have been the best way to respond. Wishing now I had used my credit card
05-23-2017, 04:29 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2012
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 504
Originally Posted by Brody
Thanks - I had initially thought of that. Unfortunately, to avoid the 'fee' they charge if you pay by CC, I chose to just wire the money from my bank to theirs. You're right - that would have been the best way to respond. Wishing now I had used my credit card
03-29-2018, 08:57 AM
#8
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by sfh22786
The only thing that is constant is change, they may have improved. Who knows.
You're Homer.
07-30-2022, 08:09 AM
#9
New Hire
Joined APC: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Aerostar training scam
I recently attended Aerostar, it has been the worst experience. I went to get my ATP CTP and A320 type. And when I got there I realized I had been quoted the wrong price and put on the A320 upgrade course with no prior experience. I had filled out the information they required and even sent my documents, but when I got there they didn't have any documents, I had to present them again. When I told the school that they had quoted me the wrong price and put me on the wrong course they didn't even know what was going on. The course I was suppose to do was the A320 Fast Track course, which I had been quoted 11,200 USD first. But then they charged me for the Upgrade course 10,400 USD. Now instead of paying the difference there saying I have to pay 4,100 USD extra to finish the course, they want me to pay 14,500USD. When they realized they had made a mistake they started sending all the information about the A320 Fast Track course and were trying to cover it up saying I had always been on the right course. But I have all the emails to prove other wise. When I told them I was not going to pay that amount and I wanted a refund, they said no, that they can hold the credit and when I pay the difference, I can continue the course or lose the money. So the school makes the mistake and the client has to pay extra money. I wasted 2 weeks of unpaid leave to do the course, paid 2 weeks of Airbnb for nothing. And now I've lost 7,000 USD because they don't want to refund the money. These people think that because we're foreigners in the US they can get away with anything. Since it was there mistake, I'm asking for a refund because they didn't and couldn't provide the service I had paid for which was the A320 upgrade course due to there mistake from the start. Now these people don't even answer emails! All of this, with the lack of organization and unprofessionalism made me decide not to continue there. But there refusing to refund my money back. So to all foreigners be careful if you decide to go to this school. They'll make the mistakes and the client will end up paying more.
08-03-2022, 01:20 AM
#10
In the Pattern
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Desk Cpt. and punching a keyboard
Posts: 7
Aerostar.. it works but you must be vigilant
So I have also attended Aerostar in Kissimmee FL back in 2020. I was successful in attaining my ATP and Type certification in the B737NG. Both of my instructors were very competent and experienced pilots in the B737NG. The sim was clean and was available when we were scheduled to be there. The Check-ride was thorough and stressful as to be expected, the designated examiner pulled no punches and there were no "giveme's". BLUF you had to know the aircraft and how to fly it.
So now to the admin side of the house........ holy cripes..... what a shi$ show. Luckily for me I lived just six miles away and could drop-in unannounced to check on what ever I needed done. Now the situation was exacerbated due to the COVID and it seemed that the people you needed to see that day were "working from home". In my case I was utilizing my GI Bill and of course they want the money from you up-front before training can begin (unlike Flight Safety and SimCom). Then they will refund you the amount that the VA pays them once the VA releases the funds. Well according to them that takes 6-8 weeks. Long story short at 8 weeks I still had not received my money back. So I called the VA to check on when they were going to pay Aerostar, the VA informed me that they released the funds exactly one week after I completed the course. So now of course I'm a little angry as Aerostar has been hanging onto the funds for almost two months. I then called Aerostar and was informed that they had just processed the check and were waiting for the owner of the school to sign the check that afternoon, and then they would mail me the check.... Well we have all heard the "checks in the Mail' excuse and I was not about to sit for that, so I declined the mailing offer and told them I would be there at 4 p.m. to pick it up......
They did have the check ready when I stopped by, but man it sure appeared shady to me, and I would be very hesitant to return due to the shaky administration of the school.
So now to the admin side of the house........ holy cripes..... what a shi$ show. Luckily for me I lived just six miles away and could drop-in unannounced to check on what ever I needed done. Now the situation was exacerbated due to the COVID and it seemed that the people you needed to see that day were "working from home". In my case I was utilizing my GI Bill and of course they want the money from you up-front before training can begin (unlike Flight Safety and SimCom). Then they will refund you the amount that the VA pays them once the VA releases the funds. Well according to them that takes 6-8 weeks. Long story short at 8 weeks I still had not received my money back. So I called the VA to check on when they were going to pay Aerostar, the VA informed me that they released the funds exactly one week after I completed the course. So now of course I'm a little angry as Aerostar has been hanging onto the funds for almost two months. I then called Aerostar and was informed that they had just processed the check and were waiting for the owner of the school to sign the check that afternoon, and then they would mail me the check.... Well we have all heard the "checks in the Mail' excuse and I was not about to sit for that, so I declined the mailing offer and told them I would be there at 4 p.m. to pick it up......
They did have the check ready when I stopped by, but man it sure appeared shady to me, and I would be very hesitant to return due to the shaky administration of the school.
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