Thoughts about the two schools. Cost means nothing seeing how VA will help pay for my training plus, the MGIBILL.

Thanks,
Ray

 

I realized I posted this in the wrong thread oops!

 

Definately Flight Safety.

I have attended both. Ari-Ben mgmnt is not proffessional. Mr. Cohen will tell you what you want to hear, TJ will treat you like sh*t and insult you right after you give her a check and god forbid should you request something from her. The planes are old but ok. The whole environment is unproffessional. I think Flight Safety would help you develop a more proffesional attitude. FS is what you would expect from a company that trains airlinepilots as they contract with most of the regional airlines in the country. I was trained with FS at Republic Airways. Very clean, cut and proffesional. No BS.

 

I plan on attending Ari-Ben. I live in WPB, FL. I visited the school a number of times and I believe that it's all in the way how you approach people. I've talked with current students and have been told and witnessed for myself that things have changed there. I've been researching flight schools for the last 2-3 years and have decided on Ari-Ben. Believe you me....I looked at a lot of flight schools.



atp

 

I spoke to the people at Ari-ben. They were nice until I mentioned that I was considering ATP. At that point they basically became belligerant, telling me how they don't understand how ATP's system works and that they think they produce poor pilots. To me that was a big red flag. any school that feels they have to put down another in order to get people to come to them strikes me as incredibly defensive and childish. They were rude on the phone, so they will not get my business. ATP on the other hand was couteous, helpful, and encouraged me to look at other schools before committing to one. I've been researching schools for about 10 years now (going to ATP to finish up) and they seem like the best fit for me. I know this thread isn't about ATP but it is worth considering. By the way, I too am a veteran and even though ATP doesn't accept the GI Bill to me it seemed like the best way to go, since the only other fees they ask you to pay are examiner fees (housing is included in their price). They also don't lock you into a contract as an instructor. you stay with them until you feel you are ready to leave (by the same token they won't automatically hire you either).

Just remember to add housing costs on top of whatever Flight Safety and Ari-Ben quote you because it's not included on their price and your VA benefits WILL NOT pay for housing. Remember that I am not telling you that ATP is the best of all these schools....simply that it is the best fit for ME. Good luck in the future!

 

On another note..the Flight Safety people were the exact opposite of Ari-Ben, They were very helpful, courteous, and up front about everything. The gave me a lot of information and called back to see if they could help me with anything else. I would think that they would teach professionalism as a main part of their curriculm. The reason I went with All ATP's is that I'm a self study person. Flight Safety follow's a classroom intensive Part 141 curriculm (at least that's what it seemed like, somebody correct me if I am wrong) and ATP operates as a Part 61 school where there is a lot of self study which appeals to me. The massive amount of multi-time gained was another selling point. Okay...I am done writing this novel. Good luck with everything! By the way, what branch were you in?

 

Plus at Flight Safety you get to turn and burn in a Zlin.Spin training and ya learn mostly all the basic aerobatic maneuvers Hammerheads,Crazy 8's etc.

 

Yea, and you'll also be in debt $100,000+ when you finish there

 

Flight Safety not only trains pilots from regional airlines, but also foreign Air Forces, such as the Colombian Air Force

 

At FS you'll get great training and pay a TON of money for it too. FS is VERY professional and the lady that handles VA pukes is really nice and very helpful. They also have dedicated ground instructors so the flight instructors do none. One problem: with the CFI shortage all the FS planes look pretty, but they're on the ramp as much as anywhere else. Even the Seminoles.

At Ari-Ben you're basically paying FAR less money and you'll end up with way more multi-engine time. It's not for people who want things done for them. One must be proactive at Ari-Ben. Did I mention way more multi-engine time?

Comes down to what's most important for you. I personally know people at both and they undertand the ups and downs of both.

Best of luck.