The title pretty much answers my question. Any thoughts on which is better, pros cons? Any information helps. Thanks

 

ATP hands down..Search this site and you'll soon discover no one got the shaft at ATP unless they deserved it for not doing their job as a student...

-LAFF

 

AriBen is cheaper. You'll get the same hours for less cash.

 

I was in between both schools myself. Does anyone know why the goverment doesnt allow student loans throught ATP, but has it with Aviator?

 

Because ATP is a part 61 school and AriBen is part 141. Government only supports schols that are 141

 

I see that makes sense. From what ive seen about ATP, they seem like they would qualify for part 141, except for the fact they also offer a self paced 10 month program. I never really hear too much about Ariben. One thing is for sure, the interest rate on a standard loan and a Fed loan is a huge difference. It can save me almost $45,000 in interest fees.

 

I don't know much about AriBien, but I do know that I just had a student come to ATP to do one of our programs and he came from AriBien. He said that he personally had about 15 maintanence problems while at AriBien including multiple in-flight engine failures. I have been a student and working at ATP since May '05 and have only heard of 3 engine failures and I have had only one in-flight issue. That is only my 2 cents. The training is cheaper, but it sounds like it lacks in maintanence.

 

First of all, you HAVE to go and visit the school and town in person. You can get all info you want from unknown people but unless you go there yourself you won't have an idea. After all you will live there for at least a year. ATP is the same everywhere but Aviatior has only one location so it maybe hard if you don't live in Florida. First of all I have to say that Fort Pierce is a dump, I'd say people that live there are still stuck in the 70s. When I first went there to look at Aviator driving through the town and highways, being from a large city myself, I thought I was in the movie Forrest Gump.

However, as soon as I walked in the school I noticed a friendliness right from the beginning, I really saw that they are like one big family over there at Aviator. I guess the fact that they live in a rural place makes them a little more close. I asked the president of aviator why they chose such a place and he told me that it makes the students a little more focused when there's not much going on outside. He told me that aviator used to be in Dallas I think or at least in Texas, and students whould go out and party and waste their money on booze. Fort Pierce is quiet and cheaper place.

As far as maintenance at aviator everything looked ok, I think they are trying to correct their past reputation and trying to be a safer place. At least they've never had a fatality.

I also have to say that there were many former ATP and DCA students there. DCAs left for obvious reasons that we all know, but ATPs were there because they weren't happy with the level of instruction at ATP, they were being pressured into taking checkrides even if they weren't ready. All they cared was about giving ratings and not about the quality of instruction.

 

Did you end up going to Ari Ben? If so, how was your experience? Do they have a good success rate with their instructors getting hired? Any more info you have is appreciated.

 

Thats why ATP is able to get you done in such a short period of time. They dont go by FAA pt 141 standards which is why the Federal govet wont endorse them