Hello,
I have narrowed my search down to ATP and Ari Ben. I have heard the good and the bad about both schools. I visited the ATP PHX location which i liked alot and i am planning on visiting Ari Ben in the next 2 weeks. If anyone has attended or is currently attending either of these schools, i would greatly appreciate some feedback as to the overall experience. Thanks in advance!

www.prairieairservice.com, will save you at least $20K!!! It's worth a look.

rjordan85:

I've visited Ari-ben twice. As a matter of fact, my second visit was yesterday. I live about 60 miles south of their facility. The instructors seem to be concerned about their students and there is lots of time building going on. Overall, my view of Ari-ben has/is changing. They have a new Director of Ops and Mx personnel. From what I was told yesterday, a/c that have mx issues are being repaired and returned to the line in minimal time. This was one of my biggest concerns b/c this issue had seem to pop up everytime I talked to someone about Ari-ben. These statements come from a current student. All ME time other than your PPL; no simulator. As far as XC flying, they claim you can fly across the country just as ATP students do, however most fly between TLH & KYW. Besides, it's 13K less than ATP.

As far as ATP, from what I've read is that you pretty much are on your own when it comes to studying and reviewing the material, which is ok. Being a self starter is an asset, not a liability. I hear it's fast paced and that it's a great place. I'm sure that there are some guys who have attended there will chime in. My only thing is that if I can get the same licenses, ratings, quality of instruction and basically TT elsewhere for less, then that's the route for me.

Good luck in your decision.



atp

The reason students at Ari-ben don't fly cross country, is because you have to pay for the gas!!!! They will reimburse you $1.50/gal, and you'll get your check "when I feel like giving it to you" as the accounting department will tell you!

with the rediculous cost of ATP would Ari-Ben be worth it from ZERO time?

if you stay within non refueling range then you don't need reimbursed at a dollar fifty a gallon. so just keep it between tallahassee and key west and you'll stay at the same price.

That really builds quality x-c experience.

I went to ATP and, long story short, got 2 ratings. I just couldn't get over the fact that I had more TT than my CFI and that he didn't even have 250TT. I was proven correct when we lost an engine one night. He paniced! I landed. I think I had 3 hrs in a twin. I had a long talk with Jim K. He lost his job. Do I feel bad? No!

It might be a good deal, depending on your goals, it was not for me. I left them and only have one thing good to say. The X-c's are a great deal. You'll be scared out of your mind flying with some of those kids, but it will make you a better pilot. I could be wrong, but I don't think they let the east coasters fly to the west.

Thats a ton of money to gamble with IMO. I'd find a good FBO with a twin and you could do it in the same time with an instructor. (because ATP didnt have anything I'd call an instructor)

just my $.02

I think so. Although the xc flights consists of flying the length and width of the state.

As far as someone telling me, "You'll get your check when I give to you", is hankering for a ***** slap . I'm not an unruly or violent person, however, if you got my money and it's owed to me.....you'd better una$$ it.

I can say this, some guys such as Cubdriver have gotten most, if not all, of their ratings for less than 30K. I understand that now I may have to do the mix & match thing. In the end, I hope to end up in the same place as the rest of you.



atp

Have you visited Ari-Ben yet? I haven't been by there in quite a while, but last I knew they were absolutely overloaded with foreign students and not enough airplanes. It could be much better now for all that I know, but I would darn well check on that before committing to going there.