Hey,
With regards to the £85k debt that could be true but only if you add on top a type rating, if you do the same to FTE then they come out dam close!!
OAT is a good school, we also have the same fleet as FTE, so do not know why that is a plus for FTE but not for OAT?? We start on the warrior then progress onto the Seneca!
So far Arizona has been the best time of my life, i have so many good memories and you do not have enough time to feel home sick!! You are flying or out and about taking in the sights! Be careful though of Scottsdale now that is where your debt could go up to 85K!!
I researched both and OAT was best for me and i do not look back one bit, if i had the choice id still come here, great instructors in both groundschool and the flying phase!!!
Also getting those exams nailed before you come out to fly is one huge advantage! What happens if you struggle with one exam in phase one or two yet you still carry on flying, gives you less time to study! Also what happens if you have hit the max re-take aloud before you have to resit the whole lot! You will have spent a lot more money then a OAT grad, since they will have not done any flying!! You get the flying bug then have to sit on the ground again to do exams! That was what put me off FTE the most the rest i liked! One downside with OAT if you are below 21, u can kiss goodbye to the nights out and beers with the guys, but then again self control and being responsible will do you good in time (well thats what i tell myself!!!)!
Also i think doing the I.R back in the UK will be not an advantage but give you more experience dealing with UK airspace and RT, since this is where most of us plan to end up flying for a career!!!
Also OAT is in England i can go home to see my family, and on free times not flying or my instructors days off i can head and visit friends at Uni and keep a social life outside of OAT which i can escape to without having to plan in advance my trip home, i can get in my car and go shopping or go away!
Just my views and what swayed me towards OAT compared to FTE!!
But each to their own and go visit both and make a decision just look beyound the sun and pool, you get that with OAT after groundschool
ADWJENK