PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Choosing a Flight school is a Formidable task.
Old 12th August 2007 | 17:10
  #5 (permalink)  
7E7Flyer
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Have a look at Ari Ben Aviator in Fort Pierce, Florida (www.flyaviator.com). Cheap price for the lot of multi time you get (very important!). Their organization is rather messy and the planes are old & break down a lot, but if you can put up with that not a bad deal at all. A lot of self study is involved, but if you're dedicated and ready to work hard it's entirely possible to walk out the door with a CPL/MEIR and 200 Multi hours in just four months starting from zero. If you can get a J1 visa you can also instruct for them for a while to build your time (bad pay though).

Caution though about the safety pilot time which does not normally count for other ICAO licenses, relevant when you go home and they don't accept FAA tickets anyway. Most U.S. schools include at least some safety pilot time so watch out for this.

I'd suggest that if possible you go and visit your school(s) of interest before making any commitment. Some of the schools you mention are great at selling you the world for a lot of money. Don't spend a lot of money on a 'big name'. Remember, in the end what counts is your licenses, as many first time passes as possible and hours, hours, hours... especially Multi, Instrument, PIC, Cross Country, which you would get loads of at Ari Ben Aviator.

Flight training is mostly a dirty business and the most expensive school doesn't guarantee you good training, maybe you're just being ripped off to fund the lifestyle of some flight school owners. Neither does a cheap price mean bad quality. If it's cheap maybe it's because of old planes and not so nice facilities but it does not necessarily mean bad training.

By the way for Fort Pierce I'd suggest budget about US$1000-1500 per month for living, which includes a car (which you will need!). You can get a good car for about US$2000. The program cost Ari Ben Aviator quote would include the first three months of rent at US$600 a month.

Good luck

7E7

Last edited by 7E7Flyer; 12th August 2007 at 17:20.
7E7Flyer is offline