Arena Aviation
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Under the Equator
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
s/e Cessna.
In this world - you get what you pay for;
Full time grade one instructors on the right pay have to be charged out at a higher rate.
Therefore BAE is quite a lot more expensive than other organisations.
If a student can only afford an Arena type school then they will have to accept training from Junior grade instructors and older beat up aircraft.
That's why BAE and one or two others 'stand in a league of their own'. $100 vs $50 per hour for instructors. You can't compare.
S.E.C.; Did you pay for your BAE exposure or was it part of Cathay prep.?.
I do agree with some command experiance prior to an Instructor rating.....
In this world - you get what you pay for;
Full time grade one instructors on the right pay have to be charged out at a higher rate.
Therefore BAE is quite a lot more expensive than other organisations.
If a student can only afford an Arena type school then they will have to accept training from Junior grade instructors and older beat up aircraft.
That's why BAE and one or two others 'stand in a league of their own'. $100 vs $50 per hour for instructors. You can't compare.
S.E.C.; Did you pay for your BAE exposure or was it part of Cathay prep.?.
I do agree with some command experiance prior to an Instructor rating.....
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: OZ
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
R,F,G
Cx I wish, no such luck I'm affraid. Probably just like you; I have a huge debt over my head. When I made the decission of where to train i decided BAE, hey at the end of the day, you only get what you pay for.
Cx I wish, no such luck I'm affraid. Probably just like you; I have a huge debt over my head. When I made the decission of where to train i decided BAE, hey at the end of the day, you only get what you pay for.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret base in Hoth...
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shmoo,
I agree with your comments fully. I too did my CPL NavEx flights up to YBAF and was told to pop in to Arena if I had any problems, would like to submit SAR or get the weather.
The service they gave there was great, we sat down and the lovely blonde poured me a great brew, whilst discussing the best way to fly back to sydney.
They were more than happy to go that "extra yard" and even drove some of my mates to motels around town (ALL FREE OF CHARGE), even though they FULLY knew that I was doing my flight training elsewhere and there was no way they woudl be getting any money out of me.
I was not apart of their flight training at all, so I cannot comment on that aspect of their operation, but what I can comment on is they are more than helpful to give you a hand in their office or to use their facilities. I had no more than 2-3 contact hours with them from my time in YBAF and I will recommend that if your in town make sure you pop in to Arena and ask if you can use their facilities. They will be more than happy to help you!
CMN
I agree with your comments fully. I too did my CPL NavEx flights up to YBAF and was told to pop in to Arena if I had any problems, would like to submit SAR or get the weather.
The service they gave there was great, we sat down and the lovely blonde poured me a great brew, whilst discussing the best way to fly back to sydney.
They were more than happy to go that "extra yard" and even drove some of my mates to motels around town (ALL FREE OF CHARGE), even though they FULLY knew that I was doing my flight training elsewhere and there was no way they woudl be getting any money out of me.
I was not apart of their flight training at all, so I cannot comment on that aspect of their operation, but what I can comment on is they are more than helpful to give you a hand in their office or to use their facilities. I had no more than 2-3 contact hours with them from my time in YBAF and I will recommend that if your in town make sure you pop in to Arena and ask if you can use their facilities. They will be more than happy to help you!
CMN
Join Date: May 2005
Location: sydney
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
School doesn`t matter. The instructor does.
No employer will give a sh1t where you learnt to fly,what you got in your exams, how much you spent, how proffessional the organisation was Blah, blah, blah. All they will care about is tat you can fly to a proffecient standard, know the rules and reg`s and what you are doing in the air. All this crap about sausage factory`s versus smaller more personal outfits is a waste of time.
If you want advice, find an instructor who is older than you.
HAs worked out in the real world of charter and airline flying who will teach you practical and valuble lessons that will stick with you right throughout your career.
And make sure they have a good attitude as much as everyone says you must.
Getting a young fresh instructor who only works in gthat job because he doesn`t want to leave his parents purse strings, bitches and whinges to you every flight about how bad his lot is and that the indusrty is crap. And then tries to impart his very extensive and intimate knowledge of what every employer will want to see, is going to turn into a very costly mistake as I found out a few years ago.
If you want advice, find an instructor who is older than you.
HAs worked out in the real world of charter and airline flying who will teach you practical and valuble lessons that will stick with you right throughout your career.
And make sure they have a good attitude as much as everyone says you must.
Getting a young fresh instructor who only works in gthat job because he doesn`t want to leave his parents purse strings, bitches and whinges to you every flight about how bad his lot is and that the indusrty is crap. And then tries to impart his very extensive and intimate knowledge of what every employer will want to see, is going to turn into a very costly mistake as I found out a few years ago.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why's this thread popped up again?
Are Arena so desperate to get customers in the door they've decided to get a few mates to post some good things about them?
Dragon's right, it doesn't mean crap where you fly (with respect to your future career options). Fly somewhere you are treated well and taught to be a true professional.
Sure some people are happy with Arena, but look at all the stuff posted on this forum and the number of students who move to other schools. Where there's smoke there's fire.
Are Arena so desperate to get customers in the door they've decided to get a few mates to post some good things about them?
Dragon's right, it doesn't mean crap where you fly (with respect to your future career options). Fly somewhere you are treated well and taught to be a true professional.
Sure some people are happy with Arena, but look at all the stuff posted on this forum and the number of students who move to other schools. Where there's smoke there's fire.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Secret base in Hoth...
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by VH-FTS
Why's this thread popped up again?
Are Arena so desperate to get customers in the door they've decided to get a few mates to post some good things about them?
Dragon's right, it doesn't mean crap where you fly (with respect to your future career options). Fly somewhere you are treated well and taught to be a true professional.
Sure some people are happy with Arena, but look at all the stuff posted on this forum and the number of students who move to other schools. Where there's smoke there's fire.
Are Arena so desperate to get customers in the door they've decided to get a few mates to post some good things about them?
Dragon's right, it doesn't mean crap where you fly (with respect to your future career options). Fly somewhere you are treated well and taught to be a true professional.
Sure some people are happy with Arena, but look at all the stuff posted on this forum and the number of students who move to other schools. Where there's smoke there's fire.
And to comment on your "where there is smoke there is fire". Pleasename me (or all of us for the matter) ONE SINGLE ORGANISATION in aviation that has no "smoke". Might as well add to your proverbs, "where there are ashes, there was once smoke"
I see it that two parties are at fault; an organisation (being its structure, managment, etc) or its workers. Dodgey companies have both, most companies will get either one or the other bad party. Good organisations identify the problems and endevour to fix it, so please dont blame the entire organisation/company, if you had a bad dealing with ONE employee, or by poor management (but the workers are doing their best to improve, or fix it)
VH-FTS, to put it in your language, if you see smoke or a small flame, blow it out before its becomes a bushfire, then no one can stop it burning! (hope that helps)
CNM
Not here to "burn" bridges either (excuse the pun)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okay, fair point if you've never been there before and just wanted to give the for them. It's great to see people in aviation helping each other out.
I'd name you an organisation but no doubt people would jump on saying i'm supporting my own team, so I'm not going to bother. But yes, they do exist.
>>I see it that two parties are at fault; an organisation (being its structure, managment, etc) or its workers. Dodgey companies have both, most companies will get either one or the other bad party. Good organisations identify the problems and endevour to fix it, so please dont blame the entire organisation/company, if you had a bad dealing with ONE employee, or by poor management (but the workers are doing their best to improve, or fix it)<<
I'll tell you what the problem is - the 'Captain' who runs the show and his lack of respect for other operators on the airfields they run from. Not all employees follow his lead, but lets just say a few of his values flow down the chain. I've had bad dealings with both management and employees, and Arena is the only organisation I wouldn't think twice about if they went out of business (okay, maybe I'd feel sorry for a few of their instructors now out of work).
for them. It's great to see people in aviation helping each other out.I'd name you an organisation but no doubt people would jump on saying i'm supporting my own team, so I'm not going to bother. But yes, they do exist.
>>I see it that two parties are at fault; an organisation (being its structure, managment, etc) or its workers. Dodgey companies have both, most companies will get either one or the other bad party. Good organisations identify the problems and endevour to fix it, so please dont blame the entire organisation/company, if you had a bad dealing with ONE employee, or by poor management (but the workers are doing their best to improve, or fix it)<<
I'll tell you what the problem is - the 'Captain' who runs the show and his lack of respect for other operators on the airfields they run from. Not all employees follow his lead, but lets just say a few of his values flow down the chain. I've had bad dealings with both management and employees, and Arena is the only organisation I wouldn't think twice about if they went out of business (okay, maybe I'd feel sorry for a few of their instructors now out of work).
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Eastern Oz
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
McGoon
I guess you've learnt your lesson about paying up front.
I did a bit of training at Arena a couple of years back. Didn't mind the place that much. Most (not all) of the instructors were pretty good. Didn't ming GB either. Problem was, I didn't think I was getting much value for my $$$. Got bumped a couple of times and one time the instructor didn't even show up. I did see students,usually the ones trying to hook a job,getting asked to wash cars,get lunches,etc. That's not real professional. When Arena have a group of overseas students being trained,the local students seem to go to the back of the que. They forget where the bread and butter comes from while they concentrate on the cream. Business suicide if you ask me.
I guess you've learnt your lesson about paying up front.
I did a bit of training at Arena a couple of years back. Didn't mind the place that much. Most (not all) of the instructors were pretty good. Didn't ming GB either. Problem was, I didn't think I was getting much value for my $$$. Got bumped a couple of times and one time the instructor didn't even show up. I did see students,usually the ones trying to hook a job,getting asked to wash cars,get lunches,etc. That's not real professional. When Arena have a group of overseas students being trained,the local students seem to go to the back of the que. They forget where the bread and butter comes from while they concentrate on the cream. Business suicide if you ask me.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: LLLL
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi all ,
I have to say after having very recent experience with arena I was very dissapointed. The people and instructers are great(still mates with most of them) its just such a shame the management and testing officers are so useless.
I went and looked at another outfit up the road after putting up with arena's $hit almost a year and was flying there that afternoon, I was so impressed with the difference. I have discovered so many things that I should have been taught and am so happy that I made the desicion when I did.
Don't be fooled by the marketing, like so many of us have been. In the long run you will spend far more money at Arena than other places.
It seems that the company is really going downhill.
-Great people who work there
-Terrible management
-No comment on GB !!!
If anyone needs some more info on this PM me and I will be happy to discuss it
I have to say after having very recent experience with arena I was very dissapointed. The people and instructers are great(still mates with most of them) its just such a shame the management and testing officers are so useless.
I went and looked at another outfit up the road after putting up with arena's $hit almost a year and was flying there that afternoon, I was so impressed with the difference. I have discovered so many things that I should have been taught and am so happy that I made the desicion when I did.
Don't be fooled by the marketing, like so many of us have been. In the long run you will spend far more money at Arena than other places.
It seems that the company is really going downhill.
-Great people who work there
-Terrible management
-No comment on GB !!!
If anyone needs some more info on this PM me and I will be happy to discuss it
