Arena Aviation

[donmackey00]

Hi, I am currently looking for flight Schools in Australia to get my commercial license. I was looking at Arena Aviation based in Brisbane, but since I have a heard a few bad things.

Can anybody with knowledge of Arena let me know if it would be a good choice of flight school, or make any recommendations?

Thanks
Don

[Mr Whippy]

Check your pm's

[suspicious]

Don,

take it from one of the MANY un-happy victims of the sausage mill.

Take your money elsewhere.

[swoz]

hinchinbrook air services ( bob harris' flying school) in innisfail is a good place... small, only two instructors... nice people and an aeroclub bar across the lawn...
then clamback & hennessy and whitworth aviation in sydney-bankstown have a good reputation...

[Ozflyer]

Don't believe all the knockers and gripers - chances are they are filled with sour grapes through their own ineptitude or poor performance whilst at the school, looking for someone else to carry the blame! Since 1976 Arena has been producing commercial pilots of excellent standard (more than any other flying school in Queensland). They are STILL the only flying school in Qld that was selected for cadet training by Qantas and are still respected throughout the industry as a leader in their field. Let the facts speak for themselves, and ignore the fiction.

[404 Titan]

donmackey00

One must ask themselves if I was going to spend $50000.00 + on a product, any product, do I get advise from past purchasers of this product, or do I believe the salesman that is trying to sell it to me? Do your homework and shop wisely.

[Night Watch]

OK I'll bite

Ozflyer you are a ...... I went to Arena (aka Air Training Centre), and i'm one of your so called knockers and gripers . Having got nothing less than 94% on all written exams, passing all fight tests first go and personally knowing 6 guys on my course who did the same..... I think we are qualified to comment on a organisation. Or do you still consider our ineptitude and poor performance disqualifies us from comment. (BTW all 6 of us are flying for the majors or regional turboprops)

donmackey00 my advice is the same as swoz and 404 Titan ...... do your homework and seriously consider going to a smaller outfit, one that won't take your money, treat u like and spit you out as fast as they can.


good luck

[cunningham]

Before starting training anywhere ask them if they pay their staff the award. If the answer is no, shop elsewhere.

[slice]

OZflyer - Bwahahahahahahaha!! Nice one

[Tucker]

Arena: THE FACTS???

Ozzy Ozzy Ozzyflyer me old mate.........

Facts huh? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the motto of Arena's major competitor at Archerfield? Leaders in........... Hmmm.

And I thought they (the opposition) did pay award wages.......

Anyway, off to drink another beer or 3 with my award wage pay.......

Next time sport.

[seat1A]

hmmm

so.......we all have much to say but what are the so called gripes? Are Arena any worse than other flying schools out there? lets be honest here.....

[suspicious]

I was gonna hold back, but why bother....

So Ozflyer , it would seem your "facts" are coming back to haunt you.

donmackey, there are some lucky sausages at Arena. I know of a certain ex-flight attendent of the fairer sex that somehow managed to fly EVERY SINGLE FLIGHT, all the way to CPL, with the CP ( who only ever stepped out of his big dollar MG for tests, or to fly with his "Golden" students, however they were chosen..... )

THEN go onto do ALL your MECIR with the deputy CP, finish with around 200TT, and SHAZAM, you will land a job with a Mt Isa company with 1500hr minimums....!!

what a lucky lady, her outback time was spent flying lovely white folk out of the Isa. Never spent a day around our indigenous brothers....

the sad thing for me is, I fell for your bullsh!t story about being the "preferred trainer for Qantas" and you happily relieved me of every last cent I had spent the previous 8 years working and scrimping and saving to accrue. You knew of my dreams to fly for a living and you robbed me blind with a smile on your face. Just another one of your suckers I guess.

I was then left in a position where I was told by prospective employers that "it was a real shame" I trained at Arena, despite doing exceptionally well on my exams, and passing my flight tests with ease. Guess that means I don't fit in the "ineptitude and poor performance" group.

On 2 occasions I stood up for my rights as a customer (remember that's what you are Don) and I was branded a trouble maker, and pushed to the outer (while they continued to happily keep taking my money).

So donmackey , listen to what OZFLYER says,
"Let the facts speak for themselves, and ignore the fiction".

[outback satellite]

Tucker your a toolbag!

maybe u should check out the award b4 u comment.
If you got your ass out of Brisbane maybe you would know what you where talking about.

cheers big ears
outback

[404 Titan]

Ozflyer

Yes we saw your profile before you conveniently changed it from Archerfield. Not very smart.

seat1A

so.......we all have much to say but what are the so called gripes?

I think a few people have put their gripes here. Maybe you should have another read.

Are Arena any worse than other flying schools out there? lets be honest here.....

The thread was asking about Arena Aviation. If you want to go and start another thread, go for it.

[seat1A]

404, maybe YOU should have another read my friend. No one had listed any 'gripes' prior to my asking, just general talk......my question was 'what are the gripes"? There was nothing posted about anything specific........

[James Taylor]

Suspicious,

finish with around 200TT, and SHAZAM, you will land a job with a Mt Isa company with 1500hr minimums....!!

Must correct you there mate, the minimums where 2000Hr TT 500 multi, due to mine contracts (WMC). I believe she was employed originaly as a token co-pilot on the pistons, and E110.

Turns out she was some what of a Trojan Horse anyway! What does A.O. do nowdays?

redcan redcan redcan redcan redcan

[Tucker]

Outback satellite,

Not sure what your getting at............Just stating facts if you re-read my post.....Maybe you can't comprehend the fact that some companies do actually reward their staff in accordance with the award. May I suggest you move your ass to a company that will treat you accordingly if you are unhappy.

PS. Dont forget your toolbag

[404 Titan]

seat1A

my question was 'what are the gripes"? There was nothing posted about anything specific........

Have a careful read of Night Watch’s post. I think if you read the post carefully you will find he was saying the whole package wasn’t up to scratch. Oh and please don’t call me “My Friend”. That is reserved to my mates of whom you aren’t one sunshine. Funny how topics like this brings out new handles. Ruffled a few feathers have we. Buy the way I have used a few of the flying schools at Archerfield over the years and wouldn’t recommend any of them. The staff that work there are generally OK but it is the people that own and run these organizations that need to take a good look at themselves. If they want return clientele and referrals then they need to lift their game and treat their clients with a little more respect, and not to take us for granted.

[seat1A]

404, sorry I 'ruffled' your feathers! I must say that I agree with you though. The organisations at Archerfield really need to lift their game big time and change their ways dramatically. My advise to someone wanting to learn to fly for a career is to consider one of the larger organisations such as BAE in Adelaide. They have the financial backing to give their customers the best environment in which to learn. Sure it will probably cost you a great deal more but you have one chance at this...just my opinion

[Poto]

Trojan Horse

James Taylor,

Would love to know what is meant by Trojan Horse in your post
If a pilot makes the grade they will swim if they don't they sink.

This is not a dig just found i interesting and want to know more!