[NewPilot]

Can anyone tell me about their experiences at AriBen Aviator? I plan to attend there and use my VA/BI bill Army benefits to help foot my training costs.

Thanks!

[MongoLike]

Hi New guy,
Sorry to see no posts on this for your question, but I too looked at Ari-Ben because of their ads in magazines, and I live about 2 hrs. away. Sounds like a great deal for multi time right?
Well, check airlinepilotcentral.com & American Eagle apparently won't accept "safety pilot" time at all !! I also ran into a Lear/corporate pilot at my local airport last summer who had gone to Ari-Ben. He said it was a complete waste of his money, as he had to get even MORE multi time to get hired as a cargo pilot (apparently they didn't like the "safety pilot" thing either) He told me you'll only fly at night, (they use the airplanes during the day for instruction to keep that Hobbs meter running), the maintenance is a joke, and most of the flying you'll do won't prepare you for the real world.
I realize that's only conjecture, but I thought better of this idea. Just food for thought to do some research before dumping $.

[wildflyin]

Hi New guy,
Sorry to see no posts on this for your question, but I too looked at Ari-Ben because of their ads in magazines, and I live about 2 hrs. away. Sounds like a great deal for multi time right?
Well, check airlinepilotcentral.com & American Eagle apparently won't accept "safety pilot" time at all !! I also ran into a Lear/corporate pilot at my local airport last summer who had gone to Ari-Ben. He said it was a complete waste of his money, as he had to get even MORE multi time to get hired as a cargo pilot (apparently they didn't like the "safety pilot" thing either) He told me you'll only fly at night, (they use the airplanes during the day for instruction to keep that Hobbs meter running), the maintenance is a joke, and most of the flying you'll do won't prepare you for the real world.
I realize that's only conjecture, but I thought better of this idea. Just food for thought to do some research before dumping $.

Are you sure about that safety pilot time? I know a guy that graduated from one of those big flight schools and some of his time was safety pilot time who was hired by American Eagle with 300 hours TT. He's now flying a Saab 340 out of LAX. Maybe they just don't recommend safety pilot time?

[MongoLike]

Are you sure about that safety pilot time? I know a guy that graduated from one of those big flight schools and some of his time was safety pilot time who was hired by American Eagle with 300 hours TT. He's now flying a Saab 340 out of LAX. Maybe they just don't recommend safety pilot time?

Hi Wild,
Okay, I found the gouge, (it wasn't airlinepilotcentral.com like I thought), it was willflyforfood, American Eagle Pilot Interview Profile, dated 10/2006 (yeah, older info, but they tend not to change things much @ AMR...i.e. sim ride profile)
"...A warning to those with safety pilot time...had 50hrs. PIC/50hrs. safety pilot and they told me I needed more multi time"
Just wanted to help someone save some heartache...Take Care

[NewPilot]

What is safety pilot time? After I attend my training at Ariben Aviator, I will be an instructor for a while. That will build time to enter the regionals.
By the way, is the PPL hard to get? The checkrides etc? ALot to know?

[MongoLike]

What is safety pilot time? After I attend my training at Ariben Aviator, I will be an instructor for a while. That will build time to enter the regionals.
By the way, is the PPL hard to get? The checkrides etc? ALot to know?

Hi NewPilot,
Hey, I hope I didn't offend you with the limited info I had on Ari-Ben. It's going to be your hard earned money, and it's only smart to look carefully at your options.

By the way, I saw your other posts between you and 135Guy, and I really got a kick out of the fact you're both about my age, similar backgrounds and are as stoked about flying as I am. I'm just looking forward to the day somebody PAYS me to fly.

Okay, safety pilot time at Ari Ben is where you are paired with another pilot, both paying 1/2 the rental of the airplane. In order to log it as Pilot In Command (PIC) time, you must be appropriately rated in the aircraft (not a big deal if you have your multi-engine private), AND the sole manipulator of the controls(a big deal if you're splitting flying duties with the other guy). Some unscrupulous types of pilots can and sometimes do log all of it as PIC (think of PIC as Captain time) Typically, one pilot is supposed to be wearing an instrument training hood, while the other guy is looking out the window for traffic, (hence the term "safety pilot"...don't ever practice instrument procedures with the hood while flying solo...bad Ju-Ju !) I honestly don't know the trainig pipeline or curricula for Ari Ben if you are looking to instruct there, since I was talking about the time building packages they sell.

How hard is the PPL? Hmm...it's been awhile since I got my private (1994) but since you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and be a motivated individual, you shouldn't have any problem with the PPL. The hardest part is that it's so new to you when you first start. Definitely study hard, but honestly, most people think the instrument is the hardest. When I got back into flying last year, my wife greeted me at the door and asked if it was everything I'd remembered and was it fun? the answers were no, and no! The best thing you can say about instrument flying is it's rewarding. The first time you're under the hood for an ILS approach (flying instruments by chasing the crosshairs on an instrument for landing), and your instructor tells you to take off the hood after working your A%$ off, the runway is right in front of you...Whoah...that's cool !!!

By the way, what's your MOS
Hope this helps...keep up the attitude, and don't let some jack-knife on this site crush your dreams.

[135guy]

Hi NewPilot,
Hey, I hope I didn't offend you with the limited info I had on Ari-Ben. It's going to be your hard earned money, and it's only smart to look carefully at your options.

By the way, I saw your other posts between you and 135Guy, and I really got a kick out of the fact you're both about my age, similar backgrounds and are as stoked about flying as I am. I'm just looking forward to the day somebody PAYS me to fly.

Okay, safety pilot time at Ari Ben is where you are paired with another pilot, both paying 1/2 the rental of the airplane. In order to log it as Pilot In Command (PIC) time, you must be appropriately rated in the aircraft (not a big deal if you have your multi-engine private), AND the sole manipulator of the controls(a big deal if you're splitting flying duties with the other guy). Some unscrupulous types of pilots can and sometimes do log all of it as PIC (think of PIC as Captain time) Typically, one pilot is supposed to be wearing an instrument training hood, while the other guy is looking out the window for traffic, (hence the term "safety pilot"...don't ever practice instrument procedures with the hood while flying solo...bad Ju-Ju !) I honestly don't know the trainig pipeline or curricula for Ari Ben if you are looking to instruct there, since I was talking about the time building packages they sell.

How hard is the PPL? Hmm...it's been awhile since I got my private (1994) but since you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and be a motivated individual, you shouldn't have any problem with the PPL. The hardest part is that it's so new to you when you first start. Definitely study hard, but honestly, most people think the instrument is the hardest. When I got back into flying last year, my wife greeted me at the door and asked if it was everything I'd remembered and was it fun? the answers were no, and no! The best thing you can say about instrument flying is it's rewarding. The first time you're under the hood for an ILS approach (flying instruments by chasing the crosshairs on an instrument for landing), and your instructor tells you to take off the hood after working your A%$ off, the runway is right in front of you...Whoah...that's cool !!!

By the way, what's your MOS
Hope this helps...keep up the attitude, and don't let some jack-knife on this site crush your dreams.

Hey Newpilot,

I dont' think getting my PPL is really that hard at all. I'm having a blast everytime I go up. It's like any job I've ever done. The more you fly, the more comfortable you'll be doing it and the easier it'll become. At first it's hard to figure out what your instructor wants you to do but once you start to understand what he/she is telling you it starts to get easy. If anything has been difficult for me to understand it's not looking right off the nose of the plane when landing. Look down the runway otherwise you'll bounce the plane every time...well that's what happens to me. Another thing that is making it difficult for me is the weather and work. I could've/should've solo'd several hours ago but since the weather has been crappy, high winds and low overcast, and also working almost a month straight without any time off preparing for an inspection, I haven't had the chance to get up in the air. When I have had the chance to fly, I usually go out to an uncontrolled airport to shoot approaches preparing for my solo but then the weather and work get in the way again and I have to wait a couple of weeks before I can fly again. I've been in that vicious cycle for some time now. I'm supposed to solo this coming Saturday but looking at the 10 day forcast it might not happen due to Mother Nature. She hates me I just know it.

Once you get your student kit, get into the books and study. The books are just like text books from school. I find it easier to study and learn the info because what I'm learning I really want to know.

135guy

[MongoLike]

Hey Newpilot,

I dont' think getting my PPL is really that hard at all. I'm having a blast everytime I go up. It's like any job I've ever done. The more you fly, the more comfortable you'll be doing it and the easier it'll become. At first it's hard to figure out what your instructor wants you to do but once you start to understand what he/she is telling you it starts to get easy. If anything has been difficult for me to understand it's not looking right off the nose of the plane when landing. Look down the runway otherwise you'll bounce the plane every time...well that's what happens to me. Another thing that is making it difficult for me is the weather and work. I could've/should've solo'd several hours ago but since the weather has been crappy, high winds and low overcast, and also working almost a month straight without any time off preparing for an inspection, I haven't had the chance to get up in the air. When I have had the chance to fly, I usually go out to an uncontrolled airport to shoot approaches preparing for my solo but then the weather and work get in the way again and I have to wait a couple of weeks before I can fly again. I've been in that vicious cycle for some time now. I'm supposed to solo this coming Saturday but looking at the 10 day forcast it might not happen due to Mother Nature. She hates me I just know it.

Once you get your student kit, get into the books and study. The books are just like text books from school. I find it easier to study and learn the info because what I'm learning I really want to know.

135guy

Hi NewPilot,
135Guy is telling you about factors you never expect when you start this adventure, (weather, personal schedule conflicts, maintenance, etc.). He's got the right attitude about studying a subject you love, and will ultimately be successful.

If you have time, a must read would be "Fate Is The Hunter" by Earnest K. Gann, a classic about the dawning age of airline aviation from an actual airline pilot.There will also be textbooks later in your training that will help immensely; "Weather Flying", "The Complete Multiengine Pilot", and "Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot" are 3 of the best examples of study material that make difficult subjects relatively easy.

Your training will start with a familiarization flight (fun stuff) and alot of info will be thrown at you before they let you fly solo. You digest that info the best you can, while learning slow flight, stalls, unusual attitudes, etc. and learn enough to do your cross-country flights (they're really not across the country, just out of your local airport area). Don't sweat the checkride yet, since your instructor will not let you take the exam unless he/she feels you're completely ready. They'll usually train you to fly better than the standards for the checkride, so when you're nervous and flying with an FAA designated examiner, even if you fly worse than in training, you'll pass.

After that you get a temporary Private Pilot's License (License To Kill...valid in all 50 states...your permanent one will come in the mail).Then you have to get post-Private cross country flights in, by yourself or with your buddies. You'll then be ready to start Instrument training. My brother (Boeing 737-800 Captain) gave me some of the best advice anyone has ever given me, "Strive to become the mos SH#T HOT instrument pilot you can be.The Instrument is your MOST IMPORTANT rating, since you'll use that the rest of your career!"

Next, get your Multi Private. Get the checkride done as an instrument ride (you'll have to shoot an instrument approach with an engine out). Why? 3 reasons; 1-you'll have instrument procedures fresh from having just done it in a single engine, 2-you'll now be appropriately rated in the aircraft, and therefore log all time as multi-PIC, and 3-when you take your multi-commercial you won't have to do the single engine instrument approach on the checkride.

I hope this stuff helps. I've been lucky enough to be blessed with friends & family who are extremely helpful with my studies, even though they're senior ariline pilots flying big jets at the majors. It's sometimes embarrassing asking such basic questions of such experienced pilots, but they have never been demeaning of my stupid questions, and if in my limited experince I can help you when your starting out, will continue to "Pay it forward".

Mongo

[NewPilot]

Hi NewPilot,
Hey, I hope I didn't offend you with the limited info I had on Ari-Ben. It's going to be your hard earned money, and it's only smart to look carefully at your options.

By the way, I saw your other posts between you and 135Guy, and I really got a kick out of the fact you're both about my age, similar backgrounds and are as stoked about flying as I am. I'm just looking forward to the day somebody PAYS me to fly.

Okay, safety pilot time at Ari Ben is where you are paired with another pilot, both paying 1/2 the rental of the airplane. In order to log it as Pilot In Command (PIC) time, you must be appropriately rated in the aircraft (not a big deal if you have your multi-engine private), AND the sole manipulator of the controls(a big deal if you're splitting flying duties with the other guy). Some unscrupulous types of pilots can and sometimes do log all of it as PIC (think of PIC as Captain time) Typically, one pilot is supposed to be wearing an instrument training hood, while the other guy is looking out the window for traffic, (hence the term "safety pilot"...don't ever practice instrument procedures with the hood while flying solo...bad Ju-Ju !) I honestly don't know the trainig pipeline or curricula for Ari Ben if you are looking to instruct there, since I was talking about the time building packages they sell.

How hard is the PPL? Hmm...it's been awhile since I got my private (1994) but since you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and be a motivated individual, you shouldn't have any problem with the PPL. The hardest part is that it's so new to you when you first start. Definitely study hard, but honestly, most people think the instrument is the hardest. When I got back into flying last year, my wife greeted me at the door and asked if it was everything I'd remembered and was it fun? the answers were no, and no! The best thing you can say about instrument flying is it's rewarding. The first time you're under the hood for an ILS approach (flying instruments by chasing the crosshairs on an instrument for landing), and your instructor tells you to take off the hood after working your A%$ off, the runway is right in front of you...Whoah...that's cool !!!

By the way, what's your MOS
Hope this helps...keep up the attitude, and don't let some jack-knife on this site crush your dreams.

My MOS is 42A (Human Resource Staff Sergeant). Prior Infantry though.

[meretrix]

I did the Ari-Ben thing back a few years ago. I was with a guy who wasn't a CFI so I logged it all Dual Given and PIC. He logged it PIC. It didn't get me anywhere in life though except I sold my motorcycle to pay for it. I have 2,500 TT 1000 Turbine and 150 Multi. I can't find a job

[cospilot]

Can anyone tell me about their experiences at AriBen Aviator? I plan to attend there and use my VA/BI bill Army benefits to help foot my training costs.

Thanks!

I instructed at AriBen back in 2000 before I went to ExpressJet. I am now a captain at SkyWest on the CRJ. If you would like to confirm that I worked at AriBen, call TJ Mete and ask. Tell her Jeffrey Synk sent you.

As for the program, it's a good program, if you have the money. Cheaper than FlightSafety Academy but more expensive than if you were to do it through your FBO. However, and here is the clincher, it gets you multi-engine time, and lots of it. When it comes time to interview, you will have more multi-engine time that anyone interviewing around you most likely. Plus, they hire a lot of instructors from within, so once you finish, you will be instructing in the Duchess almost exclusively! I had more multi- time when I left there than single-engine time.

As for maintenance, while I instructed there I NEVER had an issue with any of their maintenance. NEVER!

Are you going to be handed everything by the folks at AriBen? Not likely. AriBen is a flight school and like ALL flight schools, YOU are going to have to be proactive about making sure you do what you need to do to get through your ratings and get your flight time. Be assertive and take control of your flight training, but don't be obnoxious, and you would do well at AriBen.

As for PPL, etc. They will do the best that they can to make sure that you get what you need, but again, you have to be proactive about getting these things done and be patient, they take time and there are often hiccups in the process. I do know for a fact that they will help you with your VA stuff. I guess the key word is "responsibility." You have to take responsibility for your flight training.

Now, I've attended and taught at many flight schools and they are all very similar, so go with what your gut says. Visit the schools if you can and talk to people. Due your due diligence and look at where you are on your money. Visit my blog entry:

http://flycrj.com/20...-will-cost-you/

if you would like to see a more thorough discussion on becoming a professional pilot.

Good luck,

Jeff
Almost the Speed of Sound (http://www.flycrj.com)

This post has been edited by cospilot: 09 December 2008 - 11:41 AM

[FlyinJ]

I was at the aviator this summer. All the people there are friendly. No regrets. Maint was a problem, not uncommon to come in and find half the fleet down. Lots of students, mainly from India. Insturment ground school was a joke. Plan on doing a lot of studying on your own.

Pro's
tons of multi time.
courses are set up to get you done as fast as you can handle
great chance of getting hired on as a CFI and pay is 30K, not bad.
most duchess have garmin 430

Con's
141 programs require stage/end of course checks, there was 1 person doing these when I was there and wait time was about week. I had almost 2 months of waiting.
Expensive.
When I finished my Insturment raiting it was basically for Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach. Airports were about 10 miles away; KFPR, KVRB. (had the approaches memorized)
You are a number when your there (student ID)

Things to consider
Find out how much student houseing is then look on craigslist.org and look to find roommates, should save you lots of money.
Have transportation! student housing is about 15-20 miles away. they operate a shuttle but its a hassel.
Don't go there with out your Private Pilots Licence there 172 are way to expensive. It may even be benificial to get your multi raiting done before ariving.
Don't forget why you are there, some students waste lots of time not staying proactive. Get your writtens done as soon as possible. Most use Gliem. They use all FAA books (not JEPP).

VA
You don't do saftey pilot time building.
VA paper work is a huge hastle and you will need to make sure it is taken care of. It allways seemed there was something missing.
The school really works to help out the VA students.

[NewPilot]

Hi NewPilot,
Hey, I hope I didn't offend you with the limited info I had on Ari-Ben. It's going to be your hard earned money, and it's only smart to look carefully at your options.

By the way, I saw your other posts between you and 135Guy, and I really got a kick out of the fact you're both about my age, similar backgrounds and are as stoked about flying as I am. I'm just looking forward to the day somebody PAYS me to fly.

Okay, safety pilot time at Ari Ben is where you are paired with another pilot, both paying 1/2 the rental of the airplane. In order to log it as Pilot In Command (PIC) time, you must be appropriately rated in the aircraft (not a big deal if you have your multi-engine private), AND the sole manipulator of the controls(a big deal if you're splitting flying duties with the other guy). Some unscrupulous types of pilots can and sometimes do log all of it as PIC (think of PIC as Captain time) Typically, one pilot is supposed to be wearing an instrument training hood, while the other guy is looking out the window for traffic, (hence the term "safety pilot"...don't ever practice instrument procedures with the hood while flying solo...bad Ju-Ju !) I honestly don't know the trainig pipeline or curricula for Ari Ben if you are looking to instruct there, since I was talking about the time building packages they sell.

How hard is the PPL? Hmm...it's been awhile since I got my private (1994) but since you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and be a motivated individual, you shouldn't have any problem with the PPL. The hardest part is that it's so new to you when you first start. Definitely study hard, but honestly, most people think the instrument is the hardest. When I got back into flying last year, my wife greeted me at the door and asked if it was everything I'd remembered and was it fun? the answers were no, and no! The best thing you can say about instrument flying is it's rewarding. The first time you're under the hood for an ILS approach (flying instruments by chasing the crosshairs on an instrument for landing), and your instructor tells you to take off the hood after working your A%$ off, the runway is right in front of you...Whoah...that's cool !!!

By the way, what's your MOS
Hope this helps...keep up the attitude, and don't let some jack-knife on this site crush your dreams.

My MOS is 42A (Human Resources)

[Faro]

My MOS is 42A (Human Resources)

Also look at http://www.atriplep.com/.
The owner is ex AA Captain. He started his own business in FL. This is more of a real hour building.
One fly's the other does the radios. It's all cross county day and night.
I'm thinking to go there for my multi time.

[sounddoc]

I'm planning on going to Ari Ben in July. I was reccomended by a longtime friend who went there. he came out about a year ago with around 350TT and was hired by american eagle as FO on a EMB135, so i'm not sure what the safety pilot time problems were the other posters were talking about.

I've visited the school, and the planes didn't seem in any worse condition than the beat up trainers I, and most other part 61 pilots got their private in. the fuel gauge needles shake, the paint's chipped and the carpets are ripped here and there. did i feel unsafe at all? not at all...that's what pre-flights and aeronautical decision making are for.

my advice is to research different forums as much as possible about the school (it's what i did) and definitely visit before dropping the cash. you'll find the phrase "consider the source" to be VERY handy in reading a lot of what people have written about this school. those who know what they're getting into and are proactive due to a true love and a great attitude for flying will do well at the aviator. those who are into flying for a career and there to 'receive training' probably will feel like they're getting screwed. this is just my opinion BEFORE attending the school, and only based on what i've researched and heard first hand from those who have and are attending. PM if anyone wants more info.

[proxima3003]

I don't know if the original person got his question answered or not. I'm currently enrolled at Ari Ben ( it's now Aviator College). As of this posting I've been here 10 days. The instruction and the instructors I would rate 5/5. The staff and the school itself 2/5 and the housing 3/5, Anyways I have a blog, theflyingdream.blogspot.com which I try to update at least once a week on my progress there. I came in with my PPL, and am enrolled in their pro pilot program.