Advantages of going to Ari-Ben??

[jawright]

I'll start by apologizing for a long-winded post.

Ok, so I am trying to finish my private, and I'm looking at this whole flight school thing, trying to figure out my next step. I want to see if any of you Ari cats have any opinions on this.
I was considering going to Ari-Ben, and then I did the math and found...$29,995/200= roughly $150.00 per hour. That's a good deal, but through a lucky break, I can get my inst-MEI at my local school (including the 200 hours in a Duchess) for about the same price. The local school is also at a towered airport and offers both part 61 and 141 programs.
While it may take me a few months longer to continue at the FBO, I would be able to live at home, keep a job (or two)locally, pay as I go, and not be in loads of debt...well, maybe not quite as much debt. If I went to Ari, I would either have to take out a loan or save for at least a year to afford it, then move to a totally different city.
So my question is, cost, multi time and towered field being equal, is there any advantage that Ari would have over the FBO? If these had been your options, would you still have gone to Ari? I appreciate any advice!!

[Captain_Bob]

First of all, let me preface this by saying I didn't go to Ari... but I do know that the Ari guys are a great bunch.

However... I did relocate to go to a larger flight school in order to get the multi time in a short period of time. But... I had the funds available to do so.

All things being equal... if I could have stayed in Maine and finished all my ratings at my local FBO at an equivelent price but over a longer period of time, and kept my job while I did it... I know that's what I would have done. But I had to move to get the Multi cheaper.

Most guys on this board aren't big into taking out a huge amount of debt, when you have other options... and it sounds like you do.

But... You've got to decide for yourself... Take a cheap flight down to Ari, and spend the day with them... I know they can hook you up with cheap financing as well.

Good luck!

Bob

PS: Believe me... you post is no where near as long winded as most posts on here!

[RPM]

actually the program includes 220 hours (20 single engine) so it works out to be about $136 an hour.

Did the rates you have quoted include an instructor? If they did thats pretty amazing to find an FBO with those rates. Kind of hard to believe actually. Will they guarantee the price they quoted you? That is also something to be careful with.

I dunno man, I am having a great time down here but If I could have stayed in my home town and gotten everything I am getting here for the same price...I probably never would have come down here. Nothing against the school but its nice to be home around friends and family, but you also have to think about the instructing opportunities you will have here after finishing the program, that was a huge selling point for me, probably the most important thing in my decision to come here! No way you will EVER get the multi time we do instructing anywhere else, except for maybe ATP.

good luck!