Advice Please

[Pilotdreams83]

Hi all,

I have a pretty standard question. I am a vet and am looking for a flight school that I can take a pretty good pace but not necessarily accelerated. Since I will be using vet benefits I am not even sure I can do an accelerated program. I talked to ari ben a few days ago and the way it was explained to me was that the course costs around 43k and the vet benefits reduce that to around 26k. Does anyone have any pros/cons for the school. Any vets utilized the program. I am also looking at skymates, atp,fsa.....any advice helpful.

Thanks

[lowery21]

You need to pm Maverick. He is the only VA guy I really know. Watch out though, he'll "want your number."

[Beechlover]

Been in the VA program since last October. It takes a few months for your your first checks to come, (VA processing) but they do come. Best to have them direct deposited as it goes slightly quicker than mail. Everything else has gone as advertised, I'm very happy with the program here. Best of luck.

[MFT1Air]

So Beechlover, how have you been doing so far? Inquirying minds wish to know.

[Beechlover]

Originally Posted by MFT1Air

So Beechlover, how have you been doing so far? Inquirying minds wish to know.

Hi MFT,

I've been working on my MEI cert. Finishing up MEI ground school this week and should start flying next week. After 7 weeks of ground, I feel very prepared. The Chief Pilot taught all the technical, VERY knowledgeable, suberb instructor! He's really gone the extra mile to ensure we're ready. Over all I've gotta say that my experience here has been exactly what was advertised. As far as cost, I recently reviewed my expenses to get my CMEL/IFR and I was within a few hundred dollars of what I was quoted this time last year. And that was due to some overflight on my part. No big deal.

Incidentally, there's a guy in my MEI class who bailed out from another well known academy type school when his expenses went over the 50k mark and he hadn't even gotten his CSEL certificate yet! No kidding. When I'm done, I'll have my CMEL/CSEL/IFR CFI/CFII/MEI ratings being well below that amount. Hind sight being 20/20, coming here was the right choice for me, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[Danny_PR]

Hi, Rudy

Congrats on your progress, you re really motivated me in my road to start training. just wondering if you dont mind answer, re you planing to be an instructor in ariben after finish your Instructors ratings or have another plans??

Goog Luck,
Danny

[Beechlover]

Hey Danny,

I plan to stay here and instruct. Are you still planning to come here?

[Danny_PR]

Oh Yeah, I'm working in the Loan Process, I'll be there Probably in the mid end of July, I think its a busy season there, dont you think ? I 'll start with my ppl there and studying for my written and want to take at least the instrument and CFII writtens before start training.

Take Care,
Danny

[Beechlover]

Cool. Look me up when you get here.

[Danny_PR]

Sure,

Thanks

[kailuaboy]

great way to PM guys.

to the original poster: I did the VA pro course... it was great. I loved every minute of the solo time in the duchess. I cant believe, Lowery, that you didnt remember I was VA. Its true, you do wait a while for the checks to start coming. I waited something like 9 months to get my check (I only got one cause I was done with the whole VA thing by the time the check came, so they just gave me a lump sum, im not complaining).

Manny was VA too.

[razgriz494]

Hey Danny, Ari-Ben is a nice place. I went there and it was an awesome experience. Good IP's and also great chance to make hrs in the Dutchess, good airplane, I really had fun in that bird, so, anyone planning to go there, go ahead...

[Danny_PR]

hey razgriz494,

nice to see you here, and good to know that about ariben.

PM sent.

Danny

[lowery21]

Oh yeah, Ivan....don't know why I didn't remember that at the time.

[jgutcia]

Originally Posted by Pilotdreams83

Hi all,

course costs around 43k and the vet benefits reduce that to around 26k.

I thought the course costs around 43-44k and you are reimbursed around 26k bringing the cost of the program down to about 18k??

[maverick2]

Originally Posted by jgutcia

I thought the course costs around 43-44k and you are reimbursed around 26k bringing the cost of the program down to about 18k??

Down to 21k. But still one heck of a deal.

[jgutcia]

Originally Posted by maverick2

Down to 21k. But still one heck of a deal.

i am sorry to keep bringing this up, but i still get very confused about the va cost. website says $18,495, and you maverick2 who has completed the program says $21k. are you including books, written tests and checkrides?

[NickH]

Apparently Mike is also saying less than $11,000.

It's all about the hidden costs...

[maverick2]

The extra cost was for my PSEL that isnt covered for VA, and books. I got reimbursed by the VA for my writtens and checkrides already. Also I attended the program two years ago where the cost was cheaper than now due to the increase of fuel prices. Hope this helps.

Nick, hows the instructing going up at Merrit Island?

[Shhhh, not while im flyin]

dont forget to include rent , expenses and check rides. I didnt and i threw my numbers off. the apts are 15 miles from the school so it adds up. im not sure if they include housing and check rides in the va program but i know they dont in the pro course. but its a cool school, have fun