Comparison

I'm comparing the white air multi time career program to the Ari-ben pro pilot program. The price for the white air program includes the private pilot where as ari-ben does not so I will subtract the price of the stand alone ppl program from the career program price (I'm not sure if it is cheaper when purchased with the career program). Also white air comes with an extra 3 months of housing so add 1500 to Ari-ben since that's what 3 months of housing costs there.

There is about a 10% difference in the cost of living with Kansas being cheaper then Florida. So how much that factors in will depend on your own personal habits.

BUT, and here is one important difference, Ari-ben has title IV funding and if you are paying with a loan that means you can get federal loans if you are under 23. I can get the kind of federal loan that will pay for the whole enchilada so that means a considerable savings in interest over the life of the loan. It's hard to say how much that will save really but a conservative guess of about 5-6 thousand.

So I estimate white air is about $33,495 and Ari-ben is about $36,495 not counting the loan difference or cost of living.

So the difference between the programs is with Ari-ben you get
100 more hours of multi time but it is as safety PIC.

And with white air you get
25 more hours of ME non-safety pilot PIC
+
78 more hours of SE non safety pilot PIC (after subtracting for the ppl)

Some people don't think safety pilot time is worth anything but others disagree. Some employers care some don't it's hard to judge. Generally it doesn't seem that regionals make a distinction but they might in the future, who knows.

Taking into account weather is important too. In Florida it is hot and humid and you could get hurricanes but you also have the chance to get some actual instrument time. You also have thunderstorms everyday. I don't know much about Kansas but I would doubt they have hurricanes although a thunderstorm out there would eat a Florida thunderstorm for breakfast.

This is just my comparison it's probably full of errors though.

It's been discussed here before...some regionals care.

Most students that do training in FL and AZ have very little actual that they can fly. For example, in FL, most of the time, it's Cumulus or TS's, which neither one is very conducive to shooting approaches in IMC (usually 3000' and above), and cause a fairly uncomfortable ride that I don't see many CFI's looking for. Also, if there is a hurricane, you won't be flying in it. Trust me!! You'll be lucky if your school still has all of it's planes.

As far as KS...they have tornadoes, so you run a chance there also. I wouldn't mess with their thunderstorms unless you have a death wish, but they do have more hard IFR, especially in the winter, than in FL.

Good luck on the decision. Both sound like good schools from what I've read...which means nothing, really. :insane:

"I can get the kind of federal loan that will pay for the whole enchilada so that means a considerable savings in interest over the life of the loan. It's hard to say how much that will save really but a conservative guess of about 5-6 thousand."

If anyone can jump in here but I do believe the federal loan only covers a few thousand and not nearly the whole cost. However your parents can apply for a parent loan to cover it, but that means they pay right away and pay interest and its in their names. I could be wrong but I am fairly confident the federal loan does not and will never cover the entire cost of a flight training program.

Ariben: you get ME add on thru MEI.
White Air: Private thru MEI

Ariben: you will log 200 hours ME
White Air: you will log 125 hours ME

Ariben: 222 hours total.
White Air: 280 hours total.

Ariben: some time is spent acting as safety pilot.
White Air: zero time as safety pilot.

Ariben: Big school with lots of planes and students.
White Air: Small school with few planes and students.

Ariben: Long history and proven track record.
White Air: New school on the block.

Ariben: 3 months of housing included.
White Air: 6 months of housing included.

Ariben: Beaches and Sand
White Air: Wheat Fields and Cows

Ariben: Hurricanes
White Air: Tornadoes

Ariben: Hot and Humid most of the year.
White Air: Hot and Humid part of the year.

Will employers have a problem with safety pilot time? This is up for debate with no clear answer, it has not been an isssue in the past, but there has been mention that some carriers are starting to question it. Who is to say what the right answer is. Either program, you will need to instruct after training to get to hiring minimums for whatever path you choose. Both places will give opportunity to instruct in multi engine aircraft, therefore adding to your total ME time.

It really boils down to a personal choice. What does the student feel is most important to them? Different programs all have their pros and cons. With no clear cut best choice for everybody. We only ask that you consider our programs when making a training decision.

Ariben: Swamps and one long emergency field
White Air: Isn't it sunflower fields and Cows?

I hear there are three kinds of Suns in Kansas...

1. Sunshine

2. Sunflowers

3. Sonsofbitches.




just something to think about.lol. And BTW, who can tell me what movie that is from?

Secret of my Success?

Nope...think Eastwood...