Ari Ben Aviator

[BoDEAN]

I am debating on heading down to FL to Ari Ben Aviator (http://aribenaviator.com) to build up some multi time. I have talked to a few CFI's at my college and they enjoyed it. It is around 5500 dollars for 3 weeks and 100 hrs multi.

Any users on here head down there and do this? Any comments?
Do they set you up with a partner to fly with, or do you have to find your own?


Thanks

 

[BoDEAN]

You lost me completely

Any other comments?


BTW- I am an American, born and raised here.

 

[wingnutt]

well, barring that extremely intelligent post from Ismokedya...

yes, ive been there, but not as a timebuilder. i did all my ratings thru him.

more often than not, mike (the owner) gets military helo guys down there that need a hundred or so hours of fixed wing to be competitive for whatever job they are in search of. this is not to say it wont work for you, but take it in relation to your other times.

as for the school, its on par with all the rest. keep in mind those planes fly 24 hours a day with students during the day and time builders at night. the schedule can get pinched now and then. i believe hes up to 6 or 7 Duchi now...Duchess' Duchi, whatever

the apartments leave a little to be desired. most of the army guys buddy up and split a hotel room just for GP (general purposes for you non-military)

the time builders seem to buddy up with a favorite, but most guys dont care who they fly with, they just wanna get their time and get back to whatever the heck they were doing. ive seen guys get their 100 hours in as little as 9 days, some as long as 4 weeks. it just depends on you...and a little luck with the 100 hour inspections.

the only debatable thing is "anywhere-cross-country" time. while it is allowed to take a plane way out of state, it needs his personal OK. the planes are booked in 6 hours blocks of time, mostly at night...although i hear he has 1 or 2 "dedicated" time builder aircraft for day operations now. its also gonna cost you more as fuel thru him is free, but his reimbursement (if you buy it elsewhere) is paid out at whatever he pays for fuel down there. in other words, you land in Atlanta and pay 2.65 a gallon, hes only gonna give you 1.09 back...or whatever the going rate is.

other than that you can go to the Bahamas, Key West and other sorts...i had a great time out there.

any other questions lemme know

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks for the information.
Do I need to arrange ahead of time someone to room with, and someone to fly with? Or do I call down there, and he set's it up?

 

[gundriver]

Wingnut is right on the money. I went there about 18 months ago and did about 70 hours in 2.5 weeks. I would definately arrange a roomate ahead of time if that's feasible. When it pertains to a flying partner that is easy enough to hook up when you get down there (assuming there are other timebuilders) which there always seems to be. The planes aren't in tip top shape, but I fly freight now so they're pretty cherry in comparison. I guess it's all relative. Let me know if you have any specific questions..

Good luck