AeroGuard Flight Training Review

[@bencasillas2039]

I was seriously considering this school without enough research, but I’m super grateful I found this video. Thank you!

[@victorkobie3018]

I would not recommend...

[@nicolewisz2121]

THANK YOU I have been considering aeroguard or atp for a few months and this was the most helpful review and comparison of both

[@chuckgordon8179]

I attended FIT back in the late 70’s. At that time it was runway 4/22. No intercoms, no videoing of flights, and no pre-calc! The flight school was in a different location, and that building where you attend classes was the registrars office.

[@liminalstates]

The insights you've provided here are priceless!! Thanks for candidly sharing your experiences: good and bad.

[@patrickpowell2236]

The most helpful video explanation ever. This helps me narrow my flight school search tremendously.

[@Lets_Get_Healthy]

Thank you for the in depth review on your experience. I am currently in the process of looking at the different options in the Phoenix area, and this is very helpful. I have a very, very good friend who is at AG right now and much of what you described is very similar to her experience.

[@jphotographer2925]

Thanks for your review. This was a school on my list. I got my PPL via part 61 and am not interested in a school like Aeroguard any longer.

[@davidplayspoker]

This is so helpful for someone like me just getting into this. Thank you so much!

[@michellewilliams9567]

My son is at AeroGuard now and feels so isolated. Would you happen to know of any mentorship programs for students currently attending? We live 5 miles from PHX airport and would be willing to pay for mentorship while he is in school. Many thanks for considering my request.

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Facebook groups! There are tons. Lots of other pilots to connect to and get guidance from. I was told that there would be a mentor from Skywest, but that didn't happen for me at AeroGuard. But there are opportunities to connect and not have to pay a mentor. Here are a few FB groups to get started. Arizona Pilots Group Nation 1500 Club Phoenix Airplanes and Coffee The Phoenix Pilot Group

[@RedditHorrors777]

I pulled out of this school all of these things you said were true I don’t even get to my first instrument stage flight

[@dellassociates8431]

Were you going to the AZ branch or TX?

[@duanehamelin7344]

Decent review but I think you were too nice! Having been a student there, as a career aircraft mechanic, training to have a second career as a pilot, I was concerned about the maintenance there. The airplanes there are in bad shape, airworthiness yes, but barely, definitely not a top notch maintenance program. I tell people interested in flight training to avoid AeroGuard at all cost! They advertise an "Accelerated, Full-time" program, yet I know many students there still working on their private license after 8 or 9 months. Management blames it on the students learning ability, it's more their scheduling and lack of resources as you mentioned. The Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, and other international contracts are management's priority, they couldn't care less about domestic students progress as long as they get their money! Glad to hear you got out of there!

[@victorkobie3018]

Have been really disappointed with the promised timelines. My son just finished PPL in 10 months! He waited 2.5 months for his check ride. He was really interested in this program because he wanted to bang it out and was sold on it being self paced. He was always way ahead of Aroeguard's readiness. $40,000 in, he only has his PPL. was sold on the fact that he would finish in 10-12 months 14 max if you are driven enough. He knows NO ONE who has completed the entire program less that 22 months. We have found you woul dbe better off buying part ownership of a plane and hire an instructor. The negative on this route is that loans are kind of out of the question unless you use an Equity line of credit. Not very happy with Aeroguard, probably will be leaving the program if I can work out other logistics issues.

[@trainforvictory7273]

And even then, Aeroguard is a shit show taking forever with Cathay cadets' training, let alone their local students

[@desrucker]

I also am looking to get my PPL before entering a flight school. Would you recommend the place you went to?

[@CPAExamNINJAs]

Thank you for the video. My son is looking at schools. What other schools in the PHX area would you consider knowing what you know now?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

The United Aviates program looks promising, although I do not have direct experience. ATP is good and fast if he's good at studying on his own and doesn't need his hand held. But if he falls behind, they won't hesitate to give him the boot. AeroGuard is good if he needs his hand held a little, but not at all fast. Year and a half minimum from 0 time. The rest are going to be Part 61, basically not a full-time flight program. That means a lot of unguided self-study.

[@CPAExamNINJAs]

@@ICanDoItMyself Thank you

[@jayhawkins3389]

Two questions, were you at all experienced with the Chandler facility or just the Deer Valley facility? And second did you run into anybody that had the same experience at one of the Arizona locations that you didn’t go to? My son is possibly going to start Chandler in a month.

[@ICanDoItMyself]

I only experienced Deer Valley. I don't recall discussing Chandler with anyone.

[@andrewcimpean9207]

If i graduate flight school and do something else to get my flight hours up to 1500 (not become a cfi at aeroguard) can i comeback and get my guaranteed interview at skywest airlines after still?

[@michaelsmith5463]

Funny thing is...Fair Labor Standards Act, "Learned Professional Exemption", There is a weekly minimum required of $684 to be classified as a salary position that is Exempt from OT.--It appears that if you are making $35,568/yr salary then that threshold has been met. However, IMO, being physically present for more than 40hrs/week, and being paid the "federal minimum salary wage" is an abusive work relationship...unless they are feeding you or getting great flight time hours.

[@KEECHALP]

How do you do what you love without it becoming a job.

[@davidplayspoker]

One question- would you recommend getting your private license and paying out of pocket before going to a school like this?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Yes, I would. Private is most time-consuming. You can save a lot of time by getting out first. Possibly save some money, too.

[@davidplayspoker]

@@ICanDoItMyself wow! Thank you so much for your quick reply sir! I will look into private pilot programs at my local training facilities.

[@StephenPutnam]

It sounds like I'm in a similar position as you were when you first started. Adult with a job and bills to pay. I want to study at a part 61 school and keep working 30ish hours per week, but can't get any loans for part 61 schools despite having great credit. Very frustrating.

[@ICanDoItMyself]

You can start studying on your own. Start with the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (amzn.to/3Fbumcr), often called the "P"HAK, The Pilot's Flying Handbook (amzn.to/3VC4vkW), and the FAR/AIM. The FAR/AIM is updated yearly, so an app is a good way to go in the effort of not wasting all that paper. Those three books contain pretty much everything knowledge wise for your Private. Finally, KZbin. Embry Riddle has a good playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PL-5QlDZlK74GrL0fb6V_FZSLX86V9A7j4

[@CleanestKeyboard]

I have 0 experience but a lot of interest in flying commercially. Would this be a good school to start?? Budget and time is not an issue. I’d rather not study aviation for 4 years at uni but don’t know where to start

[@ICanDoItMyself]

By your comment, it sounds like you didn't watch the video....

[@CleanestKeyboard]

@@ICanDoItMyself I watched the student review portion but was still indecisive on if this would be a good option for me and my path option.

[@johnnywelsch4447]

I'm a future student glad to hear your thoughts. I've might of missed it but what location did you attend?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

KDVT, Deer Valley

[@aaronbrown6266]

Ok. I'm starting AeroGuard training on Jan. 9. I'm starting with IR because I already have a PPL on my own. This information makes me nervous. I need this to work. I have already quit my job. I will be training at KCHD. May I contact you for advice?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Message me on Instagram. instagram.com/icandoitmeself/ You can minimize the delays by obviously studying and going to classes even when you don't have to. Sit in with other students on grounds and stage checks and back seat other students flights. This will help when it comes to stage checks. If you fail a stage check, that likely adds 2-3 weeks. Stay on top of them. If you're not getting scheduled, say something, and say something often!

[@samleibbrand1891]

How’s it going?

[@aaronbrown6266]

IR check ride in 2 weeks. Commercial shortly thereafter.@@samleibbrand1891

[@muhammedjasir7425]

Will you recommend this school for a new fresher CFI for job ?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

I would. Their missions are lined out, making it easier for a new CFI, instead of having to develop your own lesson plans. But there are things to consider. Your schedule changes each day and it's 5 ten hour shifts. You're salary. $1,288 each two weeks, averaging out to $12.88/hr. Pay may have changed as i left almost a year ago. But i doubt it. And I averaged 45 flight hours per month. Hope this helps.

[@muhammedjasir7425]

Thanks for the info, I studied in Florida and recently got graduated and got selected in this school for Phoenix,AZ campus. And also I am an international student and my word card doesn’t allow me to work more than 40hrs per week ( including both ground and flight sessions) . The average salary in Florida is around 19-20$/hr. I am concerned about the management as you told, safety of the aircrafts, and also the crew there .

[@ICanDoItMyself]

@muhammedjasir7425 I was never concerned with the safety of aircraft. The maintenance side was awesome. I actually did quite a few maintenance flights after repairs.

[@muhammedjasir7425]

Okay thank you so much

[@muhammedjasir7425]

Hello sir , Can you send me your Instagram page if you have one ? Or any kind of social media in which I can clear some doubts with you regarding the pay from aero guard flight school . Looking forward for your reply , Thanks

[@willykalpakchi5916]

Any 141 flight schools in phx that you recommend?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

I only have experience with AeroGuard and what I've heard about ATP.

[@romaneymoussad7263]

Was a student in PHX and an instructor in GTU. 100% accurate.

[@giannkristiannlachica1658]

Do they accept foreign students with m1 visa?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

I'm not sure. I know they have Korean and Chinese programs, outside of that, I don't know. Sorry.

[@rotol]

Thanks! not everybody wants to be an instructor! I share your sentiment!

[@itsMC411]

100k you say, how much with housing?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Sorry I can't answer that. I own my home in Phoenix, so I didn't need housing.

[@samborlon]

Why are you still wearing that Aeroguard hat?

[@blz480]

One could do Lyft/Uber to make a little extra income?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Unfortunately, not with this truck. It just wouldn't make sense with the cost of fuel and tires. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJyme5SHgJyHpK8

[@blz480]

@@ICanDoItMyself very true. So what route would you recommend for an aspiring commercial pilot? Do you have a video on that?

[@blz480]

Was considering Thrust, if you’ve heard anything on them…

[@ICanDoItMyself]

@BLZ Capital I have not heard of Thrust. Honestly, what's best for everyone is different. Even AeroGuard is not bad, if you just understand that you will not get through quickly.

[@brantd4670]

"Dressing it up" That's exactly what my school has done. Propaganda pieces to sell the school. But pay stays the same. You hit on so many things that I have faced in my school also. Management/ Admin doesn't like being challenged or having to answer to questions. I too have knocked on the door and asked "why is this... why is that..." You need to leave, or we'll get back to you on that and... crickets... Great video. Thanks.

[@blackhole4]

What school do you go to?

[@braer240]

Sounds like a nightmare of a school. Can’t Imagine anyone watching this video would even consider aeroguard now

[@ICanDoItMyself]

They have been buying A LOT of planes to combat the resource issues, but it's an uphill battle. They lost several planes in a hurricane in Florida. Lost several more from a hail storm in Texas. I'm still hearing about really bad delays though. One of my students I had briefly during her private looks like it's going to be 2 years to get her through the entire program. Not anywhere close to an "accelerated program."

[@braer240]

@@ICanDoItMyself thank you for the review.

[@RedditHorrors777]

I didn’t like it we still have crazy resource issues

[@uriahbleue1947]

Do you have a college degree?

[@ICanDoItMyself]

Yes I do. Bachelor's of Science in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Worldwide.

[@uriahbleue1947]

@@ICanDoItMyself Nice, Did you complete your degree while being a toe truck driver or while working for aerogard? I am interested but don't know if i am to old being 33.

[@ICanDoItMyself]

@Uriah Bleue I was 35 when I started down this path. I'm 39 now. I earned an associates in 2013 and continued on my bachelor's in 2019 while driving a tow truck and finished about a month after I completed flight training, December 2021.

[@lenator100]

IR in 2 months, must of had a good instructor!

[@ICanDoItMyself]

They were ok. 😆 Helps when you have an instructor you jive with.

[@dellassociates8431]

Were you. AZ or TX?

[@lenator100]

@@dellassociates8431 AZ

[@chrisrobey77]

Not being a people person is not a good reason to only fly cargo considering 99% of block time is behind a locked door with no customer interaction.

[@ICanDoItMyself]

But there's plenty of interaction boarding and unboarding. More interaction than cargo. PLUS, during 2020, cargo was still actively hiring while other airlines were downsizing.

[@chrisrobey77]

@@ICanDoItMyself In my opinion the biggest question is where do you want to live and is that a pilot domicile base. Ask any commuter if living in domicile is worth it. I have as much or as little contact as I want during the boarding process. There are lots of reasons to choose cargo over pax but "customer interactions" shouldn't be the prime factor.

[@the_real_atlas]

Kinda sounds like you were the issue

[@the_real_atlas]

You yourself have said in a few comments that you went to the minimum classes -> "You can minimize the delays by obviously studying and going to classes even when you don't have to. Sit in with other students on grounds and stage checks and back seat other students flights. This will help when it comes to stage checks. If you fail a stage check, that likely adds 2-3 weeks. Stay on top of them. If you're not getting scheduled, say something, and say something often!" by this comment it doesn't sound like you went above and beyond, you kinda sound like you struggle because you were a poor student.

[@Alvin-dn7df]

Hey..I have a few questions on this academy as I could potentially be an airline cadet over there …. So before investing my money over there I just want to get to know something…. Would you be able to provide your insta handle or any other platform where I could message you privately…

[@ICanDoItMyself]

instagram.com/icandoitmeself?igsh=MTB2azY1OXNxMDBhdQ==