Westwind School of Aeronautics or "Stealanautics"..a big mistake
Westwind should be avoided at all costs!!! Average spent for a private ticket is $12-14000 and insturment even higher!And some do not even get their ratings.
Do yourself a favor, If you are new to the game and looking for a school, look at the little mom & pop FBOs and freelance flight instructors.
Shop around, talk to their students, talk to the old timers hanging around the airport. But above all, don't make the same mistake I did and blindly go to a school like this!
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Chris
Denver,Colorado,
A Great Experience
#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, June 04, 2002
As a former student and Flight Instructor at Westwind, I'm compelled to respond to this individuals accusations. I attended Westwind with a Pvt. Pilot Rating, and achieved Instrument, Commercial, Commercial Multi-Instrument, Flight Instructor, and Flight Instructor Instrument Ratings on budget, and in a timely fashion. Approximately 9.5 to 10 months, counting the time I had to wait to for check rides which is out of the schools control. My experience as an employee was also extremely valuable, as well as, a learning experience in and of itself.
This school is not for "kids" who think becoming a pilot is a an easier option than going to college. I studied harder at Westwind than I ever did in my undergraduate studies. It takes committment and focus to maintain the pace of this program. If you want to party, go to college and party for four or five years. If you are ready to be an adult and work, then Westwind can be a great place to jumpstart your career. You get what you put into it!
This school has excellent equipment, excellent maintenance, vast resources, and people who are committed to maintaining the highest levels of safety and proficiency.
travis
phoenix,Arizona,
Westwind is a GREAT place to fly
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, April 13, 2002
I have been involved with the aviation community for many years in Arizona. I have a degree from ERAU in Prescott and have flown or rented from most flight schools in the greater phoenix area. I also did my pvt with a mom and pop operation but still continue to support WestWind.
WestWind flys very uptodate aircraft at a competetive price. Instructors are Instructors!!! The buyer beware! You will find good and bad no matter where you go in aviation. I have found no such costs of 12 to 14k for a pvt as the other person mentioned. Two of my recent HS students finished well under the 4k mark. I wish the person who wrote the original comment good luck in finding another flight school to work with. And when they do please let me know so I can tell you all the horror stories about your new school.