Arizona Aero-Tech

I had a great experience training with Arizona Aero-Tech for my accelerated commercial pilot course. The FBO was well-run, clean, and professional, creating a great learning environment. The aircraft were well-maintained and reliable, making every flight smooth and productive.The training was exactly what I expected--fast-paced, efficient, and thorough. The instructors were dedicated not just to helping me pass, but to making me a better, safer pilot by identifying and improving my deficiencies. Their focus on real-world decision-making, student assessment and precision flying made a big impact.For anyone serious about high-quality flight training, Arizona Aero-Tech is an excellent choice.

Review of Arizona Aero-Tech's 5-Day IFR Finish-Up CourseI signed up for the five-day IFR finish-up course at Arizona Aero-Tech after seeing an advertisement in the AOPA magazine, promising an accelerated program for pilots ready to complete their IFR training. With the required prerequisites met, I was excited to finish the final steps toward my IFR certification. Unfortunately, my experience was far from what was advertised and left me extremely disappointed. Here's why:1. Lack of Structure & PlanningUpon arrival on day one, I expected a clear and structured curriculum, especially since this was supposed to be an accelerated course. However, there was no set schedule, no clear roadmap to guide me through the process. Instead, the entire approach seemed unprepared and ad hoc. I was told, "we'll figure it out as we go," which is completely unacceptable for an accelerated course designed to get a pilot ready for a check ride in just five days. If you're enrolling in a course like this, you should expect a clear plan to meet your goals. There was none.2. Inexperienced and Unmotivated InstructorWhen I signed up, I specifically told Rosa, the person handling my enrollment, that I didn't want a very young CFI or one who was close to leaving for the airlines. Unfortunately, I was assigned Sam S., who had already met the required flight hours to leave for the airlines, and his attitude reflected that. It was clear from the start that he was unmotivated and saw this course as just another stepping stone before he could leave teaching for a more lucrative airline career.His lack of enthusiasm, combined with the way he complained about not making enough money to one of the other instructors, set a negative tone for the entire experience. Instead of being a coach and mentor to help me succeed, it felt like I was just another hour on his logbook that he was counting down to the finish. I left feeling like I wasn't getting the attention or dedication I needed to succeed.3. Money-Grab TacticsIt became apparent that Arizona Aero-Tech wasn't focused on student success, but rather on trying to upsell me. After the first couple of days, they suggested extending my course from five days to ten, which felt more like a way to milk extra money out of me than a genuine attempt to meet my needs as a student. Adding to this frustration, the check ride was scheduled for day six, but due to scheduling conflicts, I was told the DEP (Designated Pilot Examiner) wouldn't be available until February 2025--rendering the check ride impossible within the course's original timeframe.4. Lack of AccountabilityI'm someone who takes my flight training seriously, and I expected Arizona Aero-Tech to do the same. Unfortunately, the lack of structure, the unprofessional attitude of my instructor, and the overall lack of care demonstrated by the staff made it clear that the school's primary focus was on making money rather than actually helping students reach their goals. This was a money grab, pure and simple.5. Conclusion: Would I Recommend Arizona Aero-Tech?Based on my experience, I cannot recommend Arizona Aero-Tech. The lack of a structured curriculum, the disengaged and unprofessional instructor, and the overall feeling that this was more about collecting tuition than student success made this a very disappointing experience. If you're looking for a professional, structured, and motivated environment to finish up your IFR training, I would suggest looking elsewhere.