Welcome to Ahart Aviation Services

The Premier Flight school of Northern California

Veterans Frequently asked Questions

This web page is here to try and answer some of the most asked questions about veteran students coming to Ahart Aviation Services for their commercial training.

Note: This page is ALWAYS under construction.

Last updated on October 14th, 2011

Courses

Question: Is Ahart Aviation a Certified flight school?

Answer: Yes. We are certified to teach Part-61, Part-141 (FAA approved), International students (M-1 Visa) and Veterans Administration Students studying on a GI bill (U.S.). We are also approved to teach Dispatcher courses as we have a dispatcher CFI on staff.

Question: What is Part-61?

Answer: A Part-61 course is a course much like the FAA approved Part-141 course except it is more flexible. We teach both Ground and Flight Part-61 courses.

Question: What is Part-141?

Answer: A Part-141 course is an FAA approved flight and ground course. This is the program that our international students come to Ahart to complete. Minimum ground and flight hours for Ahart's approved FAA courses can be found here.

Question: Why would I pick Part-61 over Part-141?

Answer: A Part-61 course is much more flexible than a Part-141 course, but the problem with a Part-61 course is that international students need to be enrolled in an approved 141 course. However, Ahart can teach our international students under a Part-141 ground course allowing the student to fly under Part-61. We have found this a perfect combination.

Question: What do airlines require pilot candidates to train under

Answer: Airlines require that someone searching for a job with them be trained as an FAA certified pilot and they do not care if it was Part-61 or Part-141. You do NOT need to be trained as a Part-141 student to be hired at an airline. However, being trained at a Part-141 school is always advantageous because of the special relationship that school has with the FAA. Airlines also are beginning to require 1,000 hours or more of flight experience to get a job, when in the past, they used to only require 250 hours. So, the more hours, the better.

Question: How do I get started?

Answer: Fill out an enrollment form (press the submit button at the bottom of the form), we will contact you right after we get the completed form. We will ask you for $300.00 for expenses we have in getting your paperwork ready. After we get the down payment, we will create an account for you and mail you your I-20 form (if you are an M-1 visa student) so you can get your Visa. We will then discuss your arrival date and time and arrange to pick you up at the airport.

Testing

Question: Can I do my FAA written tests at Ahart?

Answer: Yes! We have a full-featured Lasergrade testing center. Cost for tests are around $150.00.

Question: What do I need to bring with me to take a test?

Answer: Ahart Aviation Services needs to abide by both FAA and Lasergrade requirements for people taking tests in our testing center. To this end, here is a list of things you may need, depending on your current status in this country.

Driver's License, Government ID Card, Passport or Military ID Card
Second form of ID which includes your name and address. Examples could be: Power bill, phone bill, etc.
Question: If I do not have another 'government' issued ID to use for my testing, where can I get one?
Answer: The California DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) can issue you a state picture ID for around $5.00. We'll help you get all of that taken care of, just let us know.

Program Costs

Question: Are there any enrollment fees or down-payment required?

Answer: None! Just come in, get a customer folder all setup and we'll get you started without having to pay us a penny.

Question: I saw a cost break-out sheet on your web site. Is this exactly what it will cost for me to get my commercial pilot's license?

Answer: The cost for your training is dependent on how hard you work and how often you come in for a lesson. The cost break-out sheet is a way for us to communicate to our customers the minimum cost for training (hours defined by the FAA). Some students meet this minimum, and some do not. It depends on two things: 1) Your skill as a pilot; 2) How hard you work. The harder you work and the more often you come in for a lesson, the faster you will finish and the less expensive it will be.

Question: In the cost break-out sheet on your web site, I see a $350.00 administrative charge. What is this for?

Answer: This fee does not apply to domestic customers.

Question: What method of payment does Ahart take?

Answer: Credit card, Personal check (in a U.S. Bank), Travelers checks, Direct wire to the Ahart bank account. For more information, contact Ahart management.

Question: Are there any hidden costs or other costs I have not been told about?

Answer: Ahart Aviation prides itself on being very fair and up front about costs. We do not charge students for anything they do not receive as a service or a product. However, there are times where some costs may need to be increased temporarily. One that comes to mind is fuel prices. We may need to add additional costs of flying our planes if fuel prices get too high for us. We will notify the student on our web site when this happens.

Question: I have heard that Ahart gives a 5% discount if $500 or more is deposited into my Ahart account. Is this true?

Answer: For domestic and international students/customers who do not need special services (immigration documentation, use of a car, apartments, etc.), this is true. However, because of the added cost of providing immigration documentation, lending a car to a student, broker or agent fees Ahart needs to pay, and other costs associated with international students, we do not offer this discount. Remember though, Ahart Aviation Services is the least expensive flight school in California, so you get a discount by just coming to study here.

Question: Does Ahart require me to pay the full amount of my training after I enroll and before I start my training?

Answer: No, in fact, we would rather that you not pay your full enrollment fee all at once. We allow you to pay in three equal payments, or, you can pay as you go as long as you keep $1,000 or more in your Ahart account at any one time.

Question: If I leave Ahart before my training is complete, will I have to give up any money I have on account?

Answer: Ahart will return the full amount you have on account if you leave before you complete your training, however, your refund may take 30-60 days depending on how much money you have on account with us.

Question: If I pay with Credit Card, can I get Cash back from Ahart?

Answer: No. Ahart is not a bank or financial institution, so we do not convert credit to cash. There is also a lot of illegal activity going on in the internet today and one of these 'scams' is people trying to get company's like Ahart to take credit card charges from 'stolen' credit cards, wire cash back to the customer, then the credit card charge is reversed when the real owner of the card notices the charges. Companies loose millions of dollars a year because of scams like this, so Ahart will not participate in such activities.

Question: I heard you had a referral program How does that work?

Answer: Ahart Aviation appreciates your business, and any business you send our way, we will be happy to pay you a small commission for that referral. You can find all of the details here, but in short, YOU must contact Ahart with the name of the person you are referring before the student contacts Ahart. We have rules so this program is not abused, and these rules can change at any time. Please see the details for more information. Ahart Aviation services can change or cancel this program at any time without notice.

Housing

Question: Where will I be staying during my training?

Answer: Housing is the responsibility of the customer/student.

Insurance

Question: Will I have insurance while doing my training at Ahart?

Answer: Yes. Ahart Aviation Services is fully insured and you will be fully covered while flying our airplanes

Question: Can I buy renter's insurance?

Answer: Yes. You can buy renter's insurance from the Airplane Owners and Pilot's Association. This insurance will cover the cost of aircraft repair deductibles that the insurance companies charge if there is damage to an aircraft and an insurance claim is submitted to the insurance company. You can find more at this link (www.aopa.org) once you sign up (free membership).

Instructors

Question: Will I be working with the same instructor through out my training?

Answer: If you like, Yes! We don't 'rotate' instructors like some other flight schools. Keeping the same instructor through out a certification is good for the student because you will benefit from the friendly relationship that will develop while training with your instructor.

Question: Can I choose my own instructor?

Answer: Normally, Ahart Aviation Services management will assign you your first instructor, but if for any reason, you are not happy with your instructor, we will let you change at any time. The staff at Ahart Aviation Services is here for one reason: To make you a good and safe pilot while having fun. Working with an instructor you don't like makes this impossible - so feel free to let us know if you like your instructor or not.

Question: If I don't like my instructor, can I change?

Answer: Absolutely! Just let Ahart management know and we'll make sure you are taken care of.

Airplanes

Question: What airplanes does Ahart have available?

Answer: That's an easy question. Just click here to see.

Question: Will there be enough airplanes available for my studies?

Answer: Yes! We have many airplanes and all can be used for almost all types of aviation education. If, for any reason, we have a shortage of airplanes, we will let you know before you come to begin your studies.

Question: How are the airplanes maintained?

Answer: Unlike a lot of other flight schools, Ahart Aviation Services has it's own service department. We have an incredible safety record since our staff is so knowledgeable and skilled. For more information, click here.

Question: How often will an airplane be off-line for maintenance?

Answer: That's a difficult question to answer, but let's try. The FAA and our insurance company requires us to schedule maintenance on our airplanes. Every 50 hours the airplane needs to be taken off-line for about 1/2 a day. Every 100 hours the airplane will be taken off line for about 3 days for its 100 hour inspection. Every year an airplane will be taken off line for about a week for its annual inspection. Also, if an airplane part stops working (like a light, alternator, etc.), that airplane may need to be taken off for a day or two allowing us to buy the part and install it.

Question: Can I schedule airplanes more than once a day?

Answer: If an airplane of the same model is available the day you wish to fly, on that day you may reserve it. You cannot reserve the same model of plane multiple times a day in advance. If you have any questions, ask our dispatch personnel.

Weather

Question: What's the weather like in Livermore?

Answer: Beautiful! The rainy season in northern California (where Livermore is located) is absolutely beautiful. During the months of December through February, it can rain a couple of times a week, but bad weather like thunderstorms rarely, if ever occur.

Question: Do you ever see a lot of Fog in Livermore?

Answer: Fog will normally 'roll' into Livermore in the late evening and burn off, normally, no later than 9:00 in the morning. Other cities like Concord, Hayward and Oakland can easily see fog all day long because of their location nearer to the water or ocean. But even these locations see sunshine most of the day.

Question: What are temperatures like in Livermore?

Answer: Between March and June, the temperature stays in the mid-70's. Between July and September, the temperature can get into the mid to high 90's. All other months, the temperature fluctuates between 70 and 50 (all temperatures are represented in Fahrenheit).

Question: What are visibility condisions like in Livermore?

Answer: VERY good! Unlike Concord California, Livermore does not sit next to oil refineries or industrial centers which cause a lot of air pollution. Instead, Livermore is more of a business, economic and education area where both college and flight students reside. We have two community colleges in or near Livermore and a lot of businesses in the city. It is very safe to live in Livermore as well