AeroGuard Flight Training Center

"I had sent an email to Peter Liao inquiring about the pilot training program for international students. I did not get a response for over 4 days. I sent a follow up email and waited another day before I called the number on this page. Peter answered and was aware of my email. So, my question is why were you aware of my email and not care enough to respond to the email without keeping me hanging? I get that they don’t take international students, but you could have emailed that. This shows the level of care and commitment that Peter has for his job. What a disgrace to yourself and your flying job. Do not recommend this place whether you are domestic or international student."

"Contacted AeroGuard through their website on 4/27 got a call from Peter the next day. During our conversation he agreed to send info on their Rotor Transition Program. It also was brought to my attention that they are a “full-time” program. I work a 14&14 schedule and asked if a 14 day at a time commitment would suffice and was told “ he would discuss it with the Ops department.” It’s now 5/9, I’ve left repeated voicemails with Peter and still no return phone calls. My take on this place if you are an employed helicopter guy looking to make the move to FW is, they don’t want you. No flexibility in the schedule, even for a 7&7 or 14&14 which is what most helicopter pilots work. The lack of communication, and their scheme seems very reminiscent of the failed Silver State Helicopters. Preying on the aviation uninitiated who know only what their advertisements and instructors feed them, only to found out later it’s a scam that few depart successfully. It seems like the Rotor Transition program is designed for the individual who’s just retired, living near Ft Hood, with G.I. Bill money to burn. This might be the place for you guys. For the rest of you considering this place look up Silver State Helicopters and the debacle of Upper Limit Aviation and Guidance Helicopters before considering this place."

"Aeroguard has good curriculum. But that is where the good stops. The administration of Aeroguard needs some help. Their philosophy from sales is promise the world. Their execution is, "Well, what they said before doesn't apply. Now that we have you the process is going to take twice or three times as long." For any potential students reading this, the schedule is said to be 10 hours a day 6 days a week. This is not the case. You do need to have your personal study time, but this schedule is not realistic. You do not fly that much. On a good week maybe 4 days of flying. Others have gone 3 weeks without flying. You sign a contract that says you cannot have a job because of this. This makes it hard to live unless you have financial help from someone. If you do get a job, your school schedule is only released to you at 6pm the day before. You will never know if you can work due to the crazy thinking behind the schedule. A 6pm day before hurts more students than helps students. This causes anxiety and stress. It would be simple to set up a weekly schedule, but this is not their way of doing things. In general, you do not get anyone to hold your hand through the flight training process. This is true at most pay as you go schools and non-university flight training schools. You need to stick up for yourself because no one will do it for you. You might find a CFI here or there that will help guide you but for the most part you are alone. Aeroguard is not able to keep employees long. I am not sure of the reason why but there is constant turnover in the local school’s office. This hurts the students as there is never consistency for leadership. I would only recommend Aeroguard if you have exhausted all other options. You will get your certifications but expect two to three times the time sales tell you. If you are told 8 months, it will probably be 16-20 months."

"Writing my first ever review to warn GA pilots not to sign the “pay as you go” contract. They require a lump sum up front and a $2,000 minimum balance or else you are grounded from training. It is true that their study materials are good and the planes are well maintained, but the schedule and budget they have on their website for the one week add on (I enrolled in the ppl multi-add on w/ nearly 700 hrs and 500 hrs complex) are laughable at best. Once they have your money and you realize the program is not as advertised, you have no way to dispute any charges and you get too far in the training to turn back. I earned my rating over 3 months ago and they still owe me approximately $1,100. Too many blunders with this organization during every phase of my training and checkride to even begin to account them here. Not sure where the buck stops with this company. There are other options in Georgetown."

"From the first moment I reached out to Peter with AeroGuard, he's been nothing but helpful and informative. It's a huge decision to start flight training and there so much involved. Everyone I encountered there was very knowledgeable and answered any questions that I had. After getting all the info I could, they made it really easy to chose them for my training. Personally, my only goal is to get my PPL, but I've talked to several students there that are going through the commercial program and they've all said the same, "AeroGuard has a great curriculum and can help you achieve your aviation goals." Although I've taken a brief time out in my training (personal availability issues), I'm definitely resuming in the coming months."