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ARIZONA DECLARES ALL NON PART 141 FLIGHT SCHOOLS TO BE “HOBBY SCHOOLS"

Arizona State Board for Private Post Secondary Eduction met on August 26, 2010, in Phoenix, and officially declared over 80% of the flight schools in Arizona to be not for professional career pilot training.

August 26, 2010

In a stunning development, the State of Arizona has declared all Non Part 141 flight schools within its boundaries to be considered “hobby or avocational schools” and not for the career pilot.

This decision was handed down today from the Arizona State Board from the Private Post Secondary Education Board who met in Phoenix to discuss this matter. This board is the regulatory authority in the State of Arizona that oversees and regulates Vocational Education Programs within the state.

The board voted unanimously that all non 141 flight schools are not vocational schools and are not designed for the training of professional pilots. The board declared these non 141 flight schools are designed for the hobbyist that just wants to learn to fly for fun or for a hobby. 

In this landmark ruling, Arizona becomes the first state to declare all non 141 flight schools to not be for the professional career pilot.

This unusual decision will cause problems for 80% of flight schools in Arizona that are not Part 141 flight schools, as those schools are now officially deemed to train only hobby pilots. The board made this decision after determining the non Part 141 flight schools in Arizona teach on a one-on-one basis and not as a professional career program.

We predict parents will not want to send their career minded pilot students to "Hobby Schools."  Flight training is serious business and should be treated as such   

Banks will not be willing to loan student flight training tuition funds to students that attend "Hobby Schools"since the financial and accounting safeguards as well as the tuition protection is not in place.

If the board had found the Arizona flight school were training professional career pilots (as opposed to hobbyists)  as a vocational program then the board would have been forced to establish a tuition trust recovery fund for students that lost money at Arizona flight schools. By declaring these flight schools to be "hobbyist schools" the board will not have to deal with students that have been scammed or treated unfairly in the state of Arizona.  So Arizona flight school students have absolutely no protection if a flight school takes their money and does not provide the training.

At this point in time, we can not recommend any prospective career flight school student attend flight school in Arizona.

At the hearing, testimony was given from a number of professionals involved in the flight training industry that students had been swindled out of their money, when part 141 and other flight schools closed without a state recovery fund in place.

One instructor testified that he worked at Silver State Helicopters and could see this flight school was a scam from the beginning.  He went to the FAA and to every state agency he could find in an effort to get Silver State stopped in Arizona.  He simply was unable to get anyone to stop Silver State while the scam was going on.  In the end 200 Arizona students lost over 14 million dollars at just this one flight school.  If the board had regulated Silver State Helicopters then the flight instructor would have been able to come to this board and they would have been able to get the scam stopped before students lost their money.  In addition there would have been a tuition trust recovery fund in place to allow the students to continue their training.

It is estimated that over 34 million dollars has been lost by flight school students in Arizona over the past 4 years to flight schools that did not deliver the training they contracted for.

One gentlemen at the hearing was a part time DPE and full time airline pilot based in Phoenix and he agreed with the board's ruling and stated that students should “do their homework” so that they do not lose any money and “regulation is not necessary."

So career flight school students, do your homework and avoid Arizona flight schools at all costs!

Flight schools for professional career pilots as well as "hobby pilots", are currently regulated in California, Colorado and Utah. Your tuition is protected in those regulated states. In fact Utah was the only state that refunded students (from the tuition recovery fund) of Silver State Helicopters when the school suddenly shut down all 32 locations in February of 2008.

AVWebs ran a story in their blog on August 4, 2010 and mentioned us.

Here is the link to the story:

AVWEB BLOG REGARDING FLIGHT SCHOOL REGULATION

JULY 06, 2010, US Federal Courthouse, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.  Heath Cohen arrived for his Creditors Meeting on time, making the 2:30 PM deadline.  

Almost 2 dozen Jet University students were in attendance as we watched Captain Cohen raise his right hand and certify, under oath, to the trustee that his Chapter 7 Bankruptcy petition was true and correct.  

In the hearing room were two posters on the wall stating that Bankruptcy Fraud was a serious crime and is investigated by the FBI.

The "true and correct" would shortly become "not true and correct" as the Captain started to be questioned by the student representative and the attorney.  

Heath had certified, to the Bankruptcy Trustee, minutes earlier that he had acquired the DA 40, 787HC in May of 2008 for $330,000.  That acquisition date soon changed as Mr. Cohen was forced to admit that he had actually acquired the aircraft in March of 2007 which is 14 months earlier than he had previously testified to.  This is important because it means that 14 more payments were made on the aircraft and this will have reduced the principal balance remaining.  He claimed his payment to be $2800 per month under oath.  The trustee ordered Mr. Cohen to turn over all books and records that relate to this aircraft as well as any other aircraft Mr. Cohen has been involved with over the past 4 years.

Mr. Cohen testified under oath that Aussie Air owes him money and has gone out of business.  Upon further examination by the student representative, Mr. Cohen admitted that Aussie Air had paid him $4000 in 2010 which he claimed to be rental for the aircraft.  The student representative then asked why that $4000 was not listed as income on the bankruptcy petition.  Heath answered that he wired the money to make the plane payment.  The trustee indicated this "sounds like" unreported income.

In further questioning by the student representative, Mr. Cohen admitted that he had collected cash for the 36 dorm rentals at Jet University.  The list price of the dorms was $700 per month, but Mr. Cohen offered a cash discount of $50 off per month if a student paid cash.   $650 times 37 dorms equals a possible $23,400 per month in cash collected by Mr. Cohen.  Mr. Cohen indicated that he deposited the cash into the Jet University bank account.  The trustee then asked for copies of the Jet University bank statements to verify the cash deposits.  

Our investigation indicates that this cash ($280,800.00 per year) may not have made it to the bank.  If the dorm cash did not make it to the bank then Mr. Cohen has three other possible problems as listed below:

1. Possible  Bankruptcy Fraud for not reporting the cash as income on the Chapter 7 petition for  2008 and 2009.

2. Possible perjury for representing to the trustee that the cash was deposited into the bank.

3. Possible tax evasion if these cash amounts were not reported on Mr. Cohen's income tax return. 

These three issues listed above are CRIMINAL CHARGES and can lead to prison time if Mr. Cohen is found guilty.  Remember all suspects are presumed innocent unless found guilty by a court of law.

Because of the issues listed above the trustee did recommend that we schedule a detailed financial deposition of Mr. Cohen.  This will allow us to take as much time as we need to verify Mr. Cohen's financial details.

It is important to note that when a person files bankruptcy, all parts of that bankruptcy can be examined by the trustee, creditors and the FBI.  

JUNE 7, 2010.  Sacramento, California. Students from Jet University testified before the California Bureau of Post Secondary School Commission today.

The Jet University Student Alumni Association was the only organization present at the hearing that exclusively represents flight school students.

We were able to place in the record that THIRTY SIX MILLION DOLLARS has been lost by California flight school students over the last four (4) years to  California flight schools that took the money and did not provide the flight training.

The association has taken the position that flight school tuition paid in advance must be protected so that a flight school student will not pay for services and training that he does not receive.

California has established a tuition recovery fund, going forward, to protect advance paid tuition for most trade and vocational schools including flight schools.

Flight schools in California have until August 5, 2010 to get their applications and registration fees into the bureau. 

A Jet University Student Testifying Before the Bureau of Post Secondary School Commission in Sacramento, California on June 07, 2010.

 Photo of the Bureau of Post Secondary Education Hearing in Sacramento, California on June 07, 2010.

05/25/10.  At 2:31 PM EST today, Heath Cohen, owner of Jet University, filed a personal Bankruptcy case under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Southern District of Florida. 

The case number is 10-24416-RBR. 

The Judge is Raymond B. Ray.

It is not clear how this bankruptcy filing will affect the pending fraud suit against Mr. Cohen and Jet University, Inc that was filed this past December 29th in Palm Beach County.

Sources tell us that fraud actions are not usually dischargable in Bankruptcy Court. 

However there is an automatic stay that will prevent the fraud suit, against Mr. Cohen, from continuing until the Bankruptcy Court gives a release of stay or takes up the fraud matter in Bankruptcy Court. 

Sources tell us that the stay could be lifted in as little as 30 days.

02/20/2009.  Heath Brandon Cohen arrived at the former Jet University building today just after 12:15 PM.  This is unusual since he is normally at the Valero Gas Station until 1:30 PM or so.  So something must have gotten his attention.  Maybe it was the "flight school flea market" set up in front of the school this past weekend.  See the AUSSIE AIR STUDENT PAGE for more information.  We understand that Aussie Air has been given until this Wednesday to vacate the building by the building's landlord Sheltaire.

Heath Brandon Cohen, Henry George, Jet University and Simcenter, Inc were served with 2 counts of alleged Fraud in a civil suit filed in Palm Beach County on December 28, 2009 by Wachovia Bank.

The complaint alleges that that Jet University was not qualified to receive Wachovia tuition funds and that students did not receive their complete flight training.  

Furthermore, the suit alleges that Sim Center and Jet University knowingly used false applications and misrepresented to the bank that Jet University students would be attending SimCenter, Inc. 

The suit claims the Defendants compounded their fraud by concealing an agreement to divide the tuition funds between Sim Center and Jet University.  Here is the link to the civil action.

LINK TO HEATH COHEN FRAUD LEGAL ACTION

Sim Center, Inc is a flight training school in Miami owned by Henry George that had been approved to receive Wachovia loans for students that were actually enrolled there.  

Here is a link to the story written by AVSTOP.COM:

 AVSTOP.COM JET UNIVERSITY FRAUD STORY

That building just keeps drawing them back!  Heath Cohen now has his plane parked at the back of the former Jet University building that is now occupied by Aussie Air.  Here is a picture of the plane:

 787HC appears to be in leaseback to Aussie Air.  

11/06/09.  Sporting a shiny new set of wheels, with a full tank of VALERO High Octane Gas, Heath Cohen returned to the former Jet University Campus a little after 4:30 PM today.  He parked in the space just one space away from his former beloved parking spot. 

Here is a picture of the new Acura:

If you go to the "WHERE ARE THEY NOW PAGE" we have uploaded some new pictures of Mr. Cohens new ride at the Valero gas station, deli, taxi stand, hand car wash and used car sales. 

According to sources, Mr. Cohen met with Mr. Luis Martinez for several hours while they discussed the ups and downs of the flight school business.  Mr. Cohen departed the school around 8 PM sporting Florida license tag number 012 WMF.  There is something about that building that draws them back! 

We have additional information that Mr. Cohen has actually been by the school several times over the past few weeks.  He is apparantly coaching Mr. Luis Vargas Martinez on the finer points of operating a flight school.  He seems to be really hung up on making sure the students are wearing their pilot uniforms while in school. 

Here's a big welcome back to you Heath Cohen from all of us here at jetuniversitysucks.com!

A group of former Jet University students and instructors have put together some live interactive online classes to keep former Jet University students up to date.

We are pleased to announce that online interactive classes are forming now for those Jet University students that have completed their ratings (Commercial Instrument, Multi)  and need to stay commercially  proficient until they are hired.

Classes meet online  one evening per week for 2-3 hours and do require some study time when not meeting.  Yes, there are tests and you will most likely get yelled out if you don't pass them!   More details are available in the private discussion area and from jetustudent@gmail.com

At this time, we are restricting the classes to those Jet University students that have completed their ratings.  We do expect to have future online classes for those that have not yet completed their ratings.

In order to sign up for the classes you must have been on the Jet University student roster within the past 3 years or have a referral from one of our students or instructors. 

Join your fellow students and stay up to date with your aviation knowledge! 

There is just something about that building!  You know the one pictured below that Jet University used to be located at.  A flight school that went out of business in Daytona has moved into the building and appears to have started a questionable flight training program all over again.  See the Aussie Air Students Page for details. 

Jet University President and Founder, Heath Brandon Cohen, has purchased (with a partner) The Fantasy Lounge in Ft Lauderdale. Please look at the "FANTASY LOUNGE-ALL NUDE"page for more details.

JET UNIVERSITY CLOSED

05/09/09  CBS NEWS Channel 4 showed up to interview the students of the now defunct Jet University in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

Click this link to the CBS NEWS 4 Story plus the video

Click this link for the CBS NEWS 4 Video Only

05/08/09.  Jet University has shut their doors and is out of business.  Heath Cohen is nowhere to be found and he has left Gary stuck with dealing with this disaster.  

When the school closed there were between 20-30 students living in the dorms at Jet University that will not be able to finish their flight training at the school. 

A total of 126 Jet University Students are affected and have not been provided the contracted training or received the guaranteed jobs they were promised. 

We are also starting to hear from additional Jet University students that paid for their training but have not started or completed that training.  Some of these "phantom" students signed up as early at 2006.

Are you a student considering a flight school. Do you want to avoid the type of problems the Jet University students went through? 

We have a number of Jet University students that will help you check out your prospective flight school so that you won't make the same mistakes we did. 

Learn from our experience.   Would you like some help? 

Write us at:  jetustudent@gmail.com

Tell us who you are and the flight school you are considering as well as the ratings you are looking for.

 This site has the most complete and detailed inside information about Jet University, Inc in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  This information has been gathered from students and employees of Jet University as well as from public records. 

You might be surprised to find that Jet University is not a university!

You might also be surprised to find that Jet University does not have any Jets!  Read the Jet University Fleet page to find out what aircraft Jet University does have.  It's all listed here at jetuniversitysucks.com

JET UNIVERSITY STUDENTS--WELCOME

This website will give you the most comprensive and detailed information about Jet University and it's staff.  All of the fleet information is here as well as the links that you need.  Please feel free to browse the site and learn more about Jet University.  Just click on the hyperlinks in the header section above.

The information on this website is believed to be true and correct.  However, you should do your own research to verify the information for yourself.  Please notify us of any errors or omissions by e-mailing us at:  jetustudent@gmail.com.  This website is not affiliated with Jet University in any way.

 This is the Jet University Advertising from YouTube that the students were shown prior to enrolling. Do you remember getting excited about this video?

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

We recently heard from DAVE MARCUM (the student in the video above) about his experiences with Jet University.  DAVE was not able to finish at Jet University because it was represented to him that the school was PART 141 VA approved when he began on 03/12/2007.

This false representation was continued by Jet University for 8 months while Dave waited for his VA money to kick in.  It never did.  Dave left in October of 2007 (with just a Private) and went to another flight school, near his home in California,  because he was not able to use his VA benefits at JET U. 

This is because JetU is not a PART 141 school and has never been VA approved.  Needless to say DAVE is not happy with Jet U these days and would not make another commercial promoting them. 

Dave tells us that he was charged $40,000 by Jet U to receive his private in addition to the living expenses during the 8 months he was at Jet U.

This website is designed as an informational website for former and present students of Jet University, Inc. in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.  This website is not affiliated in any way with Jet University, Inc.

Jet University's website can be found at http://www.jetuniversity.com/