AUSSIE AIR CLOSED
03/01/10. Aussie Air announced, to the students today, that they are shutting down effective immediately. Our best estimate is that students have lost at least FOUR MILLION DOLLARS at Aussie Air.
Aussie Air was started in 2004 and has had at least 3 different locations. Each "move" left students without their training and employees without their paychecks.
In the summer of 2009, Aussie Air moved into the former Jet University building and that is when they came under our radar. It was obvious from the very beginning that this simply was not going to work.
Sheltaire is the landlord at KFXE and Sheltaire must take some responsibility for putting Aussie Air in a 20,000 square foot building that they could not possibly afford. A simple check with the prior landlord in Daytona Beach would have turned up that Aussie Air was five months past due on their rent for a much smaller space. This was common knowledge around the airport and even the Sheltaire folks at KDAB knew this.
And then we have to question why a company like Premier Aviation would leaseback planes to Aussie Air when they had full knowledge that two companies had already repossessed their other planes because they were not paid for. Word on the street is that Premier has now lost $30,000 when they took back the Aussie Air leaseback planes because they were past due.
Is this business so devoid of scruples that companies like Sheltaire and Premier Aviation simply look the other way? We absolutely know both of these companies had full knowledge of what was going on here.
In the almost seven (7) years Aussie Air was in business, we have found less than a dozen students actually graduated and received all of the training they had paid for.
Aussie Air was a scam and it is amazing they were able to continue this scam for almost seven (7) years.
It is past time for regulating flight schools in the State of Florida.
Mr. Luis Osvalco Vargas Martinez rented a home at Parkland Golf & Country Club
VIDEO LINK TOUR TO EXCLUSIVE HOME AT PARKLAND GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
It appears that Mr Luis Osvalco Vargas Martinez lived quite well at the golf course home located at 9394 Satin Leaf Place, Parkland, FL 33076.
The home rents for $3950 a month and we understand that Mr. Vargas handed the rental agent from Solid Rock Realty, Inc, $12,000 cash in order to move in.
The home, built in 2006, is located in the most upscale and prestigious area of Broward according to the real estate agent. It features a swimming pool, marble floors, gourmet kitchen, granite counters, stainless steel appliances as well as a deluxe master suite.
Are They Moving Or Are They Shutting Down?
We have learned Aussie Air has been given notice by the landlord (Sheltaire) to vacate the building by this Wednesday due to unpaid rent. Students are moving out of the building. This is the same thing that happened last year in Daytona. We're starting to see a pattern here. Don't landlords check tenants out anymore before they allow them to move into a building?
So the question remains, are they moving or are they shutting down? If they are moving then why do they need to sell all of this stuff? Why would they sell their Ford Focus and golf carts? Seems like you might need those things if you are planning to stay in business.
Who would rent to these guys when they have a history of leaving landlords without paying the rent?
Who would lease planes to this outfit when they have a history of having them repossessed from multiple lenders?
Things are stinking up at Aussie Air and FXE Flight Center
02/20/10 We are getting reports that the water bill has not been paid and there has been no water for showers, flushing toilets, brushing teeth, etc for the past four days at the Aussie Air FXE Flight Center building. This includes the dorms. It looks like they are selling merchandise out in front of the building. Also notice the name of the flight school has been removed from the canopy.
Most of the planes have been repossessed again. There are only two airplanes left. One remaining plane is 787HC which is owned by Heath Cohen the owner of Jet University.
It's obvious these guys are just about done.
The moral of the story is don't pay any flight school more than $2500 in advance and don't ever let them get more than $2500 ahead of you in undelivered courses or services no matter how good they make it sound and no matter what guarantee they give you.
And Luis O Vargas Martinez starts yet another flight school
First it was Aussie Air. Then it was ILI Flight School. Then it was FXE Flight Center. And now the flight school of the month is FLY NOW EXPRESS INC.
It's getting hard to keep up with all of the names this outfit has.
Another Aussie Air Student that lost his money
This is another letter we received at jetuniversitysucks.com this past week from an Aussie Air student:
I saw this school beginning of summer 2009.
After contacting the school, Mr. Luis O Vargas Martinez, offered me 156 hours for $10,000. He obviously did the best offer in USA like always. (editor's note: That is $64.10 per air hour with instructor for plane and fuel)
For me it was not possible a price like that, but to make sure I fell on this scam, Mr. Luis Vargas called me very often, telling me how good his school was, and making false promises.
After numerous calls, and emails, in which he painted his school as the best place, I decided why not?... He seemed to be so honest, that I never thought about looking up in the internet who he really was.
I paid him through a wire-transfer US$10,000 on august 2009, the same month I got there. I was there for a month, only flew 1.3 Hours.
He did a written contract, in which he compromised to refund my money back (US$9300) in 30 days to my account. He NEVER DID, excuses and lies, every time I called.
After I got there I started to see that everything was a lie. Stories from each and every single student that talked to me where the same. SCAM SCAM!!... There was a few student that were scare of the Vargarism, because they usually intimidate the students a lot, and those were the only one who was silent. Anything that goes against the "SPIRIT of AUSSIe AIR" and you are OUT of the school.
They told me they had 9 aircraft, in the time I was there, they only had 4 old Cessna. Mr Luis Vargas Martinez told me I would fly at least 3 to 4 times a week by phone, the contract said 7 months; I repeat only 1.3 in one month.
These people are scammers, liers, they don't care nothing about their students. They just want to steal the money away from students. Thats all. They even intimidate students who talk to Jetuniversitysucks.com, blabla...
Don't believe anything MR LUIS O VARGAS MARTINEZ promises or writes in his contract, they are all a LIE.
When you ask for your money back, so you can go fast, he will do you a contract promising to refund your money in 30 days, its a LIE, is only so you can go fast and the others never know.
They don't pay instructor, my instructor there left, because he was not paid for his work. Other instructor had to call the police so they can get paid. They give checks with no funds!. After the instructor goes, they say that they fired him, because he or she was stealing money from the school!! They told me that about my instructor, who was a good instructor.
MR Luis O Vargas told me personally once, in the attitude of intimidating me, that when student piss him off, he just simply doesnt put them to fly, so that they spend all their money and go back home.
I really hope no one falls on his contract, and that what happend to me saves other people money from falling on Luis O Vargas Martinez hands or any of his vargarism family. I will also like to see the day when in someway, Mr. Vargas pays for what he has done to all the students he has stolen money.
It is so sad to see how these people can drive BMW, and have a good life, with the money they steal or scam from student. MR Luis O Vargas Martinez is defenetly a BAD person, and a Liar!.
I will soon be giving documentation to upload to facebook to prove this is true!
sincerely
aussie air student
Aussie Air Attorney furnished a list of over 70 students that did not receive their training.
02/20/10 On November 05, 2009 we furnished a very detailed list of over 70 students to Gabriel Jose Carrera, Esq (Mr. Luis Vargas's attorney) that had not received what they had paid for at Aussie Air. It's been almost four months and we haven't heard from Mr. Carrera.
WAIT THERE'S MORE FROM AUSSIE AIR AND FXE FLIGHT CENTER!
Our investigators have discovered that Mr. Luis Vargas Martinez has started yet another flight school in addition to Aussie Air and FXE Flight Center. All of the "flight schools" are located at the same building and at the same address!
No folks, we aren't making this stuff up. It's getting more and more bizarre. I fully expect Mr. Vargas to start offering Helicopter flight training next since that seems to be the next big flight school scam. The name of the latest flight school is:
Isi Airline Academy, Inc.
You can find the website here:
DANGER DANGER IT'S ANOTHER LUIS VARGAS MARTINEZ FLIGHT SCHOOL!
Mr Luis Vargas Martinez appears to be "opening" a new flight school about once a month in an effort to take the heat off of his business practices. Don't be fooled by ISI Airline Academy! It's the same old Luis Vargas Martinez stuff with a new webpage. Beware of ISI AIRLINE ACADEMY! Don't join the FLIGHT SCHOOL OF THE MONTH program. Read the whole Aussie Air page below.
DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE (or any other flight school) MORE THAN $2500 IN ADVANCE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF A DISCOUNT THEY OFFER,
NO MATTER WHAT NAME THEY CALL
THEMSELVES,
NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY MAKE IT SOUND. DON'T PAY ANY FLIGHT SCHOOL MORE THAN $2500 IN ADVANCE!
DO NOT LET ANY FLIGHT SCHOOL GET MORE THAN $2500 AHEAD OF YOU, FOR UNDELIVERED SERVICES EVER!
AUSSIE AIR CONTINUES WITH A NEW NAME
Our opinion is the heat is getting a little hot for Mr. Luis Vargas Martinez with Aussie Air. So in order to start all over again and collect more money from students, he has started a new flight school at the same location!
They are offering a 100% REFUND AND MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. Don't fall for this unless they are willing to deposit the money in a trust account with a Florida attorney.
There is another school in Florida (Epic Aviation) that has the same 100% guarantee and when the students ask for a refund they don't have the money.
The name of the new school is FXE FLIGHT CENTER INC and the website is www.fxefc.com. You can see their website here:
DANGER DANGER DANGER--HOLD ON TO YOUR MONEY!!!!
DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE (or any other flight school) MORE THAN $2500 IN ADVANCE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF A DISCOUNT THEY OFFER,
NO MATTER WHAT NAME THEY CALL
THEMSELVES,
NO MATTER HOW GOOD THEY MAKE IT SOUND. DON'T PAY ANY FLIGHT SCHOOL MORE THAN $2500 IN ADVANCE!
DO NOT LET ANY FLIGHT SCHOOL GET MORE THAN $2500 AHEAD OF YOU, FOR UNDELIVERED SERVICES EVER!
Actual Student Nightmares from Aussie Air
10/15/2009 We are getting a lot of hits and e-mails regarding Aussie Air over the past few days. We are starting to see a pattern here. Please read this whole page so you can see the pattern for yourself.
The nightmare begins when Mr. Vargas quotes an unbelievable price for a flight training program or a time building program that he has proven by his past actions that he will not be able to honor.
After a student is hooked and signs up for the classes, the money is collected upfront. The student leaves Spain and arrives in Florida to begin classes or time building. Aussie Air then starts to string the students along, slowing them down, not allowing flights and blames the student for some sort of "trumped up" problem to justify this scheme. The end result is that many students lose their money, do not get their ratings and/or do not get their flight time. Here are a couple of e-mails (identifying information has been removed to protect the students) from actual Aussie Air students:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> In the past month of July/August I
> had with Aussie Air the same troubles that you had and are having.
>
> I lose more than 6,000 USD renting an aircraft for building hours. Vargas
> Martines didn't even have the aircraft I rented and after 3 weeks I had to
> rent an aircraft from another school. Aussie Air didn't return back to me
> the money I paid.
There are many students who would like to get their money back and get into another school or just go back to Spain.I know for sure they are not gonna give me back my money although it's written also in the contract.
Anyhow,there are lot of things i can explain you. We are here worst than in a jail,no kitchen,no microwave,it's forbiden to have food anywhere here,only of you pay the amount of $100 per month to have a fridge. But i don't mind that if i would be flying,taking classes and everything.I'm just spending money here and not making progress.
Mr. Vargas continues to intimidate Aussie Air Students
10/11/2009 Mr. Vargas and his relatives continue to try to intimidate students and those that speak the truth regarding Aussie Air.
In interviews with students and employees we have determined these threats have been "business as usual" at Aussie Air for many years. Mr. Vargas has threatened students and employees by mentioning his lawyer many times.
Up until now he has been able to scare the students and employees into remaining silent. Now that students and employees realize what has really been going on they are bravely speaking out about what has happened at Aussie Air.
The simple fact is that lawyers cost a lot of money and they don't work for free. How can Mr. Vargas afford to pay a high priced lawyer when he doesn't pay his employees, his insurance bill or his phone bill? A lawyer in Florida is going to cost Mr. Vargas far more than the amount he owes all of his employees put together. Lawyers don't work for free.
He now claims that the Federal Court in Miami is coming after students, employees and this website. This is simply not true and is another of Mr. Vargas's deceptions.
In spite of all of Mr. Vargas's threats about having a lawyer all of these years--no student has ever been contacted by a lawyer. We have yet to hear from any of Mr. Vargas's lawyers here at Jetuniversitysucks.com. We have been hoping to hear from some Aussie Air lawyer so that we can get some help to get the employees paid and the students refunded their money for training that was not provided.
Mr. Vargas does threaten to "take away" paid for flight hours from the students if they speak out, post on a website, contact the better business bureau, contact the police or even talk to this website. Of course since Mr. Vargas has has a history of not providing the hours purchased by students anyway, it is just a matter of time before he decides that you have lost your hours for one trumped up reason or another.
In the past, posts and comments about Aussie Air have been removed from online aviation posting boards in Spain. We are told the reason for this is because Mr. Vargas and his associates control some of the Spanish boards that attract flight students. We think there is a better explanation.
Our opinion is that Mr. Vargas knows his way around posting boards and knows exactly how the rules work and is able to use those rules to have unflattering posts removed. Sometimes a, "report this post" button is all it takes to have a post removed. If you are posting on these other boards, please make sure you are following the rules. If you do this then your post has a better chance of staying up.
Mr. Vargas may also have used some intimidation methods against webmasters of aviation boards that he does not control to intimidate those webmasters into removing non flattering posts about Aussie Air. Students allege Aussie Air has caused false recommendations, to be posted, regarding Aussie Air on aviation boards.
We remain firm in our recommendation to NOT PAY AUSSIE AIR ANY MONEY IN ADVANCE no matter how good they make it sound and no matter what discounts they offer you for paying in advance or for paying quickly.
If you are an Aussie Air student that has not received what you paid for or an employee that has not been paid as agreed, please feel free to contact us at: jetustudent@gmail.com
All inquires are held in strict confidence and not shared with the management, students or employees of Aussie Air.
The lies and deception continue at Aussie Air
09/30/2009 Yesterday during the student meeting, Mr. Vargas claimed that he is in communication with this website and that this website is letting him know who is communicating with us.
THIS IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE. We have a policy of not letting any other student or employee know who communicates with us at jetuniversitysucks.com. This has been our policy since this site was started in November, 2008.
Yes there are lots of Aussie Air students and employees that have communicated with us and continue to communicate with us here at jetuniversitysucks.com. That's how we found out about the meeting yesterday!
No, we will not tell you or anyone else (including Mr. Vargas) who communicates with us.
Feel free to contact us at jetustudent@gmail.com.
All inquiries and information is always held in strict confidence.
Aussie Air Specials--Warning Desperation
Aussie Air is offering a desperation special of an FAA license (doesn't say what kind) with 256 hours (doesn't say what kind of hours) for $25,000 if you sign up by October 1, 2009.
Don't do it! Don't pay these guys any money in advance. This is not only laughable, but it is sad because someone is probably going to buy into it. Don't be fooled. Remember they promised they would be a"pay as you go" flight school??????
You can get your FAA private license at just about any FBO and many flight schools for less than $10,000 and you can pay as you go. You can add an instrument rating to the private for another $10,000 (or less) at most FBO's or flight schools.
AUSSIE AIR PHONE HAS BEEN RE-CONNECTED!
Looks like Aussie Air paid the phone bill and had the phone re-connected! Nice work!
Let's celebrate the re-connection of the phone of Aussie Air!
AUSSIE AIR PHONE 954-492-2828 DISCONNECTED
09/22/09. The main phone number at Aussie Air 954-492-2828 has been temporarily disconnected.
AUSSIE AIR LOOKING FOR CFI CFII FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS
Since all of the flight instructors have left Aussie Air because they have not been paid, Aussie Air is now running some ads advertising for more flight instructors.
If you want to work for free and not get paid like the KFXE and KDAB Aussie Air Flight Instructors then please apply right away to Aussie Air at KFXE.
AUSSIE AIR DESPERATE FOR MONEY--WILL BEAT ANYONE'S PRICE
Aussie Air advertises that they will beat anyone's price.
And they will!
No matter what price you find they will beat it!
Our opinion is that it's pretty easy to beat anyone's price when you have a history of not providing the flight training that the students have purchased.
Please do not give Aussie Air any more money.
According to former and present Aussie Air students, any money you turn over to Aussie Air is gone forever. You will not get it back. Do not be fooled.
AUSSIE AIR STUDENTS ARE BEING TOLD TO LEAVE
We are hearing that Aussie Air students in Ft Lauderdale are being told to leave the school for various "trumped up" reasons. Aussie Air appears to be desperate for money and when they can't shake the students down for any more "extra charges", they kick the students out of school.
If you are an Aussie Air student that has been kicked out of the school and you want to finish your ratings, please contact us immediately at: jetustudent@gmail.com. Please include your phone number. We will attempt to find you some assistance to help you finish up your ratings.
Our advice remains to not pay any more money to Aussie Air no matter what they promise you. Their history is not looking promising for the students.
ALL AUSSIE AIR FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING
09/10/09 All of the Ft Lauderdale Aussie Air Flight Instructors have walked off of the job because they have not been paid. These Aussie Air Flight Instructors join the ranks of the Aussie Air Daytona Beach Flight Instructors that have not been paid in over 3 months.
It is obvious to those of us on the outside that Aussie Air does not have the money to pay their employees or their current bills and we question their viability as a continuing business.
Students are now in the dorms without classes and without flights. In speaking with several students we have put together an outline of how Aussie Air has operated.
The Aussie Air students are recruited in Spain by Mr. Vargas's father. A program example would be that a student pays 33,000 euros (about $50,000) and is promised 530 flight hours and ratings of Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, Commercial Pilot and Multi Engine rating.) They are then supposed to get their license converted in Spain upon completion of this program in 7-9 months. We can't find anyone that has completed the program in 7-9 months or in the 18 months that Aussie Air also refers to.
Half of the money is paid in Europe prior to arrival in the US. This is a big mistake and you should never pay this kind of money in advance for flight training to any flight school.
Students arrive in the US and the other half of the money is due within 5 days. Aussie Air does offer a written refund policy, but they do not honor that policy and we have spoken with many students that have requested a refund but have not received it.
Once students are here in the US, Aussie Air tries to slow them down. Aussie Air management will determine the students do not speak English properly and not allow the students to fly. As Aussie Air slows the students down, they start to charge additional fees for dorm and food because they say it is now taking longer than expected. It's also a whole lot less expensive to keep these students grounded rather than flying airplanes. This has the effect of frustrating students and making them feel like they are not making progress because of their perceived deficiencies.
We have not yet met any Aussie Air student that has actually finished the Aussie Air course and received their ratings and their licenses in the 7-9 month time that Aussie Air represents. We have heard from many students that have not received their flight time and their licenses. We have also heard of one female student that has finished after 2 1/2 years and over $150,000 in Aussie Air fees.
We are also being told that Aussie Air management has ordered students not to post on blogs, boards, the internet, etc or they will be kicked out of school. They have been told not to talk to us here at jetuniversitysucks.com. Mr. Vargas has also offered a reward of 200 flight hours for anyone that will tell him who has been talking to us. Of course no one would ever get the 200 flight hours because there isn't any gas in the planes!
We stand by our recommendation to not pay Aussie Air any money in advance.
This history of Aussie Air indicates that it is not adequately funded.
This five year history of this flight school shows that most students entering Aussie Air are not able to complete their ratings.
AUSSIE AIR FLEET GROUNDED AGAIN
09/09/09 The Aussie air fleet had flown a limited number of times over the past two weeks since the planes were moved from DAB to FXE. However flying has now come to an end because the fuel bill has not been paid and Banyan will not fuel the planes until the bill is paid.
THE AIRCRAFT AUSSIE AIR DIDN'T MOVE
Here is the picture of the aircraft with the prop lock at DAB.
The aircraft is tail number N7420J which is a 1968 PIPER ARROW. It was not moved this past weekend from DAB to FXE because it had been prop locked by the leaseback owner after he found out that Aussie Air did not have the proper insurance on the aircraft.
Planes moved today from DAB to FXE!
08/22/09. The Aussie Air planes were moved this morning from DAB to FXE. There is a PIPER ARROW that was not moved because it has a PROP LOCK on it.
The planes had been parked at Precision Air in Daytona since July 10, 2009. We do not know if Aussie Air has obtained insurance on the aircraft at this time. If you are a student at Aussie Air, please make sure the aircraft(s) have the proper insurance in place before you fly them. Also if you let us know when the planes do get the proper insurance we will post it.
Aussie Air Students have not flown since July 10, 2009
August 16, 2009. We are hearing from several current Aussie Air students confirming that no Aussie Air student has flown since July 10, 2009. That is over 36 days of not being able to fly. This is obviously not good for your training.
We are strongly recommending that any Aussie Air student NOT DEPOSIT ANY MORE MONEY with Aussie Air until this school is more stabilized.
If you are a current Aussie Air student and you are stuck in Daytona or in Ft Lauderdale please let us know by sending an e-mail to: jetustudent@gmail.com
BEWARE OF AUSSIE AIR, INC
Beware of paying Aussie Air, Inc (or any flight school) more than $2500 in advance for anything. Insist on a "PAY AS YOU GO" enrollment. Do not let Aussie Air, Inc. (or any flight school) ever get ahead of you by more than $2500. Also check to make sure the flight school has the proper insurance coverages on the aircraft and the facilities. Do not sign up or attend a flight school that does not have the proper insurance coverages.
Aussie Air, Inc has been closed in Daytona Beach for several weeks. Rent has not been paid. Instructors and students have not been able to fly. These students and instructors had no notice of this shut down and are not quite sure what to do while they are grounded.
Aussie Air is presently moving to Fort Lauderdale. Please throughly check this school out, WITH FORMER STUDENTS, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND THE LINKS BELOW prior to making a decision about attending.
We do understand that Aussie Air, Inc is now accepting students on a "PAY AS YOU GO" basis. This is an encouraging sign but we are not convinced it is legitimate because they still are attempting to collect large fees in advance. If Aussie Air is really going to work on a "pay as you go" basis then why do they still attempt to collect these large fees in advance?
Make sure that you do not deposit more than $2500, at any time, to any flight school including Aussie Air, Inc.
AUSSIE AIR CLOSED IN DAYTONA BEACH
We are hearing from students of Aussie Air that Aussie Air shut down in Daytona Beach sometime around July 10, 2009. The planes have not flown in about three weeks. About 30 students are affected. We have been told theses students may be moving to Ft Lauderdale to continue their training.
We've heard from several different people that the planes are not flying because they do not have the proper insurance. This could also be the reason the planes have not been moved to Ft Lauderdale.
Insurance costs for a fleet of these planes usually runs about $5000-$6000 a month. That would be in addition to the insurance on the building, contents, liability, theft and fire.
The planes are currently parked at the Precision Air Center ramp in Daytona Beach.
We have also been informed that some employees have not been paid for the past couple of months. With this news, it appears that cash is in short supply at Aussie Air and we do question if this company is properly capitalized to open up a new location in Ft Lauderdale with overhead of $160,000-$400,000 a month.
It appears that only one employee from Daytona Beach will be moving to Ft Lauderdale. This is the Chief Pilot. The rest of the employees are being replaced with locally hired Fort Lauderdale employees.
As of August 07, 2009, it does not appear that Aussie Air has any planes in Ft Lauderdale and we expect it is going to be difficult to run a flight school without planes.
Are you a present or former student of Aussie Air?
If you are a present or former student at Aussie Air, we would like to hear from you. We would like to know if you finished your ratings within the advertised time and budget.
Please write us at: jetustudent@gmail.com
Information of Aussie Air
Aussie Air, Inc was started and incorporated August 16, 2004, by a gentleman named, Elia Golfin who is half Greek and Half Australian. In five (5) short years, Mr. Golfin and Aussie Air, Inc have racked up quite a flight school record.
Elia Golfin has been involved in a number of failed Florida flight schools since 2002. Students have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in Elia Golfin's flight schools.
Elia Golfin also started ASIAUSA LLC on 4/26/2006. Within a short period of time students that had paid for their training, in advance, were having trouble receiving what they had paid for. Here is a link to the Aviation India story:
FLIGHT SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPLAIN OVER CLOSING
This flight school closing made the Fox channel 9 television news:
VIDEO FLIGHT SCHOOL CLOSES IN DELAND--STUDENTS LOSE TENS OF THOUSANDS
Here is what the the website from AsiaUSA looked like before they went out of business and took the students money:
On September 19, 2008, an employee of AsiaUSA, LLC filed a Fair Labor Standards Act action against AsiaUSA, LLC and Elia Golfin. Here is a link to that action:
VANESSA PENALVER VS. ASIAUSA,LLC AND ELIA GOLFIN
In July 2008 at Chandigarh India, Elia Golfin and three others involved in AsiaUSA were charged with fraud resulting from an Indian student paying for flight training and not receiving that flight training or a refund.
Here is a link to the Tribune News Service Story:
4 BUSINESSMEN BOOKED FOR FRAUD
The Better Business Bureau gave AsiaUSA, LLC an "F" rating. Here is a link to the BBB rating:
AUSSIE AIR CRASH--STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR KILLED
There was an Aussie Air plane crash on 11/01/2006. The plane was a Beech Dutchess. The Aussie Air student and the instructor were killed.
The NTSB determined the probable cause to be fuel exhaustion. They simply ran out of fuel.
This is the only FATAL crash of a Beech Dutchess in the State of Florida since the NTSB started keeping records in 1962. It is only one of two fatal crashes, due to fuel exhaustion, in the entire US in this type aircraft since the NTSB started keeping records in 1962. Here is the NTSB report on the accident:
LINK TO NTSB REPORT AUSSIE AIR CRASH N6017U
The NTSB said that the operator records (Aussie Air) were incomplete. Here is the synopsis of the Aussie Air Crash N6017U which mentions the incomplete records:
LINK TO NTSB SYNOPSIS OF AUSSIE AIR CRASH
The Better Business Bureau also gave Aussie Air, Inc an "F" rating. Here is a link to the BBB rating:
LINK TO BBB RATING OF AUSSIE AIR
Do you still want to do business with this outfit?
ELIA GOLFIN HAS LEFT A TRAIL OF FAILED BUSINESSES IN FLORIDA
Here is a list of Florida Flight Schools and other businesses that Elia Golfin has been involved with in the state of Florida:
| AUSSIE AIR, INC | ||
| ASIAUSA LLC | L06000043535 | |
| BEN AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC | L07000091830 | |
| CUBE DESIGN AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC | L07000091831 | |
| MARK AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC | L07000091832 | |
| ALISON AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC | L07000091834 | |
| NEWCASTLE AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC | L07000092208 | |
| DELAND NURSING SCHOOL LLC | L08000015411 | |
| CAE AVIATION INTERNATIONAL INC. | P02000117318 | |
| THE PILOT TRAINING ACADEMY FLORIDA, INC. | P03000128511 | |
| TRANS ATLANTIC HOLDING SERVICES INC. | P03000147220 | |
| ATLANTIC SHORE ENTERPEISES INC. | P03000147284 | |
| THE ISIS MEDIA CORPORATION | P04000038249 | |
| WORLD CONTINENTAL, INC. | P04000150690 | |
| AUSSIE WIND INC | P08000083992 | |
Here are the results of those businesses from the State of Florida:
AUSSIE AIR, INC was incorporated on 08/16/2004 by Elia Golfin. In 2007 The State of Florida dissolved AUSSIE AIR, INC. On 10/01/2007 the President of AUSSIE AIR, INC., Luis Osvaldo Vargas Martinez applied for reinstatement of the corporation.
ASIAUSA LLC was incorporated on 04/26/2006 and then closed sometime in 2008. Students lost money and 4 people were charged with Fraud.
BEN AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC was incorporated on 09/10/07 and dissolved by the State of Florida on 09/26/08
CUBE DESIGN AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC was incorporated on 09/10/07 and dissolved by the State of Florida on 09/26/08
MARK AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC was incorporated on 09/10/07 and dissolved by the State of Florida on 09/26/08.
ALISON AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC was incorporated on 09/10/07 and dissolved by the State of Florida on 09/26/08
NEWCASTLE AIRCRAFT LEASING LLC was incorporated on 09/10/07 and dissolved by the State of Florida on 09/26/08.
DELAND NURSING SCHOOL LLC was incorporated on 02/12/2008 and the Manager, Ravinder K Gupta resigned on 02/12/2008. A new Manager was not appointed.
CAE AVIATION INTERNATIONAL, INC was incorporated on 11/01/02. Elia Golfin was a director. The Company dissolved 03/19/2004
THE PILOT TRAINING ACADEMY FLORIDA, INC. was incorporated on 11/05/2003. Elia Golfin was Vice President. The company dissolved on 03/19/2004.
TRANS ATLANTIC HOLDING SERVICES INC was incorporated on 12/03/2003. Elia Golfin was Vice President. The company was dissolved by the State of Florida on 10/01/2004.
ATLANTIC SHORE ENTERPEISES INC. was incorporated on 12/03/2003. Elia Golfin was Vice President. The company was dissolved by the State of Florida on 10/01/2004.
THE ISIS MEDIA CORPORATION was incorporated on 03/02/2004. Elia Golfin was Vice President. The company was dissolved on 03/19/2005.
WORLD CONTINENTAL, INC. was incorporated on 11/03/2004. Elia Golfin was the incorporator and Director. The company was dissolved by the State of Florida on 09/16/2005.
AUSSIE WIND INC was incorporated on 09/12/2008. Elia Golfin is the President.
Graduates of Aussie Air
On Aussie Air's website they do list some student graduates. We are concerned about the number of successful graduates at Aussie Air. This school has been in business for five (5) years and there should be about 300 graduates. So far Aussie Air has only listed six (6) graduates 6 on their website and not all of those six (6) have received all of their ratings. Our concern is that there may be a very high flunk out rate at this flight school.
We checked with FAA to see when the "advertised" students did receive their FAA Private, Instrument and Multi Engine ratings as the Aussie Air website says they did.
We were able to confirm that Juan Jose Quiros Jimenez received his Commercial Pilots License on 04/15/2009. He obtained his First Class Medical in 01/08.
Pablo Rodriquez Chaoui received his Commercial Pilots License on 05/25/2009. He obtained his First Class Medical in 01/08.
It appears that it took these students between 400-450 days to obtain their ratings at Aussie Air. That is substantially more time (could be more than twice as much time) than the 210 days listed in Aussie Air's time line. Keep in mind that the longer you are in training--the more it is going to cost you in dorm rent, meals, flight time, flight instruction, etc.
According to sources, Aussie Air will quote a prospective student a training cost of $50,000 for all of their ratings. Aussie Air does expect to add extra charges to this initial quotation and the total cost of the Aussie Air training could run $125,000.00.
We are also being told that Aussie Air will not let students fly until they are VERY PROFICIENT in English. So you could arrive in the US, and spend many months learning English before you will be allowed to fly. This may be one of the reasons that the training is taking so much longer than the Aussie air advertisement represents.
Here is a picture of the two graduates listed on the site that took 400-450 days to receive their license from the time they received their student pilot and/or medical certificate:
Juan José Quiros & Pablo Rodriguez Chaoui (2,008)
Granada, Spain (PPL-FAA; IR-FAA; CPL-FAA; ME-FAA)
Juan Francisco Marti
PPL-FAA; IR-FAA
Juan received his First Class Medical in January 2008.
He received his instrument rating on 05/17/2009.
It would appear that it has taken Juan over 400 days to receive his Private and Instrument rating. That is substantially more time than the 120 days that Aussie Air advertises in their time line
Rodrigo Mestre Galofre
PPL-FAA; IR-FAA
Rodrigo received his First Class Medical in August 2008.
He received his instrument rating on 04/03/09.
It would appear that it has taken Rodrigo over 210 days to receive his Private and Instrument rating. This is more time than the 120 days that Aussie Air advertises in their time line.
WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING STUDENTS THAT COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING AT AUSSIE AIR ON TIME AND AS PROMISED
If you are a present or former student at Aussie Air, then we would like to talk with you. Please contact us at: jetustudent@gmail.com. We will keep your identity confidential.
Because we are having trouble verifying that Aussie Air can actually deliver what they promise and advertise to most of their students, then we have some STRONG recommendations for any prospective student considering going to Aussie Air or any flight school:
1. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES PAY MORE THAN $2500 IN ADVANCE, TO ANY FLIGHT SCHOOL, FOR ANY REASON AT ANYTIME. No matter how good they make it sound. No matter what discount they offer, PAY AS YOU GO. Do not have more than $2500 on deposit at anytime. It is better to NOT take the discount than to LOSE the ENTIRE AMOUNT and not get your training.
2. READ RULE ONE AND MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT BREAK IT!
3. Make sure Aussie Air has the proper insurance BEFORE you give them any money. If Aussie Air does not have the proper insurance and you have an accident then YOU can be sued and possibly lose everything you have. Here is the insurance Aussie Air should have:
a. LIABILITY INSURANCE
B. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS INSURANCE
C. WORKMAN'S COMP INSURANCE
D. CONTENT INSURANCE and PROPERTY INSURANCE
If Aussie Air does not have these insurance coverages then do not go to this school! Companies that don't have the proper insurances are often deficient in other areas as well. Do not take a chance. The school should be able to provide you with a certificate of insurance showing these coverages.
4. Talk to at least 3 students that went to Aussie Air and received what they had paid for. Ask questions such as how long it took?, any delays?, were the planes available?, were the instructors available?
5. Beware of EXTRA CHARGES. In looking over the Aussie Air website they have a lot of areas that indicate EXTRA CHARGES are going to be added. Most of their programs are quoted at minimum times. Most students can not complete flight training with the FAA minimum times. When you go over the minimum times you are going to be charged extra. This can double or triple the cost of your training or you can run out of money and not be able to finish your training. Ask the former students about these EXTRA CHARGES.
AUSSIE AIR AIRCRAFT FLEET
if you go to the Aussie Air website you will find the following planes listed as being part of the training fleet:
N94945 1983 CESSNA 152 (CERTIFICATE TERMINATED BY THE FAA)
| This aircraft's registration status may not be suitable for operation. |
| Please contact the Aircraft Registration Branch at 1-866-762-9434 for additional information. |
N64848 1978 CESSNA 152
N965AA 1978 CESSNA 152
N68197 1978 CESSNA 152
N2208E 1979 CESSNA 172N (CERTIFICATE TERMINATED BY THE FAA)
| This aircraft's registration status may not be suitable for operation. |
| Please contact the Aircraft Registration Branch at 1-866-762-9434 for additional information. |
N5456D 1979 CESSNA 172N
N7420J 1968 PIPER ARROW
N1859U 2005 CESSNA 172SP (OUT OF FLEET)
N6013M BEECHCRAFT DUTCHESS
JET UNIVERSITY STUDENT REUNION COMING SOON!!!
The Jet University Reunion committee is looking for a few good men and women to serve on the reunion committee!!! Please write us at: jetustudent@gmail.com and let us know you are willing to help!
