Warning: We recommend that you avoid this college. [?]
Established: 1928
Regionally Accredited: No [?]
Type: Private College
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA [map]
Homepage: http://www.spartan.edu
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| OVERALL QUALITY |    |
| Stimulating Courses | |
| Quality of Professors | |
| Networking & Job Opps | |
| Area Around Campus | |
| Affordability | |
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| HOTNESS FACTOR | |
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Horrible school. Recruiters may lure you into it and make it look like the world but it really isn’t. Courses are there because they are required by the FAA. But in my case I came in there with my private pilots license. When I got there the school forced me to take classes where private students were training. For example one of the courses was Flight Navigation… this is one of the huge things you learn for your private pilots license. When I went to administration about it they claimed the course is a “Commercial Course”. But I wasted $900 dollars on that course. Oh ya and if you miss any time from class you must pay $79 AN HOUR to make it up.
The campus is horrible, if you enjoy being around a small campus where your classes are held in trailer looking facilities then go for it.
The fleet that Spartan has is not up to date. Where all other schools have glass cockpits you will not see this at Spartan. They have a fleet of 152′s 172/172 RGs and only 4 Seminoles. Usually planes are undergoing maintenance so its a fight to get a plane.
If you are considering going to this college I suggest talking to the students instead of your representative which is feeding you bs.
Spartan has a few excellent Instructors and professors but what is around those few is everything else that matters. Most professors will read to you ONLY out of the book. Some will even disregard a question stating that they will “get to that” or “don’t worry about it”. But some of them can carry on a class with a great discussion.
I went into this school blind and had no idea what was coming. Now I am working on transferring if I can find a place that will accept credits from this place. Don’t believe what the faculty tells you about Spartan.
“I hope you choke on the money that you save on us.”
Pros
Fast flight time building for new flight instructors.
Cons
Working 12 hour days and only getting paid for 6 hours.
Most of the airplanes are over 30 years old and worn out.
Ancient flight simulators.
High levels of stress and fatigue.
Extremely poor morale of the employees.
Extremely high student drop out rate.
Flight school is located in an old trailer.
Instructors are pressured to fly in dangerous weather conditions.
No pay for the overtime.
Unaffordable medical insurance.
Very busy airport.
“If you don’t like it – there is the door” policy.
Advice to Senior Management
Please sell the school to someone who knows what they are doing.
Believe these people. There only goal is to feed you a line of BS!!! On the other hand, when I was there in 03-04 ther would good Maintenance Instructors!!! As far everything else just plain crap!! Oh, and did I mention how much it cost to go here. A@P course $33,0000.
Listen to these reviews , they are 100% true ! They will lie their a**es off to get your money. The school is an antique and should be sold for scape metal. Like another reviewer said Talk To The Students , do not listen to a word the employees have to say. They do have free tutors but they’re students that are paid by the school, so if you need to understand a class better like Algebra , not just need help with one problem you’re out of luck , they’re students not teachers they don’t want to teach just do the problem for you. I’m currently enrolled at Spartan and found out a week before my next semester that I would be required to take Algebra and Physics , I was told , I only needed these classes if I was going to get my associates degree, LIE LIE LIE. Now I failing a course that I don’t understand and now I’m out $3000.00 bucks because they think its OK to lie told “students” more like pasty’s, or chumps . Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
Horrid school, I will never venture back. If you are speaking with spartans advertiseing agents, tour the school personally, and speak with the students. They have multiple campuses – all are rubbish for the price you will be paying. If you are set on Aviation check out different schools.
As a parent of a son interested in Spartan College, I must admit I was very impressed with the amount of equipment, size, the knowledge of instructors,and the learning envinronment that this school provides it’s students. The tech programs seem to be where this school shines in terms of training in avionics[electronics engineering technology], FAA certified a/p mechanics, and quality control.
The school started as a manufacturing facility back in 1926. I am not basing my decision on just the cover of the facilities, but rather quality of education and job placement. With over 80 years of tradition, spartan college graduates would have instant name recognition with 1000′s of aviation employers.
By the way, I saw glass cockpits in planes and the g-1000 in a classroom. And I liked the flight school where you are learning on a fairly busy regional airport. It was pretty impressive.
My son is leaning toward the tech programs and I want to learn more about the financial aid programs. As far as tuition approaching $40K, go look at some of these 4 year schools and see what they run. There are auto schools with fancy facilities that can up over $40K with add on elective programs.
I can say that “Spartan” has been around since 1928, and it looks like it.
I can tell you that you will not be happy with the housing, or your education, which by the way is very over priced.
Its your choice, and I say go to google, and put in the word Aviation, then look at all of the schools, and even check out the small Schools in your area, odds are they have newer equiptment, as Spartan is still using some equiptment in thier avionics program from the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s. Very few pieces of the latest equiptment. A newer school will have newer stuff.
MIke
Went there for AMT in 03-04 and the instructors I had were good and most of them were easy to get a long with and very informative. That\’s the only good experience I had with the school. I was intrested in flying and was told to go with the \”corporate program\”, which has you do your A&P first then Flight because \”that\’s what you need to be corporate pilot\”. I showed up for enrollment and was asked what program I was enrolling in and when i said the corporate program the woman looked at me like an idiot. Day one for me was a lie and they did not stop coming from the administration. Acctually they started before that when the recruiter told there was a stewardess school across the street(theres not) when I asked what the ratio of guys to girls was. While in AMT trainning they started making pilots get their associates, which you don\’t need and isn\’t mandated by the FAA, to start flight school and that\’s when I decided that the school was only in it for the money and nothing else so after finishing my A&P I was out. Funniest part was they still to this day send me things in the mail to get me into the pilot program. They have no intrest in getting newer equipment that people acctually use or maintaining their facilites. The \”dorms\” that they don\’t own were new when i got there and by the time they left(2years) they looked like a ghetto plus they are across the street from one. The local news even did a story about it. I switched school went to flight in another state and now fly a private jet(which is what I wanted to do in the first place). The only thing about have my A&P that the corporate world thought was good job on that but we already have full time mechanics that do the maintenance. For me it was waste of money maybe not for other but for me it was and it made me wana drive around the whole state if I\’m ever getting close to it or even flying over it. Maybe some people that reviewed here liked it but the way they worded things kinda reminded me of the recruiters I talked with. All you have to do is take a tour of that \”campus\” then look at another one, TCC in tulsa has a A&P course that\’s a lot less expensive, I\’m sure you\’ll figure it out too.
This school is a waste of money. The student housing that they offer was just completely trashed when I left. I wish I had gone to TCC which I believe was half the cost. You spend over $30,000 and all you get is a diploma. I knew people that went to other A&P schools and got an associates with there A&P. They spent half of what spartan charges you. Like many people have said on here go and visit the school and talk to students before you even think about wasting your money. If you have the money to spend fine, but otherwise I would spend my money else where. I honestly wish I did transfer, but I was not really thinking about the cost since I was getting financial aid. I know I was stupid and naive. They talk about how you get hands on and everything you do but I talk to students from different schools and they say they got hands on as well.
I am currently enrolled at spartan all i can say is they have good a&p instructors in a bad place the classes are held in a hanger that i think the wright brothers leased,you cant miss more than 18 hours in a 6 week course or they snatch your money for another semester. they have three campuses only one which serves food to the students,so if you are at the north or flight campus you get stuck eating at a local convience store for 6 weeks yumm!! recently the student housing complex \”the landing\” was vandalized five cars were broke into and one burned to the ground and all they could tell them was \”sorry not our problem\” as far as instructing all the instructors do is give you notes all week which they just throw on a screen and make you copy down and then give you a test on friday this school lacks personal touch or morale with the instructors if i were you i would look elsewhere
I was lied to from the beginning with this school. I caught the recruiter in multiple lies just when initially getting started with the school. The owners of this school have taken a great name and turned it into a joke in the aviation world. A classmate of mine left after recieving his private only and paid 28,000 dollars. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. AND on top of that they tried to sue him for 6 grand because he quit. THERE ARE ZERO ETHICS. It is a joke. I hope to see them go under one day. Not so much the school but the ridiculous used car salesman Jeremy Gibson. He is a sleezy disgusting human being and bought himself a Bentley on the students tab and flaunts it in front of all students. Please do not send your child to that school. I finally walked away, i left with my private and instrument and I would have rather handed my money to a homeless person. DO NOT GO HERE
Extremely high student drop out rate.
I stuck with this because I dont believe in half assing anything in my life. Problem is that the school I choose, DOES.
Half ass promisses, half ass judgemental rules and poor/nill job placement help. And at over $25,000 avg per course, go buy yourself a nice new car or used luxury, you’ll be a lot more satiafied.
although the staff will lie to get you in there, claiming this to be IT, and this IS a great school,… once you’re in a class with one of them, you can tell that students and staff think that place is a lame joke, at best.
burn your money and hump a splittered piece of wood, you’ll feel less screwed!!!
well…..i was going to spartan. “was” everyone is telling me its a waste of time.
yea i was going to spartan..glad i read all these reveiws…i feel like these people speak the truth about the staff lyning to you, just to get you in.. ill spend my money else where
The review above is written by Spartan Management:
Beware Spartan School has screwed every single one of their students with threats lies and extortion.
Copy of above review:
MICHAEL A MOLZAHN SAYS:
November 5, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Let me be the first to say that Spartan College is an excellent School. You get out of Spartan exactly what you put into it. For 18 months I had the blast of my life having some really good classmates as well as on the downside teh few that are in Spartan to use someone else’s money. The negative people that were there are the ones who were late to class, disruptive in class and generally disinterested in being there and “hell bent” on making everyone else miserable. Once those people weeded themselves out of classes the learning environment got better. You have great instructors that come from all aspects of the industry to teach what theyhave learned through their years in the industry.
Aviation is an occupation based on desire and passion, if you lack these then aviation will be just a job to you and you paint yourself into a corner. Frankly myself, I enjoy the opportunity to watch that regional jet that I did an inspection on and put back together just hours before the passengers arrived at the terminal take to the air and get those passengers to their destination. I’m the guy they will most likely never get to see unless its the chance meeting when I’m on the same plane going to a destination.
Spartan is a college that requires interaction and participation, which in turn translates to what you put into your future is what you get back. The ciriculum is mandated by the FAA which is the same government agency that regulates the industry, and yes they tell every aviation school what they will teach.
Spartan has excelent instructors and even since graduation I go back to the campus bringing new information back to help the instructors and students. As an alumist I go back and answer questions for students and help with open house giving tours and answering perspective students and their parent’s questions.
Aviation is a Passion not a Job.
Mike
Pround Spartan alumnist.
I went to spartan, Worked my butt off and still couldn’t afford the class’s and flights. I didnt fail one test and had a gpa of 3.0. The finnacial aid is horrible, all the women tells you is here is where to get your loans and hope you can get them. No, yea we can help you with this money situation. Nothing! The staff is just there for the money not for the student. DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL! Campus sucks, they have one of the worst graduation rate, they can also change the contract agreement if they want. There are better school out there do not go to this one. wasted 2 years of my life here and it sucks. Dont make the same mistake I did.
THS SCHOOL SUCKS!!!! RUN RUN and dont look back, i currently in this school and wish i never got in, i will say again RUN
Dont go I feel that after attending it is my duty to tell you not to go to this school it sound very appealing over the phone. I even drove from Virginia to Tulsa OK to take a tour. After attending for a few month you could almost tell that this school was a scam. The facade of a real school feel and we saw what it really is a pilot farm that care nothing about the student body. you will have a minimum requirement of flights per month price depends on plane. Courses are two weeks and don’t ever fail a test (I never did but my roommate had) i guess thats called weeding out the weak because he never caught up. my instructor Codi Vines was horrible. She was also the butt of many jokes at the school. we did ground maneuvers at night, no joke to be honest I think that after she screwed me over the school she sewed the school because they got one over on her(sexual harassment) form what i hear. Save money find a local airport get lessons there.
MICHAEL A MOLZAHN & FELLOW PILOT dont need a plane to get high or are paid by this school to go on sites to give a good review. Aviation is my passion, any who know this knows its not for the money. Words cant describe how bad this school is. I know the internet is full of lies but this is not don’t go to this school look somewhere else. After leaving this school it could hurt you passion and ability to continue your future in aviation. If you take a tour Ask about the drop out rate ask to see figures. Ask about housing and pricing for flights before signing anything talk to student aid see what they can do for you. All of these people cant be wrong.
Currently enrolled in Avionics. Very good program. Tough on attendence, but good and fair.
If you want to find out how Spartan School of Aeronautics is check out my Facebook page. First name: spartancollege last name: ofaeronautics. Its from people who have actually gone to school there and no management.
Honestly I would say some are right and some are exaggerations .. There are a lot of students that come here and waste their money ..If you are not hard working and don\’t have passion for this do not waste your time .. The school Financial Aid office is a Scam . Full of un qualified Jerks . They can say YEs to how to apply for aid but no to Helping their students .. Vice President is a complete Asshole .. Rule No1 : Do not believe the recruiters ( Sales People ) Rule No2 : Must be in class on time unless u r a super genius Rule No3 : Be careful of the friends u make at Spartan Rule No4 : Always get update on your Financial aid situation Rule NO5 : Never Take stupid Old Moore for he has a high failure rate ( \” I am an instructor not a Teacher \” ) Rule No6 : Have a plan , A goal , and stay on course Rule No7 : Do not stay at the Landing or school housing ( Its a rip off ) Rule No9 : Always buy your Tools and Equipments outside bookstore is a inflated Rule No10: You have got to be competitive and strong at heart too much bull shit . Current Student and staying strong never failed a class although sometimes i feel like lining up all the Financial Aid office employees including the Deans , Vice presidents and Presidents up tie dem all together a shove 150lb TNT under neath dem and u knw d rest .. Long Live all my current Hard knock students of spartan for u have to be strong to make it out of here ….Peace out
I graduated back in 2002 with both a diploma in avionics and an associate\’s in electronic communication (which no longer exists). I will have to say that it was a mistake in the short run. I listened to the recruiters, had my parents bias the decision, done the classes, realizing the lack of value that my investment was granting me (hand me down test equipment from American Airlines), and the list goes on. The instructors are hit or miss on the quality of their instructions. Some were great but most was complete crap. In all, the experience left a bad impression on me since outside of what I learned (how to fix avionic equipment), it was usless (they have no program to teach you the industry environment in a broad context). In all, their mechanics class is their money-maker and keeps that program as top notch as possible (it’s FAA enforced after all). The other programs, I highly sugesst other colleges (if you’re after a degree) or flight schools. I’d conisder colleges such as Everglade’s University (just graduated and it’s a great college for working class, degree-seeking students), Embry-Riddle, Vaughn College, or the University of North Dakota. Again, this is if you’re going for a bachelor’s or master’s in the field. Stick with flight schools at your local airport for flight training. Oh, and both Everglade’s University and Embry-Riddle does accept Spartan credit for anyone that wants to transfer. I highly suggest to go with Everglade’s since their staff is top notch and will help you extensively well before you become a student (they answered my question and researched credit transferability before I applied. Embry-Riddle’s answer was always “just fill out the application and pay the fee then we can help you”. Everglade’s understood my bad experience with Spartan so they did what they could to help ease my doubt while ERAU just treated me like everyone else).
In short, if you’re just after certification (A&P), then it’s right for you. Beyond that (avionics, flight, or a degree), don’t bother. Take the advice from someone that’s been there and learned the hard way.
I am currently a student at Spartan college of lies this is by far the worst college I have ever been to in my life horrible organization the school constantly jacks you around. My instructor and I have supposedly been working together to get me moving rite along almost 8 months into the program I have six flight hours he hasn’t been on time to one lesson and some he hasn’t even showed up too. I missed one lesson due to a doctors appoinent I received punishment! Know matter how much you pay you’ll never be a priority i would defiantly look somewhere else if you are thinking Spartan HUGE rip off I mean look at there graduation rate the only thing they care about is your money!
thank you guys……..I read these reviews here and cancelled my admission there….worst college. the admission advisors will assist u till get into the college and they get the money from ur pocket, but once this is done ,they wont even see at you or answer your email or calls. fortunatelly I just wasted $100 on this school and stopped all the process. plz dont go in there.
Terrible School, avoid if possible. its expensive, equipment is out of date, some professors are very knowledgeable but that is as far as it goes, and if you are planning on transferring somewhere else forget about it, they don’t have a course catalog and most classes wont transfer as this school is not accredited by any major accrediting organizations, the best decision i made at that school was leave. i now attend the university of Maryland and i love it, i am 2 years away from getting my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering.
I am not gonna trash it as bad as some are but will say this. I attended and graduated Spartan in 1992 – The recruiter (Jim Tripplet) was full of sh1t and lied. There is was an entrance exam and half went straight into the A&P classes and the other half had to take an extra 3 months of \”core\” classes – ie. Math, Physics to make thier schooling 21 months instead of 18 and of course More MONEY. I found 1 (ONE) job a few months after graduating at a small 8.00 an hour FBO. The career center and help with job placment is an absolute JOKE. I dont remember ever eating food at the school…we always had take out. I had a wife and 3 kids and is very hard to find a descent job in Tulsa, being a huge college town and 1000\’s of students all fighting for the same job. Once graduating and being hit with 500 dollar a month student loan payments was something I couldnt do….so like alot of people, I deferred, over and over until intrest and penalties piled up. All to say ended up being upwards of 55,000 and still 20 yrs later still owe 40 something thousand dollars and pay every month. There are some that go on to getting a good job, but there are hundreds like me, that don’t! Do your research, there are alternatives that are less expensive than this operation. Responding to a guy that said to look at some other 4 yr schools and compare price..HA! you moron…this isn’t a 4 yr school….the A&P program is an 18 month course. You can hardly “compare” that to a 4yr university. Would I do it again today knowing what I know now? He11 NO! Do yourself a favor and stay away from this institution.
Hello, I have read some post, and I can say this. I am in my later 30′s now, and went to Spartan back in 1995. If you are going for an A&P, QC, NDT, or the Tech programs, I give the school a 8 out of 10.
If you are going for flight, such as I did, you are about a 2 out of 10.
THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS!!!! FLIGHT AND TECH!!!
I went there right after I graduated with my AA from a community college, while taking flying lessons part time for a few years.
I went there with my Private License a total of 80 hours, with 12 hours IFR training under my belt.
Now keep in mind, I already had an AA degree, and a PPL with 80 Hours and 12 IFR training hours.
They wanted me to take all of these BS classes such as College Algebra and Physics…. Along with a TOTAL restart of the IFR program, not even an evaluation flight to see where I was in training.
#1, I ALREADY HAD MY AA DEGREE, WHY WAS I TAKING ALL OF THE BS CLASSES FOR “Their” Program?!?!?
#2 I Had 12 hours IFR logged time, 10 in the air and 2 in the Sim, you tell me that you can’t take ANY of that into consideration? Seriously?
I had found a job through a different source working in an Data Entry job overnight, $11/hour 32-36 hours a week, not bad for 1995 and being 21 years old. The school did NOTHING to help.
Housing? Yea Right. Burns and Burns was a JOKE!!! Everything was broke, they came in and did random “inspections” and pretty much took our $225 a month a ran to the bank. There were 4 of us in each unit, the place was a DUMP!!!
Some of the Instructors were excellent, as some of the CFI’s, but most were there just for a paycheck, no morale, no extra help without paying, and it showed.
I spent 6 months there and said Goodbye….. Yea, I spent good $$$, but I went else-ware and finished up my program. I got my Bachelors degree as well as far better training, even got a F/E Turbojet rating (B727) while in school.
I think the best part was the fact that I actually was one of the few that got an exit interview. I think it was because they found out that I did not have a loan, and had a college fund that I was using to pay for my Schooling. They tried everything. I told them I would think about it over Christmas break when I was home. I packed up my car, sent the big stuff home UPS, and said goodbye to Tulsa…. BEST CHOICE I EVER MADE IN LIFE!!!!!
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR….IF YOU WANT TO BE A PILOT, DON’T GO HERE!!!!!!!
Fly Safe
Bert M.
F/O B-757/B767
Its funny the ones that graduate all say its a great school(for their own reasons i’m sure), the ones that are “currently attending” have one sentence response. and those who got out write pages… mostly. Ask for the schools success and dropout rate. I will be honest i dropped out. But i’m much better for it i finished my training at a local airport cheaper then at this flight farm. also in todays market flying is a hobby not a job. That joke don’t pick up you food stamps in your flight uniform. I’ll say it again before you make a decision ASK FOR THEIR STUDENT PASS RATE. There are the cheaper options good luck.
After graduating from Highschool in 2006 I received a recruiting call from Spartan School of Aeronautics. Having made up my mind that I wanted a career in aeronautics I believed that this school might be key. I remember asking the recruiter about aerospace engineering and be on the development side of aeronautics and he tried to sell me some other BS about how doing A&P was for me and how that is the best way to \”work\” on aricraft and how hard it was to get into Embry-Riddle. Anyways I applied early decision to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (B.S. AE) and got in (so happy). I spoke later spoke to that same Spartan College recruiter and when I told him about getting accepted to Embry-Riddle he could not say anything except good luck. Fast forward to today, I cam currently working for the largest defense corporation with an excellent engineering job, at the \”right\” place for me, and Iam getting ready to graduate with my M.S. in Aerospace Engineering degree from Georgia Tech in a couple of months. But reading these messages I am soooo happy that I didn\’t waste a dollar or a sec. with this \”school\”.
Hello F/O Bert, or anyone who will respond…. I was planning on attending “Spartan” until i read these reviews.. I’m 33yrs old and married with 3 kids, and have always wanted to fly airliners for American, Delta, Southwest and so on, and was just wondering if you (Bert) would mind e-mailing me and telling me what school you wound up going to. Or if anyone had any advise on any accredited schools to help me reach my goal? Just like all of you, I have NO TIME FOR BS, and am deffinatly NOT made of money!!! Again thanks and my email is ( schraubr@yahoo.com )
Ryan
This school is nothing but crap, they have a MOTO that says “STUDENTS COME FIRST” and they don’t. The recruiters will lie to you saying that you have to take this course before you take that course, I urge you to do your homework and find stuff out from the students or look for yourself. My representative told me that he tell people lies in order to get people money. No body cares if you fail or not, the president of the school is just like Clinton look dead in the eye and lie to you. Recently the school relinquished command of the student housing to a new company and the company evicted every one and left over 500 students homeless, job placement they say the will guarantee you a job when you graduate but that’s a lie they will tell you good luck finding a job and just leave you hanging, anybody considering coming here please I beg you don’t come here its the biggest mistake that you will ever make in college choosing
This school is the worse school ever. Waste of money. I was told that if I got my A&P that I would get flight for free. Total lie. He made Spartan look so high class and only the best get in. Lie. My class mates and I came up with the best name for this school Spartan School of Achohalics and Narcotics. Thats all the type of people that go there. The teachers are not helpful at all. I had to flunk math 2 times and beg for a different teacher (that didn’t try to make since of cows and sheep. I would advise for people not to go here. Its a great trash bag though.
Hello Ryan F/O bert here. Considering your circumstances, unless your wife is well off, I would not Suggest trying to become a pilot at age 33 with a wife and kids.
I left Spartan and went to school in Florida (No, not ERAU) and have not looked back since.
Spartan has a good tech program, and a HORRIBLE fligt program. I know many A&P’s at my company that came from there, and most are pretty good. I have met one pilot from there and he said it was the biggest mistake of his life.
Being a junior pilot, I do a lot of Maintenance and Ferry flights, but even to take a 767 from maintanance or a test run, and have two maintenance guys Jumping is a great feeling.
Fly Safe,
Bert M.
B-757/B-767 F/O
I checked out every flight school in the USA and UK. In the end I picked ATP. I’m still dealing with my refund from the school.
Talk to many pilots about what schools they find best. So far Iv been told ATP is the best. I grew up around the airline. I found out Airlines like Delta and American will NOT hire students from Spartan. Spartan is considered a joke around airlines. I did some more re-search, Spartan is not even aloud to show up at Air shows to get kids to go to their school. So save your times and money.
I wont even go into detail on the awful reps who show you around. They know NOTHING!
WARNING to the men who go to this school. I talked to some of the students. The poor guys are roped into marring the local OK Tulsa girls. (I’m a female pilot my self and watched to know about the girls at the school. I found out Almost 95% of them will drop out) Parents do not send your son here unless you want a daughter in law or child along with your son’s bad degree.
I’m sure at pone point this was a very good school. But from the many pilots Iv talked to they all said go to ATP. Even Riddle is losing its good rep.
ATP has 2 programs. The fast track and the 141 4 year. The fast track is the best if you are age 22 or older. If you are 18 and just picking a school GO with the 4 year.
Read all the reviews on schools. Talk to pilots dont be scared to ask questions.
Good luck
Bert Here Again, Everything that GO TO ATP says is CORRECT!!!!
Spartan has so student flight team, almost lost their 141 Training certification, and most majors know what kind of pilots they end up being.
For tech, TOTALLY DIFFERENT STORY, for Flight, good luck with that.
And yea, even at my company, Spartan pilots are not usually hired.
Fly Safe.
Bert M.
B757/767 F/O
I WAS enrolled in this school and was set to begin classes about a month from now. then out of no where they started coming up with ridiculous fees that i had not been previously informed of. the price is outreagous and the spartan representatives are little more than salesmen with lots of fake hype that quickly falls apart when you ask real questions about your enrolment. financial aid is HORRIBLE they told me to begin with it would all be handled and they would walk me through it but right before i enrolled they started caring less about aiding me and more about getting me to sign on the dotted line. this school is awefull DO NOT GO HERE! THEY WILL SCAM YOU FOR EVERY PENNY YOU HAVE AND THEN SOME!!!!!
This place is Satan. How was I ever foolish enough to come to this school? I curse the owner of this school: He will have a miserable life full of oppression and enemies because of his dishonesty and lust for screwing people. This man will surely wither away like a wildflower in blistering heat. Wrath will overtake his household and his money will be plundered by one who is more crafty than him. He will feel the anguish of another stealing his money away. For this man, no punishment is worse because he has no one to care for him when his money is gone. With no money he will lose everything. But little does he know, he has already lost it all. This man has no soul.
Glad that you changed your Stauts to WAS. The school has turned out sub-par training for over 20 years now. Maybe in the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s it was ok, but for Pilots now…. FORGET IT!!!!
Fly Safe,
Bert M.
F/O B757/B767
i attended the school in 2007, was lured into the school by a pos sales rep who was just looking for a commission. i was set up with the air maintenance program where i started to fail becuase of the “professor’s” refussal to care or help me. went to administraton to try to change my program to the avionics school where is was told that “i would not succceed in that program becuase of the complex nature of the program and my poor test scores”, how about just calling me f***ing stupid!!!
i tried again to change the program where they insisted that it would cost me $100 to change my program, WTF?
i later took my boyfriend at the time, nathan p, who was well liked at the school, on the student council as well as other interests, he walked in and said to change my program and they did it without question and with out charge. sounds like they just want the money and have a select few that they actually can trust and that is only for publicity.
after changing my program i started doing good in the school. than i started to notice that my student loan funds dwindled to nothing in 3 months, they were threatening to kick me out of the landing because they would not accept the money from my private loan to pay for my housing. 6 months after starting the school i decided to leave, went to the admin office, where they hated me, and put in the papers to disenroll myself from the school, upon my arrival to that office i was told that i was removed from the school roster 3 weeks ago but continued to pay tuition up to that point, upon leaving the school i was also charged a break of lease for the landing for 640$ but they refused to accept my money again,
half the students at the school are awesome, only a couple of professors that come to mind were equally great, Birdesong and Clark, awesome, everyone else doesn’t give a s#!^ unless you give them money $16,600 every 6 months
stay away if you value an education that wont leave you stranded without a job
Well i went to spartan back in 04-06 while i was there i saw them try to put the electric bill in one member of the dorms name didnt happen but thay tried uh had an old retard named potts for a math teacher but he was just babbaling fool few ppl passed i saw alot of ppl come form many parts of the country and saw them go home in debt with nothing my recruiter for the military was less of a lier then my spartan recruiter mike fontenopolious after i got there never saw him again i arrived at tulsa international at like 11 at night there was no there like thay said there would be when i was there thay wanted $360 something for student housing comming from ca that seemd like a good deal when i got there i found that a 2 room apt in tulsa was about the same but there were ppl that did do well there but for the most part thay want you to fck up thay want youre debt cause enough single semester ppl will make plenty of cash for them and if thay can bleed you fro the same class 2 or 3 time there all for it while i was there the student made fun of the situation if you want to burn alot of money of a degree that you can get at a city college for half the price go for it
I graduated from Spartan’s AMT/AS program in 1982. This may sound more like a history lesson, but this is the TRUTH! Everyone’s life & career is driven by a passion. Aviation is no exception, however, there are no shortcuts. I chose Spartan because of it’s reputaion as an A&P school (great in 1980) and the low cost of living in Tulsa. It wasn’t fancy, but quite realistic for this type of career. If you want to be an aircraft mechanic, get used to it, it doesn’t get any better in the real world! (low pay, crappy working conditions, lack of parts/support, etc.) yet with ALL the responsibility. I can’t really complain about the school (in ’80-’82); it was competitively priced and well prepared you for the A&P license. My only complaint was it specialized in general aviation, and had very little jet training. Most “kids” today don’t have a clue what hard work is and expect instant gratification & everything handed to them. If this is you, you won’t like this school. However, if you truly have a passion and want a career in aircraft mx, this IS one of the better schools. The complains I’ve read on this page are no different than any other school. Sounds like a bunch of lazy spoiled brats to me! Today I’m a B-747 flight engineer (ex-USAF) and having an A&P license from Spartan was a great foundation for my career. Those who graduate from Spartan will probably have a rewarding career, those looking for an easier, softer way, well…good luck! -Been there, done that.
Ive been going to Spartan for two years now. It started out fine and then we got a new vice president of flight operations. Hes made a lot of changes to the school, NONE for the better. I have gone from my first flight all through my commercial training here and am now working on my CFI. The ONLY reason I am still here is because when I start something, no matter how miserable it is, I finish it. Heed the advice of all the other reviews here and avoid this place like the plague! If you really wanna be an airline pilot, go get a bachelors degree in whatever you want and earn your ratings from a part 61 school on the side. And whatever you do, STAY AWAY FROM SPARTAN!
STUDENT LOAN BOOTLEG OPERATION – This administration at this school is crooked and corrupt. This place should be shut down and sued into oblivion. When you first start it is all excitement, flowers, and gumdrops. Then the dark clouds start rolling in. The place is a business, please please understand that. This is a place driven by profit, not education. They will bury you in debt to ensure their doors stay open and that the CEO’s Aston Martin stays full of gas.Their accredidation is a freaking joke. My advice, go part 61, military, or to an acutal accredited university or community college with an aviation program. I was a 4.0 GPA student working hard and making my way through the program. I wisened up before the debt sent me back into the stone age. I HATE this place!
For those that felt ripped off, you can make a difference by sending your complaints to Private Vocational Schools, Oklahoma Board of – OBPVS, 3700 Classen Boulevard, Suite 250, Oklahoma City, OK 73118-2864. Established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1970, the board was authorized to set minimum standards for private vocational schools which include standards for courses of instruction and training qualifications of instructors, financial stability, advertising practices, and reasonable rules and regulations for operation of private vocational schools. Be detailed and specific about what you were told rather than what you experienced.
Since 2006, they have only received 27 complaints about any private vocational school not just Spartan. My guess is no one knew they could complain to them.
Did you know that OSU has an aviation program? Here’s the link, http://education.okstate.edu/index.php/academic-units/school-of-educational-studies/space-and-aviation
Why, I had to practically hoist my instructor up in to the plane and strap him in– what’s up with that? He staggered in late. On the first day he had me doing loopty-loops and such. He said, “Go ahead and fly her!” All the while he’s trying to tell me instead of the airlines just stay here in Oklahoma and drop fertilzer down on some cotton fields. No thanks!
I am currently a student at spartan and was very dissapointed to say the least. They lead you on to believe that this is a class act school and only accepts the best of the best. That is a joke. I attend class with mostly kids right out of highschool, and I don’t mean the kids who were at the top of their class. These are the most disrespectful, arrogant, thuggish, lazy, loud and ignorant people I have ever met. I wouldn’t let most of them pump my gas little lone work on an million dollar aircraft. You can complain to upper management about this but it does no good. Its all about the money here and as long as they feel like they can sqeeze some money out of you at the tax payers expense they will take you. If you truly have a love for aviation, like I do, I would go elsewhere. Do not believe the recruiters!!!! I can’t say that enough, they are snakes in the grass and work strictly off comission and will say and do anything to get you here. I’ve heard stories of how great and magnificent this school was back in the day, that’s just not the case anymore. I am considering leaveing but have use most of my GI bill money here already so its gonna be tough if I do. If you don’t belive me then just look at all of these post, I seriously doubt all these people could be wrong.
Bert M. Here again. Folks, while I do agree that todays “Kids” do lack some of the motivation and drive that they used to have…. So does the School. Back in the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s, This School was TOP NOTCH!!!! When it Came to the Tech or A&P’s, it was in the top 3 in the country. Even flight was in the top 10. But the Focus changed, I was there in the mid 1990′s and it was garbage, it’s 15 years later and I know it had to get worse. Yea, every school is a BUSINESS, and they need to make a profit, but when you have the mamagement and leadership with NO PASSION about Aviation, then what do you expect? It is all about $$$$$$, I look back on my life now, and the decision I made to leave Spartan was the best in the world. This WAS a great school…. NO MORE!!!! Beware of Lies, False Hopes, and Promises that will never come true.
You have been warned…….
Fly Safe
Bert M.
F/O B757/B767
HORRIBLE SCHOOL: I drove 1300 miles to Tulsa just because I believed I can get a quality education, WRONG!!!! Recruiter said that both of her daughters graduated an AMT program and have a good jobs, like a dumbass I believed her…Since that time I graduated with 4.0 and all the highest honors you can imagine (perfect attendance, presidents honor etc.) While I was in school…sexual harassment policy (you get hit on everything and everyone, even teachers) FEMALES DON’T GO THERE, financial aid…They told me that I owe them $2000 and I have a week to come up with the money otherwise I will get thrown out of school, I had to bring all of my loan and grant paperwork and I sat there in front of financial aid lady and re-calculated everything, turns out school owes me $4657…I told her same thing she told me ” you have 1 week to bring this money back before you go to jail for fraud”, sure enough week later I checked, money was back in place…Dorms….is a joke, $400 a month for one room, my recruiter told me to stay away from that place ( and I’m thankful she did).Determination and aviation obsession that is the only things that kept me in school, I knew I was getting ripped off, I knew tomorrow I will not tell the difference between metals or composites. Long story short: I’m $30000 in debt, none of the schools I go accept Spartan credits, I took a major pay cut to move here, 2 years after graduation I still can’t find a good job….WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!!
This school taught so much about financially raping students that I may as well left with a business degree. No really the training you get on ripping off students is amazing, I swear if i had the money too- I would open an aviation school and make it just like spartan, I would make SOOO much money off students. oh man…
FACT: Spartan has lost all academic accredidation.
This school is on even par with shady car dealerships and overnight check cashing services. I am ashamed that this school is associated with Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.
PLEASE listen to the reviews and STAY AWAY from this travisty of an “educational institution”. Fact check for yourself by contacting state and federal accredidation boards and agencies. Contact the Tulsa BBB and review the VAST complaint log. Contact the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office and examine public records regarding this school.
The Department of Veterans Affairs no longer classifies this school as an “institution of higher learning”.
Research the facts and listen to the vast number of complaints…avoid this school at all costs!
Wow.. all I can say is thank you. We had an appointment with the recruiter tonight and after reading these reviews, yeah I called him and cancelled. He said he was going to address all the concerns in these reviews and that most of the negative ones did not complete the program. I told him that was not the case and there were a LOT that did not complete it then so even that tells me the completion rate is poor so not a good sales pitch. He had told my son and friends that it was the top rate first avionics school in the country and that they only take 2 students with the best qualifications to get in. I had already had him pegged before reading these reviews because my older sons had recruiters lie through their teeth as well. So we bid him good luck and sad farewell. WSU here we come! Thank you to all for posting these. We looked at many other schools in KS and hardly any had reviews so to see THIS many on one school says a LOT. So sad that vultures feed and prey on kids that in this day and age NEED a good education. I hope the people that posted follow the advice of JG above and report them. Its criminal if you ask me..The epitomy of “bait and switch”
wow. i had originally gotten a letter from this school along with a million others-like from USC (cali), U of miami, and many other universities-and wanting to be a pilot, this school, after visting their website, sparked my interest. i talked with the recruiting officer over the phone today and will now cancel my appt. with him this sunday when he flies out to northern cali. to meet with other “selected” students like myself. I’m going to go my original route of commmunity college, current job, private pilot’s license at local airport and then transfer to USC, UCLA, Stanford, or USAFA to get an aeronautical engineering degree and become a military pilot after OCS and ROTC in college. I averaged a 4.6 gpa in high school one year with honors and AP classes and have always excelled in all areas. I’m way too smart to waste my time and money at a “school” like this run by crooks and selfish people. I’m very disappointed after reading this blog. But I know it’s best. I would’ve have never guessed. Thanks to google though. God Bless you all and best wishes in your future endeavors.
Ok so I’m a high school student from Alabama and I had the kushy little sitdown with my recruiter (who was a car mechanic and taught welding once..) and he blew smoke up my rear till I was about cooked. Now that I’m doing financial aid stuff all the sudden myself or my parents can’t get a hold of anyone. NOBODY. we’ve been calling for three weeks and keep getting told by the same woman that they’ll call us back or their busy whoever THEY are need to rethink their strategy of conning an aspiring NDT student. I’m to my limit with these people…these reviews are very eye opening. Thanks Yall. Roll Tide.
Stay away from the student housing!!! They are curently holding that over a lot of student’s heads. If you do stay in student housing be prepared to be pulled from class lectured if your rent is one day late and be prepared to be kicked out if you have any friends over for any period of time.
For starters I am a recent graduate from the college of lies. The recruiters will tell you about how great the moral is and the opportunities in the industry. My recruiter told me that I could ride my bike to the college and drive through the college grounds and people were playing frisbee and football and having outdoor picnics. Wow this sounds like an ivy league east coast college in the fall. Well when you get here your going to see an awesome airport with a trailer park right in the middle of it. That is Spartan!! The recruiters also told me that Spartan had a football team and an olympic sized pool. Well Tulsa has a football team and there is a pool at the YMCA for about 60 dollars a month. Okay back to the college. You will spend about 100K and come out with an education that is accredited by the ACCSCT that also gives accreditation to the local beauty colleges and welding schools. The flight campus has an administration that are all part of the same family. The Yost family is ruining the college!!!! You have daddy Yost sitting in his perch just ready for little Lisa and Laura to bring daddy a problem student or employee. Then daddy brings these students into the office and threatens them, belittles them, and lies right to there faces. No one there is safe from the Yost dictatorship. The instructors will fly you like 2.0 hours a flight even when your done with the lesson at 1 hour just so Yost not give them the what for. This college sucks and is ran like a high school. You have principle Yost ready to rip anyones head off for the most stupid stuff. Another thing is that they fly airplanes that have been flown by the wright brothers and are falling apart. Nothing is going to change this college besides an accident or so saddly a fatality. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE
Joe, you sound about my age. Nope Nope Nope. A lot of kids are complaining and there will be some who do no matter what institution they may attend. However I would suggest Air Park part of the Tulsa School system. It is really quite good at a much ower cost and from what I see higher quality and the instructors are in fact from the local air community, many of which are from American Airlines. The monies you are paying are very very reasonable as you are not paying for a lot of overhead in the tuition, as Spartan is in fact a for profit school. Not say they are a ripoff but it is quite expensive. I realize you are going for an A&P for something to do in your retirement years (I am the same way, your hard earned money will go infinately farther than the Spartan experience. I don’t know if you live in Tulsa or near it, Spartan Aviation does in fact have a long and wonderful history, however that’s just what it is, I have noticed the last 20 years it has fallen way down, the kids are correct on the accreditation issue (not an issue for you) but something to think about, if that many youngsters are having problems getting their trancripts recognized then there is a problem. Being a local and proud of my fair city and our industry, Spartan is not a prideful thing with me as I have been around the aviation industry for years and their organization is not what it used to be. The family that has the school now are a far cry from the old owners and in the vernacular they do in fact suck. For the most part the local kids who are eaten up with the aviation bug go to Air Park or go out of state, I know Florida is a hotbed of aviation school what with the weather. Good luck to you Joe on your quest.
Stay away from this place!!! I can NOT say enough bad things about this school!! WAY OVER PRICED and all they care about is getting your money!
It cost me 21000 dollars to get my Private Pilots License where the normal going rate is only about 10,000. This was not due to my inability to fly as I went to a different school and got my Single Engine Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine rating in shorter time than my private! If you are debating on going here please reconsider! You will thank your self later I ASSURE YOU!
Horrible experience and i didnt even attend!!!
After contacting this school with questions about their programs I received a phone call in which my inquiry turned into a very uncomfortable and unprofessional discussions about when I “needed” to apply and when they should be “expecting” my application as well as a way to pay for the school. I explained I was shopping around for different schools around the country that best suited mine as well as my family’s interest to which I was told that I wasn’t going to find a better place and I was wasting my time. I ended the phone call only to be texted, called, and emailed from a representative from the school pretty much harassing me and telling me how “unsuccessful” I was going to be because I was not choosing their school. I have never in my life encountered a staff from a school that was as rude and pushy about committing to a program. I currently hold a BSN and was only interested in expanding potential career fields and for them to tell me I would be “unsuccessful” is disgusting.
Im a current student. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL!!!!!!!! The term “highway robbery” had to be coined at this school due to its location right off of one. Money that was supposed to be yours disappears, then youre told it was never there to begin with. Classes are a joke! I actually feel dumber sometimes. I have a 3.5 GPA. This school is terrible plain and simple. Poorly ran, outdated equipement and ridiculous staff. STAY AWAY!
I used to work there in Admissions. Here’s a secret! If you drop out of the Commercial Pilot program they transfer you to the private pilot program and graduate you. They can then show you as a graduate. This is done without your permission. They do this for other programs as well.
Enjoy.
F/O Bert here again just saying hello. Well we were in KTUL (Tulsa) a while ago for a normal hop that we always made, and upon landing, we find out that the 757 wanted to go tech (Break Down….LOL) on us, so as most of you are aware, AA has a very large maintenance base there, and our company was able to contract with AA to get the 757 back in the air again, took a day, and we were on our way. During that day, I got a ride over to Spartan to check out some of the stuff that I that remembered duing the Mid 90′s and met some students on the ramp, mostly A&P’s along with a few pilots, I think it was an orientation or something. And just was talking to them about my job, and how much the school failed to help me. They looked shocked, and one did not even start his program yet, I gave him the best advice to quit and get out. The flgiht portion of this school sucks, it did even 20 years ago. The Tech side still had hope and that faded away. When the 757 was ready, we took some of the students on a tour of it, with certain Spartan personal looking on and smiling, the 2 pilots that were there we offered to let them sit in the cockpit before we left. I told them this, “do you like this seat?” They were both happy and agreed that it was great, Then get out of this school!!!!!! They just looked at me and turned white. I told the A&P kids the same thing. LEAVE NOW!!!! After that we preflighted, and taxied out to depart, they stood out there and waved to us, and we took off and headed for home. I talke dot the Capt about it, and he agreed that Spartan is a joke, now for flight and tech. Folks, I will sum this up rather quickly, Wanna be a pilot? DON’T GO HERE!!! Wanna be an A&P/NDT? DONT GO HERE!!! All of the reviews are ture, and I feel the pain of the students that are suffering, or did suffer and have a huge debt load, and no real chance of a career, or even a meaningful job. But what do I know, I am only a 757/767 driver…. LOL.
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/B767
The first clue this was a bad school was when the recruiter walked me through the application step by step. Applications and admission essays are all on you at any other college. There are a few people on here that say only the drop outs give bad reviews, not true. I graduated from Spartan in 2005 with my AMT-D. I have nothing good to say about the school. They are full of lies, and all they want is your money. If I would have known better, I would have done one of two things. Either go to an A&P school elsewhere for a fraction of the cost and better equipment. The second option would have been go to a four year school for this price. Two years, A&P license and an Associates Degree for $40,000. Too much money for the quality of education/facilities. There were very few instructors who actually cared about the students. I was also forced to take general education classes previously taken in high school. I had to take a basic level algebra class when I have already completed pre-calc. Waste of time. To conclude, Spartan is a waste of time/money. Get a real education elsewhere.
Bert? You are a Spartan graduate driving a 757/767 now for a living and only have bad things to say about Spartan? Ungrateful! Enjoy the career your Spartan education provided.
This is to “What?”
You obviously did not read the entire post listing. I went There for a a period of about 6 months and finished up somewhere else. My first warning sign was the fact that I had an A.A Degree, PPL, 12 IFR, and 80 Hours, and they wanted me to restart the IFR training, and take all the Bulls**t classes like College Algebra and Physics…. I already had my AA degree from a community college and DID NOT NEED all of that. During that 6 months, I did not even get an IFR rating and only flew about 1 or sometimes 2 days a week. The IFR classes were a joke. That is when I packed up my stuff and left. Keep in mind, I had a college fund set up and I did not have ANY loans, so they should have loved me…. Nope they did not. I suggest that you read all of the posts FROM THE BEGINNING, and then make your judgement, but like I said before, I am only a right seat 757/767 driver….. What do I know………….LOL!!!
Fly Safe!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
I’m not sure whether to believe any of this or not. I guess I’ll find out something today, I’m meeting with a recruiter from Spartan after school. Honestly? I hope all of this turns out to be a bunch of B.S. Nothing against any of you of course. Just saying. However, I am very glad I found this site. Thank you to all of you.
As Bert said,
Fly safe.
P.S. My ratings are not legit. i was told “You must leave a rating”
Trust no one at Spartan especially the financial aid office. The recruiters either blindly believe all the bs that the school is telling them or they’re just like army recruiters and lie to you to get their commission or something. They’ll tell you that everyone is lying and that Spartan is a good school with excellent classes and teachers, but it’s a 50 year old broken down school located in the ghetto of tulsa. The facilities are broken down, the teachers may know what they’re doing, but they’re not good teachers. All the school wants is your money. Any other school in the nation writes every student who has excess funds a check at the beginning of every semester, at Spartan you have to request how much money you have and then wait a week for them to process it. Did anyone mention that it’s $3000 ever 6 weeks for tuition and that’s not even including your books and supplies (which recruiters will tell you is included) and range from $350-1200 every 6 weeks as well. The only reason my husband is still there is because none of the other schools that we’ve found will accept Spartan credits, that should tell you something right there about the high quality education that you’re going to shell out over $30,000 for in just under 2 years. Just one last thing…even if your tuition is paid for and you have an excess the school will still take out the maximum amount for student loans allowable every 3 months, just so they can have your money even if you don’t need it.
well im stuck at this shit whole. was suckered in as everyone else. the only people who like this place are the effing weirdos who literrally coulndt get a job at a mcdonalds and the miliatary people since there going for free. i made a 25 on my act not even trying and the recruiter told me i was good since the requirment is twenty. lie, the requirement is only fifteen! most colleges would turn u down with that score in a heartbeat. if u like using restrooms that resemble a truck stop, asshole teachers and employees, insects crawling into ur backpack and all over u while in those shittty classes on main campus, then this is your place! o and the book store will rape u over on your books, if you even get them since they run out so quick supposably. someone please tell me if im going to be fucked once i graduat on my loans?, dont miss class either or u have to stay after school lol what a joke, its like seventh grade all over again. they even take up five hours showing you how to use a hammer and a screwdriver here.and they will also give ur reasume to other students to copy and not even send them to employers to get you a job. after a month i finally found a crappy one on my own. ive been to real colleges and will return to them when or if i get out of here, fuck this place. someone please help all of us prisoners here
Wow! I received an info packet this week containing all the info the “recruiter” or salesman, told me about Spartan. As I was looking at the paperwork, bunch of red flags came up like:
*What kind of college requires a $3,000 tuition prepayment?
*Application fee = $100. Scam?
*Associate’s Degree in Professional Pilots = $74,309? I think is ridiculous just to get an associate’s degree.
*Notice of Cancellation included in the “Training Agreement”? Possibly sales reps?
Having said that, I’m happy that I found this forum that shows previous students’s experience with Spartan. I’m happy that I haven’t spend a dime on this piece of Sh*t!
It makes me wanna call Tommy V. “Enrollment manager” right away to tell him that I won’t be available for the telephone so he could use that time to try to get a commission somewhere else cause it ain’t gonna get one out of me.
The school on Pine Street was new in the fall of 1969. If you think the Pine Street campus[I can't help but bust our laughing] is bad, you should have seen the original WWll facilites. And in 1969/1970 the “live equipment” had been dead for twenty five years.Some of the older instructors left over from WWll years were adequate but they retired on the job. The only memorable thing I remember about my 14 months there was leaving the classroom one spring morning to watch American’s first 747 make several passes over the American facilities. While taxiing, the crew misjudged a taxiway and the main mount sank in the soft grass. I recall that it took some time to free the plane from the muck. The “school” was a joke in 1969/70 and apparently still is. M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E.
Hello Folks,
F/O Bert Here Again. At another airport, there was an “Aviation Day” a few weeks ago and this time we had our 757 out and open for tours. A bunch of people came up to us and just wanted to talk, and see what the aviation field could offer them. Spartan came up. I flat out told them, after what I went through for flight, and now finding out what the Tech side is too, DO NOT GO HERE!!!! They all looked at me with disbelief, but I told them the truth. One prospective student even had an appointment made for the school. He only paid a $100 non refundable app fee, but that is a small loss for not going to this waste of time and money. As for the rest, my younger cousin is about to graduate high school this year and wanted information about Spartan, I laughed at him and said stay away, I even said if they call you, give them my name and E-mail and have them contact me and I will tell them what I think. I would love to hear a response to this one.
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
Funny: My son went to Spartan and makes more money than I do. By the way I am a CPA. I think Spartan was a great choice.
Okay this guy must have nothing better to do, Bert: Did you work for Spartan and they fired you? Did you attend and not graduate? Did someone at Spartan steal your wife? It’s obvious that you are not trying to help others, you are fufilling some sick vendetta against the school. Lay off, get a life. If you really want to know about the school, don’t look here at Wacko and friends comments they are filling the site with crap. This I know both of my son’s graduated from Spartan one in 2009 NDT and the other one in the A&P program 2011. Both thanks to Spartan have good paying jobs.
Tulsa Mom
Hi Tulsa Mom… Tulsa Mom Who?
Again, if you took the time to read the ENTIRE POST LISTING, you will see that I did leave Spartan and go somewhere else and finished up. I’m not trying to help others? Right…… When I was there, the flight program was horrible and the Tech side was so-so, now I see that both sides have gone to the toilet. I am trying to let people know that for flight, look elsewhere, for tech, look elsewhere too. The training that you receive compared to the amount of debt that you will be faced with is not worth it. And as for some sick Vendetta, consdering 80% of the reviews here are negative, and I have the issue? Who do you work for? They they help your kids get through Spartan through speical treatment? Did you go to Spartan? The truth is this, Spartan has lost it’s passion for an aviation school, it is all about money and greed. 30+ years ago it was excellent, one of the top 10, but no more. There are accrediation issues, financial aid issues, student housing issues….. the list goes on. And as for getting a life? HA!!!! I am only a Boeing 757/767 Driver, what do I know!!!! LOL!!!!!!
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
I agree with the Tulsa mom….Bert you must be sick to spend this much time telling potential kids not to go here. Do you think every kid that goes to “college” finishes? Why don’t you get a life and stop harassing Spartan. Read the studies that state that 70% of kids don’t finish community colleges in 3 years. Traditional colleges are not for everyone. Colleges like Spartan are producing quality graduates or they would be shut down. The key to any college in the students hard work and effort they put in. Bert I don’t know you, but come on. Focus your effort on flying and shut up. Nobody cares you went there for 6 months and didn’t use financial aid. You are probably in the top 3% of students that can afford to pay cash for their college education. Most kids have to use financial aid, and lot’s of kids can’t get into regular traditional colleges. Maybe you should have gone to Harvard and be the next great thing instead of a wacked out critic. Get a life!!
I graduated from the Nondestructive Testing/Quality Control program at Spartan last May. I started my first NDT job one week after graduation. This says a lot about the school. I was pleased with the administrative staff, the faculty, the curriculum, and the post-graduation help. Without this, I would not be where I am today (at a $30/hr job right out of school). Not many people can say that.
You know, I have a life, and enjoy what I do. Don’t you think that as a professional pilot, that I want the best trained person sitting next to me in the cockpit, or in the air?
OR EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, the person who is working on the aircraft that I fly, THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!!!!
If it’s in the Air, MAINTENANCE PUT IT THERE!!!!!
To the people that are there and unhappy, or complain about problems… YOU BETTER LISTEN TO THEM!!!!!!
I don’t need some A&P working on my aircraft with poor training and a lack of passion about what they do.
So yea, since a lot of A&P/NDT/QC people come out of there, you want to make sure that you have the best. When I sit it that cockpit and fire that plane up, I want the A&P’s who are the BEST at what they do, At 37,000 feet, do you want stuff falling off, or things going wrong? What if that was over your home, your relitives home, your family and friends…….
Do you think I have no life? Go ahead and try to get in that job in that field, I took jobs all over the WORLD to get where I am today, and I am PROUD to be a 757/767 driver.
I WISH TO GOD somebody would have told me the truth about this school whem I went there. Will all fail, no, of course not, but when the majority of reviews here are negagive, Don’t you think something is wrong somewhere?
Look at the one review from the person who used to work in admissions and how they manipuliate the system to show graduates…. THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!
And like I said, to those who think that I have some sickness, or have no life, I drive 757/767, they drive Toyotas, I could care less. I am in the field, and trying to help, they are parents or whoever else, and they are trying to help as well.
Like I said, I am proud to be a 757/767 driver, and I will put my 2 cents in where I can to help others, what makes this country great is that we have a freedom to speak about what is on our mind, and our experiences. Some truths can hurt, some can help, but at least we have the opportunity to hear both sides of the coin, and make our decision from the information that we are given.
Fly Safe!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767
I went in 1987, full of ARAB students with a fistfull of cash and no reason to learn anything as they will sub the work out anyway, Had a few decent instructors but not a lot of equipment, So i would have to agree with most of the negative comments as I assume it only got worse. But Tulsa was pretty awesome for a kid fresh off the farm!
I have read a lot of these reviews and some are true some false I graduated high school at the age of fourteen and began working for farmers around because my family needed the money I have eight brothers and sisters and by the time I left to come to Spartan I was making $32.50/HR. For a construction company on a military base so I had become accustom to rules and regulations Spartans housing sucks no doubt about it they tell you that you have a room to you’re self no you pay $385 a month to share a room with some one else that’s true and yes the do weed out the crop if you smoke weed you’re gone if you can not show up on time you’re gone if you can not pass the test with a 70 or better you’re gone I started at Spartan and just got by with 70s now I’m on the presidents honor role because I am dedicated. And don’t smoke weed and show up on time yes there financial aid sucks they lost my funding now I am working two jobs and going to school full time but my instructors care whether I pass or not so they stay after class to help me get it so before you come to Spartan make sure you can handle being dedicated,and not getting drunk on the weekend or stoned during the week because the people who do get drunk and stoned or don’t show up on time the teachers will not help and those are the ones leaving all these nasty reviews about Spartan just leave the facts not your opinion about spartan
This is to Bert, I’ll bet you cant even fly a 152 let alone a five seven. I’ve worked for Boeing since 1986 and I’m a Spartan grad. I think you have small man syndrome and took it where the sun don’t shine when you we’re dumped by your boyfriend lovcer who shunned you. Get a life Bert and talk to Ernie
I have to agree with Devin: Bert obviously has no life and has lots of extra time to get on the computer and trash Spartan. The only people who spend as much time as he does worrying about something like the college he attended, was obviously made mad at some point during his time there and he can’t let it go!!! (Therapy may be needed) My degree from Spartan has made me a good living.
Spartan grad – currently employed with a job paying over $150 K. Enough said??
It has been awhile since I graduated from the program at Spartan, but I can’t imagine it has gone down like the above comments. I am doing great for me and mine with a degree from this college. When you guys find the perfect college let me know, so I can recommend it to all of my friends and relatives for their children.
Although most of these comments on here are negative, the people that were/are unhappy with the school are more likely to leave comments than those who are happy. So, since I graduated from the Spartan flight program in 2010 and was checking out the college review sites with my brother (who will graduate high school next year) I felt the need to comment. No college is perfect…but in the end, you go to college so you can be educated for your career, not for it to be a walk in the park or for you to be 100% happy with everything there. I went to Spartan, enjoyed my time there, got my degree, and got a great job. Stop complaining about how much you hate the school…just move on!
I moved from Illinois to Oklahoma to attend Spartan. My first job after graduation was as an NDT Technician with Northrop Aircraft Corporation. I can now say I’ve worked on The Space Shuttle, B1B, F-18, B-2. The first three retractable roof stadiums, numerous nuclear generating stations and numerous high rise structures as a NDT tech/AWS CWI/ICC Special Inspector. All of which happened from my Spartan NDT training.
Spartan gave me the theory and hands-on experience in the classroom that put me ahead of other people who either haven’t had the training upon entering my career field or they’ve had less training. I am able to ask for higher starting wages, as well.
I started at Spartan in 1994 just after finishing a 5 year enlistment in the Marine Corps. I completed the Commercial Pilot Certification in 1996. Spartan is an excellent school with one of the best flight training programs in the world. I feel that they offer great resources to students education and career-wise.
I feel that my career progression was enhanced by Spartan. I have worked for several airlines flying the Jetstream 32, Dash8, Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Dassault Falcon. I recieved type ratings on the Boeing 737, Airbus A320 and Falcon. Presently I am employed with Southwest Airlines as a pilot. Spartan is an outstanding school and in my opinion has an outstanding aviation program in all fields of the industry.
I am very happy with my decision to attend Spartan for AMT course. It has furthered my career enormously. My first job after graduating was as a mechanic for an Air Charter. I am now a Senior Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Spartan provided me with the knowledge and training to succeed in the airline industry and motivated me to continue my education as well. I moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma to attend Spartan. My first job after graduating was with a commercial airline. I’m now an AMT instructor.
Could not have had career without Spartan. My first job after graduating was as a Flight Engineer with Pan American World Airways. I’m now retired from Pan American World Airways as a B-747 captain.
I enjoyed my time at Spartan and still stay in contact with roommates who went through the Spartan training. I can tell you for a fact one can always tell a Spartan trained A&P. They are the best mechanics and employees.
don’t ever waste your time going to that place your time and money is better spent else where
I forgot that it’s the location that is really horrible the training on the other hand is practical and effective the time that I spent there was not to my liking because everything was so far away it’s like everything was 10 miles apart but you will find instructors there with real world experience from all different fields in aviation
Before attending “Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology” I was called by a Spartan recruiter, who made Spartan College seem like the best aeronautical college available and made it seem as though the only ones who are accepted are the exception in society, later to find out that there are literally homeless, and meth addicts who attend Spartan College.
During the process of getting in to Spartan College I came across an issue of accreditation and transfer of credits, in the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology catalog, P.30 paragraph 10, states that transfer is up to the specific school, and to contact the “Registrar’s Office” of Spartan College for known schools who accept the ACCSC accreditation. I specifically made note to ask the recruiter about the transfer issue and he seemed oblivious to any problems whatsoever but promised to look into it. The next day he had an answer, and gave me a list of colleges that would accept the credits from Spartan. At this point I dropped the issue.
After completing my first 6 week term at Spartan College I was already amazed at the fact that Spartan was considered a professional school of higher learning, while working as a cashier at Sears Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, I was having a conversation with a former student of Spartan who advised me to look deep into the accreditation issues and other issues. After long investigation I found that the Colleges in which my recruiter advised would accept all my credits, would not. University of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, and Oklahoma University all refused to accept anything other that general education classes which would transfer as zero level courses.
Infuriated at the untruths I took it upon myself to investigate further among the student body, to quickly find out that I am not the only person to whom the recruiters were dishonest, or stretched the truth to promote enrolment. I have a written paper stating “Having signed this paper I confirm that my recruiter for ‘Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology’ was dishonest, avoided difficult questions or stretched the truth in any way.” With nine student names and signatures, willing to vouch for these facts.
After doing the math of my own financial aid from my statements, I found that I should have had around $400 in excess funds after the first term. I requested access to these funds at this time and was denied, and told that I could not collect excess funds until I am within 6 months of graduation. I thought nothing of this at the time. later to find that Federal Law states that excess funds have to be released to the student. Apparently in 2005 a student filed a complaint against Spartan, citing Federal Student Loan Fraud because Spartan was keeping excess funds from student accounts.
In the Training Agreement form of the application on the second page under the section marked “Termination or Withdrawal after Commencement of Classes” it states “Withdrawal after the first week of the academic year (30 weeks of class) but within the first 25% of the academic year the College will retain 25% of the academic year’s tuition plus $150.00.” On the 37th day, 7 weeks 2 days, (24.6667%) I requested an official transcript from the school and was denied by the student accounts, ****** ******* who would not explain the issue in a concise professional manner and became increasingly angry, to the point of raising her voice when I did not understand.
I unknowingly owed money to the school, therefore could not receive the transcript. It took 6 class days until I was told exactly why I supposedly owed money. Not only did they tell me that I supposedly owed because the financial aid disbursements were “weird,” I was also told that I fell into the category of withdrawal after 25% of the academic year but within 50% of the academic year; the college will retain 50% of the academic year tuition plus $150.00.
After bringing up these issues to an administrator I was told that regardless of what I were told I need to read what I had signed and was talked to as if I were a middle school child who been sent to the office for swearing, I spoke with the Dean of Education on Wednesday April 25th and was told that I would hear back from him the next morning however I did not hear anything until I contacted them on Monday April 30th.
Bottom line- avoid this school! it is not professional at all, its a money scam. they will not help you deal with any issues, nor will they keep their word with much of anything they personally promise to you. if you come to them with an issue that is difficult for them to answer, they just won’t, they will basically tell you that you are crazy. I’ve had more issues than what i have written here. Again, do yourself a favor and avoid this school.
F/O Bert here again folks. From the posts after mine on 4/30 I have to sit back and laugh! Grow up and get your facts correct.
Again, I drive B757/767, I am very happy about what I do, and I could CARE LESS what is said about others. I am only trying to HELP prospective students understand that other choices exist, and gather all of your facts and information before you make those choices.
The review made by STUDENT on May 18 is SPOT ON, and very will written.
Also, did anybody notice the web page? The pilot program is NOT LISTED!!! Why? They are not accepting new flight students at this time. Go figure.
This could be a good sign, maybe the school can focus on the real issue (Training and not $$$$$$) and get back on top of the way they were in the 1960′s and 1970′s. They were great back then, it all slipped away.
Until these changes get done, I would avoid this school.
Fly Safe!!!
Bert M.
F/O B757/767