Kingron
24th May 2005, 22:07
So I just read the post about Naples Air Centre. As I am here I thought I might be able to give some true insight in to what is going on.
1. Accommodation. I called my hotel the day before I arrived and they had not received confirmation of my arrival. Naples Air Centre had sent it - But the E-mail system at the hotel was down. It still is. If you are coming, call the hotel a couple of days before you arrive and check your confirmation. Don't worry about lack of Wifi at the hotel though; it’s free at the Air Centre. Just bring your lap top.
2. Too Many Students. Ha Ha! It is a small air centre. They could do with a couple more private study rooms BUT there are those doing the PPL - who tend to stick together are here for 2 - 5 weeks and who study in the school and at the hotel. And there are those on the CPL or APTL courses who are in classes for most of the day. There is a good amount of banter, always someone to talk to and always a great atmosphere in the place.
3. Not enough aircraft - no time slots. Well tomorrow I am flying twice, once in the morning once in the afternoon. At any time I can call or I can ask what my schedule is for the next day and they will tell me. Yes it is subject to change - but I have not yet lost an hour of flying for anything other than the weather. AND I have not lost and hour to the weather yet either.
4. Lessons in the plane - yes you are taught to fly the plane. You need to listen and learn. You want to pay for ground school they will happily give you more ground school lessons. However its about self motivation. Pass the exams before you come - ideally but if you can't, buy the books (or CD's) and study when you get here.
- On the subject of the Oxford CD's I find they don't have enough detail in them and the books are better. Nikki has been a wonderful help at the Air School, and she saved me a fortune. Buy as much of your kit out here - especially headsets and books if you are not going to use them first. The dollar is good at the moment - Take advantage.
5. Accommodation - Yes its a 10 minute car ride away. I have hired a car. Book one in the UK and it will cost about £100 per week. You are in Florida, you can walk to the old town of Naples from the hotel and to a local shop but that is it. It is Car Kingdom. You can go by bike. Its a 10 min cycle ride to the air centre from the hotel - quicker than driving at rush hour! Its bloody hot here. I didn’t want to arrive every day hot and sweaty. Plus mid day I can go out for lunch - to the mall or the local shops - Subway is very close. The mall is a short (10 Min) drive but there is a cheap food court.
There is loads to do and see here so a car gives you flexibility - BUT others have cars - I am happy to take people out so many on tighter budgets manage well without cars.
The Wellesley hotel which is 10 mins away is $35 per night for a KING SIZE Bedroom. Its Bloody Cheap. You can get cheaper accommodation if you want but you will be sharing with people - mostly males, mostly who will not be very tidy.
The pool at the hotel is clean and usually fairly empty.
6. Property in Naples is expensive if you want to buy property say a 4 bed 4 bath house on the beach front you would spend a couple of $million. They say it is the most expensive and exclusive area in Florida. Better than living in the grottos of Birmingham or Sheffield.
You can eat here for $3 up to $35 a meal. You want posh they have posh. My average meal has been about $8. (Breakfast is free in the hotel) (yes for $35)
7. Schedules are changed when planes need repair. They are also changed if the weather changes. If a teacher is ill or something else unforeseen happens then yes there might be issues. I have not experienced ANY.
8. I have not heard of students failing the PPL. I have heard that they have not reached the required standards because they are not studying enough, or they just don’t get it. To get your PPL in 45 hours is very very difficult. I do not think I will achieve it in 4 weeks. I don't have the ability. I should not blame others for my lack of ability. However if I really wanted to I could but I am looking forward to coming back here in the Autumn to see Nikki and the Crew again and hopefully finish off then. (I am only 1/4 of the way through my time here now but you have to be realistic). If you are academic and take things up quickly you will have no issues.
9. The Teaching here is excellent. Yes the teachers get hot and bothered - they work in a small tin can that we the student throw them about in. They are young, and they are working to build up their hours so they can get better jobs. They are not paid very well. I know that for a fact. I know it because I am the student paying them and as the student I DONT PAY VERY MUCH! Fuel here has doubled in the last year. The rates for plane hire have not. I dont think there is much money in either running a training establishment or working at one.
Compare it to the UK. - you can't. The cost, the weather and the environment.
10. Back to Back Flying. I have never had two flights back to back. Tomorrow is typical. 8am Flight and 2pm Flight. Plenty of time in-between for study and for lunch.
11. If you are brain of Britain and you have passed all your exams before you come you can complete the course on time on budget. Otherwise - take a view - a relaxed one that things do not always run to time or plan and the most likely thing to let you down is YOU!
12. People graduate from Naples every day. There is a huge turnaround and a lot of success stories. When dealing with the public there are always a few “..ankers” that you cannot please. There are always moaners and complainers. But be realistic. You need to fly 45 hours in 3 weeks. That 15 hours a week. Allowing for your first weekend and 1 day off a week you are never going to get enough hours in and Learn at the same time. You could but you will be miserable.
13. Each 1 hour flight requires 20 mins pre-flight at 10 mins after flight. You need to allow around 2 hours per slot. You cannot do 3 slots a day - you can but you will be too tired to enjoy your flying lessons and experience.
14. Naples is run like a business. Yes if it doesn’t make money it wont be there. But the management are courteous, and kind as are all the instructors and students. Everyone is hear to help. Nicky and Bea are superb and very knowledgeable. They have both offered me loads of support and encouragement.
15. Knowledge of the English Language is very important. If you cannot communicate to Air Traffic Control in English you should not be here or in the air for that matter - buy a ticket like the rest! There are students here from UK, France, Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, South America, The Netherlands - plus other countries. All are welcome and feel welcome I am sure.
16. I have been here for 9 days, I am here for a total of 28 days. I will be coming back. I am surprised that many of the people I have met have been here 3 or 4 times already. They come to get the PPL then the night rating or more hours, then for Weather Ratings... Its great to spend time with Like minded people.
If you are thinking of coming here and are worried about complaints posted on Pprune, think of McDonalds - and the problems they had when they were sued for serving HOT Coffee. You cannot please everyone but if only one or two are not happy - who is it who has the problem!
Kingron.
Feel Free to message me if you are thinking of coming and have any questions. If you are going to be here before the 20th June I will look forward to meeting you!
1. Accommodation. I called my hotel the day before I arrived and they had not received confirmation of my arrival. Naples Air Centre had sent it - But the E-mail system at the hotel was down. It still is. If you are coming, call the hotel a couple of days before you arrive and check your confirmation. Don't worry about lack of Wifi at the hotel though; it’s free at the Air Centre. Just bring your lap top.
2. Too Many Students. Ha Ha! It is a small air centre. They could do with a couple more private study rooms BUT there are those doing the PPL - who tend to stick together are here for 2 - 5 weeks and who study in the school and at the hotel. And there are those on the CPL or APTL courses who are in classes for most of the day. There is a good amount of banter, always someone to talk to and always a great atmosphere in the place.
3. Not enough aircraft - no time slots. Well tomorrow I am flying twice, once in the morning once in the afternoon. At any time I can call or I can ask what my schedule is for the next day and they will tell me. Yes it is subject to change - but I have not yet lost an hour of flying for anything other than the weather. AND I have not lost and hour to the weather yet either.
4. Lessons in the plane - yes you are taught to fly the plane. You need to listen and learn. You want to pay for ground school they will happily give you more ground school lessons. However its about self motivation. Pass the exams before you come - ideally but if you can't, buy the books (or CD's) and study when you get here.
- On the subject of the Oxford CD's I find they don't have enough detail in them and the books are better. Nikki has been a wonderful help at the Air School, and she saved me a fortune. Buy as much of your kit out here - especially headsets and books if you are not going to use them first. The dollar is good at the moment - Take advantage.
5. Accommodation - Yes its a 10 minute car ride away. I have hired a car. Book one in the UK and it will cost about £100 per week. You are in Florida, you can walk to the old town of Naples from the hotel and to a local shop but that is it. It is Car Kingdom. You can go by bike. Its a 10 min cycle ride to the air centre from the hotel - quicker than driving at rush hour! Its bloody hot here. I didn’t want to arrive every day hot and sweaty. Plus mid day I can go out for lunch - to the mall or the local shops - Subway is very close. The mall is a short (10 Min) drive but there is a cheap food court.
There is loads to do and see here so a car gives you flexibility - BUT others have cars - I am happy to take people out so many on tighter budgets manage well without cars.
The Wellesley hotel which is 10 mins away is $35 per night for a KING SIZE Bedroom. Its Bloody Cheap. You can get cheaper accommodation if you want but you will be sharing with people - mostly males, mostly who will not be very tidy.
The pool at the hotel is clean and usually fairly empty.
6. Property in Naples is expensive if you want to buy property say a 4 bed 4 bath house on the beach front you would spend a couple of $million. They say it is the most expensive and exclusive area in Florida. Better than living in the grottos of Birmingham or Sheffield.
You can eat here for $3 up to $35 a meal. You want posh they have posh. My average meal has been about $8. (Breakfast is free in the hotel) (yes for $35)
7. Schedules are changed when planes need repair. They are also changed if the weather changes. If a teacher is ill or something else unforeseen happens then yes there might be issues. I have not experienced ANY.
8. I have not heard of students failing the PPL. I have heard that they have not reached the required standards because they are not studying enough, or they just don’t get it. To get your PPL in 45 hours is very very difficult. I do not think I will achieve it in 4 weeks. I don't have the ability. I should not blame others for my lack of ability. However if I really wanted to I could but I am looking forward to coming back here in the Autumn to see Nikki and the Crew again and hopefully finish off then. (I am only 1/4 of the way through my time here now but you have to be realistic). If you are academic and take things up quickly you will have no issues.
9. The Teaching here is excellent. Yes the teachers get hot and bothered - they work in a small tin can that we the student throw them about in. They are young, and they are working to build up their hours so they can get better jobs. They are not paid very well. I know that for a fact. I know it because I am the student paying them and as the student I DONT PAY VERY MUCH! Fuel here has doubled in the last year. The rates for plane hire have not. I dont think there is much money in either running a training establishment or working at one.
Compare it to the UK. - you can't. The cost, the weather and the environment.
10. Back to Back Flying. I have never had two flights back to back. Tomorrow is typical. 8am Flight and 2pm Flight. Plenty of time in-between for study and for lunch.
11. If you are brain of Britain and you have passed all your exams before you come you can complete the course on time on budget. Otherwise - take a view - a relaxed one that things do not always run to time or plan and the most likely thing to let you down is YOU!
12. People graduate from Naples every day. There is a huge turnaround and a lot of success stories. When dealing with the public there are always a few “..ankers” that you cannot please. There are always moaners and complainers. But be realistic. You need to fly 45 hours in 3 weeks. That 15 hours a week. Allowing for your first weekend and 1 day off a week you are never going to get enough hours in and Learn at the same time. You could but you will be miserable.
13. Each 1 hour flight requires 20 mins pre-flight at 10 mins after flight. You need to allow around 2 hours per slot. You cannot do 3 slots a day - you can but you will be too tired to enjoy your flying lessons and experience.
14. Naples is run like a business. Yes if it doesn’t make money it wont be there. But the management are courteous, and kind as are all the instructors and students. Everyone is hear to help. Nicky and Bea are superb and very knowledgeable. They have both offered me loads of support and encouragement.
15. Knowledge of the English Language is very important. If you cannot communicate to Air Traffic Control in English you should not be here or in the air for that matter - buy a ticket like the rest! There are students here from UK, France, Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, South America, The Netherlands - plus other countries. All are welcome and feel welcome I am sure.
16. I have been here for 9 days, I am here for a total of 28 days. I will be coming back. I am surprised that many of the people I have met have been here 3 or 4 times already. They come to get the PPL then the night rating or more hours, then for Weather Ratings... Its great to spend time with Like minded people.
If you are thinking of coming here and are worried about complaints posted on Pprune, think of McDonalds - and the problems they had when they were sued for serving HOT Coffee. You cannot please everyone but if only one or two are not happy - who is it who has the problem!
Kingron.
Feel Free to message me if you are thinking of coming and have any questions. If you are going to be here before the 20th June I will look forward to meeting you!