Anyone got news of ADP in California?

[FairAir]

I have been going to ADP for a number of years and thought I would see their new offices in Chino when I was in LA on business last week. Surprise, surprise, they were not in Suite 101.:sad:
Someone there told me they had gone bankrupt shortly after moving there in the New Year. :confused:
I had been in Brackett when they were moving in Jan of this year, so wondered what happened to them. They were a friendly if diverse group of people and Ari was a nice guy, but since Mark left there seemed to be something going on. Dark dealings?! Appreciate knowing, as I am sure the other ADP fans here.

[susoal]

I have been going to ADP for a number of years and thought I would see their new offices in Chino when I was in LA on business last week. Surprise, surprise, they were not in Suite 101.:sad:
Someone there told me they had gone bankrupt shortly after moving there in the New Year. :confused:
I had been in Brackett when they were moving in Jan of this year, so wondered what happened to them. They were a friendly if diverse group of people and Ari was a nice guy, but since Mark left there seemed to be something going on. Dark dealings?! Appreciate knowing, as I am sure the other ADP fans here.


Hello. I used to work for ADP many years ago and I became good friends with Mark, Ari and the whole bunch.
Latest news I have is that Ari is AWOL, with about 2 million dollars of investors money. This coming from a good source...I think.....The move to Chino Airport never took place and he left behind a big mess.....:\

[FairAir]

Thanks Susual, I assumed soemthing like that had happened. I too was friendly with Mark, more than Ari, as he was expecially sympathetic when I lost my partner in a flying incident a few years ago, but continued going out to ADP on my own. Sad that such a "cheap" deal is lost to the aviation world. If you could fly ADP planes, you could manage anything! When did you work there and where, ops or instruction?

[Sensible]

Any idea where Mark moved on to? he was certainly a good guy to deal with!

[boogie-nicey]

I went to ADP too and got all my certificates and ratings there. Brackett was the only airport in the world I still call home and this absence of ADP is sad to say the least. Ari was a good guy to me and always pulled some strings to help with my tight schedule, alongside Mark they made me feel VERY welcome. When I left university they knoecked the site down, so that's gone. When I did a couple of biennal refreshers for my FAA PPL in the UK with an equally nice chap in Humberside he passed away, now I hear the demise of ADP.

It really is too much for me to accept. I'll have to make Aerofan my new home now ..... :)

[potkettleblack]

I found this link from a previous thread here on pprune. Just under a $1.0m owing.

http://www.allbusiness.com/periodicals/article/867521-1.html

[boogie-nicey]

And to think they were always busy whenever I went over there and had international students whereas many other schools only attracted local weekend flyers. Sometimes I can't understand the dynamic nature of business where the most active and apparently successful go under and everyon'e scratching their head. By the way does anyone remember what Ari's surname is?

[FairAir]

:sad: Thanks to all of you for the responses. Mark is now in IT in the Pomona area, but I don't have his contact details, would be happy if someone can at least give the name of the company. I did wonder when he left, as he was definitely honest and dependable from my perspective.
Ari's surname was Lapin

[Sensible]

I too lament the passing of ADP.

I have been renting an Arrow from Universal Air in El Monte, just down the road. These people are also first class. And aircraft are usually available on the day they are booked! Again, like ADP expect low prices not new aircraft but they are generally in better shape than ADP's battered but serviceable fleet.

[pira]

Hi,
I got some of my licenses at ADP back in 1995. Ari David Lapin is his full name.
I got a very nice instructor there, but found the school messy. The plane was never available and that big book was erased more than 20 times in one day to try to accomodate all the changes.It was clear to me they did not have a good planning. Ari always seemed to be much more worried for the money than with his clients and I found him totaly careless.
Last year I went there on june just to refresh my memories and I even run in that motorhome park besides the airport.It was a nice feeling, because my career started there.I remembered my flights, ILS 26L and the day I first saw a Gulfstram (during the DRAG racing weekend).
When I got into ADP I was very disapointed with what I saw.It looked somehow abandoned and, honestely, I was expecting people to give me a warm "welcome home". I didn't get anything and, although I was treated politely, I felt they were very cold. Since I left ADP in 1995 I managed to have a nice aviation career flying since turbo-props, passing trough Bizjets, to commercial jets like B737, MD11 and, now, B777. I went there bacause, since Í don't live in USA, I was willing to get my FAA ATPL and thought how nice it would be to get it in the same school everything started.I was willing to thank them for everything and to remember the old times together.
Unfortunately, it didn't happen this way.I drove a long way from LA to there, but stayed only 5 minutes inside.Although I mentioned I was looking for getting my ATPL with them, they all seemed to be more worried about something else.The school was empty and I didn't see any student.I asked about Ari and someone said shortely: "he still owns the school".
I left ADP with a mix of sadness and disapointment and I decided to get my ATPL somewhere else, what I did a few months later.
I think, maybe, they were not focus enough in the costumer service.
Take care you all.

Pira

[boogie-nicey]

Is there a flight school in LA that has that same homely/welcoming feel that ADP used to have before it's current day problems? Someplace that has a good airport environment even a bit of dramatic scenary, you know the place where you wake up excited to go flying.

Please help me, Brackett airport was ingrained in my mind and I need to setup a new home base next time I head to the US for some flying.

[Sensible]

Well El Monte is even better than Brackett in my opinion, closer to the mountains and the approach and departure need a bit more concentration too!

[FairAir]

I feel the same lost feeling having gone to ADP on and off for ten years. Their planes did look bad, but i never had more than the Chieftain with flap failure once - surprising from the look of the planes, but I know they were well maintained thanks to a terrific crew in the hanger.
Thanks for the El Monte address I'll check them out next time I', "over there".
:ok:

[potkettleblack]

I know what you mean Boogie. I felt the same at a long closed down school in Florida called Britannia. Nothing flash or pretentious and you got what it said on the tin. Loads of Europeans (mainly Brits) passing through and a great night out on the lash was always to be had.

[FairAir]

Now that ADP is no more, I will need to move airports. Anyone have any suggestions for Southern California. A couple of people recommended Universal Air in El Monte. Does anyone have experience of them, or can propose another outfit where I can build hours without breaking the bank?;)

[the_daddy]

Try Gilesspie in El Cajon. I had a great time there, if you wan't to know what school then I'll have to PM you as it gets blocked on here for some reason!

[Sensible]

I think that you will find that Britannia was a one off. Nothing like it that I have found since anyway!

[boogie-nicey]

Looks like I'm going to have to head out to Bob's Flight school and Diner then! :E

[FairAir]

Thanks for the suggestion The Daddy, but a bit too far south for me. I have friends who have a ranch north of San Dieo but I would prefer to fly out of LA basin if possible, as I have even more friends in that area.
Keep flying ;)

[the_daddy]

No problems! Better to have more options than none at all though! Think I looked into the Long Beach area before choosing San Diego, must be some nice airfields around there with great views on departure/approach etc.

[iceman1980]

There is a brilliant flying school in long beach called ANGEL CITY FLYERS!

I am currently studying towards my Multi/IR/Commercial license with them, then going bck to the UK to do my ATPL's And then my conversions!

They Specialise in instrument proficiency but cater all the way up to flying instructor!

The fleet comprises of 3 Diamondstar DA40's with a DA42 arriving later this year all with G1000 glass cockpits! They also have access to the usual C172SP, C152, P28's and seneca Multi engine!

They are a very friendly and welcoming flying school and are well priced in comparison to other companies not offering the same level of customer service or high level of instruction and tuition!

I would highly recommend this flying school to any one:D

[kala87]

Shame about the demise of ADP. I spent a month there in 1997 flying Archers and Senecas all over the western States. It was a month of amazing experiences (Big Bear, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Catalina Island....)
I think we hired the Archer at $45/hour!! Happy Days indeed (apologies to the Fonz)!

Ari was always helpful, although not very easy to get to know. Is the Mark character many of you are referring to the Aussie Mark who was there in 1997, and who (I think) was CFI at that time?? I remember arriving back on 26L one evening as it was almost dark (I had no night rating at that time), and on entering the office, Mark just looked at his watch, looked back at me, shook his head, and that was that!

Yes, the aircraft could be in less than pristine condition, and they were certainly worked hard. I remember lining up for take-off in an Archer on 26L one morning, and the engine suddenly sounding like a spin drier full of bricks. Turned out to be a gross cylinder failure. Oh well, at least it didn't happen a minute or two later...

Very sorry to hear about ADP's demise, at least I can remember the good days.