Westbeach Flight Academy - Halfpenny Green

[midlands flyer]

Looks like another casualty? they have recently down sized loosing their HoT, another key instructor and their Helicopter link person. Looks like they are suspending commercial training?

I am now considering other schools for my training!

[PPRuNe Towers]

If paying for any services there whether by credit or debit card.

Check the heading of the printout from the little machine very carefully to see if your money is going to an entirely non aviation company. One report of this today.

[WestBeach Student]

I do not agree with the posts above, WestBeach is an honest company that takes the loss of it's students as it's top priority. All instructors have a great approach towards their students, treating them equally and fairly! I plan to do all my training at WestBeach right up to my CPL/IR and MCC ! I have tried other flight schools before and WestBeach is much better!

[PPRuNe Towers]

WBS Are you really a potential student there or staff?

I ask as you complained about this thread with these words:

This is false information! It is trying to sabotage our company by an ex employee Let me make this clear. My post has nothing to do with the original message on this thread. It refers to a report today from an extremely puzzled customer who tells us he found the payment slip showed that his money was going to a care home and not a flying school.

While I may only be fit for a care home rather than a flight deck these days I would be puzzled too and I would have concerns about any payment dispute that might arise.

[goldeneaglepilot]

A little due diligence would seem sensible before anyone parts with a sum of money (by way of advance payment) to any flying school for a course.

The most obvious question is of course is the school able to offer (In its own name and right) the course that is requested. A school requires approval from the CAA to offer training. A quick online check this morning shows Westbeach as not listed on the latest list of CAA approved FTO's to offer CPL and MCC courses. When you google Westbeach Aviation you get taken to a webpage for Halfpenny Green Flying Centre. If you look at their registration with the CAA it shows as Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) Ltd with Halfpenny Green Flying Center as a trading name.

The obvious question is why another change of name to Westbeach aviation? A look on The Companies house website shows the date of incorporation of Halfpenny Green Flying Center Ltd as 26/08/2011 and Westbeach Aviation Ltd as 28/06/2011 (before the other company) Its hard to understand why that is the case? Why pay for all of the branding (letterheads, paperwork, website) to be done twice in such a short period of time?

A further search on Google finds the name of the CEO on his self promotion webpage. A quick check of his directorships shows him to have been a director of 37 companies, some of which are Aviation / Flying school related, including Flight Acadamy (Wolverhampton) ltd - where did that school go?

A google search gives a link to: http://www.pprune.org/professional-pilot-training-includes-ground-studies/442721-flight-academy-wolverhampton.html

In view of these few facts I think Pprune towers advice is sage advice and caution would be sensible.

Whilst checking the register of directorships held by the CEO I could not help but wonder if this was all just a very wierd and unfortunate coincidence. However - based on the directorships it would make me very cautious if I wanted to purchase something from the company. It seems that a lot of effort has gone into creating a number of similar trade companies, rather than concentrating on making one company a sustained business.

Jabber Mir - United Kingdom | LinkedIn (http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/jabber-mir/29/383/642)

Jabber Iqbal Mir - free company director check. Companies House Information (http://company-director-check.co.uk/director/905126126)

Jabber Iqbal Mir - free company director check. Companies House Information (http://company-director-check.co.uk/director/915087205)

Jabber Mir - free company director check. Companies House Information (http://company-director-check.co.uk/director/916115326)

[YaegerAir]

Can it be a coincidence that two key guys get fired due to not fitting in with new culture and these rumours mysteriously star.

The facts,if anyone actually bothers looking into them, appear to be fairly straightforward.
Both Flight Academy Wolverhampton ang Halfpenny Green Flying Centre have been bought out last year and are being rebranded Westbeach but commercial training can only be provided under that name when approved by CAA in due course.
Current approval for CPL sits under Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) trading as Halfpenny Green Flying Centre hence use of that name for the moment.

Director has another very successful care business which allows him to fund new venture until it becomes fully self supporting. Most of the other businesses are actually non trading.

.......but hey, why let the facts get in the way of a good false rumour started by disgruntled employees.

[goldeneaglepilot]

Hi Yaeger Air,

Good to see you as a new poster - it's obvious from what you have said that are connected to all the businesses so perhaps a few questions answered in public by you would help build confidence in the operation.

So here goes:

1: What name appears on the invoices to the students at the moment - is it The Jetstream name, the Halfpenny Green name or the Westbeach name?

2: It's obvious that the Commercial flying instructor has gone - when will the companies be set up again, staff in place and approved by the CAA to provide the commercial training?

3: Please confirm, in view of your published comment (See below), that due to the funds available to the owner that the rumours about outstanding debts are in fact untrue and all the aircraft and associated costs, staff costs, airfield costs etc are paid up to date and other than the expected "30 day" invoices is all that's outstanding? It would be good to hear your reassurance as without doubt it would quash any rumours flying around.
Director has another very successful care business which allows him to fund new venture until it becomes fully self supporting. Most of the other businesses are actually non trading.

4: Perhaps you could explain exactly what happened at Flight Acadamy (Wolverhampton) Ltd, was it untrue that instructors left as their wages had not been paid?

5: Why use the Westbeach name before the respective approvals are in place, it would not be a problem to end the old approval and transfer them to a new company overnight to stop any uncertainty and doubt?

6: I also suspect that you are not 31, as you claim and that your location is currently the Bahamas and your age is closer to 53:ouch::ouch:

[goldeneaglepilot]

Westbeach Leader, from your post I feel it is safe to assume that you have intricate first hand knowledge of the company and its relevant structure and are responding in an "official" way

Commercial training has been voluntarily suspended until August when the new team come on line and CPL/IR MCC FIC training will recommence

Why has the Commercial training been voluntarily suspended. Could it be legally offered today, are the approvals in place today?

I can advise that the situation as described by 'Yeager' is accurate

Therefore it's safe to assume that you are speaking on behalf of the Companies....

Westbeach are also not inclined to get into a bun fight on an anonymous forum.

Then WHY post....

[goldeneaglepilot]

It is true to my knowledge that 2 post holders were removed from the HGFC/FAW (soon to be Westbeach) staff. But this in a least one case was due to misconduct to a significant level.

Strange again a new poster claims to have intimate knowledge of a company. Including disciplinary history of staff.

Regarding the unpaid wages at flight academy wolverhampton that is a historic situation that took place even before the present owners were in place, when it was still owned by Flight academy Blackpool.

The current owners took over Flight Academy (Wolverhampton) in August 2011, the instructors left over wage issues in Feb 2012. The new owner was legally obligated in respect of the wages.

I can also advise you that invoices are headed HGFC and FAW as the company has operated as 2 companies up to this point

So who was the registered training organisation?

I have had reason to use the companies services myself and have consulted my archived invoices to establish this fact.

So on one hand you have intimate knowledge of all manner of internal issues at the company and on the other you claim to have used the companies services yourself. WHICH is it? I have never been as a customer to a company and experienced such incredible disclosure.

You can be assured I would be the first to distance myself from a dubious operator due to my position

And what position would that be?

This thread does nothing but pointlessly and unfairly damage the image of EGBO and a operator attempting to form a useful enterprise.

A few points to ponder:

What exactly does 'voluntarily suspended' mean?

An action volunteered to whom?


If entering the building just which of the dizzying myriad of companies is actually training me?


Is it the name on the door, or the invoice or the credit/debit slip?


Why would I as a trainee pilot or PPL being paying a care home?


If for any reason I have a dispute which company is it actually with?


Why might my money going somewhere else entirely when I key my PIN into the PDQ machine?


If Instructors appear to have had their TUPE rights ignored during the dance of Companies House what chance do I have if I perceive a problem?

So how do you know that its damaging EGBO? It may be doing exactly the opposite, that is protecting the innocent supplier (such as mechanics, the airfield itself, or the customers)

I strongly suggest that you are heavily involved with all three companies.

Should anyone wanting to buy services from any of the three companies then caution should be made and check that the company providing the service is the company you pay and who gives you a receipt.

[Willy44]

I did my PPL at Half Penny Green Flight Centre that went bust & is now basically the Flight Academy. They claim it's a different business but same instructors & same style of business. Multi instructors while doing your PPL, I had over 10, they almost never cancel a lesson due to bad weather, you will be doing constant bad weather circuits. I almost gave up the PPL course a few times because of the poor service I was getting. By luck a decent part time instructor came along towards the end & I finished the PPL with him.
At the time I knew nothing about flying, I now know I was being ripped off left right & centre. Even after I finished the PPL they forced all students to convert to a DA40 from PA28 at 8 - 10 hours conversion & after about 6 months the DA40 was repossessed so everyone had to revert back to a PA28. I notice only this week The Flight Academy have changed their Cirrus SR20 to DA40 , I guess a few people will now be doing unneeded conversions again.
After they went bust I changed to the Flying School Ltd at Half Penny Green (01384 221700) for renting there PA 28, I quickly realised how bad the Flight Centre \ Flight Academy is run. I have since done my IMC with the Flying School Ltd & I am very impressed with them. The aircraft are in excellent condition, The lessons \ Slots are on time, No upfront fees & generally a very well run small business not out to rip people off.
If you are looking to do a PPL in West Midlands then you won't get better than the Flying School Ltd.

[goldeneaglepilot]

Hi Mcgoo,

Good post, I'm surprised that they let students fly in negative equity.

I do respectfully remind you of the post of "yeager air" who I suspect is in fact the CEO
The facts,if anyone actually bothers looking into them, appear to be fairly straightforward.
Both Flight Academy Wolverhampton ang Halfpenny Green Flying Centre have been bought out last year and are being rebranded Westbeach but commercial training can only be provided under that name when approved by CAA in due course.
Current approval for CPL sits under Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) trading as Halfpenny Green Flying Centre hence use of that name for the moment.
It looks like none of the questions I asked earlier have been answered by any of the full time staff.

Its incredible that back in 2011 you were training in the name of Westbeach long before ANY attempt was made to get that company associated with a RTO / FTO. Why not train as Halfpenny Green Flying Center Ltd - I don't understand?

SO WHICH OF THE MYRIAD OF COMPANIES IS TRAINING THE STUDENTS AND WHO HOLDS THE APPROVAL? Who held the actual approval in the early months for each trading entity?

[goldeneaglepilot]

Westbeach leader,

Thanks for the invite, I might take you up on that. I have had a number of emails tonight. One suggested that I ask for C..... as she is the boss and works closely with the director, is that who I should ask for? Is that you?

[westbeach Leader]

to GEP, the only C's we have are a PPL FI and a saturday OPs girl.
So wrong info there.
Pop down and Westbeach Leader will be there.

[Cows getting bigger]

This should be relatively easy to clear up. In my experience there are a significant number of companies (legal entities) that are called "Something Boring Ltd" but they choose to trade as "Something Really Intersting". A quick look at the Approval Certificate (which should be hanging on the wall in the FTO) will answer the question with the CAA not being averse to issuing an approval saying "Something Boring Ltd trading as Something Really Interesting"

Any monetary transactions may have Something Really Intersting written across the top of an invoice (normally with a snazzy logo) but the Someting Boring Ltd name needs to be visible in the company details bit (including registration numbers etc) written in a very small font across the bottom.

[Rote 8]

I notice that no one has questioned the motivation behind the original posting from midland flyer. This character appears to have registered on pprune around 8.5 years ago and has only made 2 posts in that time. Although I cannot find the other posting; which was probably made around December of 2003 I would imagine that it would have been placed solely to further the interests of this party, whatever they may be.

When he or she states that they are now considering other schools for their training I can’t help wondering whether they mean delivering that training rather than receiving it...

[172 driver]

What a strange thread. I would normally avoid getting involved but seem to have been drawn into this in rather an unexpected fashion.

It’s not unusual to see those attacking an organisation remaining anonymous but I’m surprised that those defending the school under the names ‘Westbeach Student’ and ‘Westbeach Leader’ also wish to remain anonymous. An honourable mention for ‘mcgoo’ here.

It’s the poster ‘Lasham172’ who really intrigues me. Why do I get the feeling that’s meant to be me? := What’s that about? Bizarre.

For the avoidance of doubt, I only ever post on pprune under the name of ‘172 driver’ and not very often. I don’t feel the need to appear anonymous.

Alastair Mackinnon
Operations Manager, Wolverhampton / Halfpenny Green Airport.

[Flying low again]

Hi Kermorvan,

I don't know if HPG is your closest airfield or not, but it would be ashame if you are serious about flying for you to chose another airfield on the basis of rumours/bad press concerning one flying school.
I am based at Half penny and having visited quite a few airfields over the last few years I can honestly say it is the among the friendliest of places with good facilities and three Tarmac runways to boot.

I am not trying to defend west beach, they certainly do have issues, however there are three other schools on the airfield as well as a micro light school.
If you are looking for friendly professional training then you could try speaking to Andy at the flying school or Bob at Wolverhampton flight training.

Footnote: I am in no way associated with any of the flying clubs at HPG other than as a ppl. I do not have any business interest at the airfield, flying club or otherwise, I just enjoy flying and spending time there and do not want any negative press to affect the airfield unfairly.

[goldeneaglepilot]

Sadly the questions seem to continue about Westbeach and its operation. It would appear that people have felt the real need to ask the question - "Who exactly is that I am trading with, what is the trading entity that I need to serve my letters and papers on for recovery of money"

In an earlier post this question was asked (keeping in mind that a number of Westbeach staff were posting on the thread - including one calling himself "Westbeach Leader")

Please confirm, in view of your published comment (See below), that due to the funds available to the owner that the rumours about outstanding debts are in fact untrue and all the aircraft and associated costs, staff costs, airfield costs etc are paid up to date and other than the expected "30 day" invoices is all that's outstanding? It would be good to hear your reassurance as without doubt it would quash any rumours flying around.





I know that some of the creditors have been generous with offering repayment plans. However the attempts to hide behind a multitude of names does not give the creditors a warm and fuzzy feeling...

[dopeandfabric]

oh do tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spent most of the day sitting on a phone to some annually retentive (spelling mistake intended) government department listening to "your call is important to us- please hold the line!" when they really mean we couldnt give a bug that you are on the phone and we wont answer it!!!

Could do with a good laugh!

[goldeneaglepilot]

"Curiouser and curiouser! said Alice" - Well, I am certain that neither Lewis Carroll or Robert Lundrum or even Douglas Adams could have written the script!!


This thread has taken many twists and turns, the latest is a PM I received from DA42queen. Normally PM's remain private, unless they are deliberately designed to mislead.


DA42Queen, who sent the PM, just happens to use the same (FIXED) IP address as Westbeach Leader, WestBeach Student and Lasham 172.

It's reasonable to assume that they share the same Internet provider and have all used the same internet connection at some point during their communications with this thread. If we look at the wording of the posting by Lasham 172, anyone with a little background knowledge might be WRONGLY led to think that Lasham 172 was perhaps the Airfield Manager at Halfpenny Green, who flies a 172 and did work at Lasham, He is a highly respected person who is renown for his honesty and integrity, he is also a Magistrate. With that in mind it's worth reading again the posting - (which had been deleted, following the Airfield Managers post rebuking the post of Lasham 172)

Deleted post of Lasham 172:

I must take issue with the nature of the posts on this tread. It is true to my knowledge that 2 post holders were removed from the HGFC/FAW (soon to be Westbeach) staff. But this in a least one case was due to misconduct to a significant level. This individual has a history of being a most confrontational individual and I can fully understand that the company had no choice in terminating his employ. Airfields like EGBO HAVE to survive for the good of GA, and they can only survive if operators exist and can work effectively. As for bringing the CEO into it, that is quite frankly absurd. Regarding the unpaid wages at flight academy wolverhampton that is a historic situation that took place even before the present owners were in place, when it was still owned by Flight academy Blackpool. I can also advise you that invoices are headed HGFC and FAW as the company has operated as 2 companies up to this point. I have had reason to use the companies services myself and have consulted my archived invoices to establish this fact. You can be assured I would be the first to distance myself from a dubious operator due to my position. and I can assure you Goldeneaglepilot, that your investigation is flawed and indeed misinformed. These rambling would be thrown out of any court of law I am familiar with, and they should be discarded as trivia on here.
This thread does nothing but pointlessly and unfairly damage the image of EGBO and a operator attempting to form a useful enterprise.

Yesterday I received a PM from DA42 Queen. The content is below:


Westbeach Flight Academy
Hello Sir,
I dont like the PPRuNe forum at all, in fact I aviod it. But this information about westbeach concerns me. I am in talks with them to lease an aircraft from myself. Could you tell me, are any facts i should be aware of. I have met with the key personel there and all appears fine. Their story is that this PPRuNe stuff is the work of an ex staff member!
You appear to have a woking knowlage of this operator!
Any info you could pass onto so as to help me make an informed decision on involving myself with westbeach would be a great help.
Thanks.


Well DA42 Queen, I suspect that as you have used the same IP address as the others then you are indeed already involved with Westbeach.

My working knowledge "of this operator" is from what can be obtained in the Public Domain.

Rather than setting up numerous users, all from the same internet account, users which when you read the posts seem to try to portray a "story", would it not be easier to establish credibility (if there is nothing to hide and no problems) to simply answer the question posted sometime ago?

To recap, the main question (from post 8 on 12th July) was:

3: Please confirm, in view of your published comment (See below), that due to the funds available to the owner that the rumours about outstanding debts are in fact untrue and all the aircraft and associated costs, staff costs, airfield costs etc are paid up to date and other than the expected "30 day" invoices is all that's outstanding? It would be good to hear your reassurance as without doubt it would quash any rumours flying around.

For anyone reading this who does not understand why the posting has been made, its simple really - there have been numerous calls from creditors (to various parties) confused as to exactly what company (within the "Westbeach" name change umbrella) owes them money and who they should be addressing to serve papers to recover money.

Perhaps this is all a simple misunderstanding.

[goldeneaglepilot]

Mcgoo -

To quote your last post:

As I said anyone is welcome to drop in anytime

Forgive me, but in your previous posts I could not remember any invitation to visit for anyone, however Westbeach leader did make an invitation.

Are you now saying that you are not just an instructor there and have a part in running Westbeach?

All of this is very confusing with numerous "new" posters all sharing the same fixed IP address. I appreciate that you are indeed a well respected instructor at HG and are in no way a new poster but do work there Mcgoo - the question remains from before, perhaps a quick word with "Westbeach" leader might be helpful and will allow the question to be answered:

3: Please confirm, (part quote removed for clarity)that due to the funds available to the owner that the rumours about outstanding debts are in fact untrue and all the aircraft and associated costs, staff costs, airfield costs etc are paid up to date and other than the expected "30 day" invoices is all that's outstanding? It would be good to hear your reassurance as without doubt it would quash any rumours flying around.

You have answered the question in respect to staff - how about the other things? A positive answer would help reassure others who are not so confident, if you are unable to answer with first hand knowledge, then perhaps just saying that you can only comment on the parts of the question that you have direct knowledge of might help..

[GolfLima]

Well this has been entertaining...!

I'm pretty sure this ridiculous thread alone would put off enough students to go with 'Westbeach Flight Academy'. It's always fun when people do underhand things to try and protect themselves and are then caught out.

Goldeneagle, I tip my hat to you! :D

[goldeneaglepilot]

Still no answer to the REAL question....

3: Please confirm, (part quote removed for clarity)that due to the funds available to the owner that the rumours about outstanding debts are in fact untrue and all the aircraft and associated costs, staff costs, airfield costs etc are paid up to date and other than the expected "30 day" invoices is all that's outstanding? It would be good to hear your reassurance as without doubt it would quash any rumours flying around.



Furthermore there are several students who obviously do not feel the way you say, hence this thread.

So come on Mcgoo - you say on the one hand that your not staff, and the on the other you talk about financial matters which would require financial insight into the company. Are you trying to say that your not part of the Westbeach staff and that your a freelance instructor who happens to work there, to quote what you said earlier:

No i'm not staff, just your regular overworked, underpaid instructor but doing well

To quote what you said about the financial affairs:

All staff paid again

Now why would any company tell a freelance instructor details of the finances?

Please pass regards to sue.sue.sue ................. (Mcgoo, should understand within the context of Westbeach)

[mad_jock]

Not getting involved with the bun fight

GEP every instructor in a school knows who has been payed and who hasn't. Usually through the refueller.

[goldeneaglepilot]

Would be happy to - if the answer to the often repeated question was "yes, everyone is paid up to date and all that is outstanding are invoices that came in during the last thirty days and no one is chasing the company for unpaid bills, and we are very transparent with regards invoices and payments, even those through the credit card machine"

If I was running the business, then (especially afterwhat happened to its sister company - Flight Academy Wolverhampton, after the non payment of instructors) I would make sure all the instructors are paid.

[goldeneaglepilot]

It might be now - but is that how it has always been?.... One customer certainly felt otherwise, but maybe he misread???

Perhaps you can offer an explanation as to the posts of Lasham 172, Westbeach Leader, Westbeach Student. Why did they all originate from the same IP address?

Why was the post of Lasham 172 seemingly designed to look like a post from the airfield manager? Why did it seem to be worded to "use" his reputation and good standing to try to reinforce the Westbeach position?

Perhaps the pixies broke into Westbeach's office and sat at the office Keyboard and set up a new identity to make it look like the Airfield Manager, yet sent it from an IP address linked to Westbeach. Perhaps the pixies have an agenda, who knows?

[goldeneaglepilot]

Mcgoo - the facts are in black and white. Have you ever considered that just as a new user was set up called Lasham 172, seemingly to sound like the Airfield manager (to perhaps use his good reputation) then your own good reputation might be being used to bolster a situation?

Has anyone in the management team at Westbeach asked you to support them on here?

Just a thought, but then it might be a wrong thought?

[goldeneaglepilot]

Mcgoo,

Trouble is you say your not involved with the financials - so you can't say with any certainty.

Certain mates of those "Pixies" have very good standing and when they talk of outstanding bills then I tend to listen.

Perhaps its all wrong, in which case Westbeach (Or the previous trading entity) could use their three user accounts on Pprune to put it straight.

Would be interested in your thoughts about Lasham 172 though, and that very strange post???

[goldeneaglepilot]

Mcgoo - no answer to the questions then?

[piperboy84]

This is far better entertainment than watching that Bush Pilots ****e !

[goldeneaglepilot]

A summary from the Village idiot, part 1....

What a mess.... It's interesting to look back at the history remembering that English law is very specific with respect to names of trading entities and who owes what debt. By way of example, Halfpenny Green FLIGHT Centre Ltd and Halfpenny Green FLYING Centre are as different in law as Mr Smith and Mr Brown. A slight name change will remove liability to pay debt, even if the directors and shareholders are the same for both companies.

So first we had Halfpenny Green Flight Center Ltd, (Company No. 02747045) that was dissolved on 28/7/2011, it had traded since 1992.

A new company rose out of the ashes with a similar name called Halfpenny Green Flying Center Ltd (Company No. 07753588) which was formed on 26th August 2011. The statement on its website was self explanatory:


May 2010
As many of you are already aware Halfpenny Green Flight Centre ceased trading early 2010 and subsequently entered into administration.

Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) Ltd acquired the equipment and property previously owned by Halfpenny Green Flight Centre Ltd.

Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) Ltd did not purchase Halfpenny Green Flight Centre Ltd and therefore all enquiries concerning any debts and/or liabilities of this former Company should be directed to the appointed Administrator, Butcher Woods. they can be contacted on 0121 236 6001.

Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) Ltd trading as Halfpenny Green Flying Centre have obtained Civil Aviation Authority Approval as a registered FTO holding approval Number UK/FTO-977. The scope of Approval covers Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL), Single and Multi Engine Piston Class Rating (SEP MEP), Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi Crew Co Operation Course (MCC). The facilities and some of the faces have remained. Operations have recently commenced and can offer all courses and more.

Please contact operations on tel 01384 221456 or Email [email protected] for any further questions.
alternatively
01543 469924.

www.jetstreamexec.co.uk (http://www.jetstreamexec.co.uk)

So, how can they have been founded since 1992?

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa438/dh12554/Jabber3HGFCwebsiteaboutus.png

[goldeneaglepilot]

A summary from the Village idiot part 2.....

So having a look at the Companies house website shows us that the principle shareholder (the owner) of Halfpenny Green Flying Center Ltd holds an impressive portfolio of companies, he has also been involved with a number of others that no longer trade.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa438/dh12554/Jabber1.png

He also is registered as a director under several different director numbers at Companies house.

Another of his holdings is Westbeach:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa438/dh12554/Jabber2westbeach.png

If we take a look at the Westbeach link on the Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green airfield Web site it redirects us to Halfpenny Green Flying Center, interestingly enough it has the statement in its news section about how long its been trading. That is wrong. Remember the first part of this post - it started in August 2011 NOT in 1992.

The domain mentioned in the email address for Westbeach is registered but not showing a website, instead you get this:

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa438/dh12554/Westbeach2.png

[goldeneaglepilot]

A summary from the Village idiot part 3.....

Last night Mcgoo made an interesting statement:


Well after your previous post about a student saying his credit card receipt was headed by some care home, the instructors printed a sample and it was flight academy Wolverhampton! But who am I to ruin a good
story?

Well Mcgoo - it does not ruin a good story, surely when you printed the credit card slip it should have said "Westbeach" rather than the name of another flying club?

Especially as it now looks as if the Flight Academy Wolverhampton is no longer trading, even though it was based on the same airfield and held CAA approvals in its own right, unlike Halfpenny Green Flying Centre or Westbeach.

My thoughts are that people are right to be cautious and want to know who exactly they are buying their flight training from and who they are paying the bill to.

Chatting last night to an accountant friend of mine was interesting, she said that trading in such away brings at the very least unwanted activity from HMRC and often results in events like the problems reported in the local newspaper for the owner of a number of businesses a short while ago:

£1.3m fraud probe raids on Shropshire businesses « Shropshire Star (http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012/06/13/1-3m-fraud-probe-raids-on-shropshire-businesses/)

Thanks for the invitation for a cup of coffee, Mcgoo and Westbeach Leader, but after a chat with the Pixies (who were very concerned) last night, I think I might take a rain check on that, but thank you anyway.

[DarrenM488]

Well that's thrown a spanner in the works, I started training with West Beach recently and decided to do a quick google search about them.

The "Flight Academy Wolvs Ltd" did catch my attention on the receipt and invoice, but I thought nothing much more of it.
As a business owner myself I'm used to the blahblah trading as, but having read this thread and others I am somewhat concerned.

Their website shows as Halfpenny Green Flying Centre but as a trading name of Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) Ltd.
However there is also a company registered as Jetstream Executive Travel Ltd :confused::confused::confused:

[wsmempson]

If I were you, I would google the prolific poster on this thread under goldeneaglepilot/david henderson/kevin crellin and then have a think about what you think sounds like fact or otherwise. I know nothing about WFA, but I certainly wouldn't be relying on this thread for my research! Good luck...

[Yak97]

Having been contacted with a possible business propsal involving a flight training organisation (with maintenance organisation ) set up in 2011, we have been doing a little digging to see who it can be, and have come across this thread.

Now, as far as we can see

a. If you go to Wolverhampton Airport site and click on Westbeach Flight Academy it gives you Halfpenny Green Flying Centre (HGFC).

b. On their website they say that HGFC is the trading name of Jetstream Executive Travel (Leasing) ltd JET. It also quotes a CAA AOC number 2292 which apperas to be defunct.

c. However JET - Company 06928782 is about to be struck off having not filed any accounts.

d. But HGFC is also a limited Company 07753588, with the same address as JETS, and is also about to be struck off, for the same reason.

e. The Westbeach website (which does not link from the airport site) says Westbeach Flight Academy is a trading name of Halfpenny Green Flying Centre.

f. Westbeach has an active Faceb**k account which had posted on Monday

Westbeach are 2 years old today...
We opened our doors on July 1st 2011, offering PPL training with a leased Cessna 152 and Cirrus SR20... Now 2 years on, we are a fully approved Commercial ATO offering PPL, CPL/IR, MCC and Flight Instructor courses operating 2 Diamondstars, 1 Twinstar, Warrior, Arrow, Cessna 152 and 172 and Grob 115...
To celebrate we have also appointed (CAA Approved) a new head of training today, Captain Vincent Coulton... Captain Coulton is a very experienced senior pilot having headed up a number of high profile Flight Schools, and together we aim to take Westbeach to the next level...
Thank you to all that have helped us along the way so far.

g. Westbeach Flight Academy is also limited Company 07156450, also based at the above addresses but also about to be struck off.

So, basically WTF is going on?

[moggiee]

I was an employee of the original Halfpenny Green Flight Centre (generally known as The Flight Centre) which ceased trading in early 2010. The remains of that company were bought by Jetstream Executive Travel/Leasing (basically 2 arms of the same company, I believe). They then re-opened as Halfpenny Green Flying Centre and pretty much used our old website and claimed (incorrectly) to have been established since 1992 - when in fact it was 2010 that they took over.

I was offered a job there but chose to go elsewhere. Most of the other instructors went to Flight Academy Wolverhampton but had (well publicised) bad experiences there and set up their own school at Tatenhill. They are a great bunch of professionals and deserve to continue to do well.

As for what happened/is happening at HGFC - that is as clear as mud! What I can say is that I am glad that I did not join them if this confusion is indicative of the way the place is run. It must be deeply concerning for anyone undertaking their training there.

[Pull what]

Westbeach has finally closed at Halfpenny Green but the man that managed it through its contraction has started his own flying school called Central Flight School, not to be confused by the very similar sounding Central Flight Training at Tatenhill, unless they are the same company.

Same Facebook page but different trading name

https://www.facebook.com/flywestbeach/

[CJ1234]

Interesting. Isn't it illegal to have a very similar name to a very similar local business? They want to be careful as the Central Flying School is also the primary RAF training institution. Gotta be brave to take on those boys.

[Pull what]

Good point Central Flight School and Central Flying School are similar names.

[Pull what]

Apparently, according to Facebook, Central Flight Training at Tatenhill are not connected with the new Central Flight School at HG. Wouldnt think they would be too happy with a new company using such a similar name though.