Aldergrove Flight Training Bust

[dik dastardly]

Aldergrove Flight Training Centre at Belfast International Airport has gone bankrupt. The one-time start point for many of N.Irelands airline pilots is now in the hands of receivers in Belfast. The demise is thought to be the result of long term mis-management and not as a result of falling demand in the wake of Sept 11th.

[Springbok220]

I heard that the organisation had gone into liquidation, but I didn't know it was as a result of any mis-management - have you any further info?

[dik dastardly]

Not much, although several people with previous association to the school seem to be surprised it lasted so long. A few stories about dodgy accounts, money 'disappearing' and selling shares in aircraft to keep the company afloat. The owner is known to have been present at the demise of another school at Aldergrove..could be a common denominator. Who knows?

[FL245]

I am sorry to hear this. Like many other commercial pilots from Northern Ireland, this is where it all started in a 152.

FL245

[niall]

Like everyone else I am saddened to hear this. I have also heard that its decline was due to mis-management and it should not have lasted as long as it should have. I just hope that nothing else at Aldergrove goes to the pan. At the moment it has lost alot with regards to BA pulling out and BMI running a reduced service. Damn fine place to fly into and out of. Helpful ATC. Big long runways. Watch out for the helicopters, Gazzelles and R22s can be hard to spot. Mind you slightly biased done my PPL there.

Cleared take off 35, leave zone to north west not above 2000ft VFR. Happy Days!!!!!!!

[Springbok220]

I know there are deer running around Antrim, but Gazelles!!!! ;)

There is also one springbok. :cool:

[niall]

Mind you could open a zoo. See the odd Puma and Lynx sweeping majestically across Antrim. Watch out for the Red Indians camped on the GAT (Cherokee, Warriors) ;)

Hope anyone who was at Aldergrove Flight Training were not put off completing what ever course they were doing.

I'll call again at the zone boundary.

[Springbok220]

I haven't been put off, I've moved to Newtownards and to be honest it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise as there seems to be a lot more to offer in terms of both the flying and the socialising with other students. There seems to be a definite 'club' feeling about Ards which is is to be welcomed.

Mind you, I had some depth perception problems during my first landing in N'ards last Tuesday, being used to BFS runways.
Maybe the BMI folks experience something similar at city??

Good Luck

[village flyer]

I too started in AFT, the good aould G-BTMA was me burd.

Sad to hear it go like this, had'nt realised the difficulties they were in. Good bunch of people to deal with, until money was mentioned.
Thought there might be something up when the "last minute" offer for hours was released.

As for the wildlife around the field, always had to give way, worse than one of them drive thru' zoo's

VF

[SNIFF R404a]

Yes, its true, they did sell shares to students and I was one of the unlucky stupid fu***rs left standing when the music stopped. :mad: :mad: :mad:

according to my research there are about 11 shareholders including me in 1 aircraft and about 5 or so in another. not only did they sell shares in the aircraft but they also re-financed the aircraft without telling the shareholders!! (is this not fraud? you be the judge)

the latest news is that there will not be enough money left to pay back the shares (3000 each).

They also owe money to people who had paid up-front for PPL's and IMC ratings and so far there has been no correspondence to explain the state of the races to any of the above.

I would like to say that the instructors, unlike the owners; were and still are first class professionals, having gotten me through my PPL, night and IMC in minimum hours, and would like to wish all of them the very best wishes for the future.

I would also like to say that the shareholders are not taking this lying down.
for further developments watch this space.
:mad: :mad:

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

I might sound like a sanctimonious git but we've said it time and time again here - don't pay up front. Do pay on a credit card.

Let this serve as a lesson to other Wannabes.

I am feel sorry for all those that lost out at EGAA. I really do.

WWW

[carlos vandango]

Sniff, sorry to hear about your misfortune. That sounds like fraud to me. Wouldn't be the first time KH has been at her work. Best of luck in your quest.

[Springbok220]

Best of luck Sniff - hope something satisfactory comes out of the whole mess for yourself and the other shareholders.

As for the instructors, as Sniff has said, a great bunch of people and hope all works out for them also.

Good Luck!!

[clear prop!!!]

WWW sound like a sanctimonious git??!!…..Nah! …never!

WWW is dead right however on this one.

Seriously though, been there, done it and lost the cash (fortunately not a lot!)

It is easy to be wise after the event but NEVER…NEVER EVER pay a penny up front!

There is no…but NO need to pay for anything but the hour you are about to step into the aircraft ant fly, up front…and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Also, do not for one second think that because you have paid by credit card you are covered for every eventuality…you are not! The credit card co’s can argue the case that there is onus on the cardholder to ensure that goods or services etc are of merchandisable quality etc etc. Visa etc are not a failsafe way to ensure that your ‘investment’ is sound.

Anyway, my condolences to all students who have lost cash, and to the instructors who have lost out. I know of one other school, which is about to go the same way, so watch out folks.

I would add that all of this should NOT be blamed on Sept 11. It is simply that bad marketing, management, winter etc have caught up with some schools, which should have gone bust long before now.

Good luck chaps

[QUERY]

This seems to be another Euroflyers type fiasco but paying by credit card would not protect you against what turned out to be a bad investment- otherwise we'd all be buying loadsashares! Also, you won't train be able to train cheaply, or at all at some places, if you attempt to buy an hour at a time. Commitment works both ways.

In view of Clear Prop's advice and apparent concern, to protect Wannabes, let's have it on:
'I know of one other school, which is about to go the same way, so watch out folks'.
Who is it?

[higher]

im also one of the unlucky sods stuck with a share in a certain pa28-140 the latest news is she did not registar the shares the the caa so the only legal hold we have is the paperwork she supplyed is the not another case for the fraud squad! the people i really feel for is the ones she offered huge discounts for paying upfront for the ppl just before she went to orlando with our money! :mad: :mad: :mad: sniff if you find out any more please email me i think it is best for the shareholders of both aircraft to stick together and try to sink the ***** :D :D

[carlos vandango]

are you saying she did a runner?

[Cloud Chaser]

She took a dozen or more members of her family to the States (on students money?). Then closed the doors the week after she came back. :mad:
Hadn't even the decency to tell all her instuctors, the part-time guys had to hear second hand.
Rumours are her debts are close to 100 grand. No way every one can be paid back.

Once bitten, twice shy. :rolleyes:

[higher]

did i forget to say she bought to nearly new cars 1 for her and 1 for her daughter i wonder were that money came from? :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: just heard today two of the instructors have moved to ards and the other one has moved to woodgate best of luck guys at least you should get some flying done now! ;)

[Geraldo]

In reply to Dik Dastardly & Co Instructors / Students - Bookings are now being taken for seats in Antrim Courthouse - Bring you knitting and watch her hang ! This is one show where my £3,500 ticket will get its full value .... :D

[SNIFF R404a]

Would that be in Antrim Courthouse or is it a Tale of Two other Cities?? ;)

Check out the e-mail, Higher, more details are indeed available but I don't want to say too much over the open forum. No offence folks but you never know when "you know who" (toast muncher) might be eavesdropping on us pilots.

What's this I hear about selling hours in a Cessna with no engine? Sounds like a great moneyspinner to me.

By the way I'm sure that all the poor unfortunates who like me no doubt have begged and probably borrowed the money to pay for shares and courses up front will take comfort from the fact that at least somebody will be driving a new car for a while at their expense.


:(

The moral of the story is question everything. Its YOUR money and dont be afraid to ask questions even if the owner of the school throws a major wobbly every time they are approached.


:mad:

[carlos vandango]

Best book a courthouse in Belfast..I hear she has a poor track record down there.

[higher]

strange goings on at aldergrove????

i have been informed by my spys that k hob$s mother was at the airport handing over keys and aircraft doc for the two leased aircraft g-jh has gone g-ta had a flat battery so it had to be left!
now perhaps im wrong but if you go into recivership does all items of the firm not be ceased including leased items??
also no reciver has been appointed so ill leave it up to you to decide but my guess is a-f-t-c has not went bust but the owner has simply closed the door and is intending to auction the goods if anyone can add more to this please do but something is going on

[carlos vandango]

The receiver is an outfit in Belfast. That's a fact as I've already spoken to them.

[higher]

could you poss email me there name and address that would be a great help