Naples Air Center (NAC) for fATPL
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Naples Air Center (NAC) for fATPL
Hi all,
seen a lot of mixed reviews for this school. Basically, I'm thinking about going out there because I've not found any recent posts yet.
Firstly, I've seen that they've had their EASA licenses revoked as of 2014, however, their certifications state otherwise on their site, and I haven't seen a post after the date that they were apparently re-issued.
I have a pilot friend in Fort Myers who has gone to check it out, he says it's all looking professional and all ATPL Groundschool exams are done in Orlando with permission from Bristol GroundSchool.
Has anyone been there recently or can anyone help me out? Are they certified? I can't see why they'd have the certifications on their website and lie about it as that would be a lawsuit waiting to happen?
seen a lot of mixed reviews for this school. Basically, I'm thinking about going out there because I've not found any recent posts yet.
Firstly, I've seen that they've had their EASA licenses revoked as of 2014, however, their certifications state otherwise on their site, and I haven't seen a post after the date that they were apparently re-issued.
I have a pilot friend in Fort Myers who has gone to check it out, he says it's all looking professional and all ATPL Groundschool exams are done in Orlando with permission from Bristol GroundSchool.
Has anyone been there recently or can anyone help me out? Are they certified? I can't see why they'd have the certifications on their website and lie about it as that would be a lawsuit waiting to happen?
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Hi, where abouts would I find this? I googled CAA standards documents (31) and read through a PDF but couldn't find Naples on the list, it all seemed to be UK organisations.
NAC have said that their license was never revoked and a friend visited, asked them about the revoked license and they even showed their last EASA inspection certificate dating back a couple of months ago.
Cheers
NAC have said that their license was never revoked and a friend visited, asked them about the revoked license and they even showed their last EASA inspection certificate dating back a couple of months ago.
Cheers
Matt,
The approval process for ATOs under direct EASA oversight is particularly contrived. FITA in Melbourne for example recently spent upwards of two years going through that process at considerable expense (6 to 7 figures).
Satellite training facilities located outside the EASA Member States need not be operated under direct EASA oversight, but are instead overseen by the competent authority responsible for the parent ATO. Andrewsfield Aviation, whose reputation is exemplary, is now acting as the parent ATO for NAC and I would therefore expect a high standard.
The approval process for ATOs under direct EASA oversight is particularly contrived. FITA in Melbourne for example recently spent upwards of two years going through that process at considerable expense (6 to 7 figures).
Satellite training facilities located outside the EASA Member States need not be operated under direct EASA oversight, but are instead overseen by the competent authority responsible for the parent ATO. Andrewsfield Aviation, whose reputation is exemplary, is now acting as the parent ATO for NAC and I would therefore expect a high standard.
Stay away.
There's nothing but grief waiting for you.
Looks professional? Well maybe if you don't look hard enough.
But then again they've always been good at keeping up appearances.
But that's all it is, appearances.
There is really no single reason good enough for you to go do your exams there.
* I understand this may not be the most helpful post.
They've had at best a very checkered reputation and the fact they got revoked and are now operating under an umbrella construction shouldn't instill any confidence.
Do your self a favor and keep looking.
Choose a school that has a lot of good recent reviews and ideally you can visit them and get a feel for the place.
If you're only interested in the ATPL exams you might as well do them in the UK with one of the "big" names.
There's nothing but grief waiting for you.
Looks professional? Well maybe if you don't look hard enough.
But then again they've always been good at keeping up appearances.
But that's all it is, appearances.
There is really no single reason good enough for you to go do your exams there.
* I understand this may not be the most helpful post.
They've had at best a very checkered reputation and the fact they got revoked and are now operating under an umbrella construction shouldn't instill any confidence.
Do your self a favor and keep looking.
Choose a school that has a lot of good recent reviews and ideally you can visit them and get a feel for the place.
If you're only interested in the ATPL exams you might as well do them in the UK with one of the "big" names.
Last edited by B2N2; 13th May 2017 at 17:04.
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Selfin:
I see! Is this since they had their license revoked? I assume it would be a lot better now. I'm really debating it, despite the bad name as I haven't seen any posts since the license revocation!
B2N2:
I'm interested in doing 0 hours through to my frozen ATPL. I have friends that live 30 minutes from there and they said I can stay with them so that's the reason I've been debating this school so much, the price and how close it is. Are there any other schools in the Fort Myers/Naples area that actually have a good reputation and are cheap? I was looking at Gulf Coast but thats $76,000 instead of NAC's $39,000. Do you not think since they're working as a satellite base now, they have improved? I was going to go to PTT Aviation in Leeds to do it (£47,000) and heard that their students can choose to either study at NAC through PTT or go to PTT in Leeds.
Cheers for the replies guys.
Finally hearing some good feedback. How did they rate their experience, do you know?
I see! Is this since they had their license revoked? I assume it would be a lot better now. I'm really debating it, despite the bad name as I haven't seen any posts since the license revocation!
B2N2:
I'm interested in doing 0 hours through to my frozen ATPL. I have friends that live 30 minutes from there and they said I can stay with them so that's the reason I've been debating this school so much, the price and how close it is. Are there any other schools in the Fort Myers/Naples area that actually have a good reputation and are cheap? I was looking at Gulf Coast but thats $76,000 instead of NAC's $39,000. Do you not think since they're working as a satellite base now, they have improved? I was going to go to PTT Aviation in Leeds to do it (£47,000) and heard that their students can choose to either study at NAC through PTT or go to PTT in Leeds.
Cheers for the replies guys.
Finally hearing some good feedback. How did they rate their experience, do you know?
Then again if there has been enough years ( experience) between NAC and that 'shiny jet job' there may be no correlation at all.
Mind my words, there have been more students that met grief then that met success.
And your $39,000 will turn into $70,000 in the blink of an eye.
Read the fine print and the 'no reimbursement' policy,
Last edited by B2N2; 14th May 2017 at 21:54.
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I understand! Just got off the phone with bristol groundschool and they've said they're completely approved and all exams will count. I've also rang Andrewsfield aviation and they've confirmed the same thing. What hidden costs would there be, do you know? I've already totted up things like equipment and examiner fees and the $39k is now $45k, but I can't think of anything else they would throw on top of that?
Cheers
Cheers
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I'm going to go for it I think. After the feedback I've received from 2 very accredited schools here, it's changed my mind. I think since the license revocation and the fact bristol and andrewsfield have stepped in, things have changed.
Matt, as soon as you're eligible here on the forum send me a PM.
I can call and explain a couple of things to you.
Keep in mind that Bristol or whomever has no clue or interest in how the practical side of the school is run.
I can call and explain a couple of things to you.
Keep in mind that Bristol or whomever has no clue or interest in how the practical side of the school is run.
MattMurphy.
Matt are you sure that Bristol Ground School really is connected with Naples Air Centre?
The Bristol.GS forum lists the foreign schools which are connected to Bristol GS and this list does not include Naples Air Centre. Alex Whittingham (the owner of Bristol GS) is a leading light in the Wings Alliance scheme and Naples Air Centre is not listed as a member of that organisation.
I suppose it is possible that Bristol GS are supporting them, but keeping them at arms length, but I really don't believe that this is how Bristol GS does business.
Matt are you sure that Bristol Ground School really is connected with Naples Air Centre?
The Bristol.GS forum lists the foreign schools which are connected to Bristol GS and this list does not include Naples Air Centre. Alex Whittingham (the owner of Bristol GS) is a leading light in the Wings Alliance scheme and Naples Air Centre is not listed as a member of that organisation.
I suppose it is possible that Bristol GS are supporting them, but keeping them at arms length, but I really don't believe that this is how Bristol GS does business.
Matt no offense but it reads like you're suffering a little from what's called 'confirmation bias'.
You've already made your decisions and information which alligns is accepted and information which doesn't is discarded.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias
Now this is perfectly normal
however it can color your gathering of information.
You've already made your decisions and information which alligns is accepted and information which doesn't is discarded.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias
Now this is perfectly normal
however it can color your gathering of information.
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B2N2:
I understand this yeah, but the fact they're also affiliated with Andrewsfield Aviation for the flying side of the school makes me wonder? Thankyou, I'm away for the next 2 days but I will as soon as I'm back. I just find it so hard to get my head around, they're supposedly linked with Bristol, Andrewsfield and even PTT in Leeds give their students a choice between Leeds or Naples to do their training. So why would so many schools be involved with them if they weren't legit?
Keith:
I rang them and asked them directly, they said that Naples is indeed a satellite base for their groundschool. I will ring them tomorrow and ask why it is not listed on the forums.
I understand this yeah, but the fact they're also affiliated with Andrewsfield Aviation for the flying side of the school makes me wonder? Thankyou, I'm away for the next 2 days but I will as soon as I'm back. I just find it so hard to get my head around, they're supposedly linked with Bristol, Andrewsfield and even PTT in Leeds give their students a choice between Leeds or Naples to do their training. So why would so many schools be involved with them if they weren't legit?
Keith:
I rang them and asked them directly, they said that Naples is indeed a satellite base for their groundschool. I will ring them tomorrow and ask why it is not listed on the forums.
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Sure, this sounds good. I've emailed them to ask what the total running cost would be with university accommodation included.
Just out of interest what do you mean I'd only spend 3 months at their house? What would that 3 month involve? Is it not 0 hours -> ATPL at FIT?
Cheers, I'll do some research now
Just out of interest what do you mean I'd only spend 3 months at their house? What would that 3 month involve? Is it not 0 hours -> ATPL at FIT?
Cheers, I'll do some research now
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Someone please explain these two links aswell:
EASA Training at Naples ? Andrewsfield Aviation
why would they state this on their website if it wasn't legit?
Also this:
https://www.multiflight.com/do-your-...t-multiflight/
"We work with our training partners Bristol Ground School and Naples Air Centre in Florida to deliver you first class ATPL training."
EASA Training at Naples ? Andrewsfield Aviation
why would they state this on their website if it wasn't legit?
Also this:
https://www.multiflight.com/do-your-...t-multiflight/
"We work with our training partners Bristol Ground School and Naples Air Centre in Florida to deliver you first class ATPL training."
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button_push_ignored:
Thankyou so much for all of this honestly, don't think I don't appreciate it because I do, this is the reason I came to this forum so every reply I will take onboard
Basically, I was initially looking at doing an integrated route which was £95k+, so this is monumentally cheaper by all means which is probably why I'm quick to jump to the idea of doing this course.
It's always good to hear past experiences too, last thing I want is to be out of pocket.
However, personally I would like to get all of my training/exams done under one roof, which is why I've been looking at these courses.
Just out of interest, say if I went to the US and got an FAA PPL and FAA instrument rating, would this not conflict with EASA?
Once again, thankyou!
Thankyou so much for all of this honestly, don't think I don't appreciate it because I do, this is the reason I came to this forum so every reply I will take onboard
Basically, I was initially looking at doing an integrated route which was £95k+, so this is monumentally cheaper by all means which is probably why I'm quick to jump to the idea of doing this course. It's always good to hear past experiences too, last thing I want is to be out of pocket.
However, personally I would like to get all of my training/exams done under one roof, which is why I've been looking at these courses.
Just out of interest, say if I went to the US and got an FAA PPL and FAA instrument rating, would this not conflict with EASA?
Once again, thankyou!
Mat.
I have no first-hand knowledge of the quality of training currently provided by Naples air Centre, or the relationship between them and Bristol Groundschool. But a search within pprune archives for the period 2000 to about 2005 will reveal some interesting material.
If I remember correctly, Naples Air Centre was owned by a Captain Robert Gentile. He and Alex Whittingham engaged in some far-from-friendly debates at that time.
The fortunes of Naples air Centre then appeared to go into decline, with stories of unhappy customers.
It is of course possible that the situation is now completely different, and Naples Air Centre may indeed be a centre of excellence. But it does seem a little bit strange that they do not appear to have their own approvals, And Bristol Groundschool are not shouting out about their new outstation on their website.
I have no first-hand knowledge of the quality of training currently provided by Naples air Centre, or the relationship between them and Bristol Groundschool. But a search within pprune archives for the period 2000 to about 2005 will reveal some interesting material.
If I remember correctly, Naples Air Centre was owned by a Captain Robert Gentile. He and Alex Whittingham engaged in some far-from-friendly debates at that time.
The fortunes of Naples air Centre then appeared to go into decline, with stories of unhappy customers.
It is of course possible that the situation is now completely different, and Naples Air Centre may indeed be a centre of excellence. But it does seem a little bit strange that they do not appear to have their own approvals, And Bristol Groundschool are not shouting out about their new outstation on their website.
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Not sure what axe you're grinding here Keith, but you are on the wrong track. I haven't bothered to research posts from 15 years ago but I do vaguely recall a spat with Richard Gentil, I can't remember what it was about, though.
Around that time NAC were trying to develop their own distance learning course, and I think its fair to say that it didn't work, mostly because the material wasn't very good, and in the end they switched to Jepp books.
We set up NAC as a satellite under our approvals a couple of years ago. This means that they operate as contractors to us to run revision courses in Naples FLA. In other words students buy and receive a standard bristol.gs distance learning course under our approvals, we operate the distance learning element, students go to Naples for their revision courses, then we sign them off for their exams which they usually take in Florida. In practice, because NAC have full time instructors, the minimum requirements of a distance learning revision course are supplemented by more classroom training at Naples but outside any approval requirement.
Because students have bought a Bristol course they are free, if they wish, to return to the UK and do the revision courses with us rather than staying in the States, NAC and Bristol just shuffle the money around so that we get paid for the revision courses rather than Naples.
There's nothing either strange or unusual about the satellite concept. We have others, The Aviation Centre in Mallorca and until recently Ayla Aviation in Jordan. Stuart at CATS has more and, of course, the integrated schools like CTC and CAE contract US based flight schools to do the VFR flying. Oddly the CAA don't show the additional sites that are approved in Standards Doc 31.
Around that time NAC were trying to develop their own distance learning course, and I think its fair to say that it didn't work, mostly because the material wasn't very good, and in the end they switched to Jepp books.
We set up NAC as a satellite under our approvals a couple of years ago. This means that they operate as contractors to us to run revision courses in Naples FLA. In other words students buy and receive a standard bristol.gs distance learning course under our approvals, we operate the distance learning element, students go to Naples for their revision courses, then we sign them off for their exams which they usually take in Florida. In practice, because NAC have full time instructors, the minimum requirements of a distance learning revision course are supplemented by more classroom training at Naples but outside any approval requirement.
Because students have bought a Bristol course they are free, if they wish, to return to the UK and do the revision courses with us rather than staying in the States, NAC and Bristol just shuffle the money around so that we get paid for the revision courses rather than Naples.
There's nothing either strange or unusual about the satellite concept. We have others, The Aviation Centre in Mallorca and until recently Ayla Aviation in Jordan. Stuart at CATS has more and, of course, the integrated schools like CTC and CAE contract US based flight schools to do the VFR flying. Oddly the CAA don't show the additional sites that are approved in Standards Doc 31.