Brittania Flight Centre?

16th Jul 2002, 19:50

Hi

I am considering heading off to Florida to do my PPL and have heard from a friend that Brittania Flight Centre is a very good choice.

Can anyone who has been to this flight centre or who has trained in Florida back this comment up?

If not are there any flight schools which come highly recommended?

Thanks in Advance

Dave

Grafter · 17th Jul 2002, 07:41

Hi,

I have also heard from a few friends that have been out there and gained various ratings, that BFC is a great place.

If you do a search on Britannia Flight Centre, there are plenty of threads about them, a lot of good one's, probably a few bad one's as well.

I have been in touch with them a few times, by email and phone, and i have chosen to go with them to do my PPL in September.

The one thing that i have been told is try and do the majority of your exams before you go as the training is quite intense

I hope that this helps!

Grafter

WX Man · 17th Jul 2002, 10:55

Did my PPL with them back in days of yore, and enjoyed it. Went back there to do IMC and ME, which was also very enjoyable.

I presume it's still owned and operated by the same chaps (George & Jatin, helped by Margeret and Eric Shipley, the previous owners), who also instruct. Both of them are very good instructors, from whom I learned a great deal about flying (especially multi-engine). The instructors have probably changed a bit, but rest assured that G&J have pretty high standards.

The other nice thing about BFC is the accomodation- either a shared or single room in a large house, lakefront view, nice garden, swimming pool, BBQ... or similar accomodation in a smaller house.

The other thing I will say is that Florida is a great place to fly, with plenty of interesting places to fly to for lunch!

David Balchin · 17th Jul 2002, 11:10

Did Hire a PA28 from them to do some hour biulding / sight seeing
2 years ago.

Can confirm:
Now run by George and Jutin, both nice chaps!
Generally good a/c but you should be stern about getting techs fixed if you hire.
Good accommadation.
Good Location.
Good Rates.
Did hear that someone 'stacked' their Aztec into an orange grove
a year ago (Doh!)
While I was there, they had a couple of european (Swedish?)
'Kids' how both looked about 12yrs old there doing IMC instructing!?! but I don't think they lasted long as they couldn't
speak much English.

spils · 17th Jul 2002, 11:57

I got back from BFC about 2 months ago and would highly recommend it. Drop me a line by e-mail if you want any more info?

David Balchin - there were 2 Swedes there (one was my instructor) and they are both excellent instructors and a lot of fun to fly (and drink) with!! :-)

David Balchin · 17th Jul 2002, 12:13

spils;
I'm very pleased you had a great time with BFC but when I was
there one or both of those Swedish chaps were 'booted off' the
Lakeland ILS app. by the approach controller for;

A' not being able to communicate properly in accordance with FARs

B' Making a b***s of the approach.

I am sure that by now;

A' Jutin has shown them how to use local procedures,

B' they both can speak much better English,

and C' They both have some facial hair!

onehunga · 17th Jul 2002, 12:41

No poolside accomodation anymore. Owned by Eric and it was decided to let it go as it was costing quite a lot in rental from them. Accom is now the apartments which are a stones throw away from the field or a local motel if those are full.

Also think that the school cars might be going as well so a rental would be best. May be an idea to link up with some other students and put in for it as you will need it to get you to the shops for food.

I think there might be more than 1 set of swedes as the ones that were there at end of 2001 weer top notch titty pullers and drinkers!! And with most Scandanavians their english was impeccable.

David Balchin · 17th Jul 2002, 13:07

onehunga,
Ya sounds like you may be right as to there being more than one
set of 'European' instructors as the two I met didn't speak much
Lingo.
But I would like to advise our 'younger listeners' that spending
nights out on the 'pee eye double esss' with instructors who are
"top notch titty pullers and drinkers!! " and "a lot of fun to fly (and drink) with!! :-)" is likely to be detramental to their progress
as apart from the "lot of fun to fly with" bit, the rest is NOT GOOD:o
Flying and Drinking,
Just Say No!

onehunga · 17th Jul 2002, 14:51

Yes fair point DB. A reminder to those travelling to Florida that the drinking age is 21 years and do not go near underage girls or else you risk getting shot by her redneck father!!

David Balchin · 17th Jul 2002, 14:59

Ya, ...or hit over the head with his banjo!

carbonfibre · 21st Jul 2002, 19:46

I hour built there and completed my night rating, tech probs not many , but great relaxed atmosphere, Jatin and George are great.

Just in case you read this Jatin , saw you at Ft Pierce in March this year?? hope your course went well

Oh yeah as for other schools, especially IFTA , they are not as good although they like to think they are, better results with Jatin
Good luck

P.s. watch the cockroaches outside at night

J-Heller · 21st Jul 2002, 23:20

Not really in stream with the thread, but I think valuable for others is the question:

Why America?

By which I mean why is it usually America that people think of first when learning to fly? There are the other lower cost choices of South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. It can't all be in the fare...after all the disparity is in the order of 2-300 pounds, barely 3 hours of flying when you make it back to UK.....

So back to the question...what is the big draw to the US?

Not knocking it or anything, just wondering what's wrong with the other 3 main options?

Personally did my initial training in NZ...would not change it at all. Loved the experience, the flying (southern alps, and North Island was an interesting change)..just curious thats all....comments please

Cheers,

JH

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