Having had several PM’s asking almost identical questions about EFT’s APP scheme, I thought it would be better to post my answers instead of replying to them individually.
I decided to join EFT’s scheme rather than those offered by others, as after speaking with them they were able to offer a package that suited me best for my circumstances. I am 28 and married with a 3 year old daughter so this obviously factored heavily in my decision as they had to be happy as well. My opinions below therefore reflect my personal situation and so my needs are likely to be different from someone who is a few years younger and single.
I started on the APP at the beginning of December 2003 so I can’t comment personally on the later parts of the scheme but hopefully my experience so far will be helpful to others considering the APP. Since starting I have gained my PPL and Night Rating and I am now taking my IMC, hour building and studying for my ATPL’s.
So far I am very pleased with my choice and have no regrets about dragging my family across the Atlantic in pursuit of my dream. There are a few negative points that I will explain, but these are by far out weighed by the positives.
I will start with the few negative points as that way I can finish on a good note, always important.
- The first thing I would criticise is that they could give you some more advice on doing some pre-study before arriving. I had 2 months between leaving my job and arriving in Florida and had started reading Volume 1 of Trevor Thom but got to the point where I needed to be in an aeroplane before continuing my reading. At the time I also hadn’t heard of LASORS either so only had a general idea as to what was required for each licence. It would have been helpful if they had said to get a copy, I then would have moved on to reading Thom’s other volumes rather than bringing them with me in pristine condition and having to rush through them to pass the written tests. Maybe I should have found out more myself about what was required for the PPL, but having zero hours and applying for such a course I think maybe they could have given more advice here.
- I did have some flights scrubbed in December and January without prior notice. Having checked the schedule at lunchtime the day before and then turned up the next morning to find my 0800 flight had been given to someone else, or that my a/c was down due to maintenance, I found very annoying. It wouldn’t have taken much forethought to phone me the afternoon before to tell me not to worry about getting in so early. Having said that, this hasn’t happened to me in the past 2 months and on the couple of occasions when I have had a flight cancelled due to the a/c being down I have had a phone call in advance.
On the positive side I have found:
- The instructors are well trained and very informative. Most importantly I have found they are all very approachable and always willing to help and offer good advice.
- Getting flight times when you want is not normally a problem. This is important to me having my family with me so we can plan a life away from EFT. The school has been very busy over the last 6 weeks so some rearrangement of the schedule is unavoidable although new a/c have arrived recently to ease this problem.
- My training has been well structured as I have discussed it with my instructor and the Head of Training as I’ve gone on.
- The administration side of things has greatly improved this year as they have now employed someone to do it so there seems to be fewer problems with people’s accounts. Although I would recommend you keep a close eye on it whichever school you go to.
- Generally there is an excellent atmosphere and why shouldn’t there be if you can fly everyday in the sunshine! There is also no ‘us and them’ attitude between the management, instructors or students, which I’ve heard exists elsewhere.
On the APP course in general:
- Although the Groundschool for the ATPL is included in the price, this is not actually provided by EFT. I understand it is included in the price to give you a total cost figure. Most people return to the UK to attend the Groundschool full time, but I have chosen to remain in Florida and complete them by distance learning through Bristol GS. There were several reasons for this. Firstly having sold our house in the UK we would have to find somewhere to live if we went back, which would be a big hassle. Secondly I didn’t think it was fair to move my wife and daughter here for 3 months then back to the UK for 6-9 months for the ATPL’s before again returning to Florida to complete the course. Thirdly, the benefit of staying here while studying means I can also get the hour building for the CPL completed at the same time. This means I will avoid the need for any re-currency training that is found necessary for those who have left and not flown whilst back in the UK.
- With regard to henriksch’s comment about them making you do unnecessary ratings, this is a tricky one. The only rating included which may be considered superfluous is the IMC. As this is only recognised by the CAA some European students may object to doing this. However, EFT considers it to be a good preparation for the CPL and IR. Not having started my CPL yet I cannot agree or disagree with this but am finding the IMC interesting.
- Considering the instructor position with EFT after the APP course. As I understand, if you prove yourself to be professional throughout the course there is a position waiting for you at the end of it.
Accommodation. If you are only coming for short periods of time the housing is your best bet as hotels would work out expensive and most apartments have a minimum one year lease. The housing is very new and you would be sharing with 2 others, they have all mod cons and are reasonably comfortable.
If you want some more general information about EFT then use the search function, there has been several good threads about them.
Finally, if you are really considering coming to join the APP course I recommend that you get a flight out here for a few days and come end meet them. It certainly helped me make the right decision and so far I am very happy with it.
Sorry this has been so long but I hope it helps those considering this course.
MD2K