Potter,
Like Mark I done my IR at PAT albeit about eighteen months ago got a first time pass. The instruction was great conducted by people who are career instructors in an environment whilst very professional was also friendly where nothing was a problem.
Reference the aircraft PAT use the Duchess and my understanding they were the first operators at Bournemouth to use this particular type of aircraft whereas the other FTOs were using Aztecs/seminoles or rather bizarrely cougars, every one is now using the Duchess wich in my mind makes PAT market leaders for identifying an excellent training tool almost ten years ago which would appear to be the industry norm.
With refernce to the sim there was a good balance between that and the aircraft. I understand PAT have a brand new FNPT2.
In terms of the hours I went over by 2.5 flying hours, so not too bad considering the end result.
Other things which appealed to me at PAT was the pay as you fly which considering the likes of SFT where large sums of money were required before starting a course were required made life a lot easier for both yourself and the bank manager.
The school itself does not have the sausage factory mentality about it, every one feels part of the team which I found conducive to my subsequent success.
It should be said however it does not matter which establishment you choose to fly with, you must be up for the challenge, it is a hard slog but in many cases a worthwhile one.
Good luck
Rob