LF
Firstly, I respect the content of the above posting. It is very good of you to put forward a company view.
Tayside Aviation, and you yourself, have definately helped many people break into aviation. For that you deserve credit, and never have I ever said that you have not helped people. I do not think it necessary for you to go to the lengths of discussing personal business of an ex-instructor (to the extent of council houses and caravans!) to prove this. As I said, I donot believe anyone has critisised you for not helping people.
Remember though, that this debate started with Comm Jam asking for any info on Tayside being "dragged through the courts" and not me. I did however respond to it with the knowledge that I had. As I said, I had been called by the Inland Revenue, who asked me for information relating to payment and hours worked while I was employed by Tayside Aviation. They also asked me if I was prepared to go to court on the matter. This is fact. I am not disputing what you have said, quite the contrary, it has been over 2 weeks since I have heard anything from the inland revenue. At this stage, it is important to remember that PPrune deals with RUMOURS. That is why it is called "Professional Pilots RUMOUR Network". Nowhere does the words "official or factual" appear in the title!
I am saddned to hear of "winter lay'offs". I am sure that this will have a detrimental effect upon staff morale, and sincerely hope that students do not suffer through lack of instructor continuity if they are forced to fly with someone else as their instructor has been laid off for 6 months.
I cannot agree with the statement that you made quoting "flying instructors exist to gain the experience required by airlines". This is absolute rubbish! You yourself are a flying instructor. Does this mean you are only doing it until you get an airline job? I do not think so! There are many people who enjoy instructing, and are either uninterested in the flying that airlines have to offer, or like myself are in no hurry to join an airline. Granted the bulk of young instructors only wish to hour build for airlines, and I have previously recommended Tayside Aviation to these types. However, do you really think that retaining an instructor for only 6 months to a year is of benefit to either the company or to the student? Surely if you made the instructors job more rewarding, then this trend would change.
On a personal note, I must point out that the information that you have voiced on me is incorrect. The fact is that I never came to you for a job because I "could not get an airline job". The fact is, I never applied for any, as I came to you with no CPL! At this stage in the game, I am more than happy instructing, and have not sought employment within the airlines. Yes, I did the BCPL and Instructors course with you. I paid over half the balance to you, not because I could not afford to pay the full amount (I hardly think you are the best person to accurately discuss my financial position), but because I warned by previous (and current)instructors that there was a possibility of being "stung" by Tayside. A warning, that I have found to be true! As you know, I have endevoured to settle my outstanding account with you, having written no fewer that 4 letters over a 5 month period. However, I have only received one reply from Tayside. i am still trying very hard to settle this. Not because I cannot afford it (it is a very small sum), but because the amount is in dispute.
I also must point out that I do not argue about most things. I simply stand up for my rights, and will not allow myself to be walked over.
AS LF has said above, Tayside Aviation does set high instructing standards. They must, as they are inspected regularly by CFS. Tayside is also a great place to hour build, and Central Scotland has to be one of the most scenically attractive places to fly in the UK.
As for the careers instructor package, I requested this deal almost 2 years ago, only to be told that I would be seeking airline positions soon. Well, I am still instructing! (through choice!).
What angered me most, as I have previously said, and as I said to you on numerous occassions, is that I objected to being paid the same salary as a junior instructor, when they were acting under my supervision, and I was teaching both IMC and Night without extra pay. However, I also remember staying for over 2 weeks extra notice to help out at your request. I could have quite easliy walked out the door there and then. You mention that you quite happily allow people to leave after giving no notice. this is very true to my knowledge, however I worked for tayside for over one year, and was never given a contract. Therefore, no notice period legally applies!
As I have said, many instructors have really enjoyed working at Tayside. I enjoyed the vast part of it. The other instructors are great fun to work with, and although the money is not great, you can live on it.
Finally, I have never tried to imply anything about Tayside Aviation, or Lovat Fraser. I am simply voicing MY OPINION on the experiences I had while working for Tayside. I would never expect anyone to prejudge a company or person on what they have read on PPrune. Judge them first hand from your own experiences. In other words, go work somewhere, and if you dont like it, then leave!