Hi there. This is my first reply on PPRUNE and I delighted to join the club. In reply to some enquiries about PTC I can offer the following. I graduated out of Jerez in 2001, unfortunately after 9/11. I, like the majority of newly qualified pilots, have found to very difficult to get my flying career back in the air, even getting called to an elusive interview has been tough. This has not put me off wanting to fly as a career and I am 100% committed to this goal.
I renewed my ME Class Rating and MEIR with PTC earlier this year and found them to be extremely professional in their approach to flight training. This is evident in the amount of their graduates currently working as F/O with various airlines. The twin aircraft is a Piper Seminole fully IR equipped. If you haven’t flown in a while I would recommend having a few hours in the complex single just to brush up those flying skills. It will save you money in the long run.
Waterford (EIWF) is easily accessible and PTC has a list of accommodation in the area for those needing it. The airport itself is fine for what you require. The ATC at EIWF is excellent, they understand the pressures you are under testing and make life as easy as possible for you. Aer Arann is the only significant traffic to worry about and I never found it a problem.
The availability of aircraft was always good for me. The instructors have a lot of experience and know how to prepare you for a renewal and an initial IR of that is the stage you are at. PTC have also taken an interest in finding out how I my job hunting is going. I have had a couple of phone calls from them since passing my renewal flight test to see how I have been getting on, which is appreciated.
Facilities at EIWF are perfect for training purposes, briefing rooms and canteen in the main airport terminal. Flight Ops has everything you need to plan a flight, MET, NOTAM’s etc etc. The NAV Aids at EIWF are an ILS/DME and NDB, the r/ways are 21/03. The beauty of doing a renewal with PTC is that you will practice every procedure at EIWF, leaving you very well prepared for your flight test. I passed my renewal first time by the way. I am delighted to recommend PTC to anybody who wants to renew a rating or indeed begin the journey of becoming a pilot. Give them a call + 353 (0)51 876706, or visit
www.pilottraining.ie