Airmed:
I did my Integrated at Airmed, and was very happy with the overall quality.
Some ground Instructors, like A. Smith, Colin, J. Tamayo and Tiziano were among the best in the industry (and I do know some schools, all specialised in their field of teaching. For example, mr. Tamayo is one of thelatin-worlds most highly regarded meteorologists.
The Flight-Instruction was also very good, once you were IN the aircraft. Bad planning did spoil this operation badly though, partly due to management decisions.
However, my instructors were up to par with the best anywhere.
The current CFI, who thought me the principles of both VFR and IFR recently moved to OATS ( hope you are fine Lamberto!), twin training was done by a guy with 3000h experience on Seneca and is now the resident JAA examiner. Very relaxed, yet doing the business. Also, the school is in the progress of replacing the whole fleet with brand-new aircraft, including Seneca V.
The MCC course can be regarded as almost a type-rating on the A320, shame that the sim. is letting this part down... nearly all instructore are senior Iberia people.
The major drawback with Airmed is its management, which is totally incapable of running an FTO. They have absolutely no clue and put earnings far above quality of life for both students as employees.
Aeromadrid:
I did not go to the largest Spanish FTO myself, but have several friends flying there as instructor (all ex. Airmed by the way). All of them agree: a great place to do your training.
Mayor drawback is the fact that Quatro-Vientos does not have IFR capabilities and that it is extremely busy.
Management does seem to understand there what is important in aviation, and it shows.
Try to have Sarah or Willem as a flight-instructor...
FTE:
Just got two new ex. Airmed Ground-instructors. They are the best, although Scottish
bit expensive though... but quality is guaranteed.
My personal choice, at THIS moment would be Aeromadrid, followed by FTE and then Airmed.
Anyway, all three will be better than a choice in cold Western Europe...
Hope this helped,
Despegue
FO B737 Islandsflug/ AAI
ps. Alan, you must teach this poor Belgian how to drink a whisky mate, based now in EDI!
Brock, I think we went out sometimes in VLC...?