Quote:The ground school given is very non-existent , I read a lot so I got away with that. Un Quote:
Personally, I prefer to study the information and then have the oportunity to receive validation that I have understood the subject correctly and then expect to be instructed on the relevence. If I haven't already sused it. But that is my preference. Everyone learns differently and the best you can get is a solution tailored for your particular needs. Are you aware of them? Being aware of your deficiencies is half the battle the rest is resolving them. If you are expecting a 'school environment' that follows a specific format then I suggest you should have done your pre course research a little more carefully.
Quote: Pre and post flight briefs do not exist. Un Quote.
Then conduct it yourself by questioning the instructor.
Quote: Dual cross countries are being done in weather like, vis 2KM and cloud base 900 FT.(Having to be put on tower freq when crossing another airfields ATZ)(lower than their circuit height) Un Quote.
Well determining wx minima for a particular training flight is pretty much down to the instructors assessment of the sudents capability balanced by the parameters of the training to be carried out. The bottom line is the instructors capacity to resolve any issues arrising in flight. You are clearly not able to cope with weather of those limits otherwise it would not be an issue so why did you not decline to fly?
Quote: Students have been sent solo cross country in conditions as bad as 700FT cloud, with winds up to 25 knots (in a R22) Un Quote.
Again it is up to the instructors assessment of the students ability and the bottom line is the students 'command' decision. Having said that, you have to learn to cope with all weather condiditons - at the right stage of competency - and you have to start sometime. 700 ft is not bad dependant upon the terrain you are operating over and 25 kts is simply fun!
If you have the ability to deal with it.
Quote: Solo students are allowed to land at private sites if they wish. Un Quote.
Well provided that the site meets the various requirements and it is within the pilots capability to use it, why not? After all landing at varied sites and under different circumstances is all good experience isn't it?
Quote: The in house examiner never fails anyone (worst he does is pass but insist on more flying with instructor before self fly hire) Un Quote.
Well c'mon now......anyone can learn to fly, the question is how long it will take before the money runs out. Under certain circumstances, I see nothing wrong with the above.
Quote: The instructor will do a flight dual then tell the student to log it as solo. Un Quote.
Well there may be reasons for this and without more in depth informations - no comment.
Quote: The instructor blatently ignores Rule 5 with low level flying (100FT over some places to look at something, or 800FT over small cities if he feels like it) Un Quote
Well LF if undertaken without prior planning and without a valid reason is in my opinion silly but have you considered - or are you even aware - of the occasions when you can legitimately low fly and 'bend' the rules to make it seem alright?
The instructor will try and charge 0.2 Hrs more than engine operated Datcon shows in order to build up an hour which he can then use to fly his friends about.
Ground exams answer sheets are left in the vicinity of the student taking the exam in order for him / her to self mark.
The aircraft do not have any radio nav equipment (GPS only) which I believe is a requirement for PPL tests.
Most of the time there is only one instructor (CFI)at this school PPL(FI) with 2000 hours.
Don't get me wrong , he can fly very well but I believe that risks are being taken and corners are being cut.
Altogether I am not sure whether I should find somewhere else to fly.
I read Rotorheads every day and I have a great respect for many of the people who post, be harsh with me if necessary, am I being too picky?
I am no 1000 hour whizkid but I have seen more professional operations elsewhere which have made me think and analyse .
Please advise me whether I should shut up and go and fly elsewhere or not.
Well sunshine - you are clearly not happy with your lot so my advice is to pack up and push off to somewhere else. No really! You should do that. I'd suggest that you'd be best advised to keep your whinges to yourself unless you have absolute concrete grounds for a valid complaint which shows that you have not received what you have contracted for. To do otherwise would in the end make you a viable target because it is clear that there is a significant gap in your understanding and ability - right now. Put it down to experience - after all , all experience is usefull. - and move on.