I know I am probably wasting my time but I just feel a nagging need to put a bit of balance to your views.
I have no ties to BCFT other than as a student, I respect other students’ choice of schools. Either Integrated or Modular FTO’s. So I would like to feel I am able to be fairly balanced and dispassionate about you views.
Firstly you have to recognize your issue seems to have originated with the BCFT brochure….this is a SALES Leaflet and like all such documents should always be treated with a degree of healthy scepticism. Everyday we get bombarded with advertising, which is at the least economical with the truth, possibly misleading.
Estate Agents: Great sea views……dooh bit of global warming and high tide is in Living room !
Banks: 10% on savings……dooh only for first £50 rest on 0.25%
The relality is that my teeth won’t fall out if I don’t use brand X toothpaste and Anti aging cream is not essential in your teens…despite bimbo’s advertising the stuff.
So to the points you made; and my views based on actual experience.
Quote : Indeed it is the excellent test results
Your comment : I have it from the horses’ mouth that there has been only one first time pass in the last twelve months- so pretty average probably.
My view: No idea what horse you found. But in my class we may be only half way through the course, but I think we have very close to 100% first time pass rate. I don’t think that is because we are special, but more an indication of the teaching ! I doubt that is ‘pretty average’
Quote: Unrivalled quality of training
Your comment Again, on who’s scale? How can this statement ever be justified? Not on exam passes that’s for sure.
My view: Just marketing hyperbole. You would have to be pretty naive to swallow that without a cringe, from any FTO. ‘Exam passes see comment above.
Quote: Orientation Courses (JOC)
Your comment This is a lie. These are NOT offered at BCFT
My view: Better check that out as I am signed up on that course !
Quote: As a major Industry provider BCFT is aware that not only must the training and results be above average for the prospective airline pilot, but to have conducted all of the training from start to finish within the same organization is very much the preferred route.
Your comment This is suppositional claptrap. There are many many people who have conducted training at various establishments now at...RyanAir for example.
My view: Fair comment; but there is a general consensus that it is a good idea to try to do CPL/ME/IR with just one training provider. There are quite a few Ryanair pilots who did there training at BCFT.
Quote: neighboring club house
Your commentIf the definition of neighboring is three statute miles, then, yeh My view: Fair comment; I missed that, thought that funny too…still the Curlew pub is much closer
Quote: tailored to each individual’s needs and budget
Your comment I was given a price, regardless of my ‘budget’. Are we to assume that a CPL is reduced from 25 to 10 hours if you are skint?
My view: That’s just silly. Will Ford drop the price of a Focus to £3K if you are skint ?. I believe what they mean is that you can go through the program at a pace that meet you fund availability… which is unlike the Integrated programs that want all the money upfront, or at least a commitment to it !
Quote: Indeed we are one of the lowest priced operators in the area, we can pass the savings on to the student
Your comment Same prices at PAT and the others in the area
My view: Your point ?They don’t say they are cheapest. However if you do they whole Jetline program I think you will find they are actually the cheapest.
Quote:The centre operates a complete range of flight simulators, ranging from non specific type trainers to full type specific FNPT2s. Full flight Lockheed Tristar and 747 simulators are used for MCC and JOC.
Your comment They don’t have two out of the three of these- guess which
My view Fair comment, a lot of artistic license. Selective use of a full stop !! All the FTO’s at BMTH (including Cabair and PAT!) use the 747 sim which belongs to European. That is why it is so important to visit prospective FTO’s…a 747 Sim is difficult to miss !. Incidentally the much loved Lockheed crashed and burned a few months ago and will not rise from ashes.
Quote: All of BCFT’s fully Commercial Approved Instructors either have been, or are still in the Airline Industry, with a background of Public Transport Operations
Your comment This is not true.
My view This certainly the case for all my trainers ?
Quote: The resulting high pass rate... extremely proud of its high pass rate
Your comment Average at best
My view Probably not true, unless other FTO’s can better 100% pass rate..sorry bit silly to make point !
Quote: Structuring 2 students to 1 Instructor with their own allocated aircraft
Your comment This is not true.
My view News to me too !
Quote: For the dedicated student who is perhaps living in rented accommodation, minimum course times are paramount
Your comment So for me who is living at home, my course can be extended???
My view Now that is silly and pointless.
Quote: Furthermore all prices quoted are fully inclusive, i.e.VAT, landing fees, approach fees etc. Therefore there are no hidden extras.
Your comment This is not true. You pay up to £40 for approach fees at the airports they use.
My view There are no landing fees to pay at BMTH, which is were you do most of your landings. You only have to pay fees if you go to other airports, which you only need to do for your qualifying cross country. This is a hell of a lot clearer than other FTO quoted prices, which overlook to mention the landing fees at the base airport. Which if it is an International one like BMTH will be pretty pricey. Especially if doing circuits.
Quote: The C172 aircraft is a fully equipped 4 persons aircraft It has long range tanks, and there is no stipulation on where you can fly in Europe, as long as the airfield is suitable and licensed
Your comment I saw the 172 and believe me, you would take the ferry from Poole...
My view Not flown it myself, other students seem to rate it. I don’t suppose any of them have your qualification or experience though. The Barfleur (Ferry) must be a bitch to land on a short grass strip !
Quote: The candidate pays the standard PPL hire rate for the C172 of £120.00 per hour. At the end of their CPL and IR training with BCFT, the difference of £35.00 per hour is reimbursed.
Your comment So what happened to no money up front? That was quickly forgotten!
My view Wrong I checked this out to ensure I wasn’t paying to little. The deal is that Jetline students pay £85.00/hr on a pay as you go deal. The uncommitted module student pays £120/hr but will get a refund if they go on to complete the ME/CPL/IR modules. Pretty straight forward and transparent offer I think.
Your comment And, when I was there a banner was being put up that clearly stated ‘Integrated Modular’ or was made to give a misleading idea of the course offered. This is immoral and wrong
My view I haven’t seen it! I am in there everyday, but as I am often distracted by studies I thought I would do a through inspection..Alas I couldn’t find it anywhere.
Goodness that was epic and probably pointless,
The only point I really want to make. Is that you should only regard a FTO brochure as an initial Sales pitch, which is all it is, and is no substitute for a in depth visit to a number of FTO at the very least once. Then revisit the short list / preferred one.
If you are off to PAT then I hope it works out for you…..and them !!