Aerodynamics Malaga REVIEW
Alright guys. I wanted to give a little review of Aerodynamics Malaga especially for those who are contemplating the idea of converting their license to JAA.
When I finished all 14 written tests and completed my CPL in the US close to home, I started to do some research to complete my IR at some UK flight school. I sent a couple of emails with typical questions to get the course structure, the pricing and an idea of the accommodations. Days past without an answer from any of those so called reputable flight school. Well actually, let me take this back, one answered me about a week later and the pricing seemed ok for Europe, their equipment was top notch and the nearby accommodations seemed decent. Before finalizing everything, I asked again the time frame it would take to essentially do 10 hours of sim, about 5 hours of flight time and take the skill test. The reply was about a month. I couldn’t believe it. I had to call to make sure it was not a mistake. I have been a flight instructor in the US and this particular course would barely take a week to complete. Obviously, this was not option for me to take a month off for a conversion IR.
I had to start all over again. In the meantime, some two weeks after, I started to receive a chain of emails from the flight schools I originally contacted but I was just no interested to give them my business. Someone ought to teach them how to manage a business properly. No wonder some flight schools have financial difficulties. Rant over. Anyway, I sent an email the same evening to Aerodynamics Malaga and got an answer the following morning. The lady responsible for the IR conversion was really good communicating with me answering all questions and concerns. I was initially a little cautious with the price their were advertising as the difference was a couple thousand pounds different from what I was quoted in the UK. I pm a couple of guys on this forum to get their impressions on this flight school. Everyone seemed to be pleased with it. Little complains here and there but nothing that would turn me away. So I enrolled...
A month later I flew from JFK to Malaga. I took a cab (about 15 Euros) directly to the flight school. When I arrived, the first impression was a little scary. The school is located in a small street rather dirty and the front is not what you would picture. But once you enter, it was definitely reassuring. It’s clean and professional. I was directly met by the lady responsible for the program and we completed all the necessary paperwork.
After that she took me to the flight school accommodation (cost if I remember was 35 Euros). It’s about a 5 minute walk. Right next door there is a grocery store so that is convenient. Inside there are three rooms and two bathrooms. There is air conditioning, a washing machine and a tv. Don’t bother with the tv. There is only like 2-3 channels. There is also no internet. That’s what bothered me the most. It would have helped me a lot to keep in touch with my family. But a block away there is a internet cafe that charges 1 euro per hour. The place is kept very clean. However, at some point during my stay there was a very strong odor coming from one of the bathroom. The smell was really bad even with the door closed and perfum all over the place. I had only two days left so I dealt with it. Another guy who was training at the same time with me was staying at a local two star hotel (Hotel Solymar) close to the beach. It was also a 5 minute walk and it was relatively nice and very clean. Make sure if you go there to negotiate for the price of internet. The guy managed to get internet for the duration of his stay for like 30 Euro I think.
The night before you receive your schedule. I was given the checklist for the BE76 and all the approach plates. I didn’t have to buy anything which was definitely nice. The first few days consisted of sim training. This went without any itch. It was very easy. It really consists of doing approaches at the local airports. Just like any other aircraft you fly, study the limitations, systems and know the flows. This is crucial. Because my stay had to be short- they kindly put on one day 2 sims for me. The instructors are very polite but not necessarily experience ( I do have a couple thousand flight hours). On the last sim though, there was one flight instructor that was very rude and unprofessional. I don’t need to mention his name. If any Aero. Malaga management reads this - it may be time to get rid of him - seriously. Long story short, sitting in the back of the sim, he was reading his newspaper, making inappropriate comments and left once for about 20 minutes. Not the attitude you would want of a flight instructor. Anyway...
Now for the flight portion. You have three ways you can get to the airport: taxi, bus or train. Taxi again cost about 15 Euros one way. For the bus, you need to take the 19. It drops you off almost in front of general aviation. I think the cost was close to 2 Euros one way. The train forget about it. You have to walk initially about 15-20 minutes to just get to the train station. Bus works better but make sure to leave well in advance. It never really came on time and one day I was forced to take a taxi. You will by the way be provided with a package with all the infos to get around. AM done a good job about it so there is no sweat.
Now a word of caution before I forget. There is only 1 BE76. At least it was the case when it was there. Before you leave to Malaga, make sure to call to ensure it is up and running or not close to a maintenance check. If anything happens it may take some time before it is up and running. Also, they do not have maintenance during the week-end!!! So if you are not lucky you could be sitting doing nothing for a long time.
Like any other BE76, it’s old but very well maintained. They take good care of it. Depending on who you have, make sure you ask you FI to show you how to file a flight plan upstairs and how to print out the weather. This is really important as you will asked this during the skill test. Some FI don’t do it. Keep this in mind. The flights will essentially consists of small cross countries to local airports like Jerez or Grenada as an example. You will have practice this anyway plenty of times in the sim.
As far as the skill test, the examiner was really nice. Prior to him coming, I had already the file plan on file and printed it along with all the necessary current and forecast weather. Make sure to present this nicely in a package in the correct order. Be professional. After all the paperwork, you both will go to the plane. He will ask you questions about the documents. Make sure you know where they are located. The skill test itself was straight forward - no tricks. We went to Grenada to shoot a couple of approaches and came back on a high speed approach. It seems examiners like to go only Grenada so you are in and out quickly otherwise you will spend too much time in straight and level flight going to another airport.
I was quoted at the beginning 3542 Euros and this is exactly what I spent. Not one cent more. This included all the sims, all the flight time, the skill test and the examiner fee! I actually went beyond 5 hours of flight instruction. They did not charge me for it. The other guy that was there with spent exactly the same amount. Nothing more.
Bottom line especially in this recession, this was a very good deal. I don't think you can find better than that. On the other hand, if you are looking for top notch instruction (which I was not), this is not the place for you. But like the saying, you get what you pay for. I was very pleased overall with the course. Like I mentioned, there was only one FI that really needs to go away. He may be by now. I don’t know. Oo and it took under two weeks to do it - NOT one month.