Flying lion, sounds like you are affiliated with them in some way. I like how you put 'I haven't heard a bad word about them yet'. Well I will give one -
1) I studied at LGU and was so very disappointed with the course and there notes. Out of a very crammed class of 32 people(too many people to teach in one go) only 6 people have finished the course completly after 13 months of the course start. I am sure other courses there have faired better. Countless have no doubt given up on the course. So to correct the situation I purchased some rather quality notes and went distance learning. No dis-respect to LGU because there are some fine instructors there, but the standard of teaching and education is not what I would have expected. I have also seen the new notes and they are filled with errors because of translation problems. There was a continual supply of updates to the notes which was very frustrating. Although I am nearing the end of my exams, it is mostly due to my own perseverence and determination to get what I want. So where you say that those who want it bad enough will finish, well that's becuase they will do whatever it takes. I only wish I had chosen a better school, but wanted to go full time and so LGU was closest. I have recieved some exceptional help from other sources because there is a real lack of customer service at lgu.
2) Stapleford - downhill slope grass runway. What more can I say. I am sure that the instructors are good, but there are also plenty of other experienced instructors out there. I don't think I really want to gain my commercial from a grass strip. Heathrow is made of concrete. Also, no navaids at stapeleford although I hear there is a rwy nearby that has it all. landing fees must go through the roof.
At the end of the day, I think you get what you paid for and I have done most of my training on the cheap so far and have been disappointed at most elements from customer service to organisation structure. I want to be in a professional environment and most of what I have seen is disarray. Well, you only do your commercial licence once and so I will be forking out for the best training I can get that will help further my career. I want to come out on top as one of the best trained pilots with as much knowledge as I can gain. I don't want to be given just enough to pass. There is a difference between a trained pilot and a well trained pilot.
Well, got that of my chest finally.
Jd