anyone been to OFT recently?

[wannabe there]

Hi, I'm off to the above in October and was just wondering if anyone has any recent experience with the place... is it a pretty good outfit or is there anything I should be watching out for? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

[nosher]

Let me give you one piece of advise my friend!
Stay Away from OFT!!!
The price's they quote you look great,,but there's no chance in getting your licence in their hours.
There present Multi-Engine instructor is useless... (say no more)! And they only have 1 JAA Multi Engine Instructor.
As for doing a Single-Engine CPL,,,,they only and best instructor is long gone,,so that leave NO single-engine CPL!
There's 60 BCFC students arriving this summer along with a load of Indians..
Where are all the aircraft going to come from???
Well thats my 2 cents........ I would avoid them...but JP may say something different to you,,,,
OR as he like's to put it " We'll get ya done"!!!! (as quoted from several students))
Cheers Alf

[Capt. Slow]

I'd have to agree with the above post, plenty of students arriving over the summer period so not many aircraft to spare - what were you planning on achieving at OFT? As with any school i guess, don't believe the spin some managerial types will invariably 'spew' out and keep an eye on your wallet, its amazing what funny little charges tend to creep into the bill...

[johnrizzo2000]

If OFT should be avoided, can anyone point me in the direction to any other reputable flight schools????????

[wannabe there]

was planning on doing their JAA PPL 21 day course - quite put off now but I have already paid the NON-REFUNDABLE $750 deposit so think I'm pretty stuffed now :*

Guess I'll just have to stick it out and hopefully come back with that bit of paper in my hand... but I'm not counting on it!

[captain_rossco]

Not in a position to comment on their school as I''ve never been there, I popped over to OBA (Ormond Beach Aviation), and had a good experience. The Ritz it ain't but the instructors a very good and if you go willing to work, and don't need mothering, then you'll come back with your license and rather alot of spare change in your pocket!

Kind Regards

Rossco

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

If it is any consolation I went to OBA aswell (I know it is not OFT), but that had plenty of bad press, and it was fine. I think as CR says, work hard, and I am sure you will come back with what you need.

I am not sure what their policy is, but if you are unfortunate enough not to be satisfied with the service, fly off you deposit and go somewhere else. May be an idea to see what the payment options are.

Anyway, if anything enjoy it :).

[Eddy]

Thanks for this info, guys!

OBA is the school that I'm looking at for my FATPL. Prices seem good and I have friends in FLA so it would be a good option. One thing though... is it best to be able to drive while you're there, or are bikes/public transport options available and suitable?

Cheers!

[luke10689]

thats a good question i too would be interested to know as i am going out there after xmas and am hoping that transportation should be easy enough

[Eddy]

Hi Luke,

That sounds about the same sort of time that I'm planning on heading out there?

You on MSN or AIM for a natter?

[captain_rossco]

cycling to the school is a doddle, 5mins tops, 10 if you're rubbish.

I'm back there feb for a fortnight and will definitely be getting a car!

You may find that the occasion presents itself you may want a bit of time to yourself or you quite simply fancy popping down to hooters for a pint and an oggle.

9 times out of 10, people without a car will offer you a few bucks to go for a shop or go to the mall, you paid for the car, so take it, they save money on a taxi and you were going anyway.

Orbitz.com and the like do ridiculously good deals on car hire in that neck of the woods so I'll certainly be making sure I'm mobile.

Kind Regards

CR

PS When the WX id garbage you'll be grateful for the wheels!

Anything else,PM me.

PPS Get something powerful, if the Wx is really bad, you've got 400BHP and 4000+feet of runway. Weh hey.:ok:

[Jay_solo]

I attended OFT for 3 months last year from Oct 06 till Jan 07. OFT is not the worst school you'll attend, but its by far not in the league of say, Flight Safety Academy. Oft are a medium size operation. Dispite the "negative press" they are very popular. So I can assure you its not the end of the world attending.

It all boils down to you!!

First things first!
Make sure you vist BEFORE you attend. See the place, the people, speak to JP or Steve Drummond face to face. Look around, take a back seat flight, ask questions!

Course prices:
Get every course quote in writing first. Finalise it as if you were closing a big business transaction where both you and OFT agree at the price, extra costs, time frames and what to expect. If you don't do this, and get "screwed" its squarely YOUR FAULT!!! Dont read the hype in the UK and assume it would be as printed!

Money:
DO NOT SEND LARGE SUMS OF MONEY IN ADVANCE!! Agree on a payment schedule that you are happy with, and GET IT IN WRITING! Think about opening a bank account in the US. I think Wachovia Bank, (15 min walk) can help you. Use travellers cheques or cash or the new travellers cheque card with a £3,000 limit. But choose a payment method that is convinient to you and takes into account the amount of money you are paying.

Airplanes:
The airplanes are average, and they can go tech (like all planes!!!) So be prepared. Don't have high expectations of a 2007 172 SP with all the bells and whistles! Their C172's average year of manufacture 1999/2000, so they are decent. But this is a flight school, where students of all ability bang them up! So they are not perfect! The cadets are more prone to going tech, so be prepared for this. The multi engine aircraft are around 1979-1985 era. So they are not new, but do the job.

Instructors:
Instructors range from excellent, to very average. If you don't like your instructor, just ask the chief pilot to change. But don't expect a organised ground school. I suggest you do all ground exams in the UK. If you are doing the ATPL's at OFT, the facilities are brand new, so you would like the environment. But as they are still new to teaching ATPL ground, its not quite like Oxford!!

Accomodation:
The Best Western is a decent tourist class hotel. It is a very comfortable place to stay. But is about a 30 min walk from the school, in hot Florida sunshine with your flight gear! Keep this in mind unless you have a car. Plus fridges and microwaves cost extra. So you need to be prepared for this unless you rich enough to eat out 3 times a day!

The Apartments are 5 min walk to the old school facility and about 30-40 to the new. (They have shuttel service from the apartments to the new school I believe) But it is very conveniently located to shops and the school. But its not the Ritz Carlton, so don't expect super luxury! They are very comfortable and do the job. (A place for your head to rest every night, not be pampered!) Every student has their own room, shower and you share living room and kitchen. The scocialising with other pilots in other ajacent apartments is great!

In conclusion, do the research. I strongly recommend flying to Florida for 2-3 days and visiting. I did it. I flew out to NY Friday night at 8pm, overnighted in NY, Flew to florida via Song the next morning, visited OFT at lunch time, then back up to NY that evening. Overnighted in NY, then flew via an American Airlines morning flight back to London. Arived home 10pm Sunday night! But if you have more time, please maximise it. Tight, yes, tiring yes, worth it, YES!!!

Don't believe the hype, some people have good experiences, some have bad ones. I find those who expect way too much, end up disappointed. So keep the bar of expectation lower, and remember, you are there to fly first, be a tourist second! (If you can manage the spare time). You will be worked hard, and will fly hard. Remember, weather is not always perfect, so you will have delays from time to time. So if they say 21 days, try and budget for 30 days. A good rule of thumb, budget 15-20% extra ontop of the course prices to cover last min expenses. You think you will pass first time??! Flying is not as easy as riding a bike!!!! If you have to retake tests its gonna cost, so budget for that!

Work hard, be prepared to study every night for 3 hours or so, and have fun!
OFT is a decent school! :ok:

[Callsign Kilo]

Did some hour building at OFT last year. Got what I needed done and didn't experience any real problems. Was aware that some of the Commercial students were having issues with scheduling, tech issues etc at the time however I didn't find any real ill filling, just frustration. I will be honest that there were one or two instructors there at the time with ego's as big as houses :rolleyes: If they are still there then you will spot them a mile off!

Generally, my experience was ok; however I was left to get on with it with very little input from anyone at OFT. I would say that nothing really inspired me to do any training there and I don't think I gained very much out of building hours in Florida if I compare it to what I learned by doing the same thing in the UK.

[Jim79]

Hi All,

I have planned to visit in Florida during next fall. I am lookinf for FTO's were I can do 0 to JAA FATPL. I have read lot of threads and I have found few options NAPLES, EFT, OFT, OBA. Is there some other FTO's in florida were I could visit during my holiday? And what is your opinion about these schools for the JAA training. How about other states and schools, for examaple NAIA?

Thanks already..