Cabair, Stapleford and BCFT 's fleet

[golfcharlie232]

Hi guys,

I'm not in a hurry as the times are quite tough, but trying to get some info since I'm in Bournemouth right now and I'll be having a look at both Cabair and BCFT in a couple of days.

Do you know what is the exact size of the fleet of each of these FTOs?
I've heard SFC has around 40 aircraft, is that true?

Does Cabair still own some GA-7 Cougar?

Cheers

[Brian304]

Well I would reccommend BCFT more than cabair in the bournemouth area, the price of BCFT is probably cheaper aswell, plus you don't have to walk the mile on every flight to get from cabair to the aircraft. flew with both companies during training...

[golfcharlie232]

Thanks Brian, but I was asking more about the fleet rather than any opinion on any of them.

Do you know how many aircraft do they both have?

[Phenom100]

Oh, and NO landing Fee's, which makes a change for something to be free in Aviation.!!!!

[golfcharlie232]

Cheers !
SFC sounds pretty good indeed.

Does anyone know about BCFT and Cabair 's fleet ?

[TheBeak]

So golfcharlie232 you found my post hurtful on the other thread because you obviously failed. Don't let that cloud and shape the vital information you pass on to others. Please try to be objective when you post.

How about PAT at Bournemouth if you are looking in the area? From what I have heard they deliver what they offer and at a relatively good price.

There are lots of little hidden costs when flying from a place like Stapleford, like not being able to do you IR there and having to fly up to the likes of Cranfield to do the test. Something to consider. There fleet however are great for the training. Swings and roundabouts.

I personally would give Cabair a huge swerve, but that's me.

Also give the Oxford Waypoint Programme and The Bristol Flight schools a look. There are plenty of good facilities locally to Bristol so flight times can be kept down and you could perhaps save on accomodation as, by the looks of it you live locally.

And the best option? Leave it for a good two years and comeback.

[golfcharlie232]

The best option is already considered, I'm not planning on starting training now.

SFC looks good from the fact they own both the Seneca (flown at the end of the CPL, and for the partial pannel IR test) and the DA42, although 2 DA42 is not a lot.

From what I know, both Cabair Bournemouth and BCFT have some Be76, and Cabair also have some DA42.

[TheBeak]

But remember the 'hidden extras' I mentioned, they will be INCREADIBLY annoying if you partial or fail the IR - going back and forward to Cranfield or Oxford 'for the pleasure' will really make things expensive.

As I have said, take a look Professional Air Training, I have only heard good things about them and the two big Bristol schools. PAT have a pretty good and varied employment record by the looks of their website.

[antonov09]

Bcft are the ones to go for in bmouth. Good fleet including the best arrow at the airport for cpl. PAT had a gear up landing due to aircraft fault(not pilot error) -------ah there all crooks really but there is nicer crooks than others!

[GearDownFlaps]

PAT are excellent , BCFT are good for GS they do have the best arrow , in fact the only arrow on the field , although not sure what PFT use , PAT pretty much do mostly twin cpl/ir .
Dont look at the fleet look at the results , ask why most of bcft's students and PATs are ex cabair pupils.
Dont believe the hype goot the CAA test centre and ask the examiners who they pass who they partial and who they fail .
BCFT are good but their partial rate is astronomic .

[ElitePilot]

Good advice about looking at the results rather than fleet/facilities.
I've heard good things about Stapleford but besides the cost and hassle about going to Crafield/Ox for test is that it is radio (no tower/app) so lacks that "proper airport feel" which I think is a good thing to get used to early. You pretty much do what you want and tell them you're doing it at Stap.