bcft or pat in bournemouth?(cpl-ir-me)

[MARCOFLY]

Hi all,
any advice about these schools?
Who is study with them?
All information and experience are more appreciate.

Thanks

M.

[amritkalsi]

Hi, I would also consider Airways Flight Training In Exeter.:)

[vetflyer]

PAT are very good

No experience of rest

[Merritt]

PAT all the way...

The instructors are excellent, organisation is effecient and the pricing is accurate.

I completed my MEP-CPL-IR with them in minimum time / first time pass and financially it worked out spot on. No hidden extras.

Feel free to PM me if you want extra details.

:ok:

[manxcat]

Marcofly,

I have no experience of BCFT but am a current student with PAT.

I looked at all the FTOs at EGHH including several others around the UK. PAT is mid-table on costs. They are not the cheapest nor are they the most expensive. However Caveat Emptor the cheapest option is not always so in the long run; be it extra training hours or hidden costs.

In the end my choice simply came down to reputation for high quality training and achieving first time/series passes.

I have been at PAT since mid-Oct initially doing the ME-CPL and now the ME-IR. In that time all the CPL skill test attempts (approx 6) have been passed first time and all but two of the dozen IR skill tests have been first time passes with the other two first series passes. Merritt is included in those stats (Howdy fella :ok:). That to me says something for the quality of instruction.

It is pay-as-you-go with only a £250 deposit; so no large up-front payments to worry about just keep your account in credit.

The four Duchesses' are very good with pretty much standardisation across the fleet. The BE76 is a great aircraft to fly and master the art of ME flying. I've never flown a DA42 (but would like to) so I can't compare the two but it's a bit like comparing apples and oranges I guess. One is steam driven the other is all FADEC. By all accounts (Pilot magazine) it's better to learn the art of ME flying on a legacy piston twin like the Duchess then try your hand at the very nice DA42 types.

Maintenance is also on-site for the niggles that arise with regular usage. Peter in Ops is very helpful both on flying and non-flying issues. There are several instructors available with differing backgrounds and the briefing facilities are very good.

The simulators are excellent. The FNPT 1 is as you'd expect - a good first IF introduction. The FNPT 2 is high quality and replicates the BE76 very well. It is a great way to master the procedures before stepping into the ac.

In the time I have been there PAT have also had a fair share of overseas students from France, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Italy.

EGHH is a great airport to train at with its NDB and ILS facilities and SAM VOR nearby. There is also a lot of uncontrolled airspace for the navigation/GH elements of the CPL.

Accommodation near EGHH is plentiful and varies in price. I can highly recommend where I am staying so PM if you want details.

My advice is to visit both FTO's if you can so you can see first hand the set up, aircraft, simulators, etc and talk to current students. Call PAT and make an appointment to speak with Linda (co-owner) and she will sit down with you and explain the various options to obtaining your CPL/IR.

Feel free to ask any other questions on PAT you may have.

Best of luck.

The Cat. :cool:

[felixflyer]

manxcat, are you doing your training part time? I am thinking of using PAT for my ME/IR and will be doing it part time, just wondering how thats going.

[MARCOFLY]

Good evening ladies and gentlmen,
thank you very much indeed for yours interesting reply.
:ok:
Have a nice evening
Regards

M.

[manxcat]

Felixflyer,

I am training on a full time basis (5 days per week). I did two 1 hour sessions on my CPL but as the IR sessions are 1.5 to 2 hours long one session per day is enough for me.

Flying once a day also means I can ride in the back-seat on other student's flights and learn without the added pressure of flying the aircraft. Another plus is that IR students can use the FNPT 1 free of charge for extra practice.

There are CPL and IR students at PAT on a part time basis but my own point of view is that continuity is key to success, especially on the IR, to prevent skill fade, etc. That said, Linda will be the best person to advise you based on your personal circumstances.

Good luck.

The Cat. :ok:

[matrix777]

Hi Marcofly.

Just sent you a PM.

Matrix777

[luftymatt]

I would recommend BCFT,very friendly atmosphere. I'm currently on the Jetline course, and almost finished with the ATPL ground school. Instructors are very approachable, with experience in the industry. I hopefully should be finished with a frozen ATPL by the end of the year. They are always very happy for people to visit and shown around, just give them a call:)

[hobbit1983]

Another vote for PAT - very good level of instruction, friendly people and straightforward accounting.

[Skysurfer1]

I'm an ex PAT student. Excellent and well run school with first class instructors. I will be renewing at PAT.

:ok:

Is that better?:ugh:

[Paul H]

Any ideas on accomodation for those who have trained at Bournemouth? I have a list of accomodation, but they all seem to be either family houses or quite expensive. I'm not really in a position to travel down and have a look at rooms due to work patterns, so a good recommendation would be very handy.
Thanks in advance.