UK Flight Training Ex-students

[Julian]

Whilst over in California I heard that some of the ex-students of UK Flight Training (based at Long Beach, California), had set up a website.

Having looked around I cant seem to track it down - does anybody know of it?

Thanks in anticipation,
Julian.

[weetabix]

I am one of those who helped set up just that site! I must admit it has become rather quiet as of late and some new comers would i'm sure be welcome.

To be able to access it you will need to apply to the moderator, which i believe is fairly straight forward.
the site is at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/C152/

It would be good to see the site busy again!

When did you train there? I did my PPL at UKFT in the summer of 2000 and i'm going back again to do some hour building there on the 3rd June for 5 weeks this year.

Hope to see you on the site,

Weetabix

[Julian]

May/June 2000 but now use Rainbow for aircraft rental.
Still pop over and say 'Hello' to AJ when I am over and seems to be as busy as ever!

A group of us get together every 2-3 months for a beer and a curry in the UK taking it in turns to 'host'.

Julian.

[weetabix]

I learnt to fly at UKFT in Aug-Sep 2000 so we're of the same era! Who was your instructor? I had Ali. Still in touch with Todd Bodell (another instructor) and many other people who learnt to fly at the same time as me... one guy in Italy, one in Bombay (now flying 757s) another in Ireland and a few more in the UK (one of which i'm travelling to LGB this summer with). Learning to fly is definitely a good way to make some new like-minded friends!!

I'm intending to do 30 hours or more in a PA-28 at Rainbow this time round -any advice? I've heard that UKFT and Rainbow have merged and now operate out of a new building. As much as I loved the broken plastic table and chairs out the back -is this true?!

It would be good to join in one of your beer & curry sessions with a few other ex-UKFT's and share some stories. (I can think of one in Banning Pass :eek: )... ..anyway hopefully see you on our site (tell the others!).

Cheers
Weet

[englishal]

Yea, I remember Ali used to always tune in the ADF to the radio so we could listen to music during our lessons :D

April / May 2K

Cheers
EA

[weetabix]

Yeah he did that with me too!! Funny stuff.

Ali, Abid (a guy training to be an instructor), another student (Nim) and myself wet to Las Vegas for a day trip for fun but mainly so Ali could get some time in a Seminole.
Trouble was that when we got back to the plane that night to fly back to LGB, the starter had gone on the LH engine -shame!! Nim and I sitting in the back seats, couldn't resist saying outloud "We're stranded in Vegas!!!" (more than once). I could think of worse places to be stuck -especially since the business terminal lent us a car for free and we got extra cheap accomodation for three nights of fun. Watching a guy from Long Beach FC hand start the engine while we were sitting inside the plane was definitely 'entertainment' - he kept on nearly falling over!!:eek: :eek:

[Julian]

I had Bill Fischer (porn star extrodinaire!), damn good instructor and taught every rating but jets. Went back 6 months later and did my night rating with Ali. He was hired by the majors and then layed off after 9/11. last I heard he was instructing again down at John Wayne until he got back in again.

You are welcome at he beer night, I think the next one is due to be at either Heathrow or Markeat (small village just north of London).

[weetabix]

I remember Bill. I'll have to look Ali up when I get there. Cheers about the beer night -please let me know when it is closer to the time.

cheers
weet

[SKYYACHT]

I learnt to fly with Ajay back in 1991, when he was operating at a company called Wings Aviation, at Fullerton Muni. I went back on a number of occassions to issue night ratings, IMC issue and renewals and so on. Anyone remember Bill Coleman? or a chap called Wayne I think. I did my Complex Airplane with him, (Arrow 972KR). I have subsequently used Rainbow and ADP for hiring airplanes.

Weetabix, I dont suppose the Seminole was NN144RJ - as that one hit me with the failed No.1 Engine starter - on my FAA Check ride! Just sweated the hours Oral exam, and aeroplane wouldnt start. Had to re-schedule the test. Went up to San Bernadino International to Armstrong Aviation and used another one. I went out earlier this year, and just did some pottering about (Big Bear, Catalina, Santa Barbara etc) in the 172 Skyhawk, and the venerable 972KR......It just keeps going. I expect I will be out again later in the year for another dollop.....anyone fancy a trans state trip, either out and return, say to Oregon or Washington, or East to Arizona/Colorado....???

Tailwinds

[NLM13]

Hi guys. I also trained for my PPL at UKFT in Sept/Oct of 2000. Had Rob as an Instructor, who was excellent. He also tuned the ADF to the radio! Anyone remember the "jojo" radio calls the instructors made to each other? never found out what that was about. Had a great time over there and intend to go back at sometime for some sightseeing.

[NLM13]

Hi guys. I'm going over to Florida on 3rd June for 2 weeks flying. Will be based at WinterHaven. If anyone else is going to be there give me a shout.:cool:

[Julian]

NLM,

Rob Achetel is now flying for the majors, bumped into him in Longbeach by sheer chance. Really good bloke and knew his stuff.

Weet - I have applied to join your Yahoo group so just waiting for you to OK it now.

Julian.

[weetabix]

Skyyacht, Yeah the digits 4RJ do sound familiar. I wonder if they ever did get a new starter motor... I have a pic of it I was going to put on here but my net connection's doing some weird things and won't even let me access my own website!

NLM, Were you there before the 20th Sept 00 (when I left)? Yeah I remember the 'jojo' sneaky transmissions -usually followed by "calling station say again" from the controller! I think it was off a radio program/DJ. I'm off on the 3rd June as well! Are you leaving from LHR? I'm going back to LGB though.

Julian, I'm haven't got moderator privileges on the Yahoo group yet, but i've e-mailed BuggsC152 who's the owner so that I can gain them and have so far had no reply... might have to be old-fashioned and actually use the phone!

Cheers
Weet

[Nim19]

Guys,

Nim here..bloke who's going with weetabix(where's the name from? you're names Ludo! don't see the linke here!) in a couple of weeks, to return to the good life. NLM - I had Rob Achetel as my instructor too! Fantastic instructor, although once we came this close to a glider: our cessna glider, when we were doing a cross country to hemet.

Then on another day, both another of his students and myself were doing our first solo cross-country flights (no doubt the most nervracking time for an instructor). I came back safely albeit a bit late because i'd been chatting to the ATC controllers at palomar and hemet. But when i got back, there was still no sign of the other guy, who'd left hours before me.

It turned out that he'd gone over 30 miles astray because he'd tuned into the wrong VOR, then ran out of fuel at 9000ft, couldn't seem to get anyone over the radio and didn't know where the hell he was.:eek: eventually some guy picked him up and pointed out that he was circling directly above some airfield. :rolleyes:
So he lived for another day and got back to LGB 8 hours after departing.

Great story eh?!

[englishal]

Pleanty of great stories from LGB.....I seem to remember someone's rudder pedal falling off once......;)