Which school for the CPL & IR?

[JT8]

Hi folks,

I'm considering doing my CPL and IR at one of the following:

1. Cabair
2. Bristol Flight Centre
3. Professional Air Training
4. Multiflight

Is there anyone out there with experience of any of the above schools willing to shed some light on their training?

Any help appreciated :) .
JT8

[Polar_stereographic]

No 3 get's my vote. Doing my IR at the moment.

2 & 4 I've heard about and good things at that, but no personal experience.

No 1 I'd stay clear off, again, no personal experience.

PS

[ 26 November 2001: Message edited by: Polar_stereographic ]

[feetnkneestogether]

I've just finished at Bristol.
They got us all through with the minimum of pain. The aircraft are kept in serviceable nick and everybody gets there in the end.
I'd recommend them.

Unlike other bigger schools, you only have to be in credit on the day of your flight so there's no big upfront payments. This can be an advantage believe me.

Drop me a line if you want to know anything specific.

[Polar_stereographic]

For the record,

PAT don't ask for cash up front, just ask that you stay in credit. Credit cards also accepted.

PS

[redsnail]

I haven't flown at any of the schools mentioned. I don't work at any of them either.
However, I believe they are all good schools. I gather these ones are close(ish) to where you live. If so, I would take the time out to visit them. Talk to the instructors and the students already there. Have a look at their aircraft and so on. In other words, get a feel for the place and see if it suits you.
Will you get one/two instructors or many?
Aircraft available when you want it?
Do they demand a lot of money up front?
Ground briefings included in cost?
Sims available?
Aircraft maintained well? (Look in the MR to find out.)
Do they seem to want your business or are you a "nuisance" to them?
Some schools suit certain personalities and others don't. It is vital that you get a feel for the place before you spend your money. Relying purely on what "anonymous" PPRuNers say may not help you in the long run.
Good luck.

[JT8]

Thanks for the replies - I will be visiting the schools in question to take a look myself. Could I also ask how long the course has taken? Finally, should I be adding Oxford :eek: to the list?!?

cheers, JT8

[Midland Maniac]

JT8,

I am one of the guys that was down at SFT doing my course, and I had to quickly change schools to cary on with my training.

I looked at those schools that you mentioned and found most of them to be ok. However I opted for a local place to continue my training and have found that there facilities are very good.

For example unlike some of the schools for the IR, they use an modern FNPT II sim rather than a Frasca....don't know about anyone els but i wouldn't want 35 hours on a frasca in my logbook. Also they have decent a\c (Arrow iv Turbo + Seneca) and the price is good.

The school is called 'The Flight Centre' and it is based at Wolverhampton Business Aerodrome.

Do with this info what you wish, and I wish you luck with your training.

MM :D :D

[Pete O'Tewbe]

PAT definitely!

[Squealing Pig]

No experince of No.1

Had a bad experiance at no.4 spent quite a lot of money with two failed IR attempts & felt I was being messed around some what, then gave up with No. 4 and went to No. 2 spent a week there and got a full pass.

No.3 I allways hear good things about

[vetflyer]

Any comments about Triple AAA :cool:

[Flysundone]

Did my IR at Bristol Flight Centre.

Found them to be friendly, helpful, efficient and the aircraft are well maintained.

Failed my IR test the first time due to a couple of silly mistakes which could not be blamed on the training.

Can't comment on the others.

[redsnail]

Vetflyer, I have heard only good things about Triple A.

[MALCOLM_DEAN]

Squealing Pig,

Please email me or contact me at Multiflight if you feel disappointed or messed about.

Malcolm Dean

[Officer Dibbles]

No. 2 ask for Nasib. Top man!!!!!!

[nasib]

Officer Dibbles
Shucks! :o :o :o
We ALL do our best at Bristol Flying Centre

[twinkletoes]

Everyone's an expert...

Just to add to the confusion here is a cut and paste from another posting of mine.

If anyone reading this is looking for for a flight school to continue trainning I would suggest the following.
Find a flight school that has ex SFT instructors, appart from one or two exceptions they were exceptional (the exceptions were merely not quite as good as the very high standard).

I say this as it is not management, policy, airfield or aircraft that make a good FTO. Good instructors make a good flight school, also creative scheduling and good contacts within the CAA helps. (being an ex SFT student I am also biased).
I believe PAT have taken on one as well as Carrel and BFC.
Oh... and learn and understand your checklists.

I can't comment on Multiflight (as I have never heard of them) and would avoid Bristol like the plague (based on stories from Bristol students).

[ 10 December 2001: Message edited by: twinkletoes ]

[tmagee]

I have heard some very good things about Leeds Flying School. If you are going to Leeds to check out Multi flight then I would certainley check them out as well.

[MAX]

I can definately recommend Leeds flying School. Had a great time when there and they really pushed me through quickly with great instruction. You can even twist the guys arms for a cold one. Well worth a look.

MAX :cool:

[nasib]

twinkletoes,

In the same message, you suggest that students should go to schools that have employed ex SFT instructors, including BFC, but would advise that everyone should avoid Bristol like the plague(based on STORIES from Bristol students).

Nice one.

[Snigs]

So Twinkie, you put down a flying school that you haven't any experience with! Tut tut!! :rolleyes:

I have experience with them, in fact I am one of BFC's students. The flying staff are really excellent. Nas, Em and Leigh worked really hard for me as they do for all of their students.

One small gripe for me though was the organisation of the FNPT2 sim time, it could have been better, but they know about that and I believe that they are doing something to rectify it.

I would thoroughly recommend them.

I can still hear it ringing in my ears "little and often, little and often, little and often" in a bloody welsh accent :)

[ 10 December 2001: Message edited by: Snigs ]

[Flying Lion]

Another very good school worth considering is Stapleford Flight Centre in NE London, Very good aircraft fleet, Reasonable prices & experienced instructors. They have an excellent pass rate with every commercial course completed this year getting a first series pass. An additional simulator (FNPTII) supposed to be arriving in March. Cheap accomodation on the field too!

[twinkletoes]

Nosedragger
Sounds as if I conradicted myself, but in the past year I have spoken to a few friends and aquaintances who went to Bristol and all they were constantly complaining about it.
I know most students have a moan now and then about their school, but not all the time. I will say however that all completed their trainning with Bristol but one in particular racked up quite a few hours over and above minimum.
I don't know which instuctor is at Bristol now.
All I can say is oppps.

[nasib]

twinkletoes

It would be nice to hear from the students themselves about specific gripes(so that they can be addressed) rather than vague accusations second hand.

For your information, Bristol have not employed any ex-SFT instructors. Obviously more misinformation and hearsay on your part.

[JT8]

Thanks for the replies people ;) . I'm looking at a few schools this week - went and checked out PAT today and was quite impressed. Still keeping my options open though.

Cheers, JT8

[streamer]

does anyone have any contact information for bristol?

e-mail / tel. etc.
thanks

[nasib]

streamer
Just another number

Member # 12089
posted 12 December 2001 22:33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
does anyone have any contact information for bristol?
e-mail / tel. etc.
thanks

Tel 01275 474601

[spitfire747]

Just some advice for you

Bigger is not always better
and
DO NOT pay up front, keep in credit and make payments by card. If the school require payment up front - walk away

I would avoid 1 - did my PPL with them not a good experience
No experience of the others

[ManchesterTMA]

Bit unfair slagging off Bristol I feel!

Went there with 700 hours,30 hours Instrument and a lapsed IMC from 2.5 years ago....3weeks 2 days later had First time full pass, so they can't be that bad!

Personally thought they were very focussed and keen to get you through in the minimum time possible.

Naz was particularly good as was Jeff and Terry in the Sim.

Would definately recommend them...can't say anything about the others as I've never trained with them and hearsay's a dangerous thing.

MTMA

[Snigs]

MTMA, if you were doing your IR training in August I think I know you!!! I've sat in the back a few times!?

BFC are big enough to mean that they only really need you to just stay in credit. I used to pay an amount and then go into debit a bit, and then pay a bit more..... It means that you don't risk more of your cash than you need to. Useful in today's climate

Also, the fact that there's a resident CAA examiner on the airfield means that you don't wait for too long for the test when you're ready!!

The problem with second hand moans is the fact that people will moan if they're not satisfied. Most people who are satisfied aren't so forthcoming with their comments. A fact of life!

[ManchesterTMA]

Snigs - I think I know who you are!

Hows things?

Did you do the MCC and where?

Cancelled mine for the moment due to the situation generally - managed to get my IR Instructors course which rather worringly means I can teach the IR!!

Better practice on IMC ratings first. Still I've bought a GPS so I can be like NAZ!

I'm thinking about the ATP scheme - have you are anyone else got thoughts on this?

MTMA

[rebeccadblake]

I deffo agree with Sniggs... I like the way BFC trade, its good ESP at times like this.

I am also a student of BFC's. I like them a lot :D

[13579]

Did my IR @ BFC. Best in my opinion and experience by far. Use to work for Cabair. don't even think about it. The only other place possibly as good as BFC, heard excellent things but no experience, is Airways @ Exeter, but you need 1000hrs. I can only repeat, Bristol will not let you down, all instructors good, Nasib brilliant, and Martin the boss is a top bloke. I've no experience of PAT, but don't believe anywhere up to BFC/Airways standards. I did multi + IR, 11 hrs sim, 14hrs A/c