Skyborne Vs Leading Edge vs L3

[Will66]

Hi, I'm in the final steps for all schools, on the integrated ATPL program. Im aware of the financial benefits of the modular route, however it doesn't really appeal to me. I like the whole integrated experience.

Anyway, I would like to ask anybody who has experience at any of these schools to list any pros/cons? I'll be doing the added Bsc so I can access student finance! Im leaning towards skyborne or Leading edge but I'm still extremely stuck between the two.

Thanks!

[Broadlands]

I am not yet 100% this is a genuine enquiry but I will give you the benefit of doubt.
Firstly, heed this advice carefully, and research your own data. I will give you some essential questions that will help you make your choice.

1. Who is the leadership team including the directors? How long have they been involved in the flight training industry, and what have they achieved.
2. What is the financial situation of the company? Read the latest company accounts. NOTE - ALL companies will show a loss and debt!
3. Aircraft - how many, how old, who owns them, and how serviceable are they. All well and good if you have a fleet but only 2 work!
4. Linked to the above, who services the aircraft? On site or off site.
5. Instructors: There is a huge variation so make sure you ask how much experience they have, and what kind. What is the instructor turnover rate?
6. Flight training: How often will you be scheduled, and as a separate question, how often are students flying per week? There seems to be a reluctance to tell the truth on this one. Actually get in touch with students who will answer!
7.Flight training again: Will you have the same instructor or a selection?
Major question: How many students does each instructor look after? This is not an average figure that can be distorted but actual students assigned to an instructor. 3 or maximum 4 is ideal but if more than 5 then the instructor cannot possibly monitor and teach correctly.
8. Flight training: How much time do instructors have to brief and debrief the fights? This is hugely important. Also, in practice, how much time actually happens. All schedules get delayed but if it gets squeezed to the point where there is no time for briefing the quality drops, quickly.
9. Course material: Ask to have a look at the course material. Much of the material started off as an original source and has been copied and adapted. This has gove on forever.
10. Pass rates: What is their first series pass rate AND first series full pass on attempt 1?
11. Retraining: Who pays if a flight is repeated? What about using the sim for additional training?
12. Selection: Is it a proper selection or a credit check! Too many sell an assessment that is a way to make money and then they say your aptitude is ok, when it is definitely not. Seen this many times.
13. Customer service. Do they answer queries from students? Who can you complain to. Try to find out from students what their experience of the school customer service is.
14. What is the actual, not planed, time that students are taking to complete the course.
15. Does the school have any solid relationship with airlines? Actual concrete relations with contracts, not aspirational marketing talk!

You are going to part with a huge amount of monet and it is in your interest to research these basic questions that I would regard as essential knowledge to be able to choose the school.

These are obviously the questions that the companies will be shy about answering correctly. Under no circumstances accept what the sales team feed you. They are purely there to make the sale and collect their bonus for signing you.

[VariablePitchP]

Hi, I'm in the final steps for all schools, on the integrated ATPL program. Im aware of the financial benefits of the modular route, however it doesn't really appeal to me. I like the whole integrated experience.

Anyway, I would like to ask anybody who has experience at any of these schools to list any pros/cons? I'll be doing the added Bsc so I can access student finance! Im leaning towards skyborne or Leading edge but I'm still extremely stuck between the two.

Thanks!

Well, it’s your money you’re wasting…

[TayBee]

Deleted as the previous intel I had has been superseded.

[parkfell]

Visit the establishments, talk to the students/customers before making any decisions.

[spitfirejock]

Visit the establishments, talk to the students/customers before making any decisions.


Go Modular....save 40%, keep control. don't be fooled by massive advertising budgets!

SJ