Ambeo based Cranfield
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Comment on this article anyone?
Entrepreneur's 'air taxi' takes off - News - Bedfordshire on Sunday
Entrepreneur's 'air taxi' takes off - News - Bedfordshire on Sunday
Educated Hillbilly
Has anyone sent an email to the Bedfordshire press explaining what a sham this operation is.
x933, I don't think that is a fair comparison, Ryanair have a large established fleet and only charge 50 to apply and 250 for a sim ride. Plus at Ryanair at leat you get a common and useful type on your licence.
A few years back in Flight (about 10 years ago) there was an advert that appeared for a full sponsorship for frozen ATPL training (I forget the name of the company). Similary it was charging about a hundred pounds for each part of a three stage selection. In the end the company revealed it was not a real company but was simply doing research into how desperate people were to become pilots. In this instance the company never took any money, it never intended to and as said the company revealed it was merely doing research.
I almost thought that this Ambeo was a similar thing, that the terms were so rediculous it was merely doing research to meaure how desperate people were to obtain a flying job.
x933, I don't think that is a fair comparison, Ryanair have a large established fleet and only charge 50 to apply and 250 for a sim ride. Plus at Ryanair at leat you get a common and useful type on your licence.
A few years back in Flight (about 10 years ago) there was an advert that appeared for a full sponsorship for frozen ATPL training (I forget the name of the company). Similary it was charging about a hundred pounds for each part of a three stage selection. In the end the company revealed it was not a real company but was simply doing research into how desperate people were to become pilots. In this instance the company never took any money, it never intended to and as said the company revealed it was merely doing research.
I almost thought that this Ambeo was a similar thing, that the terms were so rediculous it was merely doing research to meaure how desperate people were to obtain a flying job.
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Unfortunately there will be people desperate enough to hand over £3200 to Rob Spencer to get in the RHS with Ambeo.
But they will never fill the LHS or RHS with experienced chaps thru Spencer's hair brained money making sham.
I can only imagine an intelligent Frank Nopple was approached by this dreamer, Spencer.
Good luck Frank ..........You need it with wally's like him around.
But they will never fill the LHS or RHS with experienced chaps thru Spencer's hair brained money making sham. I can only imagine an intelligent Frank Nopple was approached by this dreamer, Spencer.
Good luck Frank ..........You need it with wally's like him around.
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Paddy,
So here is a grad student setting up a company in his dorm room, asks the City to cough up 30 Mill, has zero experience in starting businesses, has zero experience in setting up an AOC, has zero experience in running a business, has zero experience in aviation, has zero experience operating jets, has zero experience with VLJ's, has zero experience in selecting an operating base, has zero experience in running an ops department, has zero experience in running a charter business, has zero experience in selling flights, has zero experience in maintaining aircraft, has zero experience as a postholder.
And of course that is legit...
Oh and he charges 3200 quid for an interview.
It's completely legit
And of course that is legit...
Oh and he charges 3200 quid for an interview.
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CLDRVR
I think that is totally uncalled for, this guy does not deserve that level of abuse, he deserves a gold star a big red tick and a VG. I'll bet he used coloured pencils and everything and even made it look nice with those funny green bits of string with the metal bits on the end.
Well Done
I think that is totally uncalled for, this guy does not deserve that level of abuse, he deserves a gold star a big red tick and a VG. I'll bet he used coloured pencils and everything and even made it look nice with those funny green bits of string with the metal bits on the end.
Well Done
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No planes, no brains...Ambeo's business plan
Hi cldrvr,
I said it was legit. I didn't say it was a good idea. You have outlined Ambeo's business background succinctly and accurately. Still, you have to admire the brazen arrogance of someone who invites you and me to fund his fantasy. He's a recent graduate of mechanical engineering (no, not even aeronautical) with no work experience in the real world. Ambeo and the brains behind it (Walter Mitty)will not inspire this fool and his £3000+ to be parted.
I said it was legit. I didn't say it was a good idea. You have outlined Ambeo's business background succinctly and accurately. Still, you have to admire the brazen arrogance of someone who invites you and me to fund his fantasy. He's a recent graduate of mechanical engineering (no, not even aeronautical) with no work experience in the real world. Ambeo and the brains behind it (Walter Mitty)will not inspire this fool and his £3000+ to be parted.
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Someone's asked about it in the wannabe's forum so no doubt you can cross a few more £3,200 units off.
My comment about Ryanair was more aimed at paying for an interview (£50) and type rating. And uniform. And other associated extras.
My comment about Ryanair was more aimed at paying for an interview (£50) and type rating. And uniform. And other associated extras.
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The may lack the basics of an airline business such as:
1) an airline
2) investors/shareholders
3) experience
4) planes
( I could go on but I'd get bored)
...but you've got to give it to them on self promotion!
Business First Magazine for the best of Business in South East England Issue Q4
I wonder does Dr Frank Noppel realise that most epic voyage Ambeo are going to take is the ride that that Robert Spencer and CRM are taking him on. Chief Pilot and recruitment? I wonder how many wannabe's will pass through his greasy palm before he finds the right fit...assuming someone is dumb enough to fork out £3.2k in the first place.
As for VLJ002's comment:
putting a significant amount of my own hard earned cash
how much do students earn working part time in McDonalds these days?
1) an airline
2) investors/shareholders
3) experience
4) planes
( I could go on but I'd get bored)
...but you've got to give it to them on self promotion!
Business First Magazine for the best of Business in South East England Issue Q4
I wonder does Dr Frank Noppel realise that most epic voyage Ambeo are going to take is the ride that that Robert Spencer and CRM are taking him on. Chief Pilot and recruitment? I wonder how many wannabe's will pass through his greasy palm before he finds the right fit...assuming someone is dumb enough to fork out £3.2k in the first place.
As for VLJ002's comment:
putting a significant amount of my own hard earned cash
how much do students earn working part time in McDonalds these days?
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It can't be easy for any new businesses right now in the current climate but maybe because bankers won't be travelling around in private jets so much now 
, there could be a new customer base. A solid business plan and good marketing strategy will ensure that new opportunities are exploited and Cranfield is well equipped to provide the tailored support tools needed for both the aeronautical and the business aspects of the venture. I am sure Ambeo has taken advantage of all the expertise available to them and devised a a realistic strategy for success. There are a great many models of success and failure to learn from. A wise entrepreneur will have studied these in depth, will have isolated the key success factors and know what aspects are important for positioning.
, there could be a new customer base. A solid business plan and good marketing strategy will ensure that new opportunities are exploited and Cranfield is well equipped to provide the tailored support tools needed for both the aeronautical and the business aspects of the venture. I am sure Ambeo has taken advantage of all the expertise available to them and devised a a realistic strategy for success. There are a great many models of success and failure to learn from. A wise entrepreneur will have studied these in depth, will have isolated the key success factors and know what aspects are important for positioning.
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"A wise entrepreneur will have studied these in depth"
Watch this space. This is not a wind up project. I just hope they arrange decent handling services at EGTC
My observation from a basing point of view is why EGTC ????
Watch this space. This is not a wind up project. I just hope they arrange decent handling services at EGTC
My observation from a basing point of view is why EGTC ????
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Here we are in the good old UK, where anybody trying to do anything new is slagged off and put down before they start. Just like everyone did with Easyjet.
Good luck with it, and provided the crew are properly trained and regulated (which is where my doubts lie) I hope it works out. The VLJ as an air taxi is a very good idea and WILL be all over the sky eventually like it or not. It just needs some one to have the courage to get going.
Good luck with it, and provided the crew are properly trained and regulated (which is where my doubts lie) I hope it works out. The VLJ as an air taxi is a very good idea and WILL be all over the sky eventually like it or not. It just needs some one to have the courage to get going.
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Pilot bear/DC9, if you bother to read most posts in this thread the consensus it that there is no objection to starting a VLJ operation, however there are serious doubts about the background and experience of the student-owner, the choice of base and the fact that an interview with these guys will set you back 3200 quid.
And let's all agree there has not been a succesfull VLJ only operator yet to start. I admit that there could be a market in Europe, especially to replace the aging TP fleet and as long as your passsengers have no luggage and strong bladders, however the chance of success of Ambeo must be close to if not exactly zero.
And of course it is entertaining to poke fun at the continuous barrage of new PPRuNers defending Ambeo and its student-owner.
And let's all agree there has not been a succesfull VLJ only operator yet to start. I admit that there could be a market in Europe, especially to replace the aging TP fleet and as long as your passsengers have no luggage and strong bladders, however the chance of success of Ambeo must be close to if not exactly zero.
And of course it is entertaining to poke fun at the continuous barrage of new PPRuNers defending Ambeo and its student-owner.
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Cldrvr
Maybe you might change your mind about Ambeo if you talked to them about the bussiness. I am not trying to defend them particularly but every company has to start somewhere and something so ambitious would take a lot of preparation.
I can really see why they choose Cranfield though...its central, good road links and better industry links (with the Management Centre and the EGTC).
Maybe you might change your mind about Ambeo if you talked to them about the bussiness. I am not trying to defend them particularly but every company has to start somewhere and something so ambitious would take a lot of preparation.
I can really see why they choose Cranfield though...its central, good road links and better industry links (with the Management Centre and the EGTC).
Last edited by Knots1000; 20th Nov 2008 at 13:49.
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the right airport and the right man
Excellent business stratergy!
Cranfield opens at 8 and closes at 7 weekdays, and 9-6 at weekends,
There is no instrument approach to 03, and no taxi lights
There is no snow clearing equipment and the ILS for 21 is u/s as much as servicable.
It is also a satallite for customs at Luton, not covered when a lot may want to travel
The website states "only 41 miles from London"...has anyone tried to travel those 41 miles, through the hell that is the southern M1, the roadworks that stretch from J11 to J5, and lets not mention rush hour traffic for the whole stretch both ways from J1 to J14
To top all of this off it is apparantly being headed up by an individual that has managed to become an instructor over his long and established career. He has no concept of airline management, airport management, or business stratergy.He has been allowed his grubby, money desperate hands on a "state of the art simulator" that the CAA apparently laughed at and would not license it for FNPT2 use. Still he has semingly still persuaded the same investors to poor their childrens inheritance into a totally unproven business model at a a training airfield. (I have to admit a very high quality one though from my few visits there) Now he wants us to invest out hard earned cash in him so we can be unemployed and he has a nice pension pot!
Yes, lets all think seriously about the idea and say, oh that £90k was worthwhile for my ratings, I'm now going to pay Mr Spencer £3.5k to NOT give me a job!..Oh Frank, just retire early and give the world a chance. (and us pilots a smile)
Something tells me the millionaire in a rush is not going to try and travel to an out of the way, part time openingairport when they have Luton, Cambridge, Coventry, Birmingham, East Midlands, Oxford and other well established operations so near by.
If they do, they'd better plan their meeting times at the other end well so that can leave at 8 and be back by 7!....or a costly overnight stay may well be incurred.
What an amazingly stupid waste of money........I wonder why it was not spotted on dragons den??mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Cranfield opens at 8 and closes at 7 weekdays, and 9-6 at weekends,
There is no instrument approach to 03, and no taxi lights
There is no snow clearing equipment and the ILS for 21 is u/s as much as servicable.
It is also a satallite for customs at Luton, not covered when a lot may want to travel
The website states "only 41 miles from London"...has anyone tried to travel those 41 miles, through the hell that is the southern M1, the roadworks that stretch from J11 to J5, and lets not mention rush hour traffic for the whole stretch both ways from J1 to J14
To top all of this off it is apparantly being headed up by an individual that has managed to become an instructor over his long and established career. He has no concept of airline management, airport management, or business stratergy.He has been allowed his grubby, money desperate hands on a "state of the art simulator" that the CAA apparently laughed at and would not license it for FNPT2 use. Still he has semingly still persuaded the same investors to poor their childrens inheritance into a totally unproven business model at a a training airfield. (I have to admit a very high quality one though from my few visits there) Now he wants us to invest out hard earned cash in him so we can be unemployed and he has a nice pension pot!
Yes, lets all think seriously about the idea and say, oh that £90k was worthwhile for my ratings, I'm now going to pay Mr Spencer £3.5k to NOT give me a job!..Oh Frank, just retire early and give the world a chance. (and us pilots a smile)
Something tells me the millionaire in a rush is not going to try and travel to an out of the way, part time openingairport when they have Luton, Cambridge, Coventry, Birmingham, East Midlands, Oxford and other well established operations so near by.
If they do, they'd better plan their meeting times at the other end well so that can leave at 8 and be back by 7!....or a costly overnight stay may well be incurred.
What an amazingly stupid waste of money........I wonder why it was not spotted on dragons den??mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Last edited by speakers; 21st Nov 2008 at 16:49.
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S.O.S
Yeah - stands for 'sad ol spencer'. 
It's enough that this guy is masquerading as an 'airline captain '
let alone portraying himself as a top company exec. 
and if that's not enough as a TRI / TRE of what I ask myself - the latest Airfix model !!
Come on 'Frank' maybe we can talk business and talk discount in this credit hit land of ours. I have, like many of my colleagues, paid enough for all my training over the years, my money, not mummy or daddys, only to have a comedian like you to invent not even a clever scam to try and extract even more from us. But I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel - for me in any case please try and follow :-
I already have an MCC so we can knock off that £2600 ok so far ?
I am willing to have a chat with you for a £100 would be worth it
for the entertainment value (no offence
).
I fancy a ride in your new sim - bit more expensive than the one in
my local supermarket but worth it none the less
Best bit though is this - as I don't have a personality you could knock
off that other £250 for something called a 'personality evaluation' -
you get my drift and where I am coming from now
?
Good - so out of the initial outlay of £3200 you and me are now down
to £450 that's a whole lot better now isn't it ..... so what's it going to
be for cash e'h ?
It's enough that this guy is masquerading as an 'airline captain '
let alone portraying himself as a top company exec. and if that's not enough as a TRI / TRE of what I ask myself - the latest Airfix model !! Come on 'Frank' maybe we can talk business and talk discount in this credit hit land of ours. I have, like many of my colleagues, paid enough for all my training over the years, my money, not mummy or daddys, only to have a comedian like you to invent not even a clever scam to try and extract even more from us. But I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel - for me in any case
please try and follow :-I already have an MCC so we can knock off that £2600 ok so far ?
I am willing to have a chat with you for a £100 would be worth it
for the entertainment value (no offence
).I fancy a ride in your new sim - bit more expensive than the one in
my local supermarket but worth it none the less
Best bit though is this - as I don't have a personality you could knock
off that other £250 for something called a 'personality evaluation' -
you get my drift and where I am coming from now
?Good - so out of the initial outlay of £3200 you and me are now down
to £450 that's a whole lot better now isn't it ..... so what's it going to
be for cash
e'h ?
Last edited by Aeronaut_01; 22nd Nov 2008 at 07:32.