Unique Air Swansea
 

Anyone know the latest on this company. Did they ever get an AOC, or did they turn out to be the rubbish everyone said they would?

Heard all sorts of rumours on the grapevine, wondered if anyone knew the truth, whether it's worth looking for a job with them, I heard they had some Citations on the way?

I don't think they have an AOC. At least the CAA doesn't say they do!

AOC
 

Very odd this as PPJN lists them as recruiting, with the info updated very recently:

http://www.pilotjobsnetwork.com/fact...zvky9r97kxjh5p

Not a bad salary either.

Cha Ja

Thanks for that, I heard the same thing, think I'll give them a wide berth.

I still officially work for them. They owe me three months money. No sign of the new jets or the ratings we were promised either, never mind the C340.

I know someone who is in exactly the same situation as Mr Hammer, promises of jets but orders not fulfilled, salaries unpaid etc etc.

NB. I'll happily supply my name and details to moderator if there's the usual legal threats.

The managing director used to post on here as "Im here". I wonder if he has anything to say for himself publicly in defence of his actions?

Not Again !!!!!!
 

Mr Hammer. This issue with small operaters (I use the term Loosley of course) , in particular the one you have mentioned does seem to be a worry. We have all started somewhere with some of the ....shall we say "Ethicaley questionable" outfits. It does seem that it could be a case of low hours and indeed overkeen (desperate) and therefore vulnerable pilots being asked to perform what is not neccessarily in theyre best interests. I really would urge caution. If you ...or any other pilot has been asked to carry out duties in excess of the privelages of theyre licsence, or exceed minima. Then you must weigh up in your own minds ...is this really worth what I'm being paid for? . From what I hear ...is somewhere approaching nothing thus far. As proffessional pilots...I need not remind you of saftey and legal implications. But what kind of organisation would inflict those choices upon you?

Pay? Pay? What pay? Did somebody get paid?!!!

Excuse me?
 

You have not been payed? ....at all?

Disgrace
 

I must say I think it an absolute disgrace that you chaps have not received salaries. I feel guilty that I found out on here about this before it was too late for me. Best of luck finding new jobs.

I'd echo Mr Hammer. The MD of Unique should answer pubicly.:{

Pay
 

Not quite Mr Sync. I got £100 cash at Easter. Not bad for nearly 4 months. Bank manager loves me right enough.

So what was the truth about Citations and Kingairs? Did they ever materialise?

Quite astounding, you guys work for nothing for months and I am struggling to find suitably houred Seneca drivers.

Phil

Not exactly working, Phil: simple economics meant that after a couple of weeks delay in the first months salary most could no longer afford to keep renting accommodation in Wales and had to leave. We are still being promised pay to this day, but each time it fails to materialise in our bank accounts.

Would that be G-WWIZ?

Pehaps I have missed something here so please correct me if I am wrong ,

People have joined this company (presumebly) leaving other jobs to do so, Have been promised whatever is was they have been promised to get them there, and now ...after what seems to be a very extended period of time nothing has come of it? Not even pay?

How many pilots have been "employed"?

There must of been some extremely good promises made to keep you there this long! :bored:

I can only assume that there must be some dazzling buisness plan or trianing bond that keeps you there!

Barons must be trickier than I thought!

But what work were you doing, the aircraft can't fly for reward with no AOC.

Good Point !

We were told all flights would be non revenue flights. We were very careful about the implications of this, and spoke anonymously to the CAA to check what were our responsibilities regarding this. We were told that the liability was the operator's, and we could take at face value what we were being told by the company. However, safety of the flights were of course, down to us.

Why do it anonymously - if you felt you had a grievance, why not make it official?

I suppose aviation is a small world, nobody wants to cause trouble, and at that time we were trying to make it work within the bounds of the law and of safety, expecting an AOC in the pipeline. Sadly this has not materialised, as someone pointed out earlier.

But how can a non revenue service work? Someone has got to pay for it! Unfortunately it sounds like you chaps who were doing the flying did.

It was a short term exercise, pending AOC approval, with flights being goodwill to future clients.

From what I gather, the Baron in question is on the AOC of another UK operator... But the whole thing does seem just a bit dodgy! :uhoh:

Which operator's AOC is the Baron using? I have heard this claim before elsewhere. The pilots really ought to be aware, I mean surely this other operator has SOPs to be followed? If it IS on another AOC then is the Baron now being used for revenue flights?

I am not sure, but I really do not think there is an AOC.

With a business brain like that running it, no wonder nothing ever materialised!

Any investor looking at a business plan that included something like operating expensive a/c for free whilst building up "goodwill" would run for the hills screaming.

If that's the way it was run, then I think someone has been telling his staff porky pies. If not, then come on here and prove me wrong!

I am kind of getting the impression that any investor may have done just that very thing!

sour grapes
 

The pilot here has a sour grapes problem, he has very low time, and we decided that he was not right for the company as for the flight I think you will find it was a free of charge flight for an existing client, for the heart of a 5yr old girl, the investor picked up the tab for the feel good factor.

Rgds
MD

Im Here
 

Which pilot? I reckon there's a few watching this. So did you decide from day one I was not suitable? When were you going to tell me, only up to now you have been wanting me back in Swansea to fly for you!!

Unbelievable.

So are you now sacking him here on Pprune? Hmmmm.

If he wasn't "right" for your company, then why has he been sitting around waiting for you? Surely you would have the gumption to tell someone their services are no longer required?

Something smells about this whole venture.

Sour grapes
 

How many of us would have a few grapes after three months unpaid? Why don't you pay the guy up to date and then try and dismiss him? Why was he unsuitable? Does anybody here really believe that?

You sound like a benevolent chap, hearts n all. Why not just pay your pilots? Maybe then there'll be fewer sour grapes.

Anybody here wanna work for this guy????

For the avoidance of doubt, I am quite happy to give my details to moderators and back up any claims I make here. For me it is all fact based, rather than the 'make-it-up-as-you-go-along' stuff which may be appearing. I want this thread to keep going, I think it is important for other pilots to know what we have ben through before deciding to get involved with these guys.

As for any legal action from Unique Air, bring it on, I would love my day in court at your expense. If they threaten pprune send them to my door.

No, but I'd charter some of his flights if he's giving them away for free!

I'd fly you but apparently I'm not suitable!

Getting sacked on PPrune, I've seen it all now. :D:D:D

Unique air dont be seeing much to defend themselves, so it must be a real steer clear company!!!

Even their webhosting company seems to be steering clear of them at the moment!

Never a particularily good sign!

Account Closed!

Here is a question for you exponents of Article 19 of the Air Navigation Order. If an aircraft owner supplies crew and aircraft gratis, and the middle man between the owner/operator and the NHS sell this service does it count as flying for reward.

If the NHS have indeed been inoiced for a flight, but this money was not passed to the company that owns the aircraft surely this must be ilegal because if not someone could simply set up one loss making company and one priofit making one.

Phil