FI course abroad and Aerofan (Madrid)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FI course abroad and Aerofan (Madrid)
Hey All,
Im considering Aerofan's FI course sometime this summer and would appreciate any feedback people might have with regards to the flight school and especially their FI course.
My other concern involves the possibility of FI employment back in the UK after completing the course in foreign climes, has anyone had any difficulties with FI employment due to JAA training overseas?
Once again any feedback would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
Epic_mg
Im considering Aerofan's FI course sometime this summer and would appreciate any feedback people might have with regards to the flight school and especially their FI course.
My other concern involves the possibility of FI employment back in the UK after completing the course in foreign climes, has anyone had any difficulties with FI employment due to JAA training overseas?
Once again any feedback would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
Epic_mg
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Schools that run the FIC will generally try to recruit people that they have trained, mostly for continuity. However, at the moment there is little new blood coming through the system so schools can't afford to be too picky.
I did an IR at Aerofan a couple of years ago and met a German chap who was doing the FIC while I was there. He got a job straight after qualifying with a school at Kemble. I spoke to him recently and he is still there.
Oh, and my Spanish IR didn't prove to be a barrier to me getting a job flying single pilot IFR around Europe, either!
I did an IR at Aerofan a couple of years ago and met a German chap who was doing the FIC while I was there. He got a job straight after qualifying with a school at Kemble. I spoke to him recently and he is still there.
Oh, and my Spanish IR didn't prove to be a barrier to me getting a job flying single pilot IFR around Europe, either!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Guadalix de la Sierra
Age: 57
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There has been quite a discussion about Aerofan in the Spanish forum section, with widely varying opinions. I have no personal experience of them but see their planes flying a lot from Cuatro Vientos and they all looked well maintained from the outside.
I personally did my PPL with aeromadrid and was very happy with them, and am slowly continuing the modular course through them. The only thing I'm not sure about is if they do FI courses in English.
If you do come to Madrid to do it, I'd be happy to meet up for a beer anyway
I personally did my PPL with aeromadrid and was very happy with them, and am slowly continuing the modular course through them. The only thing I'm not sure about is if they do FI courses in English.
If you do come to Madrid to do it, I'd be happy to meet up for a beer anyway
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: defying gravity
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aerofan
hi im considering doing the FIC course in aerofan in febuary can you give me and advice or feedback youve received about the place?it would be much appreciated!
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ireland
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did my FIC with aerofan. My experience was extremely positive . i loved the location, Price, aircraft, [10 hours of bonanza flying included in the price] not to be sniffed at. Excellent instructor. friendly, flexible....dunno what else to say. wow i'm starting to miss Madrid now.
PM me if you need anything else.
I've completed my flying training from nz, usa, uk, ireland and Spain.
Spain I would rate as the top and Ireland would rank lowest in terms of ticking the boxes.
PM me if you need anything else.
I've completed my flying training from nz, usa, uk, ireland and Spain.
Spain I would rate as the top and Ireland would rank lowest in terms of ticking the boxes.
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So did you have to go and do all of the exams to get your FI(R) rating at Aerofan?? I'd love there to be some other way of demonstrating my commercial level knowledge of flying rather than sitting the exams.
G
G
Last edited by gijoe; 17th Dec 2007 at 20:59.
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ireland
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
no exams. just a demonstration to the examiner of your teaching knowledge of theory and lessons.,,, then jump into the right hand seat of your bonanza and show off your instructing ability. Viva Espana
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: THE NORTH
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
?
You must complete all the pre-entry requirements before attending an approved course.
Lasors section H.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/175/SECTION%20H%20.pdf
Lasors section H.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/175/SECTION%20H%20.pdf
Last edited by JUST-local; 17th Dec 2007 at 22:03.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Precisely, but that does not mean other countries share the UKs desire to comply with them.
Spinning is mandatory on an FI Test but they don't in Spain. Instrument approaches at an aerodrome are mandatory in an IR Skill Test but the Spanish don't always do them, so all is not equal in EU land.
Spinning is mandatory on an FI Test but they don't in Spain. Instrument approaches at an aerodrome are mandatory in an IR Skill Test but the Spanish don't always do them, so all is not equal in EU land.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Age: 74
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Just to be clear about this...
So no need to do any exams prior to the course?
And no exams during the course?
So no need to do any exams prior to the course?
And no exams during the course?
You must have demonstrated knowledge to CPL level prior to starting the course which effectively means sitting the CPL exams.
There are no additional written exams during the course, but instead there are assessments of your performance, not actually graded or marked, but the school doing your course will want you to pass the test to support their reputation, so they're not going to let you take it unless you have a chance of succeeding. A good thing to ask of any school is their pass rate, with written proof.
I work with several Spanish instructors. They all (AFAIK) took their courses in the UK, firstly to enhance their aviation English and maybe also because it might enhance their job prospects as an instructor...
TheOddOne
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Europe
Age: 49
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
spain
3 APP are mandatory for the JAR-FCL IR test , and it is complied with also in Spain, did it for my test as all students in the FTO in which i did my training.
About the pre entry requirements, i can tell you at least 2 schools in UK in which this requirement is substituted by a litle chat with the owner, what do you think about it STRATEANDLEVEL?, does that make of UK the far-west end of JAR-FCL land? , please be a bit respecful and do not start talking so lightly about other nationalities.
About the spinning in Aerofanīs FIC, the issue has been corrected and itīs covered.
About the pre entry requirements, i can tell you at least 2 schools in UK in which this requirement is substituted by a litle chat with the owner, what do you think about it STRATEANDLEVEL?, does that make of UK the far-west end of JAR-FCL land? , please be a bit respecful and do not start talking so lightly about other nationalities.
About the spinning in Aerofanīs FIC, the issue has been corrected and itīs covered.
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
About the pre entry requirements, i can tell you at least 2 schools in UK in which this requirement is substituted by a litle chat with the owner,
In any case, no worthwhile FIC instructor will run a course if he doesn't know what material he is dealing with.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Europe
Age: 49
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My point is that you are mixing up two different issues here, i think as you do that starting the FIC course without complying with JAR-FCLīrules is wrong, in Spain, UK or anywhere, that said please do not atribute this kind of behaviour to any specific nationality, which can be found ANYWHERE in JAR land, and is of course to be avoided, denounced and erradicated.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Europe
Age: 49
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PPL
I wouldn't recomend you do your PPL in Spain, the differene in price is not that big , at least not proportional to the savings of doing an FIC or other modular courses (Spain vs UK).
I would check USA prices, with the savings you still can fly some hours back in UK to polish up your skills and get used to flying in UK airspace.
If you do not mind learning some french you can check prices at french aeroclubs (non profit organizations, so usually cheaper), you'll save quite a lot of money.
Portugal could also be a good option.
Good luck with your training
I would check USA prices, with the savings you still can fly some hours back in UK to polish up your skills and get used to flying in UK airspace.
If you do not mind learning some french you can check prices at french aeroclubs (non profit organizations, so usually cheaper), you'll save quite a lot of money.
Portugal could also be a good option.
Good luck with your training
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Abroad
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wondering how the conversation went from FIC to PPL... 
but I will answer in anticipation of your post and mine being moved back to whichever thread they were originally intended for.
Even if hour for hour it were not that big (which at a saving of 30-40% I would say it is), for most of the year the weather affords greater continuity which generally translates into reduced hours and reduced ancillary costs (accom, food, etc.)
The real snag appears to be all the bureaucratic rubbish that appears to go with it, even if you can speak enough Spanish to sit the exams (they are only available in that language).
Again, the difference in price is not significant compared to Spain. In this case, you have to factor the higher fuel costs in France compared to the generally lower admin costs of aeroclubs. In this case, apart from good weather (in the South) you also have the advantage of a well developed GA scene and extremely competent and helpful ATC. Not sure what it's like on the bureaucratic front, although I have done training in France, it's gone on my UK licence.
I'm sure flying stateside must be an interesting experience, appart from affordable, but unfortunately visiting the US has become so backwards that I do not even go there for work these days, let alone recreationally. Getting a PPL is not a big deal and it hardly justifies travelling halfway across the world for it.
Any specific info / experience with it? Not much found here on Pprune.
In my opinion, the way forward is more UK registered facilities based in Southern Europe. To my knowledge, presently there is only one of them. This would combine nicely the advantages of weather and lower operating costs with the relative straightforwardness of the UK system.
HTH
but I will answer in anticipation of your post and mine being moved back to whichever thread they were originally intended for.
I wouldn't recomend you do your PPL in Spain, the differene in price is not that big
The real snag appears to be all the bureaucratic rubbish that appears to go with it, even if you can speak enough Spanish to sit the exams (they are only available in that language).
If you do not mind learning some french you can check prices at french aeroclubs
I would check USA prices
Portugal could also be a good option
In my opinion, the way forward is more UK registered facilities based in Southern Europe. To my knowledge, presently there is only one of them. This would combine nicely the advantages of weather and lower operating costs with the relative straightforwardness of the UK system.
HTH