NZQA qualified flight schools, Ardmore
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NZQA qualified flight schools, Ardmore
Hi all,
Just want to start a quick thread on the flying schools at Ardmore. I live in Auckland and want to start flying and Ardmore is the only option. It also needs to be accredited with NZQA as I will be a self funded international. I've done a bit of research and Eagle Flight Training look to be the one to go to. They have 2 websites with the same school name Eagle Flight Training & Eagle Flight Training - The premier flight school in Auckland New Zealand which is confusing, but they do have highly trained staff and a fleet of aircraft. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Bean
Just want to start a quick thread on the flying schools at Ardmore. I live in Auckland and want to start flying and Ardmore is the only option. It also needs to be accredited with NZQA as I will be a self funded international. I've done a bit of research and Eagle Flight Training look to be the one to go to. They have 2 websites with the same school name Eagle Flight Training & Eagle Flight Training - The premier flight school in Auckland New Zealand which is confusing, but they do have highly trained staff and a fleet of aircraft. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Bean
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Go on a road trip to Ardmore and have a look around. If I were in your shoes, I would go on a Friday afternoon and then head to the Auckland Aero Club Bar later. You will meet some interesting people. Speak to some of the old guys and the students. See what they all have to say. My advice is to avoid the sausage factories at all costs.
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yup i agree with flyboy.
a good number of ardmore guys have gone to other schools across the country.
they were happy with the theory but when it came to flying they left the school.
so i would advice u to do ur homework properly to avoid disappointment later.
good luck.
a good number of ardmore guys have gone to other schools across the country.
they were happy with the theory but when it came to flying they left the school.
so i would advice u to do ur homework properly to avoid disappointment later.
good luck.
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Good on ya for wanting a flying career..just a word of warning..
Thats a big student loan and the way things are in Aviation..it will be a long time with you
Great view from the office tho!!
Thats a big student loan and the way things are in Aviation..it will be a long time with you
Great view from the office tho!!
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Thanks everyone, 
first I have worked for a good number years saving the money for this and have 80% of what I need for my instructor rating, I love flying it's as simple as that. From experience with working with companies you dont find out the bad news until you well in and stuck there. I just don't want that to happen with so much money at stake. Thanks for your comments though I think a trip down to the Aero Club bar might be on the cards! 
first I have worked for a good number years saving the money for this and have 80% of what I need for my instructor rating, I love flying it's as simple as that. From experience with working with companies you dont find out the bad news until you well in and stuck there. I just don't want that to happen with so much money at stake. Thanks for your comments though I think a trip down to the Aero Club bar might be on the cards!
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The difference between students from Clubs and those out of the so called 'sausage factories' lies with the student.
If you're serious, as i'm sure you are, ultimately the effort you put in will determine what you get out. Hitting the bar friday night is great idea just keep an open mind.
If you're serious, as i'm sure you are, ultimately the effort you put in will determine what you get out. Hitting the bar friday night is great idea
just keep an open mind.
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The owners of Eagle Flight Training have changed thats why the two websites. Auckland Aeroclub are also able to take NZQA students so check them out. Good luck with deciding, big decision for you, but know what you want and go for it.
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Did all my training with Eagle flight training. Probably one of, if not the best training on ardmore field.
Did my shopping around and have a lot of friends who have gone to ardmore flying school and have left dissappointed with their training to say the least.
Ardmore flying school does provide a lot of gadgets suchs as simulators and the like that Eagle does not, as well as them having newer aircraft. But the depth of experience at Eagle cannot be over looked with the CEO being ex american airlines on the 757 and current on the learjet, the CFI being ex regional airlines on the metroliners, and a current 737-300 captain with Air NZ also in the ranks. The above mentioned instructors are also all A-cat instructors.
Go in and meet the guys, talk to Darryl Robertson or Mike Foster and they will tell everything pretty much how it is. Also try to aim to be there around lunchtime as Rosita cooks one hell of a lunch occasionally for everyone
Did my shopping around and have a lot of friends who have gone to ardmore flying school and have left dissappointed with their training to say the least.
Ardmore flying school does provide a lot of gadgets suchs as simulators and the like that Eagle does not, as well as them having newer aircraft. But the depth of experience at Eagle cannot be over looked with the CEO being ex american airlines on the 757 and current on the learjet, the CFI being ex regional airlines on the metroliners, and a current 737-300 captain with Air NZ also in the ranks. The above mentioned instructors are also all A-cat instructors.
Go in and meet the guys, talk to Darryl Robertson or Mike Foster and they will tell everything pretty much how it is. Also try to aim to be there around lunchtime as Rosita cooks one hell of a lunch occasionally for everyone
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lilflyboy262 you must have trained there a while ago. Eagle Flight Training has changed owners. Mike Foster still there instructing but Darryl Robertson has now left. Dave Woodington now the CFI.
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Yep I think from memory the 737 driver has also relocated his services...
Last I heard through the grapevine is that its not all cracked up as it used to be...I know for a fact that their website stretches the truth a wee bit...
Pity cos there was a huge potential there 
.
Last I heard through the grapevine is that its not all cracked up as it used to be...I know for a fact that their website stretches the truth a wee bit...
Pity cos there was a huge potential there .
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Yea I'd heard the 737 driver has moved on.... probably didn't trust the new ownership..... Also their senior instructors seem to have their own interpretation of the rules
....
I think advertising training aircraft that are not available for your use is a little more than stretching the truth....
All the best for your search for a flight training institution.... The work you put in will determine what you get out.
....I think advertising training aircraft that are not available for your use is a little more than stretching the truth....
All the best for your search for a flight training institution.... The work you put in will determine what you get out.
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...the depth of experience at Eagle cannot be over looked...
I really think you should just walk in to both organizations (and if indeed AAC are NZQA, try them too) check out the facilities, talk to the people. You'll form a better opinion for yourself if you have a look, rather than believing PPRuNe banter.
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If you have 80% of the funds to do an instructors rating at Ardmore Flying School then you probably have 100% of the funds to do it at Airline Flying Club 
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eagle...
Just went back there for a currency check - trained there before and their new facilities are great. They have a couple of sims now one being a full motion red bird that beats anything ardmore has. I prefer eagle for there personal touch. Ardmore is just a meat factory and is one of the worst schools I have been to (out of a dozen or more)
harsh but my two cents ;-)
harsh but my two cents ;-)
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Eagle Flight Training
2 websites, a flashy new brochure and a recent change in management
smoke and mirrors I'd say, but that's just me, the facts:
The following information was found on Wiki (see link) and is the biggest crock of
I've had the pleasure of reading.
Eagle Flight Training - The Aviation School of New Zealand has a fleet of aircraft and simulators based in Ardmore.
Cessna 172 7
Beechcraft Duchess 2
Beech Bonanza36 1
Cessna 150 1
Cirrus SR22 1
Partenavia P.68 1
Piper PA-23 1
Cessna 180 1
Robinson R22 2
Robinson R44 2
Staff 20 Including 11 Instructors,
User:Cyrillnc/Eagle Flight Training - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At present you'd be lucky to have the availability of 1 twin (Duchess) and one C172
As for staff numbers
being generous they would have 5 instructors 
With the amount of money at stake for an International student like yourself I would be looking at the more established establishments
Eagle may have been something once but now they are trying to be something they are most definitely not.
Rhode.
smoke and mirrors I'd say, but that's just me, the facts:The following information was found on Wiki (see link) and is the biggest crock of
I've had the pleasure of reading. Eagle Flight Training - The Aviation School of New Zealand has a fleet of aircraft and simulators based in Ardmore.
Cessna 172 7
Beechcraft Duchess 2
Beech Bonanza36 1
Cessna 150 1
Cirrus SR22 1
Partenavia P.68 1
Piper PA-23 1
Cessna 180 1
Robinson R22 2
Robinson R44 2
Staff 20 Including 11 Instructors,
User:Cyrillnc/Eagle Flight Training - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At present you'd be lucky to have the availability of 1 twin (Duchess) and one C172
As for staff numbers
being generous they would have 5 instructors With the amount of money at stake for an International student like yourself I would be looking at the more established establishments
Eagle may have been something once but now they are trying to be something they are most definitely not.
Rhode.
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Eagle Flight Training....umm....errr..
Recently needed to get an ILS endorsement. Never got around to it before now but all of a sudden I needed it. Fairly experienced IFR pilot and have flown an ILS many times but only as a LOC approach. Calling around to get some quotes, without even asking my experience Eagle flat out tell me 4 hours flying needed?!?! 4 hours training to do something I can already do (just not to the lower ILS minima of course). Guy on the phone sounded like a tool and again flat out told me 4 hours flying. Took my money to a much more helpful organisation in another centre and we had two approaches done and I was signed off barely an hour after arriving on the airfield (and for a rock bottom price).
I was certainly not going to pay for extra unnecessary flying just to line someone elses pocket
Recently needed to get an ILS endorsement. Never got around to it before now but all of a sudden I needed it. Fairly experienced IFR pilot and have flown an ILS many times but only as a LOC approach. Calling around to get some quotes, without even asking my experience Eagle flat out tell me 4 hours flying needed?!?! 4 hours training to do something I can already do (just not to the lower ILS minima of course). Guy on the phone sounded like a tool and again flat out told me 4 hours flying. Took my money to a much more helpful organisation in another centre and we had two approaches done and I was signed off barely an hour after arriving on the airfield (and for a rock bottom price).
I was certainly not going to pay for extra unnecessary flying just to line someone elses pocket
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Hahaha their new website is fantastic...what a load of bull.....
Apparently they require 100hrs for a c-cat course, last time I checked you only need 25 dual instruction. Granted 25 is a minimum, however I doubt 4 times this is required.
Also the owner of that Cirrus wont let others fly it. After investigating doing a rating in one a while ago, AAC was the only place that offered one for training...shame thats gone.
.....Apparently they require 100hrs for a c-cat course, last time I checked you only need 25 dual instruction. Granted 25 is a minimum, however I doubt 4 times this is required.
Also the owner of that Cirrus wont let others fly it. After investigating doing a rating in one a while ago, AAC was the only place that offered one for training...shame thats gone.