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PPL in florida

Old 7th May 2006, 14:05
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PPL in florida

Has anyone had any experience with Orlando Flight training? I am looking at doing my JAA PPL and have read opinions of OBA and Naples air but have found little about OFT. Any insights?

Thanks

STUG
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Old 7th May 2006, 14:24
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Thumbs up Form Your Own Opinion

Hi Stug,

you may or may not choose to listen to my opinion on the florida flying schools but here goes.

i like you am a student and have been for a while, when i started here in the UK it was costing me an arm and a eg as i would manage to get a few hours done then wait several weeks even months for good weather to start again.

when i started my training again i had to doa few more hours on a refresh on what i had done previous. i have my medical and all my ground exams are nearly done.

So i as thinkning of keeping my hours on my log book and do the complete JAA PPL in florida, when it came to me looking at schools out there i like you posted threads and asked for peoples opinions.

Many people on here are anti Adrian T from OBA and some singing his praises so i guess my advice to you is select what schools are out there then call them or send them an e-mail asking them to call you.

I did this and found Adrian T at OBA a very nice and friendly guy who has bags of experience, the advice i managed to get off here through my own posts and reading others it that you are better trying to form your own opinion on which school to choose.

I am planning to head out to florida on my Honeymoon and will pay them all a visit and see the aircraft, services, accom and maybe get a pleasure flight to see what its all like.

For the best information on OFT just e-mail them or call them but have a good set of questions to ask them.

I really do wish you all the best in your search and hope you manage to find a school that fits best with your needs.

Craig
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Old 7th May 2006, 14:35
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I am planning to head out to florida on my Honeymoon and will pay them all a visit and see the aircraft, services, accom and maybe get a pleasure flight to see what its all like.
I have to say, much as I love my flying, this isn't how I'd be spending my honeymoon. How long are you planning to stay married?

G

<<edit: "Florida on honeymoon" - seems like the perfect next victim for me to have dragged on stage at DisneyWorld. Bwah hah hah!>>
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Old 7th May 2006, 15:01
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Flying over marraige gets my vote!!
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Old 7th May 2006, 15:26
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Thanks, I have already spoken to OFT and asked all the questions I just wanted to know how people who had been there had found it.

Anyone with any insights into OFT (or any other) please let me know.

Thanks.

STUG
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Old 7th May 2006, 16:44
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I would strongly recommend OFT to anybody, even though last year we had a falling out over the training that they were able to offer.
With all service providers in the States there are a few things to remember:

1. Read the contract and fully understand what’s paid for and what isn’t. Different schools have different ways of calculating bills, ramp fees, fuelling fees etc. A lot of complaints are due to individuals not reading the pricing plan fully and understanding it. As a result they run out money in their account early and they believe that they have been ripped off.

2. Its hard work. Be prepared to put the hours in it’s not a holiday. 21 days PPL as quoted in adverts are a minimum, budget for an extra weeks stay. If you can complete ground school before you go.

3. As in the UK weather affects flying be prepared for delays.

4. Most instructors are there hour building. They get paid £10.00 per flying hour, treat them with respect and remember you might have just paid more for your dinner last night than they have been paid for the last couple of days.

5. Enjoy.
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Old 8th May 2006, 22:41
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I did my JAR PPL with OFT back in April 2003 - thoroughly enjoyed it. Find the whole team very friendly and helpful.

The only problem I found was coming back and flying in UK. It's a bit different. I didn't get time to complete my 45 hours in my 3 weeks (weather!!!) and did about 4 hours at Teesside before qualifying.

I would recommend this as a plan. Do most out there, then return to complete and qualify. You will be much more confident in UK RT procedures, UK weather etc
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Old 9th May 2006, 08:44
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NAC are not conducting PPL training at the moment due to the loss of their HoT.

See thread below as bit of a discussion going on!

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthr...=213502&page=8

Have fun where ever you end up.
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Old 17th May 2006, 02:51
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OFT, some advice

Generally OFT is quite a good place, however I've been there a few times now and would like to pass on the following advice based on my experience with OFT:
1: Make sure you check and double check with them (and the hotel) to ensure you have a reservation for your first night. It is not uncommon to arrive (particularly at weekends when there's no admin suport) to find your room for the night hasn't been booked. This even happened to a CAA examiner from the UK!!! (And yes I can prove it)
2: You must take control of your own programme because they will not do it for you. While I was there I met a number of guys who simply ran out of time (for a number of reasons) and left without taking their test. When you get there tell them you're leaving a few days before you actually are, and work to this (it will give you much more felxibility).
3: Remember you are the customer. Sometimes they have to change flight times for operational reasons, but OFTEN bookings just get changed and they don't tell you. I'e you'll get up early, go all the way down to the airport and find instead of flying at 7am they've changed your slot to 1300. Complain, complain, complain.
4: They don't have enough PPL examiners - while I was there they made one guy wait 5 days for his test. There's a really friendly freelance CAA examiner called Paul Thompson, who is often available at short notice. They don't like to us him for PPL because they prefer the cash to go to the staff examiners - however YOU ARE THE CUSTOMER. (I would recommend Paul first in ANY event)
5: Training often gets disrupted due to overcast or bad weather, but always remember all US instructors must have an instrument rating. So if you're running out of time and the weather's bad at Kissimmee but its ok at Ocala (or elsewhere) insist you fly up there, they CAN do it.
6: Take USD in cash they will charge you 2% on credit cards (this is not unique to OFT) alternatively if you book through Cabair, pay them (by cheque if you like) then get Cabair to transfer it and you won't be charged and you'll get a good rate.
7: Check you paperwork before leaving: make sure you hassle them for course completion certificates. I had to ask 15 times for mine - the CAA will not issue without it. Also on CPL applications (and maybe PPL, you'll need to check) you kneed the application form signed off by your training providewr. Do NOT leave Florida without it.

Last edited by MOCA; 17th May 2006 at 03:02.
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Old 17th May 2006, 12:19
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Cheers for that, I've just put the majority of your points to the guys at OFT, to see how they react to them.

Should be going in July, already got 6 hours under my belt but no groundschool done, in your opinions am I wise to go so close to now?
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Old 18th May 2006, 03:42
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July

I'm sure you'll have a great time there.
Beware that there's often thunderstorms in the summer in the afternoon in Florida (and its very hot) so prepare to fly early - or very late.
Make sure you add extra time on for your stay - it is possible to get a PPL in two weeks, but VERY hard work - you will need at least three and then you might still not have enough time. The problem comes when you go solo/cross country navigation. You'll not be allowed to go unless conditions are good -- this is the main thing that often delays the PPL progress and why you should build in extra time - so make you you fly at least twice a day when you can incase there's a delay.
TAKE YOUR EXAMS HERE BEFORE YOU GO, you'll have more time to concentrate on the flying.
If you do finish early you should take a night rating, its only about 5 hours and much cheaper there. (Also remember night lasts all night so you may be able to persuade your instructor to fly early mornings rather than late nights).
Try not to arrive at the weekend, as I said there's no admin support for you.
If you have the cash available I'd recommend upgrading from the Cessna to the Cadet, they're much better - and they have more of them so if any go tech there's more choice available, however that's personal preference.
If you have time, try and get used to listening to American ATC, follow the link below, getting used to the way they say things will help your progress.
http://www.liveatc.net/feedindex.php?type=class-b
Take some Cadbury's Dairy Milk for Morag in Ops!!
Have a great time at OFT, I'm sure you will, and be prepared to have a few hours with an instructor here to get used to airspace/rt when you come back.
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Old 2nd Jun 2006, 09:33
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I was at OFT last June, I concur that you definitely should get your written exams done first before flying out there, you need to be at the school taking every opportunity to fly that comes your way, not studying for exams.

Last year there the 152's were booked up far more than the Pipers, of which I believe thay have more. The folks flying the Pipers were streets ahead of the 152's even by the end of week one.

Be aware that you are intending to fly during the hurricane season, this cost me *two* whole weeks last year. I'm told winter time is much better for flying in Florida.

If you're not happy with you're instructor, shout. My first instructor was clearly not happy and either left or got the boot after my week 2. The first thing he had said to me after introduction was "If you've got a problem with me then, come and talk to me, not anyone else."....not a good start. 2 weeks later he was gone. The 2nd instructor was great.

You will need to look after number one and push them to get you up and flying, they will not do this for you, you will not complete a 21 or 28 day course if you don't keep on top of them. If you're not happy......shout!

Get written confirmation of the accommodation situation before you go. Some students (myself included) were being told that accommodation was included only to find out at the last moment (and were already committed)that they had to pay for their own hotel room. For this reason alone they will not be getting any more of my business.

Have fun, and Good Luck !
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Old 2nd Jun 2006, 11:58
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"If you've got a problem with me then, come and talk to me, not anyone else."....not a good start.
To be fair, you MAY have misinterpreted the intentions there - I would also say to a student, that if they had a problem with something I had said or done (or NOT said/done) then I would like them to come straight to me, without delay, and address the situation. Certainly not go to somebody esle to complain. There's no need for that and it doesn't help anybody - often makes the problem bigger and may just be the result of a simple misunderstanding or honest mistake.

If a student has problems with me, as an individual, then I would be the first one to suggest they change to another instructor. They shouldn't battle on, if they're not happy. Back to that phrase of "You are the customer".
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Old 3rd Jun 2006, 00:23
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Keygrip, you have a very good point, however I'm fairly sure my gut feeling at the time was correct. I liked the guy but he clearly had issues with the way the school was run, and I really could have done without the the extra brain cycles involved in worrying/thinking about what was going on. However the situation resolved itself (they dealt with it) before I came to the decision to speak up, but I should have said something earlier.

I guess this could have happened at any school, my only real beef with OFT was the accommodation issue. Apart from that I'd recommend them, except perhaps for the weather, but that's not really their fault :-)
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Old 4th Jun 2006, 15:30
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hey thanks Sensible, Im waiting for my boss to "OK" 28 days off work so I still have time to look around :0)

Stug
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Old 5th Jun 2006, 07:00
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I'm also waiting for that "OK!"
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Old 29th Aug 2006, 16:35
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I am bringing this up due to the fact that I will probably visit OFT next February. I appreciate reading all the coments but i do not understand why some people here comment on the school (or other schools) by giving examples of meaningless situations that could just happen anywhere and everywhere. I believe the people who ask questions are interested in the "big picture" of the school and such examples of unsatisfaction (sic) have no place to a forum like this (IMHO), not to mention the fact that are more confusing rather that enlightening...

Last edited by Aristomenis; 29th Aug 2006 at 17:02.
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Old 29th Aug 2006, 17:53
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Aristomenis:

Rather than your aforementioned "meaningless things," what do you want to know about Florida flying instead?
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Old 29th Aug 2006, 18:15
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Dear wnjmurphy and the rest,

I have read all coments in this forum regarding Orlando Flight Training and most of my questions have been answered. What I have come up to regarding the school is a fairly positive impression. Problems of any kind can happen to any institution. If you have anything to tell me regarding the facilities and especially the Best Western Hotel they advertise, i will be pleased to read. Furthermore I would like to know if the 172sp's they are proud of are in good condition. Please excuse my previous post but i believe that what an instructor tells to a student is completely irrelevant with the topic and can only lead to a confusion of prospective customers, as me for example. This type of instructor attitude could be found to any school. I have also read other posts mentioning that 2 planes fell off the sky. I am sorry guys but you just have to elaborate and justify your statements. You just cannot comment on such serious things like this... If you know why these incidents took place, we will be pleased to read. On a different thread about a different school i read that one complained about the school having cats... Do i have to take that into account to come up with a decision? if not why are you telling this to me? I hope you cath my meaning...
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Old 29th Aug 2006, 18:18
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Last minute's notice: I just learned that one of the cats did its sh*t on the right gear of one of the cessnas. Avoid this school at all costs....
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