Highland Flying School - Opinions?? (Merged)
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Ok. I'll climb back down from the ceiling!
There is little doubt that military training is superb. Money no-object training and a strict selection process ensure that, but you have to ask whether that is necessary .
The RAF do it, because they can. They have far more applicants than available jobs and so can afford to be extremely picky.
It is a different debate to this one really, but I know a fair few civvy pilots who have vast amounts of natural talent and are frankly wasted flying a modern passenger jet really.
Anyway, it's horses for courses. I know some ex-single seater jocks who I couldn't bear to sit next to for more than 20 minutes, let alone on a busy multi-sector day. There's more to being a good pilot than stick and rudder skills.
However, I'll agree wholeheartedly that the standards of people going for flying as a career is shall we say, not as high as it could be sometimes. Not everyone can be Biggles MK2, but there do seem to be a few too many P/O Baldricks about.
Speeeelung is important and I have to say that I instantly ignore posts where there is a total lack of spelling and grammar. I just can't be bothered to waste my time.
Anyhoo, truce?
There is little doubt that military training is superb. Money no-object training and a strict selection process ensure that, but you have to ask whether that is necessary .
The RAF do it, because they can. They have far more applicants than available jobs and so can afford to be extremely picky.
It is a different debate to this one really, but I know a fair few civvy pilots who have vast amounts of natural talent and are frankly wasted flying a modern passenger jet really.
Anyway, it's horses for courses. I know some ex-single seater jocks who I couldn't bear to sit next to for more than 20 minutes, let alone on a busy multi-sector day. There's more to being a good pilot than stick and rudder skills.
However, I'll agree wholeheartedly that the standards of people going for flying as a career is shall we say, not as high as it could be sometimes. Not everyone can be Biggles MK2, but there do seem to be a few too many P/O Baldricks about.
Speeeelung is important and I have to say that I instantly ignore posts where there is a total lack of spelling and grammar. I just can't be bothered to waste my time.
Anyhoo, truce?
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It is obvious the daggers are out in Inverness. The Aero Club who used to house the school but fell out last year, leading the school to relocate on short notice has published a statement of accounts of the bankrupt school as well as a list of principal creditors, apparently following a creditors meeting
Highland Aero Club
The Aero club itself does not appear as an acknowledged creditor.
Highland Aero Club
The Aero club itself does not appear as an acknowledged creditor.
Commercial Flying Career from HFS
Over the years, a Highland Flying School PPL has been the start for a number of locally based people who have made it to airline flying. I doubt if as many would have succeeded if they had had to travel to Perth while working full time in the Inner Moray Firth area.
To go for a full time course, with no flying experience, (and giving up your current career), would be a big gamble.
To go for a full time course, with no flying experience, (and giving up your current career), would be a big gamble.
Join Date: Mar 2009
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how much will we see?
just been looking at the accounts sheet on HAC webpage. Doesn't look great guys. I have around £500 pre paid (yes I know i shouldn't have). How much, if any, am I going to see back and how do i go about finding out? Wait for administrators to write to me or should i write to them?
Join Date: Nov 2008
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arr
have you made a claim as yet???
if not your stuffed i,m afraid.
there has been quite a few who have not claimed, or had there claims rejected. its a strange system where those who have taken your money can decide if your claim is to be allowed.
if not your stuffed i,m afraid.
there has been quite a few who have not claimed, or had there claims rejected. its a strange system where those who have taken your money can decide if your claim is to be allowed.
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Large Debts Vs Small Assets = Now't back
Troubled flying school owes £174,000 - The Inverness Courier
also
Flying school?s creditors warned they will lose cash - Press & Journal
also
Flying school?s creditors warned they will lose cash - Press & Journal
Last edited by Mike744; 7th Apr 2009 at 16:42.
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It sounds to me from the article and all the previous postings that the owner of the school was a good instructor and lover of aviation but a lousy entrepreneur.
another dream down the drain, sad really for all involved!
another dream down the drain, sad really for all involved!
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Well said Van,
Ive lost out too but as a business person I too know how hard it is to keep your head above water during hard times. I doubt the Brooks would have been putting in the effort they had if there was intentions of ripping anyone off.
I feel sad that it has come to this end and will miss all those involved. I may have taken a risk with my money but thats my choice, Im not going to make a fuss about it, sometimes things just dont work out the way you want too do they??
I refer back to my previous post, must we join the Aeroclub in order to fly LE aircraft in Inverness if we are a member elsewhere ie; Cumbernauld or Perth. I know where I want to put my money in future and some will know where not.
ps: I remember the very start of LE and wish them well. I do wish I had invested during those first few months. Perhaps I will just settle for adding my bit now.
Mad Jock
Being an Aberdonian and knowing a Fud when I see one, I do wonder how many posters know what you mean
Ive lost out too but as a business person I too know how hard it is to keep your head above water during hard times. I doubt the Brooks would have been putting in the effort they had if there was intentions of ripping anyone off.
I feel sad that it has come to this end and will miss all those involved. I may have taken a risk with my money but thats my choice, Im not going to make a fuss about it, sometimes things just dont work out the way you want too do they??
I refer back to my previous post, must we join the Aeroclub in order to fly LE aircraft in Inverness if we are a member elsewhere ie; Cumbernauld or Perth. I know where I want to put my money in future and some will know where not.
ps: I remember the very start of LE and wish them well. I do wish I had invested during those first few months. Perhaps I will just settle for adding my bit now.
Mad Jock
Being an Aberdonian and knowing a Fud when I see one, I do wonder how many posters know what you mean
Last edited by tuscan; 7th Apr 2009 at 21:20.
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lets get real
The day before shutting up shop they were allegelly still trying to take money for flights that they knew would not occur.
Perhaps it went on a few MACKAYS
Not good at all.
Never pay up front.
Even if an individual is covered by a credit card the cost of this comes from the rest of us in the end.
Who was the arse who reassured us we would get our money back?
The day before shutting up shop they were allegelly still trying to take money for flights that they knew would not occur.
Perhaps it went on a few MACKAYS
Not good at all.
Never pay up front.
Even if an individual is covered by a credit card the cost of this comes from the rest of us in the end.
Who was the arse who reassured us we would get our money back?
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Hey Capt., you're right re the numpties who made all sorts of silly claims (on both sides), but don't go proclaiming yourself as one of the all knowing in telling people paying up front is always a disaster, please!
As the thread develops those you refer to are becoming more apparent and showing themselves up for what they are.
This is a disaster for those who lost money and for those who were running the business, I don't know the motives of those in charge and what they may have illegally done, however I do have some experience that permits me to have an understanding of both sides, which leads me to conclude no one is happy about the outcome.
This is not a defence of the School, or of the Creditors, simply an attempt to keep emotion out of the equation and look at the facts and stop the wild speculation.
Most contributing to this thread will be commenting on situations they have no experience of and don't have what it takes to even try to make a better life for themselves.
As the thread develops those you refer to are becoming more apparent and showing themselves up for what they are.
This is a disaster for those who lost money and for those who were running the business, I don't know the motives of those in charge and what they may have illegally done, however I do have some experience that permits me to have an understanding of both sides, which leads me to conclude no one is happy about the outcome.
This is not a defence of the School, or of the Creditors, simply an attempt to keep emotion out of the equation and look at the facts and stop the wild speculation.
Most contributing to this thread will be commenting on situations they have no experience of and don't have what it takes to even try to make a better life for themselves.
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Babybear,
I thought this was a good post....right up to where you said....
and then added......
Nothing emotive in those comments then......?
I thought this was a good post....right up to where you said....
This is ............ simply an attempt to keep emotion out of the equation......
Most contributing to this thread......... don't have what it takes to even try to make a better life for themselves.
Nothing emotive in those comments then......?
Last edited by Squawk7143; 8th Apr 2009 at 09:14.
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Babybear
So you know for a fact do you that .....
That's quite a statement! Do you personally know
? Have you made a professional assessment of their drive and ability?
This is a wind up right? If not, then perhaps you could establish your credentials so that we can all be impressed?
nothing emotive, simply stating a fact
Most contributing to this thread......... don't have what it takes to even try to make a better life for themselves.
...most contributing to this thread...
This is a wind up right? If not, then perhaps you could establish your credentials so that we can all be impressed?
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Well spotted Squawk I did not intend to refer to most contributors to the thread, but to most of those stirring the sh1t on either side. Thanks for pointing that out.
Apologies to the decent folks.
but to most of those stirring the sh1t on either side. Thanks for pointing that out.Apologies to the decent folks.
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It's not just 'knowing' Baby Bear. Wrongful Trading is if a director knows, or ought to know that a company has no reasonable prospect of paying its debts, but continues to trade then a court can declare they are personally liable for such debts.
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Indeed Mike, the point is that those attempting to claim the directors were intentionally taking funds in the knowledge they were insolvent for the purpose of running off with the money, because there could be no come back, are either simply trying to cause trouble or have zero knowledge.
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Agreed Baby Bear, also direct accusations without the prefix 'allegedly' could get such posters into deep trouble - I'm sure their anonymity here is no protection from the law!
Better they let the due legal process continue as nothing is ever achieved by mud throwing.
Better they let the due legal process continue as nothing is ever achieved by mud throwing.
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I can't wait for an Inverness flying Entrepreneur to buy the business from the administrator, invite the former owner as the COO and restart HFS from their newly redecorated offices to supply was I understand was excellent tuition but this time without asking people to pay up front and at affordable but realistic prices....
Somebody is throwing away something valuable here, if you look at the highly emotional comments made on the various threads on the HFS school...
Tuscan and others, how about it!?
Somebody is throwing away something valuable here, if you look at the highly emotional comments made on the various threads on the HFS school...
Tuscan and others, how about it!?
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I've got to say the obvious here. Just weeks ago almost everybody was singing the praises of HFS so it's reasonable to assume they were nice people to deal with and gave good tuition.
I have been involved in the operation of a flying club in the past and I must say the charge out rate at HFC seemed too good to be true. I could not see how the aircraft utilisation could be high enough to be able to offer such low prices.
Such a shame it should all end this way. The relocation was probably the last straw. I know. I've been there.
DO.
I have been involved in the operation of a flying club in the past and I must say the charge out rate at HFC seemed too good to be true. I could not see how the aircraft utilisation could be high enough to be able to offer such low prices.
Such a shame it should all end this way. The relocation was probably the last straw. I know. I've been there.
DO.
