Situation Regarding The Flight Centre at Halfpenny Green
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Same location, many of the same staff, similar aircraft, similar name, different owners.
I'm being a little unclear AH - it's a pedantic point of semantics. Surely on a company website where the logo and name on the main website has been kept the same you cannot claim to restart the operation of a company that has been liquidated? It's an example of the admin carelessness that ultimately brought HGFC down in the first place...
& yes, I agree with it being the typical fly by night flying school way of proceeding - although none of the aircraft were paid for in the first place, Diamond have already repossessed their DA42 which was always claimed to be the company's largest asset. Maybe the biggest asset should always be the staff
?
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So my question here would be if i phoned the airport tommorow, would it be possible to book a trial flight
In any event, since your query was from three days ago, I take it by now you have spoken to them. What was the outcome?
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Well everyone i have now contacted them and this is what the crack is.
Well my pre paid trial flight is now invalid, the woman asked if the person used a credit card and i said he didn't he used debit so thats money out of the window. I feel so bad. However she did say that i contact this address she told me to write down so i guess i'm going to have to contact them to sort out finances. I also asked her what the situation was about the company "Restarting" operations, and she told me that everything was back to normal, under the new company Jetstream.
(I presume all training offered at Halfpenny is now offered from Jetstream?)
I was also surprised to hear that if i decided to train there they may offer me a small discount off from my PPL. Some interesting things that i've found out just. What are your thoughts?
Well my pre paid trial flight is now invalid, the woman asked if the person used a credit card and i said he didn't he used debit so thats money out of the window. I feel so bad. However she did say that i contact this address she told me to write down so i guess i'm going to have to contact them to sort out finances. I also asked her what the situation was about the company "Restarting" operations, and she told me that everything was back to normal, under the new company Jetstream.
(I presume all training offered at Halfpenny is now offered from Jetstream?)
I was also surprised to hear that if i decided to train there they may offer me a small discount off from my PPL. Some interesting things that i've found out just. What are your thoughts?
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I can't comment on the new company, whoever they are, but the old HGFC was run and manned by some truly decent, outstanding folk, the likes of which you don't come across very often in aviation.
I trained there hence I speak from personal experience.
I trained there hence I speak from personal experience.
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Maybe the biggest asset should always be the staff
The old HGFC was run and manned by some truly decent, outstanding folk, the likes of which you don't come across very often in aviation.
Last edited by madlandrover; 18th Apr 2010 at 20:27. Reason: Clarification.
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...the woman asked if the person used a credit card and i said he didn't he used debit so thats money out of the window...
So if it was paid for with a Visa debit card, and not Maestro or Solo, it's definitely worth speaking to the bank.
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As stevelup says, it's worth asking the bank who issued the debit card if there is protection. Some do, some don't and for the sake of a phonecall it's well worth doing.
Other than that, I'm staying out of this discussion for now!
Other than that, I'm staying out of this discussion for now!
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Hi! I don't know anything about the politics here,but if it's true then all I can say is that I'm very suprised as I have dealt with The Flight Centre and found them very professional and helpful.
I am not in the area often,but if you are patient and flexible then Im happy to give you a trial flight free of charge.
I am not in the area often,but if you are patient and flexible then Im happy to give you a trial flight free of charge.
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Bear in mind that the Flight Centre ceased trading in February. A new company may be using some of the former assets but it is not a re-emergence of the Flight Centre. Despite the Flyer weekly article the great majority of the former staff - including most of my own former instructors - have moved on to set up a new FTO at the Green with new funding and management.
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A website revamp would help to avoid confusion - it still syas "FLIGHT Centre" all over it. They have new logos available (I made some up as a favour for them recently) and a few hours work by the website admins would be time well spent. At the moment it creates a poor impression.
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Ron retired and his successor did a moonlight flit. Bob Kirk ,who eventually picked up the remnants, started his own school at Halfpenny Green but I'm ashamed to say I can't remember what he has called it. 
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Just to add to what others have been saying then a family member also had a trial flying lesson at HPFC. Unfortunately it was still unused when the Flight Centre ceased trading, a terrible time for all those involved (employee's and customers).
However, as Stevelup mentioned then you can be protected for debit card transactions. In the case of Visa Debit then the scheme is called 'Chargeback' and is for refunds in instances where paid services aren't received. A few time restraints apply but always worth a look in such cases. As such the family member received a full refund (eventually) and now it's down to me to take them flying apparently!
I've attached a link below for consumer advice so hopefully thats ok
Chargeback on credit and Visa debit cards - Your rights when paying by credit card - Your rights - Which? Advice
However, as Stevelup mentioned then you can be protected for debit card transactions. In the case of Visa Debit then the scheme is called 'Chargeback' and is for refunds in instances where paid services aren't received. A few time restraints apply but always worth a look in such cases. As such the family member received a full refund (eventually) and now it's down to me to take them flying apparently!
I've attached a link below for consumer advice so hopefully thats ok
Chargeback on credit and Visa debit cards - Your rights when paying by credit card - Your rights - Which? Advice
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The waters seem to have muddied a little. A new company website for HGFC's replacement states that the Flying Centre has been in operation since 1992: About Us | Halfpenny Green Flying Centre. One wonders then if vouchers could after all be valid, since HGFC is not a new startup??