Flight Academy Blackpool/Fly Blackpool merge?

[Pudzilla]

I was looking at starting my PPL with FAB, spoke to them a couple of times and all seemed well, then all of a sudden they no longer offer courses as Flybpl have taken it over. I've heard nothing but bad news about Flybpl, can anyone clear up what this is about? The websites offer a bare minimum for info, and the women I spoke to was cryptic beyond belief!

When I say i've heard nothing but bad news, it was about the owner? Or something like that, some dodgy dealings. I don't wanna be handing over my hard earned cash to not get real training.

Cheers guys

[soay]

I don't know about that situation, but I did my PPL at Westair 6 years ago and they're still around, so should be a safer bet.

[tomtytom]

I would stay well clear. They have gone under a few times and resurfaced with a new name. I fly at westair and met a few students who had paid up front at flight academy and can only claim back their money as it was on credit card. Id recommend having a trail lesson at all the other clubs and get a feel for the airfield. I chose westair and did my ppl and now rent from them and can recommend them. If you'd like a look round pm me.

[Pudzilla]

That's a damn good idea. I did a trial lesson with FAB earlier this year, I was impressed with the instructor and the plane, and seemed a very professional outfit. Kinda lost my faith now after the sudden change over. Is Westair based in Bpool?

[Sir George Cayley]

Westair is at BPL and have recently announced a new maintenance base at Barton.

I knew Dennis Westoby and his son now runs the place. Any aviation company that can run continuously for that many years must be doing something right.

SGC

[tomtytom]

Yes Westair is based at Blackpool,

Check out all the schools http://www.blackpoolinternational.com/corporate/flying-schools-flying-services

If you try all the schools youcan choose which aircraft/instructors and setups you prefer.
Westairs link is Westair - Flying School and Aircraft Maintanence

Tomtytom

[Pudzilla]

Taking a look now, thanks guys!

So is it well advised to steer clear of Flybpl and FAB?

[tomtytom]

I would be very cautious. A n T, Mulitflight and Westair i would go visit talk to the instructors and students,pilots and read the other thread on here about avoiding the usual school tricks. Again i can vouch for westair having top notch instructors but im sure the other schools have also highly rated people. I like the social level at westair and at weekends there is a good level of banter and people who will share experiances.

[JUST-local]

PPL/ Rental @ Blackpool

Flying Schools and Flying Services | Blackpool Airport

As mentioned above narrow the schools down a bit I would with with an e-mail, a phone call, a visit, see who gives the better service.
Then I would fly with them, a couple or three trail lessons may be money well spent! You can log all the flying anyway

[AJMortimer]

From a personal perspective

From a personal perspective I've had no problems with FlyBpl.

I have been flying with them throughout this year and joined their 'No Equity' Scheme.

In January I renewed my SEP Rating, followed by MEP, FI, SP ME IR and have just completed a flight test in the Seneca for the issue of my ME Instructor Rating. I have used both in-house and external examiners for these tests.

In addition, I carried out the remainder of my hours building to complete the mandatory 30 hours prior to commencing the ME Instructor course.

The 'merger' with Flight Academy has been due to the sudden demise of this training organisation through the recent events concerning the owner of that school - and it ceasing trading. Nothing, in itself, to do with FlyBpl.

There are a number of well-known (in the North West) flying instructors attached to the School, who have provided instruction and testing during the course of the past 25 years or more, both here and at Barton Aerodrome and Liverpool Airport.

Visit the School and see if it suits your needs?

Adam Mortimer

PS: This is a personal view - I'm not employed by FlyBpl in any capacity.

[Dog's Bone]

Flight Academy Blackpool news web page says acquired by flyBPL.

Company Check here

Flight Academy Blackpool Ltd is an Other business incorporated in England & Wales on 22nd January 2007. Their business activity is recorded as Non-scheduled Passenger Air Transport. Flight Academy Blackpool Ltd is run by 2 current directors. 2 Shareholders own the total shares within the company. It is not part of a group. The latest Annual Accounts submitted to Companies House for the year up to 31/01/2011 reported 'cash at bank' of £50, 'liabilities' worth £526,112, 'net worth' of £-424,000 and 'assets' worth £28,725.

Flight Academy Blackpool's associated company Aircraft Grouping Ltd remains active.

Company Check here

Aircraft Grouping Ltd is an Other business incorporated in England & Wales on 11th July 2006. Their business activity is recorded as Non-scheduled Passenger Air Transport. Aircraft Grouping Ltd is run by 2 current directors. 2 Shareholders own the total shares within the company. It is not part of a group. The latest Annual Accounts submitted to Companies House for the year up to 31/07/2010 reported 'cash at bank' of £286, 'liabilities' worth £1,112,582, 'net worth' of £-583,851 and 'assets' worth £481,096.

Companies House

Company No. 05872584
Status: Active - Proposal to Strike off

Refer also Thread on PPRuNe Freight Dogs

[Pudzilla]

WELL, it's Westair for me I think. Thanks for the info guys, might have saved me a serious wad of cash going down the drain there.

Much appreciated

[Treadstone1]

Do you not fancy flying from Barton seeing that you are from Manchester?

[minimad]

Hi there Pudzilla, as tomtytom has already said. Westair is very reputable
and is very welcoming. I know tomtytom well, and we have flown there
For a number of years. The social aspect of the club is what sold it for me.
What you see is what you get. Staff and club members who who are very helpful,
Great flight instruction and plenty of after flying social activities!

[Pudzilla]

I live much closer to Blackpool airport than Manc, so it's easier. Gonna sort out a visit to Westair after culturalharmonyfestivalthatdoesntoffendanyone at the end of this month.

[minimad]

Pudzilla, are you buy any chance a Lancashire hotpot fan? As In the band?

[DavidWoodward]

Originally Posted by minimad

Pudzilla, are you buy any chance a Lancashire hotpot fan? As In the band?

I'm a working lad from Lancashire, I want mi chippy tea!

[Airlinepilot1687]

Westair

I support all the advice on going to Westair! Lovely club and they have great staff and club members who put you right at ease. I'm currently hour building at Westair and highly recommend them.

[riverrock83]

culturalharmonyfestivalthatdoesntoffendanyone

Its called CHRISTMAS

[Pudzilla]

SHHHH, you could get in trouble for using such a none PC word!