Lost funds and Met
 

I read the posts on the plight of this young lady, who had her funds stolen (strong - perhaps but true) I had the same happen to me years ago when UK schools opened (and v. quickly closed) in France, where I lived and worked.

It is heartening that she is moving on and has selected a flying centre with more of an airport feel than a smaller aerodrome style set-up.

However, there was some suggestion of her life being made difficult due to changing weather and wasted travel.

I have a small tip on this aspect as I have the same dilemma due to flying from a sizeable airport whilst living an hour and a half's drive away.

I overcame this by using the UK Met Office: this has an excellent aviation website and for no fee - simply a registration - METAR's and TAF's can be checked as early as 7am up to within minutes of departure and interpreting them will do no harm either and could settle whether flying is possible or not very early on in the day!

Now I know if I shall be flying before the FBO staff arrive at their office.

Accuracy of decoding could then be confirmed, with a quick call to the CFI of the flight organisation to verify that understanding, before leaving.

Not much help with the money I am afraid but practically, using the Met Office site could avoid additional wasted cost.

LA

Lawyer duly instructed.

Thank you again for all advice and support. I dont really belong here but it was useful to vent my anger and frustration . xxxxxxxxxxxx :\

Be aware that you would likely be throwing good many after bad.

Cheers

Whirls

As before I have legal insurance which pays all costs.

Mmmmm..........

Initial symapthy has now evaporated. I'm out:confused:

One of two things could happen here. Either the insurance underwriter will advise that there's no legal case and refuse to support the case or, a solicitor will argue that there is, rack up some fees for themselves, then decide there's no case but will have profited from yours (and ultimately, everyone's) insurance premiums.

If a company goes bust, there is no legal case. The Insolvency Act governs the procedures and any decent solicitor will tell you that.

Cheers

Whirls

The company is not officially in administration. I pay premiums for a service so why not use it . It may or may not work . I can only try for the sake of my daughter. It is she who deserves the understanding / sympathy not me .She is blameless.

The qualifying age to commence PPL is 14.
The intention was to train gradually to achieve PPL at 17.
We paid twice for blocks of hours ......... no problems or any suspicion till now.We obviously had faith in the school.She has 25 hours ubder her belt.
The trustee was fine in releasing the money for 10 hours and were impressed with her plans for her future career.She wanted to spend all summer hols focusing on flying.
What on earth is odd about any of that ???.

SoCal
Can't comment on the legalities of whose money it actually was, or who's entitled to take any legal action, or even whether the whole thing seems odd:hmm:or not.

However, it's not that unusual to get kids with rich parents and/or trust funds starting to fly at 14, doing the dual parts of the PPL course between 14 and 16, then getting in the solo hours and skill test, ready for the CAA to issue their licence at 17. I must have seen this at least a dozen times and I'm at a small place in a rural county, you would think it may be more common in more affluent areas. I've known two students over the last couple of years whose trust funds would pay out for anything even vaguely aviation related. If Cathy's daughter has an educational trust fund, then I don't see why it wouldn't pay for a PPL if she said she was going for the modular route to a CPL.

mrmum.

Thank you so much.

Wish her/ us better luck everyone.

I have been reading this thread with interest and Cathy I find your daughters resolve to continue, after the blow she has suffered, commendable! I almost gave up 7 years ago after talking to a certain Mr. Veitch! I got a lecture (10 minute monologue) on what I couldn't do in aviation almost to the point of doubting whether I really wanted to fly!!! I then contacted Tayside Aviation who resided at Scone at the time and chose to learn with them! I wish her good luck and many happy hours flying.
John.

Cathy,
I was a member of C.F.C. but did not lose any money although I lost money when Flight Academy went bust so you have my sympathy and good luck with the legal fight (but don't get your hopes up). I have joined Leading Edge and although I have my licence (just) I find a big difference in the types of plane i.e. Cessna opposed to a Katana but your daughter will get used to them (she will have to as no other schools use Katana's).
What really annoys me is the hypocracy at C.F.S. as they used to be very virulent in their attacks on F.A.S. and the way they left a lot of people out of pocket and now they have done the same. Anyway good luck to your daughter and as I live roughly in the same area as yourself think about the travelling when picking a new school.
p.s. Does anyone know how Sam is getting on? as he is another one who has lost out in all of this.

Hi . We have made no firm decision about which school to choose yet as my daughter is down in her confidence at the moment. We plan to visit Cumbernauld together and to have a look at prestwick also.
I did make enquiries about Sam when I was at Cumbenaukd recently but no news to offer. I know Sebastian is working there doing sight seeing tours etc.The majority of people on this forum have been so great many thanks again .

Hi Cathy123

I have some poor memories of TV also, if your daughter would like a flight out of Perth in a tail dragger to keep her interest going please send a pm. I enjoy sharing my passion for flight so no payment required.

Kind regards
T18

its is only money!
 

I have read all of the threads going back to the start re CFS/C.

My son wanted to be a pilot from the age of 5, completed his enrolment with the RAF March 06 to become a pilot, passed away suddenly May 06 4 weeks before his 16th birthday.

I joined CFS to honour his memory & completed my PPL last year.

I got to know all of the staff @ CFS, and for one, with the exception of the previously mentioned flight controller, would be more than happy to meet up with Seb & Sam again, they were great fun to be with and very professional.

I aslo flew with Leading Edge, again, really decent people & good instructors (not sure if Paul is still there)

it is a shame that people have been financially inconvenienced by this. However, lets not take our eyes off what is really important, life & health, no amount of money in this world can you buy you health.

Best wishes & hope the young lady achieves her goal

My sincere sympathies for your loss.I have also lost a child myself . Yes it is only money and life and health IS more important. Mairi is having a trial lesson at Prestwick on Sunday. Many thanks for your kind words

This makes for an interesting reading (despite the big pinch of salt needed for this kind of press):

Susan Boyle's friend goes through cash hell after bitter split from air school lover - The Daily Record

The users' comments, from the horse's mouth, are worth reading too, with reference to posters on this thread as well.

Pile on the pain
 

Was that really necessary AP??

It was the usual journalistic bollox, clearly tainted from 'one side of the story', on a weekend where there was evidently not much news.

I wonder if poor Cathy had something to do with it:uhoh::\

Yes

Not because of the colourfull details of their "relationship", but because these are people in the aviation business who have gone bust owing people money. They are not victims...the customers and suppliers who have lost money are the victims.

You go into business, you play by the rules. One of the rules is you can walk away from a bust business without going bust yourself. Another is the business community is going to make sure your reputation gets known.

And rightly so.

PS

No great fan of the newspapers myself...but most of this appears to be straight from the horses mouth rather than hearsay and invention

PPS

Talking of b*****s, is she making it up as she goes along??!! If this is true and I was owed money I'd be whacking a small claims in this PM.

Clearly the Scots are having way too much fun.

Completely inappropriate to be involved in GA and having that much fun.

All this stuff about lovers and ex-lovers and spending cash on women... I think I will move to Benbecula. Maybe not... no avgas there, damn.