Pilot Training College, Waterford, Ireland
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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phillpot,
quite strange actually, I could have posted the exact same comment. Planning to start my CPL/ ME-IR about the same time in PTC. I also had my school sorted out in the UK (where I am currently doing the ATPL theory exams)
I discovered PTC and decided to have a look while I was home in Dublin over Easter.
The guys there seems quite professional, friendly etc. As I have not actually done any flying with them I really cannot comment properly, but first impressions seemed good to me.
P206
quite strange actually, I could have posted the exact same comment. Planning to start my CPL/ ME-IR about the same time in PTC. I also had my school sorted out in the UK (where I am currently doing the ATPL theory exams)
I discovered PTC and decided to have a look while I was home in Dublin over Easter.
The guys there seems quite professional, friendly etc. As I have not actually done any flying with them I really cannot comment properly, but first impressions seemed good to me.
P206
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ireland
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PTC estimates seems to usually be on the bare minimum of hours to do something. Eg. "5 hours to get such and such" is usually the best case scenario, where it usually takes 8-10. My guess is this is where the overshoot in pricing will come from, it all adds up.
Also it looks like maybe the price or the exams and tests aren't included there? Sitting the ATPLs is 1500eur approx and each flight test is around 500eur.
Also it looks like maybe the price or the exams and tests aren't included there? Sitting the ATPLs is 1500eur approx and each flight test is around 500eur.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Under your bed
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When I toured PTC quiet a few months ago, they seemed very eager for me to start flying. Every time I talked about pricing and hidden costs they would quickly change the subject to ''unlimited oppurtunities''.
Although I am impressed with their employment statistics......theres always somethin fishy about them. Like there holding something back.
Everytime I critisized the pricing they would always jump to ''But we'll have you flying for Aer Lingus at the age of 19''. Tempting, but I made the right decision to leave.
Also had a bad experience with Atlantic air based in Cork. There school was in a little portable cabin and the professionalism was ridicalous. It was about this time last year I had a lesson booked with them one afternoon but got a phone call which went exactly as following '' Hello Ian, listen I got bad news. Were having trouble with Delta x-ray, its engine is bust so were cancelling all lessons today'' I was not expecting it and looked up into the sky with dissapointment when I suddenly notcied Delta x-ray flying around!!! So I replied ''oh really? because I see the f###ing thing flying around now!!!'' None the less he's reaction was priceless and I never associated witht the school again. Only had 12 hours logged towards PPL, thank god I didnt give them anymore than that.
So basically there the 2 main flying schools in ireland, and in my opinion I would stay away from both. I am now looking into flight schools in US/canada. Better off to be honest with you
Although I am impressed with their employment statistics......theres always somethin fishy about them. Like there holding something back.
Everytime I critisized the pricing they would always jump to ''But we'll have you flying for Aer Lingus at the age of 19''. Tempting, but I made the right decision to leave.
Also had a bad experience with Atlantic air based in Cork. There school was in a little portable cabin and the professionalism was ridicalous. It was about this time last year I had a lesson booked with them one afternoon but got a phone call which went exactly as following '' Hello Ian, listen I got bad news. Were having trouble with Delta x-ray, its engine is bust so were cancelling all lessons today'' I was not expecting it and looked up into the sky with dissapointment when I suddenly notcied Delta x-ray flying around!!! So I replied ''oh really? because I see the f###ing thing flying around now!!!'' None the less he's reaction was priceless and I never associated witht the school again. Only had 12 hours logged towards PPL, thank god I didnt give them anymore than that.
So basically there the 2 main flying schools in ireland, and in my opinion I would stay away from both. I am now looking into flight schools in US/canada. Better off to be honest with you
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: England
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I have had the experience of dealing with a couple of schools in the past. PTC being one and Pilot Recruitment International being the other. I started my training with PTC as I was impressed with their facilities and ultimately their marketing (I know....I shouldn't take any schools marketing skills as the whole truth). As a lot of other people have said, there was just something not right with that place for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but it was just a feeing I had. All the staff were actually pretty nice and treated you well. Some of the instructors could be a right pain though. Some were very arrogant.
I ended up leaving PTC as I wasn't getting much flying due to the weather (this was before their partnership with FSI). I went to train in Canada with PRI, who had a completely different set up altogether. I met with the directors before going over to Canada and they seemed to be on the ball. I ended up going to Canada with about 6 others and we were the first class from Ireland. The reason for my choice was that everything was included in the price. Return flights, all transport, accomadation and food. And it was a cheap course. This course was offering 0hrs to atpl (and even though I had some experience, I decided to go for it). Now as this was a new business, there were some glitches along the way. But once these were sorted out, the course turned out really well. All of the students were treated like part of the PRI family. We had a say in how the company was run. We felt like we were really being looked after. We were given our choice of apartment or staying in a house belonging to the company. We were given the use of a car 24/7. We had meals twice a day in the army base at the airport and we were also given a weekly cash allowance with which to buy groceries for the apartment.
The training itself in Canada was fantastic. The instructors were really good and had a lot of time for the students. Even if we were struggling with a subject in ground school, the would come to the apartment at any time and give you a couple of hours extra time and this was at no extra cost. These guys were paid fck all money, but the genuinely wanted you to do well. On the downside, at the time there probably were not enough planes to cope with all of the students (the Irish weren't the only ones there), but I believe this has now been rectified. As far as Im aware they have aquired a further 2 planes, which would be more than enough.
Im still in contact with some of the lads over there and they all still seem to be really enjoying it.
Just thought I'd share my experiences with you. Hope it helps
I ended up leaving PTC as I wasn't getting much flying due to the weather (this was before their partnership with FSI). I went to train in Canada with PRI, who had a completely different set up altogether. I met with the directors before going over to Canada and they seemed to be on the ball. I ended up going to Canada with about 6 others and we were the first class from Ireland. The reason for my choice was that everything was included in the price. Return flights, all transport, accomadation and food. And it was a cheap course. This course was offering 0hrs to atpl (and even though I had some experience, I decided to go for it). Now as this was a new business, there were some glitches along the way. But once these were sorted out, the course turned out really well. All of the students were treated like part of the PRI family. We had a say in how the company was run. We felt like we were really being looked after. We were given our choice of apartment or staying in a house belonging to the company. We were given the use of a car 24/7. We had meals twice a day in the army base at the airport and we were also given a weekly cash allowance with which to buy groceries for the apartment.
The training itself in Canada was fantastic. The instructors were really good and had a lot of time for the students. Even if we were struggling with a subject in ground school, the would come to the apartment at any time and give you a couple of hours extra time and this was at no extra cost. These guys were paid fck all money, but the genuinely wanted you to do well. On the downside, at the time there probably were not enough planes to cope with all of the students (the Irish weren't the only ones there), but I believe this has now been rectified. As far as Im aware they have aquired a further 2 planes, which would be more than enough.
Im still in contact with some of the lads over there and they all still seem to be really enjoying it.
Just thought I'd share my experiences with you. Hope it helps
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: England
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PTC new updates - advice please!
Okay ive read this whole thread about 3 times through now & am still a little unclear.
What I really want to know is - After completing the PTC course, the one which takes you from 0-CPL, how difficult will it be for me to get a job?
Would graduating from PTC give me a fair chance for finding a job??
I have a physics degree and am aged 21 so if anything that should help.
Any advice from anyone who is on the course or preferably have finished the course would be great.
Or any other pilots that have learnt alot about PTC directly or from there friends , id love to hear from.
Is PTC alot worse than places like CTC or Oxford?
Thanks for peoples time
Marv
What I really want to know is - After completing the PTC course, the one which takes you from 0-CPL, how difficult will it be for me to get a job?
Would graduating from PTC give me a fair chance for finding a job??
I have a physics degree and am aged 21 so if anything that should help.
Any advice from anyone who is on the course or preferably have finished the course would be great.
Or any other pilots that have learnt alot about PTC directly or from there friends , id love to hear from.
Is PTC alot worse than places like CTC or Oxford?
Thanks for peoples time
Marv
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Have you visited these establishments?
Why not try to to visit, talk to other students and instructors, see what they think. Form pictures of these places.
Why is Waterford necessarily 'worse' than CTC or Oxford?
CTC is a great deal on the money front if you can get in-saves you the need for a big loan. Training is airline focused, but so is Waterford.
Oxford is a well-respected name with airline focused training, and will give you a chance at a job, but so will Waterford.
Don't be taken in by slogans like 'where you train will make a difference' etc. because although it might give you a little edge with some airlines, it's certainly not the be-all and end-all. Most airlines won't care that much where you train.
In all, CTC is your best chance of employment whilst simultaneously avoiding a large debt. After that it's a dog-eat-dog world with training organisations like Oxford, Waterford, Stapleford etc climbing all over themselves to relieve you of £50-70k-hence the cathcy slogans!
B
Why not try to to visit, talk to other students and instructors, see what they think. Form pictures of these places.
Why is Waterford necessarily 'worse' than CTC or Oxford?
CTC is a great deal on the money front if you can get in-saves you the need for a big loan. Training is airline focused, but so is Waterford.
Oxford is a well-respected name with airline focused training, and will give you a chance at a job, but so will Waterford.
Don't be taken in by slogans like 'where you train will make a difference' etc. because although it might give you a little edge with some airlines, it's certainly not the be-all and end-all. Most airlines won't care that much where you train.
In all, CTC is your best chance of employment whilst simultaneously avoiding a large debt. After that it's a dog-eat-dog world with training organisations like Oxford, Waterford, Stapleford etc climbing all over themselves to relieve you of £50-70k-hence the cathcy slogans!
B
Join Date: Sep 2007
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PTC, Waterford, Ireland - opinions?
Hi all
I'm hoping to convert a New Zealand CPL and MEIR to a JAA licence at the beginning of 2008 and have been looking up various options at where/how to do this. One of the popular responses is PTC in Waterford.
http://www.pilottraining.ie
Have had a chat with them and they seem good to deal with and the prices are not too unrealistic either (I say that comparing it only to UK prices).
Anybody have any direct experience with them and the claims of 98% success in employment straight after graduating? Or indeed if there are other (better) options out there for someone with a new CPL. Also would appreciate opinions of just how manageable the ATPL subjects in 2 x 3-month modules are?
Will have just over 300hrs in total single/50 multi on my return so hoping the flying training requirement won't be overly difficult to achieve.
Thanks in advance
I'm hoping to convert a New Zealand CPL and MEIR to a JAA licence at the beginning of 2008 and have been looking up various options at where/how to do this. One of the popular responses is PTC in Waterford.
http://www.pilottraining.ie
Have had a chat with them and they seem good to deal with and the prices are not too unrealistic either (I say that comparing it only to UK prices).
Anybody have any direct experience with them and the claims of 98% success in employment straight after graduating? Or indeed if there are other (better) options out there for someone with a new CPL. Also would appreciate opinions of just how manageable the ATPL subjects in 2 x 3-month modules are?
Will have just over 300hrs in total single/50 multi on my return so hoping the flying training requirement won't be overly difficult to achieve.
Thanks in advance
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Edinburgh
Age: 50
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Hi all, I am looking into training myself (purely preliminary) and trying to work out if i can afford it etc, it all sounds very expensive but worth it. I've seen various costs on websites but nothing really concrete, can anyone please advise with no previous experience what it might cost to learn and pass all the relevant exams for commercial flying? I'm 33 y/o so in a way starting my career again so giving myself a year to save more cash and plan everything. I live in Edinburgh but from the sounds of it i might have to learn somewhere else unless anyone knows of a good school in Scotland? Do you need any other types of qualifications e.g Uni/College Degree?
If there are any other students/pilots who started a little older do you have any advice? Am i too late to start becoming a pilot? How long would it take, preferrably before i hit retirement age!
I've been checking out websites but these tend to be limited so i thought the best way was to ask other students/pilots for advice. I have so far came across Moncton Flight College in Canada, Flight Safety Academy in Florida and Pilot Training College in Ireland which all appear good to me from what i have read, if you have any comments on these please let me know? it woudl ideally be best to visit these schools but would cost an awful lot of cash, better spent on actual learning.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks in advance
Dan
If there are any other students/pilots who started a little older do you have any advice? Am i too late to start becoming a pilot? How long would it take, preferrably before i hit retirement age!
I've been checking out websites but these tend to be limited so i thought the best way was to ask other students/pilots for advice. I have so far came across Moncton Flight College in Canada, Flight Safety Academy in Florida and Pilot Training College in Ireland which all appear good to me from what i have read, if you have any comments on these please let me know? it woudl ideally be best to visit these schools but would cost an awful lot of cash, better spent on actual learning.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated?
Thanks in advance
Dan
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: waterford
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P.t.c.
In a nutshell i went to ptc for an introductory course and they were basically saying that i would find it difficult and discouraged me and there price is bout 80 thousand euros! and u are distance learning for the atpls------------i since went to bournemouth flight training college a.k.a. bcft and im doing the jetline course there which is basically zero to hero under full instruction in 52 weeks.(six months of full time tuition for atpls) Doing my ppl there at the moment and the instructors are absolutely fantastic so far.They also have really good aircraft and its busy airspace so u will have great experience with atc and various weather conditions -----------if u look up bcft on this u will struggle to find a bad comment--------------would highly recommend them
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Mike edgeworth thinks the be all and end all of good flight experience exists at waterford airport?And that they one of few schools to offer one on one tuition in the air-----nearly every half decent school offers that seriously try coventry or bournemouth thats were proper training with proper structured costs and also offers great experience with atc and has top class instructors ---------The pricing at ptc is a joke and the atpls are "distance learning"------what are you paying all that money for? Ha joke
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Just want to be a Pilot
Hi everyone :-)
I did some flying in kerry when i was younger and loved it so much but then I went off and did a degree in computer science and I had to take a break from flying.
I'm 27 now and have been working in IT for the last 5 years but I still dream about being a Pilot but I'm a little scared about giving up what i've worked hard to achieve.
Its gone 1am and I'm wrecked from reading the 8 pages of comments about PTC etc.... but I still dont know what to believe.
I would like to train somewhere that is not too expensive and includes accomodation if possible.
Is there anyone out there like me?
What are the best places in the UK?
I did some flying in kerry when i was younger and loved it so much but then I went off and did a degree in computer science and I had to take a break from flying.
I'm 27 now and have been working in IT for the last 5 years but I still dream about being a Pilot but I'm a little scared about giving up what i've worked hard to achieve.
Its gone 1am and I'm wrecked from reading the 8 pages of comments about PTC etc.... but I still dont know what to believe.
I would like to train somewhere that is not too expensive and includes accomodation if possible.
Is there anyone out there like me?
What are the best places in the UK?