Pilot Training College, Waterford, Ireland
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Pilot Training College, Waterford, Ireland
Hello everyone!!!!
I have just finished my PPL and Hour building here in SA and will be returning to Ireland soon to do my atps through Bristol and to earn some dosh to reduce the steaming on the old credit card. Unfortunately the JAA approved school here in JHB has gone bankrupt so Im looking for a place in Ireland to do my CPL/Multi IR and instructors. Any suggestions or comments????
Thanks BL
I have just finished my PPL and Hour building here in SA and will be returning to Ireland soon to do my atps through Bristol and to earn some dosh to reduce the steaming on the old credit card. Unfortunately the JAA approved school here in JHB has gone bankrupt so Im looking for a place in Ireland to do my CPL/Multi IR and instructors. Any suggestions or comments????
Thanks BL
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PTC IRELAND
hI PPruner's,
I had a good experience with PTC Ireland
very friendly and a good flight school.
Only good things aircraft were in great shape
and the flight instructor's were very helpful.
would recommend them.
safe flying all
mike
I had a good experience with PTC Ireland
very friendly and a good flight school.
Only good things aircraft were in great shape
and the flight instructor's were very helpful.
would recommend them.
safe flying all
mike
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Pilot training college ireland, your views
Just want some feedback on the Pilot training college Ireland based at Waterford Airport. Is it good/bad/indifferent. Are the staff good/bad/indifferent etc. I'm planning to do a course there as I don't want to go to the States or UK.
Cheers
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Waterford, Ireland.
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I'm currently doing 0-fATPL at PTC. Info below might help:
Good Points:
1. Excellent Instructors
2. Most favourable weather in Ireland for training. (Only 6 days lost due to poor weather in 2004)
3. Small regional airport so not much commercial traffic but as there's no radar it's still interesting when you're in the circuit or practising an ILS and Aer Arann are on the way...(you'll see when you get here....pedantic controller....)
4. On site maintenance. Shamrock Aviation are based here and deal with most of the GA maintenance in Ireland as well as a lot of Welsh and other UK based aircraft. 50 hour checks are completed in about 3-4hours and C of A's usually take 10days. Any other little things are usually dealt with immediately.
5. Becoming increasingly recognised as a REAL-LIVE Irish professional flying school by the airlines. PPJN mention them as a supplier of pilots to Aer Arann. We've also had students go to Air Asia and Ryanair.
Bad Points:
1. This is Ireland. It's slightly more expensive than doing it abroad, especially the PPL.
2. Once again, this is Ireland. Although only 6 days were lost due to weather last year, this year hasn't been the best. Not sure of the stats, but certainly a couple of weeks have meant VFR was out.
3. Location. There'll always be someone to give you a lift to college, but if you live in Dunmore East or Tramore and wanna get into Waterford City, costs EUR25/30 in a taxi. If you have a car, obviously your freedom level increases dramatically.
Also, accomodation is EXTREMELY expensive from June-September in Dunmore East. We're talking EUR600-EUR800 PER WEEK. Seriously. This is compared to the same figure per month for the rest of the year. If you're starting 0-fATPL, the CPL or the Multi-IR, I'd advise you to start in September to give the best chance of the acccomodation budget being realistic.
Apart from that, not a lot to complain about. Obviously the usual caveats apply. Keep an eye on your account. I get weekly and monthly print outs of my spendings from Ops at PTC and there's never a problem, but this is a flying school after all!! (Kidding)
Rosters can and do change for various reasons so if you've a flight booked, make sure you call to confirm EVERY TIME, as you won't get called to be told an aircraft has gone tech. Be assertive!
PM me if you need anything else.
Simon.
Good Points:
1. Excellent Instructors
2. Most favourable weather in Ireland for training. (Only 6 days lost due to poor weather in 2004)
3. Small regional airport so not much commercial traffic but as there's no radar it's still interesting when you're in the circuit or practising an ILS and Aer Arann are on the way...(you'll see when you get here....pedantic controller....)
4. On site maintenance. Shamrock Aviation are based here and deal with most of the GA maintenance in Ireland as well as a lot of Welsh and other UK based aircraft. 50 hour checks are completed in about 3-4hours and C of A's usually take 10days. Any other little things are usually dealt with immediately.
5. Becoming increasingly recognised as a REAL-LIVE Irish professional flying school by the airlines. PPJN mention them as a supplier of pilots to Aer Arann. We've also had students go to Air Asia and Ryanair.
Bad Points:
1. This is Ireland. It's slightly more expensive than doing it abroad, especially the PPL.
2. Once again, this is Ireland. Although only 6 days were lost due to weather last year, this year hasn't been the best. Not sure of the stats, but certainly a couple of weeks have meant VFR was out.
3. Location. There'll always be someone to give you a lift to college, but if you live in Dunmore East or Tramore and wanna get into Waterford City, costs EUR25/30 in a taxi. If you have a car, obviously your freedom level increases dramatically.
Also, accomodation is EXTREMELY expensive from June-September in Dunmore East. We're talking EUR600-EUR800 PER WEEK. Seriously. This is compared to the same figure per month for the rest of the year. If you're starting 0-fATPL, the CPL or the Multi-IR, I'd advise you to start in September to give the best chance of the acccomodation budget being realistic.
Apart from that, not a lot to complain about. Obviously the usual caveats apply. Keep an eye on your account. I get weekly and monthly print outs of my spendings from Ops at PTC and there's never a problem, but this is a flying school after all!! (Kidding)
Rosters can and do change for various reasons so if you've a flight booked, make sure you call to confirm EVERY TIME, as you won't get called to be told an aircraft has gone tech. Be assertive!
PM me if you need anything else.
Simon.
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As someone who has gone through the training mill over the past 2 years, I feel I owe it to all Wannabes out there, who are considering modular training in Ireland/UK, to recommend flight training at PTC.
I completed my CPL and MEP rating in Florida, returning to Ireland train for the Multi IR. My main reasons for recommending PTC are as follows:
Customer service -
Firstly, Somehow they made it "easier" to hand over silly amounts of EUR every other day.
Secondly, if you have a problem (and hey lets be realistic no flight school is perfect) they listen and do their best to fix the problem.
Standard of instruction -
The instructors are top class and push you to achieve your goal in each lesson. I passed my Multi IR first time with a tough examiner in a little over minimum hours. What more can I say.
Feel free to PM me for further info.
NCP
I completed my CPL and MEP rating in Florida, returning to Ireland train for the Multi IR. My main reasons for recommending PTC are as follows:
Customer service -
Firstly, Somehow they made it "easier" to hand over silly amounts of EUR every other day.
Secondly, if you have a problem (and hey lets be realistic no flight school is perfect) they listen and do their best to fix the problem.
Standard of instruction -
The instructors are top class and push you to achieve your goal in each lesson. I passed my Multi IR first time with a tough examiner in a little over minimum hours. What more can I say.
Feel free to PM me for further info.
NCP
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Pilot Training College, Waterford, Ireland
I was just wondering if anybody could give me any advice. Im due to start training with Sigmar Aviation in South Africa with the 43rd air school however recently i was wondering should i go to the PTC. I would greatly appreciate any advice-positive or negative! Its basically a matter of deciding which school to choose! Thanks in advance!
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43 definately and that is from the horses mouth so to speak. 
Leon,
For PPL and hourbuilding I would definately recommend SA for training. 43 has an excellent rep however there are other schools with just as good a rep and cheaper. Im irish and have done all my training here and have not regreted it. You wont be reliant on the irish weather and it will save you a lot of dosh which you could put towards a type rating or something similar
You might find this site interesting. It will answer a lot of your questions www.avcom.co.za
Good Luck
Leon,
For PPL and hourbuilding I would definately recommend SA for training. 43 has an excellent rep however there are other schools with just as good a rep and cheaper. Im irish and have done all my training here and have not regreted it. You wont be reliant on the irish weather and it will save you a lot of dosh which you could put towards a type rating or something similar
You might find this site interesting. It will answer a lot of your questions www.avcom.co.za
Good Luck
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Pilot Training College Ireland
Guys n gals,
Please note that the above college have raised their ppl ground briefing charges from 20 to 40 euro per hour. Thats not long briefing by the way, its every time an instructor is in your vicinity, the charges are removed from your account. Including short pre flight briefs and general chats.
Be aware.
P
Please note that the above college have raised their ppl ground briefing charges from 20 to 40 euro per hour. Thats not long briefing by the way, its every time an instructor is in your vicinity, the charges are removed from your account. Including short pre flight briefs and general chats.
Be aware.
P
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Groundschool
Well what is groundschool..........I would have no problem being charged for the required Long Briefing.......or structured preparation for my written exams...........and know that this is going to be an item that will be charged to my account. Surely the pre-flight brief before a lesson cannot be construed as same, that is part of the lesson. It seems the management have adopted an agressive charging regime over there in the south-east of Ireland.
They are advertising on PPRUNE (banner) and suggesting a guarantee of FO positions?????????????????.
I agree flybear that it has the possibility of becoming a good facility. But sadly it is taking the road of avarice as its failed predecessors in Waterford did. Perhaps the pickings are just too thin down there and so the stealth charges rise.
Prospective students please note that the new Groundschool charges are not included on the website prices at present and also the timeframes shown for required groundschool are a gross under-statement of what they will bill you for.
P
They are advertising on PPRUNE (banner) and suggesting a guarantee of FO positions?????????????????.
I agree flybear that it has the possibility of becoming a good facility. But sadly it is taking the road of avarice as its failed predecessors in Waterford did. Perhaps the pickings are just too thin down there and so the stealth charges rise.
Prospective students please note that the new Groundschool charges are not included on the website prices at present and also the timeframes shown for required groundschool are a gross under-statement of what they will bill you for.
P
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Pigsfly,
You say that you believe a pre-flight briefing to be part of the lesson. Well in that case would you be happy to pay the hourly rate of the a/c hire?
I think you'll find paying the 40 euros an hour to be a cheaper option. 
Besides, why shouldn't you pay for your instructors time. He/she has spent a lot of money to get to the position they are in, why should they give you their time for free?
You say that you believe a pre-flight briefing to be part of the lesson. Well in that case would you be happy to pay the hourly rate of the a/c hire?
I think you'll find paying the 40 euros an hour to be a cheaper option. Besides, why shouldn't you pay for your instructors time. He/she has spent a lot of money to get to the position they are in, why should they give you their time for free?
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Besides, why shouldn't you pay for your instructors time. He/she has spent a lot of money to get to the position they are in, why should they give you their time for free?
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Matt
This is not a debate about aircraft hire, nor payment for instructors. It is actually about a sudden 100% increase in the charge at this facility, which it has charged to its students accounts but not shown on its website price list. This is in spite of it actively seeking students......
Of course Instructors should be paid professionally for their efforts. And the PTC is entitled to make money as a going concern.
But it is law in Ireland that prices be properly advertised. Price change effected on 1st April and as of last night still not shown on the website. Also students are being told to budget for a number of hours of GS which is not realistic because of their....charge for every chat with an instructor policy.
P
Of course Instructors should be paid professionally for their efforts. And the PTC is entitled to make money as a going concern.
But it is law in Ireland that prices be properly advertised. Price change effected on 1st April and as of last night still not shown on the website. Also students are being told to budget for a number of hours of GS which is not realistic because of their....charge for every chat with an instructor policy.
P
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Yeah I have to say my first thoughts are that a policy like that isn't really in the interests of fostering open and honest communication between an instructor and student. Be to tempting to be watching the pennies and not ask as many questions as you would like. Why not just adjust the headline prices to be all inclusive rather than add ons for this and that. Bit like the BA fuel surcharge but that's a debate for another day. Arrgghh
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I have no problem paying for a service -in this case the instructors time- if i get back a quality service in return.
The groundschool is not good there, the instructors are made to do it by management if there is no flying. they dont like doing as it is unnecessary therefore quality suffers as they are burning up your time to keep management happy.
The following is a rumour which i hope is not true - Accounts told management that ptc is making money on flying but needs to make more money on groundschool, hence the price increase (which was unannounced before it was charged) and the pushing of groundschool on to students. Remember rumour.
btw preflight is charged by the minute, and is always rounded up. at 1 euro a minute that adds up.
every time you chat to an instructor you feel like you're not sure if you will have to pay for it.
the advertising for the "guaranteed of FO opportunities" will be news to all of "qualifying graduates" i'm sure. Unless they mean the mcc in parc but you dont have to go to ptc for that.
The groundschool is not good there, the instructors are made to do it by management if there is no flying. they dont like doing as it is unnecessary therefore quality suffers as they are burning up your time to keep management happy.
The following is a rumour which i hope is not true - Accounts told management that ptc is making money on flying but needs to make more money on groundschool, hence the price increase (which was unannounced before it was charged) and the pushing of groundschool on to students. Remember rumour.
btw preflight is charged by the minute, and is always rounded up. at 1 euro a minute that adds up.
every time you chat to an instructor you feel like you're not sure if you will have to pay for it.
the advertising for the "guaranteed of FO opportunities" will be news to all of "qualifying graduates" i'm sure. Unless they mean the mcc in parc but you dont have to go to ptc for that.
Hi all
It's a scam,pure and simple.Hit the gulls where it hurts and they're too unwitting and too intimidated to protest.I encountered it in another school where the net result was that we avoided the instructors unless we absolutely had to, which is difficult,given the need to interact with them.When the instructors began to ask what we were up to, we said that we didn't want to be charged for asking casual questions outside any defined briefing session.Eventually, it led to a group meeting with the boss to iron things out.
Scum.
regards
TDD
It's a scam,pure and simple.Hit the gulls where it hurts and they're too unwitting and too intimidated to protest.I encountered it in another school where the net result was that we avoided the instructors unless we absolutely had to, which is difficult,given the need to interact with them.When the instructors began to ask what we were up to, we said that we didn't want to be charged for asking casual questions outside any defined briefing session.Eventually, it led to a group meeting with the boss to iron things out.
Scum.
regards
TDD
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Its such a shame that yet another FTO in Ireland is getting a bad name for itself. Flight training in Ireland is a joke!
I completed my ME/CPL/IR with a small school in Bournemouth, after being frustrated with my PPL experiences at another FTO in Ireland.
Only two students per Instructor and our Instructor was with us from first thing in the morning until we finished for the day. Briefings were all part of the hourly hire rate. No problem even asking one of the other Instructors for help on something. In fact, if they saw you in a briefing room, they'd generally pop their head in and ask how you were getting on. In my opinion, that's the way any flight school should be run.
I completed my ME/CPL/IR with a small school in Bournemouth, after being frustrated with my PPL experiences at another FTO in Ireland.
Only two students per Instructor and our Instructor was with us from first thing in the morning until we finished for the day. Briefings were all part of the hourly hire rate. No problem even asking one of the other Instructors for help on something. In fact, if they saw you in a briefing room, they'd generally pop their head in and ask how you were getting on. In my opinion, that's the way any flight school should be run.