FTE Jerez
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FTE Jerez
Hi everybody!
I'm thinking about going to Jerez for flight training and I was just wondering how they're business is going? Now I'm not asking are they any good, (but I would be glad of any comments), but are they getting an acceptable number of trainees? The reason I ask is that I hear of all these flight schools closing (or maybe they're just rumours!) because of lack of business and I'm worried about splashing out loads of money and then to so see it being lost because the school went out of business.
Thanks in advance for any replies
I'm thinking about going to Jerez for flight training and I was just wondering how they're business is going? Now I'm not asking are they any good, (but I would be glad of any comments), but are they getting an acceptable number of trainees? The reason I ask is that I hear of all these flight schools closing (or maybe they're just rumours!) because of lack of business and I'm worried about splashing out loads of money and then to so see it being lost because the school went out of business.
Thanks in advance for any replies
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They are quieter than they want to be but your money should be safe enough - the new junta in charge have the funds to subsidise the place for a couple of years whilst the business buils up.
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Well that "new Junta" has been in charge for over a year now and it is a lot quieter than last year.
Are you sure you don;t want to know if they are any good. For that kind of money you want to be getting a premier product.
Are you sure you don;t want to know if they are any good. For that kind of money you want to be getting a premier product.
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Thanks for the replies.
Well I thought that they were one of the best in Europe. Also, since Aer Lingus and many more airlines used them in the past I thought that they cant be bad.
Their modular course doesn't seem too bad either, and for a good price. I would appreciate any comments from anybody who been there lately
Well I thought that they were one of the best in Europe. Also, since Aer Lingus and many more airlines used them in the past I thought that they cant be bad.
Their modular course doesn't seem too bad either, and for a good price. I would appreciate any comments from anybody who been there lately
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Hi there Fergal,
Well I've been in contact with FTE Jerez like you with regards to modular training.I.e. going from my current PPL of 50hours and doing the modular course on a full-time basis.However after speaking to them they seem rather reluctant to offer me the ATPL groundschool.So with this is mind I'm going elsewhere as I wish the rest of my training(commercial) to be completed at the one FTO.
Regards
Well I've been in contact with FTE Jerez like you with regards to modular training.I.e. going from my current PPL of 50hours and doing the modular course on a full-time basis.However after speaking to them they seem rather reluctant to offer me the ATPL groundschool.So with this is mind I'm going elsewhere as I wish the rest of my training(commercial) to be completed at the one FTO.
Regards
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Technically, the new Junta have only been in charge since the start of December last year when they waved the axe and chopped many of the ex-Prestwick instructors.
However, I do know from contacts there that they are MUCH quieter than they should be and that the new business has not been coming in as fast as they had hoped. However, the expectation was that there would be a period of up to two years before the business picked up (although it does seem slower to do so than many other places).
You should have no doubts about the quality of the instruction - for the most part it should be good. However, if the bosses have any common sense they will negotiate on the pric e to get some "bums on seats" - but I would not put it past them to refuse to budge.
However, I do know from contacts there that they are MUCH quieter than they should be and that the new business has not been coming in as fast as they had hoped. However, the expectation was that there would be a period of up to two years before the business picked up (although it does seem slower to do so than many other places).
You should have no doubts about the quality of the instruction - for the most part it should be good. However, if the bosses have any common sense they will negotiate on the pric e to get some "bums on seats" - but I would not put it past them to refuse to budge.
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Since the management shakeup, things at the school have just got better and better, i should know, i'm there at the moment. The school has definately gone from strength to strength and i'm not just saying that becasue i am here. The numbers of students in classes has picked up hugely in the last year, from an average of about 5 to about 10. The last 3 course to start have 10, 14 and 9 in them. Ok, there not full but i assure you that the school is not going to be closing any time soon, especially as FTE has several Gapan students and 8 cadets from brittania. There has also been a lot of intrest from the airlines recently, and several visits from airline management to the school. So on the whole it looks like things are picking up.
If anyone has any questions then i am more than happy to answer them although don't expect immediate replies as groundschool and drinking take up a lot of time!
If anyone has any questions then i am more than happy to answer them although don't expect immediate replies as groundschool and drinking take up a lot of time!
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Well it is one year up already as the "new junta" are the old junta. What ex Prestwick instructors were axed? I know some who got large payouts on a Wednesday and returned on the Thursday doing the same job at the same pay and since there only ever were 4 of them who was "axed".
You will find an airline "big Cheese" will always be happy to visit for a game of golf in the sun and to be wined and dined for free. And surely you are not nieve to think that they pay 100.000 for the course that only three years ago was half that price.
Arfur "You should have no doubts about the quality of the instruction - for the most part it should be good." Are you sure? The ex Prestwick ground school were all properly trained as ground sinstructors from their R.A.F days and knew the subjects back to front. Anyone can now read what is on the overhead projector. How many flying instructors actually have a commercial background?
You will find an airline "big Cheese" will always be happy to visit for a game of golf in the sun and to be wined and dined for free. And surely you are not nieve to think that they pay 100.000 for the course that only three years ago was half that price.
Arfur "You should have no doubts about the quality of the instruction - for the most part it should be good." Are you sure? The ex Prestwick ground school were all properly trained as ground sinstructors from their R.A.F days and knew the subjects back to front. Anyone can now read what is on the overhead projector. How many flying instructors actually have a commercial background?
Last edited by Angelīs One Fife; 20th Sep 2004 at 17:33.
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Watching this one with interest. I'm popping over there week after next to have a look around. Just the modular CPL/IR bit i am interested in, but as you all say premium rates none the less!
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Thanks for all the replies. I will probably go over there soon to have a look for myself. I think its the only way for me to decide whether or not to go there.
Keep all the thoughts and opinions coming guys
Keep all the thoughts and opinions coming guys
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For anybody out there who is considering FTE as a training school for modular or integrated, I can assure them that it is not on the brink/skating on thin ice/on its last legs etc. Yes, the average intake at the start of the year was not huge, but then the students who came were those who had been recruited by the former owners (BAE Systems).
I don't know why Angels 15 has such a chip on his/her shoulder about the place, but let me put the record straight.
1. Two ex-Prestwick instructors were given the boot. Of the others, they did not leave on Wednesday and start again on Thursday (note the use of capitals). They remained employed with BAE up to the time of the management take-over and were then re-employed after the Christmas break at the beginning of this year. It may or may not be true that they received exactly the same salary, the difference was that they lost their BAE Systems pensions.
2. The cost of integrated training is not 100000 Euros, it is 92000. A lot of money but the difference does buy a lot of beers.
3. The last airline "big cheese" who came to Jerez promptly placed 11 KLM/KLS students with the school. The students start on the 20th September.
4. It may be that the current ground school staff are not ex-RAF, but then how many other schools have an all ex-RAF staff? In any case, the background of the instructors is irrelevant, it is the exam results that matter. For anybody visiting please feel free to ask what they are - I am sure the school has nothing to hide in that respect and can probably hold its own with most other places.
5. Jerez has at least one ex-airline pilot as a flying instructor. On top of which the MCC/JOC instructors are also ex-airline. Just for the record, since the training is for a single pilot IR there is no real benefit in having a former airline driver as an instructor (this is not meant in any way to denigrate any ex-airline pilots who are flying instructors). Perhaps Angels 15 can give us the numbers and ratio of former commercial pilots employed at other schools!
If anybody still has any doubts then the best thing I can suggest is to get in touch with FlyUK who seems to be one of the satisfied customers. Alternatively feel free to PM me.
I don't know why Angels 15 has such a chip on his/her shoulder about the place, but let me put the record straight.
1. Two ex-Prestwick instructors were given the boot. Of the others, they did not leave on Wednesday and start again on Thursday (note the use of capitals). They remained employed with BAE up to the time of the management take-over and were then re-employed after the Christmas break at the beginning of this year. It may or may not be true that they received exactly the same salary, the difference was that they lost their BAE Systems pensions.
2. The cost of integrated training is not 100000 Euros, it is 92000. A lot of money but the difference does buy a lot of beers.
3. The last airline "big cheese" who came to Jerez promptly placed 11 KLM/KLS students with the school. The students start on the 20th September.
4. It may be that the current ground school staff are not ex-RAF, but then how many other schools have an all ex-RAF staff? In any case, the background of the instructors is irrelevant, it is the exam results that matter. For anybody visiting please feel free to ask what they are - I am sure the school has nothing to hide in that respect and can probably hold its own with most other places.
5. Jerez has at least one ex-airline pilot as a flying instructor. On top of which the MCC/JOC instructors are also ex-airline. Just for the record, since the training is for a single pilot IR there is no real benefit in having a former airline driver as an instructor (this is not meant in any way to denigrate any ex-airline pilots who are flying instructors). Perhaps Angels 15 can give us the numbers and ratio of former commercial pilots employed at other schools!
If anybody still has any doubts then the best thing I can suggest is to get in touch with FlyUK who seems to be one of the satisfied customers. Alternatively feel free to PM me.
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Actually, 3 ex-Pik people left following the waving of the axe.
Ops Manager, 1 FI and 1 MCCI.
That only left 2 ex_Pik instructors - the CFI + 1.
60% departure rate.
Editted to correct mathematical anomoly!
Ops Manager, 1 FI and 1 MCCI.
That only left 2 ex_Pik instructors - the CFI + 1.
60% departure rate.
Editted to correct mathematical anomoly!
Last edited by arfur-sixpence; 20th Sep 2004 at 16:30.
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Fergal 20 you should check out www.aeromadrid.com or contact them at [email protected] They are about 12,000 cheaper than Jerez and have excellent facilities including a TRTO A320.
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The only way i can suggest you decide if jerez is the place for you is to come down here. Its only 45 quid return or something along those lines with ryanair from stanstead. Come and see what its like, talk to the current students at lunch or round the bar. They are not going to lie to you, i certainly wouldn't. If anyone does come down then just pm me and i will make sure i have a chat with you. At the end of the day it is a hell of a lot of money and ofcourse you want to consider all the options, but if you want to enjoy your training as well as getting the grades then i recommend jerez....nuf said. ps. beer during happy hour is about 50 pence a pint! 
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Machonepointnine
What makes you think I have a chip on my shoulder. Just because I do not look at the world through rose tinted glasses does not mean I am digruntled with FTE. Jerez is a fantastic place to live and work but bloody expensive for the same licence you can get for half that price.
You seem to think you know all, so what instructors were given "the boot" as you say. The truth is that all ex-prestwick instructors were given the option of redundancy and go or stay on redundancy and a different contract without the BAE pension. Some voted with their feet and left but non were booted out as far as I know. The ones who left had other jobs lined up anyway and just held off for the cash which was quite cionsiderable. The others who stayed were given big payoffs and then went straight back to work whilst their Spanish collegues got nothing. The small period of time was because they had to use their BAE holiday entitlemment or loose it but they were always there. Don't know of any flight instructors with airline experience.
The cost of nearly Ģ65000 does not included any costs for additional training at all and is for the bare minimum for licence issue so if you have to repeat one little thing it can cost more and some folks have spent a lot more. Remember the syllabus assumes you will go solo in only 10 hours so anymore than that and you are on an additional cost footing straight away.
Yes the MCC staff are ex-airline now But If your happy getting sworn at for MCC then cool. Not really what MCC is about though. And again it's an expensive tick in the box in an old Frasca.
At the end of your day you pay your money and take our choice but don't be thinking you get a gold plated licence at one school because it is more expensive. The training is no better than anywhere else.
What makes you think I have a chip on my shoulder. Just because I do not look at the world through rose tinted glasses does not mean I am digruntled with FTE. Jerez is a fantastic place to live and work but bloody expensive for the same licence you can get for half that price.
You seem to think you know all, so what instructors were given "the boot" as you say. The truth is that all ex-prestwick instructors were given the option of redundancy and go or stay on redundancy and a different contract without the BAE pension. Some voted with their feet and left but non were booted out as far as I know. The ones who left had other jobs lined up anyway and just held off for the cash which was quite cionsiderable. The others who stayed were given big payoffs and then went straight back to work whilst their Spanish collegues got nothing. The small period of time was because they had to use their BAE holiday entitlemment or loose it but they were always there. Don't know of any flight instructors with airline experience.
The cost of nearly Ģ65000 does not included any costs for additional training at all and is for the bare minimum for licence issue so if you have to repeat one little thing it can cost more and some folks have spent a lot more. Remember the syllabus assumes you will go solo in only 10 hours so anymore than that and you are on an additional cost footing straight away.
Yes the MCC staff are ex-airline now But If your happy getting sworn at for MCC then cool. Not really what MCC is about though. And again it's an expensive tick in the box in an old Frasca.
At the end of your day you pay your money and take our choice but don't be thinking you get a gold plated licence at one school because it is more expensive. The training is no better than anywhere else.
Last edited by Angelīs One Fife; 20th Sep 2004 at 21:27.
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angels 15, are you suggesting that an MCCI at FTE may not practice what he preaches? I don't think I need to ask who!
For the record, the two MCCIs who were made redundant were NOT given the opportunity to stay (one ex-Pik, one locally employed). A third MCCI went down to part time contract - leaving just the manager on a full time contract. 1 manager, half an instructor - classic BAE-style staffing ratio.
Nice timing, too, at 2 weeks before Christmas.
For the record, the two MCCIs who were made redundant were NOT given the opportunity to stay (one ex-Pik, one locally employed). A third MCCI went down to part time contract - leaving just the manager on a full time contract. 1 manager, half an instructor - classic BAE-style staffing ratio.
Nice timing, too, at 2 weeks before Christmas.
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Well I might not be going to Jerez after all!!!
I got a reply from them saying that they might not be able to offer me the modular ground-school because of lack of interest.
They also wanted to know why I wanted to do the modular route since airlines prefer the integrated students!!! They then went on to give their explanation...which I wont even bother copying and pasting here (which probably wouldn't be fair anyway).
I have a PPL so that was the main reason that I was looking at the modular route.
Any comments?
I got a reply from them saying that they might not be able to offer me the modular ground-school because of lack of interest.
They also wanted to know why I wanted to do the modular route since airlines prefer the integrated students!!! They then went on to give their explanation...which I wont even bother copying and pasting here (which probably wouldn't be fair anyway).
I have a PPL so that was the main reason that I was looking at the modular route.
Any comments?
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You see it is that kind of nonsence that they put out all the time and that keeps the place so empty.
Get it into your heads. At the end of the day you get jobs whether you are integtated or not. There is no gold plated licence from any school.
Even the beer is twice the price of Hipercor.
Anyway come office hours tomorrow machonepointnine will refute all again as he has taken moggie's place as cheerleader.
Get it into your heads. At the end of the day you get jobs whether you are integtated or not. There is no gold plated licence from any school.
Even the beer is twice the price of Hipercor.
Anyway come office hours tomorrow machonepointnine will refute all again as he has taken moggie's place as cheerleader.