Riverside Flight Center
Join Date: Aug 2004
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gwtw,
when it comes to getting a job, there's something far more important than where you do the training: your personal attributes. Many schools provide good training - though there are differences - but what really matters is YOU.
You could be an integrated OAT student and not get a job, just as easily as a modular student from another JAA FTO could get one. Quality of training is obviously important, but a bad student from a good school would never get a job over an outstanding student from a below-par FTO.
Research your options carefully, and if you like the school you've seen, go there. Whether people on PPRuNe say that your job prospects after going there are good or bad shouldn't play a huge factor - because it leaves yourself out of the equation.
Good luck,
KK
when it comes to getting a job, there's something far more important than where you do the training: your personal attributes. Many schools provide good training - though there are differences - but what really matters is YOU.
You could be an integrated OAT student and not get a job, just as easily as a modular student from another JAA FTO could get one. Quality of training is obviously important, but a bad student from a good school would never get a job over an outstanding student from a below-par FTO.
Research your options carefully, and if you like the school you've seen, go there. Whether people on PPRuNe say that your job prospects after going there are good or bad shouldn't play a huge factor - because it leaves yourself out of the equation.
Good luck,
KK
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Riverside Flight Center - ab initio to FfATPL, £20k
Just noticed an advert for this organisation in the back of this weeks Flight.
JAA training, zero to fATPL, 3 months in the US, remaining 9 in the UK, essentially seeming like an integrated course, all for £20,200.
With all the discussion of over priced integrated courses, this is even cheaper than modular. On the face of it it seems to be a structured modular, or maybe more accurately, home taught integrated.
So, what's the catch? Anyone been there?
www.riversideflightcenter.com
JAA training, zero to fATPL, 3 months in the US, remaining 9 in the UK, essentially seeming like an integrated course, all for £20,200.
With all the discussion of over priced integrated courses, this is even cheaper than modular. On the face of it it seems to be a structured modular, or maybe more accurately, home taught integrated.
So, what's the catch? Anyone been there?
www.riversideflightcenter.com
Join Date: Feb 2004
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superpilot, did the other schools you looked at include all those in their quotes as well? Approach fees maybe, but the test fees, licence fees, accomodation and food?
Gizajob
Join Date: Jun 2003
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SP - think it's even worse than that...
Exam fees are £840 and the IR and CPL skills test fee are now £691
MEP Class rating is £105 not £637.
Current CAA charges scheme is here:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/175/srg_fc...es_prof_06.pdf
Exam fees are £840 and the IR and CPL skills test fee are now £691
MEP Class rating is £105 not £637.
Current CAA charges scheme is here:
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/175/srg_fc...es_prof_06.pdf
Join Date: Nov 2003
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First off, this is not an integrated course. It's modular so it's not a comparison to the likes of OAT.
On the face of it, it does look cheaper, but looks can be deceptive. For simplicity I will ignore all the exam fees, tests, accom as this is a fixed cost no matter where you go. Then, take out the PPL, Hour Building and ATPL which comes to about 8 grand (their figures not mine). Which leaves twelve grand left. Now, they like to think that with this 12 grand you will pass all the FAA stuff and then convert to the JAA. The problem here is the conversion from the US IR to the UK IR. If you have very limited IR experience, plus you have not experienced UK airspace, do not think for one minute that you will be able to convert in the minimum of 15 hours. Budget for at least twice that.
What I don't understand is that they list a JAR CPL course! My understanding is that if you hold an ICAO CPL (FAA) then you only need training as required before sitting the CPL test.
Personally, unless you can work in the states there is little point training over there for commercial licences. By all means do your PPL and Hour Building over there. However the CPL and IR will serve you better if you train in the UK. In the end it works out about the same cost (in real terms) as training stateside.
On the face of it, it does look cheaper, but looks can be deceptive. For simplicity I will ignore all the exam fees, tests, accom as this is a fixed cost no matter where you go. Then, take out the PPL, Hour Building and ATPL which comes to about 8 grand (their figures not mine). Which leaves twelve grand left. Now, they like to think that with this 12 grand you will pass all the FAA stuff and then convert to the JAA. The problem here is the conversion from the US IR to the UK IR. If you have very limited IR experience, plus you have not experienced UK airspace, do not think for one minute that you will be able to convert in the minimum of 15 hours. Budget for at least twice that.
What I don't understand is that they list a JAR CPL course! My understanding is that if you hold an ICAO CPL (FAA) then you only need training as required before sitting the CPL test.
Personally, unless you can work in the states there is little point training over there for commercial licences. By all means do your PPL and Hour Building over there. However the CPL and IR will serve you better if you train in the UK. In the end it works out about the same cost (in real terms) as training stateside.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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As i understand it, you do not train for the FAA CPL, only the FAA IR, then convert that to a JAA IR, before going to the 15hr CPL course for IR holders...
it is all very well saying dont train in the US, but different people have different requirements - for example you need to pass quickly and cant afford to be waiting for wx.
it is also worth noting tht big schools like oxford train outside of the uk (yet still charge uk prices!) so its difficult to make an argument based on airspace/atc etc. the thing to remember is once u get on to your a380 u wont care abt wether u can fly vfr from one town to another on compass and stopwatch!!
it is all very well saying dont train in the US, but different people have different requirements - for example you need to pass quickly and cant afford to be waiting for wx.
it is also worth noting tht big schools like oxford train outside of the uk (yet still charge uk prices!) so its difficult to make an argument based on airspace/atc etc. the thing to remember is once u get on to your a380 u wont care abt wether u can fly vfr from one town to another on compass and stopwatch!!
Join Date: Jul 2002
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I have to agree with the earlier post give them a call, i did my ppl with them last year. I'm currently doing my atpl back in the uk cant wait to go back to hour build get my ir and multi rating then come back to the uk to convert. Weather is great for flying so no sitting around for days in the rain either!
Dave you can pm me if you want
Dave you can pm me if you want
Jet Blast Rat
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Talk to some people who have done the FAA IR then immediate conversion to JAA. Those I have met have said that it wasn't worth doing the FAA first, the training was of little use towards achieving the JAA rating. Take that false saving out of your figures and you come up with pretty much the same costs as you could find the training for never leaving the UK, if you are creative with your hour building (say using the money you have ready for the CPL/IR to buy a share, then sell the share when you have the hours at a very good rate for little or no loss).
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Yes you can buy a share but can you afford to pay if the engine throws a conrod and needs a overhaul ? A scary proposition no one ever mentions on this idea of buying a share and hour building with your shared plane.
One day you have a 10 000 quid share in a perfectly servicable plane, the next day you how 2500 more to overhaul the engine ! I would rather hire some one elses plane and let them have that risk.
One day you have a 10 000 quid share in a perfectly servicable plane, the next day you how 2500 more to overhaul the engine ! I would rather hire some one elses plane and let them have that risk.
Jet Blast Rat
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airline
It is a small risk, but a share can cost as little as 2,500, usually with an established fund (certainly something that should be checked) and a reconditioned engine between 10 people should not be 2,500 extra!
The risk is very low. In 1000 hours, of which some 130 or so has been on twins, I have never had an engine failure on the ground or in the air. The only company I worked for that had an unexpected engine change it was at 0.8 hours, so was covered under warranty! The only group I have known of to have such an issue was a Yak, and big engines can be sensiive, especially used in anything but smooth operations.
It is a small risk, but a share can cost as little as 2,500, usually with an established fund (certainly something that should be checked) and a reconditioned engine between 10 people should not be 2,500 extra!
The risk is very low. In 1000 hours, of which some 130 or so has been on twins, I have never had an engine failure on the ground or in the air. The only company I worked for that had an unexpected engine change it was at 0.8 hours, so was covered under warranty! The only group I have known of to have such an issue was a Yak, and big engines can be sensiive, especially used in anything but smooth operations.
Originally Posted by Send Clowns
Talk to some people who have done the FAA IR then immediate conversion to JAA. Those I have met have said that it wasn't worth doing the FAA first, the training was of little use towards achieving the JAA rating. Take that false saving out of your figures and you come up with pretty much the same costs as you could find the training for never leaving the UK...
I suspect it comes down to where one trains. Riverside did the job for me and the guys there have all been through the JAA system (well those teaching the IR bits, anyway). In fact the CFI of the school there is a Brit who previously instructed here in Blighty so he knows what will be expected of you and makes sure you can perform to the standards expected during conversion.
I went through the FAA IR there and then did some extra IR-esque hour building in the twin afterwards (at £100 ph!). On coming home I went through the conversion in a smidge over min time. In terms of cost, I spent the same as I would have done by doing the full course here but I ended up with more hours and significantly more aircraft (and MEP) time - far more fun than flying a sim around for 35 hours.
As as been suggested, try to talk to a variety of folk who have each done things differently and see what works for you.
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Riverside, Oklahoma - recent experience??
I'm looking at doing my CPL and IR at Riverside next month but as things change so quickly in the training industry I was wondering does anyone have any recent experience of the school?
Join Date: May 2006
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i did some hour building with them earlier this year, and have a few friends who trained with them. I dont want to get into the training in the USA discussion theres plenty on here about all that already, and i recomend you give it a read (taken with a pinch of salt).
I found RVS to be excellent, nice a/c, nice busy location, and an excellent management team that will look after you very well. they are very fair with everything and wont mess you about.
pm me if u want me to try and put u in contact with some x students.
I found RVS to be excellent, nice a/c, nice busy location, and an excellent management team that will look after you very well. they are very fair with everything and wont mess you about.
pm me if u want me to try and put u in contact with some x students.
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I did my multi CPL with them at the end of last year, and then converted at Airways, Exeter. I would definitley recommend them. As said before, very professional and very fair which makes a refreshing change to some of my previous experiences!
If you have any more specific questions feel free to pm me.
If you have any more specific questions feel free to pm me.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Riverside
I did my FAA ME CPL and IR with them and found them to be very good, and highly professional.
Did the conversion with Airways Flight Training at Exeter, and had no problems at all. 2 flights (including test) to convert CPL, and 15 hours (of which 5 was in sim) to convert the IR with a full 1st time pass.
They teach the IR to the standard required for a JAA pass, not just an FAA one, so it's a fairly simple process on your return. Even down to the same aircraft type, and identical check lists. The only real differences when you come back are the radio calls and the temperature!!
Worked out much less expensive for me, and I had a great time whilst I was out there too.
I have no problems with highly recommending them to anyone!!
Chinchilla.
Did the conversion with Airways Flight Training at Exeter, and had no problems at all. 2 flights (including test) to convert CPL, and 15 hours (of which 5 was in sim) to convert the IR with a full 1st time pass.
They teach the IR to the standard required for a JAA pass, not just an FAA one, so it's a fairly simple process on your return. Even down to the same aircraft type, and identical check lists. The only real differences when you come back are the radio calls and the temperature!!
Worked out much less expensive for me, and I had a great time whilst I was out there too.
I have no problems with highly recommending them to anyone!!
Chinchilla.
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Riverside flight center and flying in TULSA
Hello all 
Am about to sign up for a CPL at Riverside Flight center in Tulsa....only I do have a choice of going there either in November or January. The choice of school is'nt fixed either.
Do I have to worry about weather delays during these months? Is it advisable to learn to fly at Florida or Texas instead?
Does anyone have any advice/information on Riverside to share?
Thanks!
G.
Am about to sign up for a CPL at Riverside Flight center in Tulsa....only I do have a choice of going there either in November or January. The choice of school is'nt fixed either.
Do I have to worry about weather delays during these months? Is it advisable to learn to fly at Florida or Texas instead?
Does anyone have any advice/information on Riverside to share?
Thanks!
G.