EPST

[B747-SP]

Ah birdseed!

I must say, I was quite amused by your post.

For the record, I am an ordinary poster ( and an aspiring pilot <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> ) who has only told everyone what I have experienced whilst dealing with EPST.
I reside and work in England for a well known organisation. (Not aviation related in the slightest..although I wish it was)

If what you say is correct about an EPST course, then the students might be slightly 'off track' in assuming that they will be placed DIRECTLY into BA as you put it. I have seen a copy of a contract and can tell you they will only get into BA if they are recommended by EPST & WMU AND pass the self sponsored pilot selection that BA apparently offer.

On asking the CEO of EPST about BA he said that success with Big A depended on the student pilot, (quite obvious that one) however, EPST guarantee to get the best out of the student to achieve this. Incidently, one of the selectors for EPST is a retired BA captain who was the head of BA cadet pilot recruitment at one time. He certainly was looking for pilots of a similar quality to that of which BA would accept. Anyway, if the EPST cadets believe that they will be placed directly into BA, then they are mistaken and have pretty much inferred the given information incorrectly.(BA verbal reasoning basic). Myself and a few others certainly did not get that impression from EPST.

EPST have produced cadets that have worked just as hard as you to get where they are. The cadets deserve as much respect as any other sponsored pilot. Despite your apparent yet not admitted ill feelings about EPST, I hope the respect between you two (generally speaking), is positively mutual.

So, it appears that some EPST students may have gone overboard as mentioned earlier, but they are entitled to believe that they may be successful with your sponsoring company. Shouldn't we all? Like the saying goes...'Aim high and you'll reach the sky!' (quite relevant that ...don't you think?)

I know the BA course which was cancelled in September was meant to be in the same class with EPST. Sept 12 was the starting date, I think. How much do you you know about this? Is your source reliable?

I would also recommend that you click on the CTC link that is sometimes advertised here on PPRuNe. The ATP scheme of which is on offer by EPST is explained there. There are posts on this also.You could ask EPST for a look at the contract for more accuracy if you like.

My conclusion for all considering EPST: EPST are very professional and their cadets are very switched on. Birdseed and BA at WMU have probably noticed the latter. EPST do encourage their cadets to be the best and to aim high. I see no problem in that and I do wish you all the very best in securing your dreams. It is not easy, I know.


If there are any replies to this, please make sure that they are constructive. There should be no need for anymore childish behaviour. (I sound like my mum)

SP

HO HO HO....Merry Christmas <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[ 26 December 2001: Message edited by: B747-SP ]</p>

[instereo]

birdseed,
I suggest you be VERY careful about the content of your posts. I understand there are only eight of you on the BA course which would narrow down the possibilities somewhat. Not only does it look rather immature but it also gives people the impression that BA cadets are complete idiots. As a former cadet, I know how easily one can get a name which is difficult to shake. Not to mention the fact that you are bringing the company's name into disrepute. I would edit your post very quickly before too many people get a chance to read it. Trust me, people in BA keep a keen eye on this website and they will find out who you are.

[birdseed jr]

b747sp
-Apologies for implying you were anybody else, i stand corrected.
I hope the rest of your reply was helpful to whoever is interested in epst. For the record i do not bear any ill will to any EPST cadet, i simply believe the impression they got from EPST was not accurate. I have stated the examples as to why i belive so. This may sound harsh, but i think it was necessary. And yes, i do respect them and do appreciate that they have worked as hard as we have, if not harder to be here.
I didnt understand your comment about the sept 12th course, but yes the other half of the EPST course due to start that date were BA cadets.

Tailscrape,
Im aware of the concerns you have. Im not actually one of the 8 BA cadets you belive i am. I realise the post can be viewed as being bitchy, but i tried hard not to let it get too out of hand. If id given that kind of impression, i apologise for doing so.

[pacole]

I have just been looking at the EPST website on their AJFC course. I have heard some good things about the school from sources I trust.

However I was wondering whether their are any pilots out there who have been through this course and have any comments on its value. Did it help them get a job? EPST claim to actively help in the job hunt for people who make it through the course as airlines want their students. Is this realy the case? If so what does it amount too. Whilst i certainly don't think EPST are telling any porkies I would just like the reassurance of the forums opinion before I sunk another 4.5K on training.

[scottwarnick]

I recently tried to do the on line aptitude test at EPST.com and not only did it crash they charged my card four times!

Services not provided and 80 euros on my card...

I did complain but only got a snotty email back a month later that i was at fault and couldn't follow instructions!

Thats customer care for you!

Anyone else had a run in with these hooligans?

[FlyingForFun]

If it's a credit card which was used, your credit card company should protect you from this. Write to them to explain what has happened (include a copy of the e-mail you got), and they will remove the charges from your next statement.

FFF
--------------

[scottwarnick]

I've tried that already...

You'd think a potential customer with grands to spend on flight time they would be a bit more flexible...

[scottwarnick]

I had another Email from Dick Vanderburg this morning after my claim for services not provided simply stating it was my fault for paying for the service.......

How can this be allowed??????????

[YYZ]

Get back onto your credit card company, it is not allowed and you will covered by the internet fraud protection that I think all/most cards now have.

YYZ

[DANNY M]

Has anyone here done the European Pilot Selection & Training IPAS test?

http://www.epst.com/index.html


I have just completed it with a score of 6179

SCORE

Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Excellent


Ballgame Score: 325 (excellent)
Total recall Score: 14 (good)
Math test Score: 10 (good)
Wings and Things Score: 29 (excellent)
Bingo Score: 29 (good)
Total score Score: 6179 (excellent)

I was then taken to another screen with what looked like top scores, I ranked 6th from the top but there were no numbers on the left to say if that was from 1 down?

Just trying to establish if it actually was a good test result or just another joe average???


Hmmmmm?


Danny

[dboy]

Hi,

Has anyone done this course??
What's your opinion about this and did it give you the opportunity to get a job....or is this just another scam???

grtz

[low n' slow]

Can you give us some more info on it?
Is it one of those "have a go at flying a jet for a rediculous price that isn't really needed-courses" commonly known as jet orientation courses.
Apparantly they're a part of the game in the US, but over here in Europe you don't really need it unless you have extra money to spend on pointless extra education. Better to save your cash for a SSTR.

But please provide us with more info like a website, before I start ranting...

EDIT: After having found the website for myself, it sounds more like a service that operators may use in evaluating candidates (like an extended simcheck). Still sounds quite pointless to buy such an evaluation as a private person. Go straight for a TR instead and then hope you pass any possible subsequent simchecks. I cant see anywhere that this course would end up with an offer of an airline job.

/LnS

[soconfused]

Does anyone have any views, information, suggestions about the EPST First Officer Integrated scheme?

Just wondering how it compares to other FTOs? I recently passed the selection at FTE in Jerez, and wondering how EPST compares to FTE.

Sorry if this has been discussed before, my search didnt come up with much info about EPST.

Thanks!

[soconfused]

According to their site, theyre now training their students at DanFly in Denmark, dont know if thats up to date though...

Emailed them yesterday and they send theyd send me more info when they know because its a new course theyre starting.

[Carltonxyz]

You can check directly with EPST. It is simple in that they run two programmes. The EUROPILOT Program is for Dutch and Belgium candidates (due to bank limitations) and provides a full-unsecured loan for the EPST selected candidates. This programme runs at OAT.

The new EPST First Officer programme is an additional/new programme that is done with DanFly. It has the same setup, integrated course, EPST’s AJFC at the end. No bank loan is provided in this one, but EPST does guarantee the training fees back in the case of a training failure. They will provide this guarantee letter to all selected candidates for the programme, in order to easy the way to obtain a bank loan in their own country.

C.

[soconfused]

I gather EPST have a good reputation, and good links to UK airlines. Since the training has now been moved to Dan-Fly, is this going to be a problem to prospective airlines?

Has anyone got any information about Dan-Fly? Or any insights in how this will affect the reputation of EPST?

Thanks.

[mattycourt]

European Pilot Selection and Training, The Netherlands

Hi all.

I have been looking into EPST's Integrated First Officer Pragramme in asscociation with Dan Fly. The course seems to offer everything, and more, in which you need to become employable with an airline. You even go to Nyenrode Business University to to a basic managemnt programme.

'The objective of this BMP course is to provide EPST’s pilot graduates with a better understanding of the management functions within the airline. It will provide an insight into the management role and contribution to the running of the airline.'

The course costs 71,000 euros, approx 50,000 pounds sterling. They claim on their website that the average waiting time after graduation to flying with an airline is 3 months.

They also have a contingency fund set up which can enable the candidate to regain all of the training cost they have paid if they do not show the right apptitude through the course and subsequently do not graduate. This contingrncy fund is also used if the airlines require the candidate to pay for their own type rating. They claim that they will take the risk for the type rating.

'A number of airlines are asking their pilots to pay for the Type Rating. Normally, EPST students are placed with airlines who still provide the Type Rating or ask for a minimum contribution of this training. In the case Type Rating has to be paid by the students, this amount is not included in the training cost specified, but the training is covered by the EPST contingency fund (EPST will take the risk).'

This all seems to good to be true. I was just wondering if anyone could comment on the training standards etc if they have been through the course and what the outcome was on getting employed after graduation.

Also can anyone shed some light on theis contingency fund that will pay for the type rating if need be.

Thank you very much in anticiaption.

[Pedro1]

Mattycourt,

I am currently on the latest EPST course, so would be glad to answer any questions you have. Well, if I know the answer! The EPST contingency fund is set up to refund the cost of training up to the point of failure, should you fail for any reason besides gross misconduct, or dropping out by choice. The selection process they use is very rigorous, and this contingency fund is in place to illustrate how confident they are in the accuracy of that process. However, it will not cover any potential costs of a type rating. Whilst they will endeavour to place you with an airline that pays for your type rating, if this is not possible, then the contingency fund will not cover it.

I have found them to be very professional, organised and extremely helpful. No flight school will offer you a guaranteed job at the end, but EPST will assist you in every possible manner they can after you get your licence. I would highly recommend them. I suggest you go ahead and contact them if you are in doubt, I found them to answer all my questions in a straightforward and honest way.

Good luck.

[Snowblind the Cadet]

Hello everyone,
As you can see I am new to the comunity and this is my first post.

As I want to be an airline pilot when I grow up, I was on the look-out for flight schools.I soon found EPST.After e-mailing them several times I decided to go check it out.I was 16 at the time(I still am lol) and so too young to take their evaluation course so I got a full tour instead.I met the staff, talked about aviation(When in Rome... ) and decided that I will return when I'm 18.I have 1 week to become 17 so in a year I'lll be back up there doing the Compass and other aptitude tests.In my Experience they were honest and helpful and I look forward to returning to Utrecht in Feb 2008.

Snowblind

[dbrown744]

EPST First Officer program

Hi All,

Does anybody have any info on this FTO (www.epst.com), quality, likelyhood of employment, etc.? Tried doing a search but didnt come up with any useful results. Has anybody had any experiences with them that they could share? Seems quite cheap for an integrated course.

Thanks

Darren