Thinking of doing ME/IR in Spain, any advice?
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Thinking of doing ME/IR in Spain, any advice?
Hi all, I am due to finish my final ATPL exams very soon and am looking to book my ME/IR, I want ths first beofre CPL to get the "big one" out of the way first and then have 10 hour knocked off of the CPL course.
I am thinking of doing the ME/IR in Spain as it is much cheaper nd weather is more consistant to complete. Spain is a JAA state and is fine to do the training as long as I add it to a UK CPL, but I just have one worry. Is a JAA Spanish IR worth the weight of one in the UK on my CV. Would an HR dept favour more an applicant with a UK IR as oppose to another JAA member state?
Oviously I would like t save money, but certainly not at the risk of potentially reducing my attractiveness to a propective airline employer.
Any experiences, thoughts, information and advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am thinking of doing the ME/IR in Spain as it is much cheaper nd weather is more consistant to complete. Spain is a JAA state and is fine to do the training as long as I add it to a UK CPL, but I just have one worry. Is a JAA Spanish IR worth the weight of one in the UK on my CV. Would an HR dept favour more an applicant with a UK IR as oppose to another JAA member state?
Oviously I would like t save money, but certainly not at the risk of potentially reducing my attractiveness to a propective airline employer.
Any experiences, thoughts, information and advice would be greatly appreciated.
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In reality, the only people who give a damn where you did your IR are those schools that can't afford to compete. Spain is a JAA state and satisfies the criteria and standards laid down by the JAA. If you do the CPL in the UK and the IR in Spain the IR will appear on your UK issued licence with no mention of where it was done.
Don't get sucked into the "our standards are better than your standards" debate. It's just spin.
Don't get sucked into the "our standards are better than your standards" debate. It's just spin.
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I did my MEIR in Spain, and I was overall pleased with the quality. I would look at the Aerodynamics Malaga thread, and I believe there is a genreal training in spain thread somewhere. But I agree with everything apruneuk said, especially on the spin.
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Hi there, dont believe the spin re training in Spain, I am at Aerodynamics at the moment doing IR.
I started in UK and got so pi55ed of with the school I was at, only doing an hour a day in the sim, and instructor changing his mind about certain things to suit, and a stropy attitude.
I can honestly say the organization and training so far has been 1st class.
I completed around 12 hours IR in UK, which I could not transfer so have had to start a fresh, and the 1st 12 hours here have been spot on, better in fact than the UK training I received, I am fortunate I suppose as I can compare the two from 1st hand experience and not from the woffle some people come up with on here.
Of course UK schools are going to bad mouth the place, my ME/IR is costing me 5900 pounds (not a typo + sorry no pound sign on spanish keyboard) and that includes landing fees, A/C for flight test and Authority fees for test!!
Of course I can only comment on the school I am at and not the other Spanish schools, but Aerodynamics Malaga spot on so far, still got a flight test to get through though.
Will keep you posted if anything changes, but I cant see it.
I started in UK and got so pi55ed of with the school I was at, only doing an hour a day in the sim, and instructor changing his mind about certain things to suit, and a stropy attitude.
I can honestly say the organization and training so far has been 1st class.
I completed around 12 hours IR in UK, which I could not transfer so have had to start a fresh, and the 1st 12 hours here have been spot on, better in fact than the UK training I received, I am fortunate I suppose as I can compare the two from 1st hand experience and not from the woffle some people come up with on here.
Of course UK schools are going to bad mouth the place, my ME/IR is costing me 5900 pounds (not a typo + sorry no pound sign on spanish keyboard) and that includes landing fees, A/C for flight test and Authority fees for test!!
Of course I can only comment on the school I am at and not the other Spanish schools, but Aerodynamics Malaga spot on so far, still got a flight test to get through though.
Will keep you posted if anything changes, but I cant see it.
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IR in Spain.
Cheap, easy to pass and I don't know a single person who did it and hasn't come to regret that choice in the medium to long term.
I wouldn't if I were you.
Cheap, easy to pass and I don't know a single person who did it and hasn't come to regret that choice in the medium to long term.
I wouldn't if I were you.
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As I said, don't believe the negative spin, especially from those like Moggiee who just shout rubbish from behind the wall (a particularly prevalent trait on these forums amongst those who give no information about themselves in their Profiles).
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Or could it be that Moggiee works for a UK FTO? Case rested!
I made my choice after speaking to 2 people who have been here in the latter half of this year, they have both been succesful since, having been called to interview and passed sim checks, one has started work on a 73 (not FR), the other is in a holding pool for ATR TR, awaiting start date.
I don't know a single person who did it and hasn't come to regret that choice
You cant tar a whole countries FTOs´ with the same brush, and on what grounds, I am guessing here say as you dont instruct any IR/IMC flight training just MCC, which should not be about peoples IR skills.
If UK training is so good compared to the rest of Europe why is your 1st time pass rate not 100%, could it be candidates not being ready for test, strict examiners, or maybe the training is not as good as you think.
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Do the IR in Spain, and save yourself a packet of money. The instructors (at least, the ones I've met) are every bit as professional as the UK ones. Many are ex-Iberia or other airline professionals. As others have pointed out, once the CPL/IR is on your licence, it's a JAR document, issued by the CAA, and doesn't say in which JAR country the qualification was obtained. I'm sure most airlines wouldn't care either. Despite the hype, IMHO training at Oxford or Cabair isn't the be-all-and-end-all of professional training.
Why should you pay the CAA Ł720 (or whatever silly amount it is now) just for the IRT when you can do the same test for a fraction of the amount in Spain, just to finance the CAA's fat margins?
Have you tried AirPal at Palma? They fly BE76's, have a good reputation and very competitive prices. Palma in winter/spring would be a great place to train and you would get some interesting weather, not as bad as the UK but enough to make for some challenging flying.
Good luck
Why should you pay the CAA Ł720 (or whatever silly amount it is now) just for the IRT when you can do the same test for a fraction of the amount in Spain, just to finance the CAA's fat margins?
Have you tried AirPal at Palma? They fly BE76's, have a good reputation and very competitive prices. Palma in winter/spring would be a great place to train and you would get some interesting weather, not as bad as the UK but enough to make for some challenging flying.
Good luck
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I do - and have never pretended otherwise. As for the rest of it, well - make up your own minds - I've said my piece and I'm not going to get into a slagging match. Suffice to say, I'm not trying to advertise, we have a nice long bookings backlog and a very good pass rate.
Last edited by moggiee; 19th Nov 2007 at 15:13.
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I've completed courses in new zealand, usa, ireland and Spain. I have to say that Spain was one of the most positive aviation experiences I've ever had. People genuinely went above and beyond what they needed to.
I had absolutely no complaints.
I had absolutely no complaints.
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Thanks guys, I didn't want to name the school that I was looking at doing my IR at in Spain as I wanted to see what FTO's cropped up. Aerodynamics was my choice, I have been there this year to check out facilites and they are far better than anywhere else that I have looked at.
I flew around the area, Jerez, Gib, Morroco from Malaga and all was fine including a half price IR! It has all been booked now for Feb and I can't wait!
Had some very positive PM's to support all the good feedback for Aerodyamics. I'm sure the course will be as good and professional as the people that I have met there so far and flown with.
I flew around the area, Jerez, Gib, Morroco from Malaga and all was fine including a half price IR! It has all been booked now for Feb and I can't wait!
Had some very positive PM's to support all the good feedback for Aerodyamics. I'm sure the course will be as good and professional as the people that I have met there so far and flown with.
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IR rating
Hello everybody! I just finished my ME / IR course with Aerodynamics. I spent loads of time reading in different forums about schools in Spain, and specifically about Aerodynamics.
I had quite a lot of doubts regarding this, but the price difference made me change my mind and I ended up completely convinced about it. Now I know that the decission I have taken, has been the right one. I have to recognise that once I arrived here everything was quite chaotic, I lost my luggage and once I got it finally back, got I off on the wrong train station,so I once I arrived to school I was rather angry because of all this mess.
Once I finally got there, do I have to admit that everyone treated me very well from the beginning on. I got informed about all kind of transport. They tried their best to make everything easier and more comfortable for me, regarding train stations to use, bus lines, interesting directions, cheap and good places to stay, etc.. Of course wasn´t this the most relevant thing but it was quite a usefull information.
The theoretical classes with the instructors have been excellent, and I have been very lucky with the weather which has been fantastic. I have had no problems at all neither with flight delays or cancellations because of the fabulous weather conditions in this country. All has been so much better than I could ever have had imagined. I have the feeling, they are trying to recover their good image, based on their good service and their fleet of airplanes.
Well, if someone of the Aerodynamics stuff does read this, please note that those are my bank account details…
Above all I am very happy because I have my IR rating and I have saved a huge amount of money.
Greetings to everyone and please if anyone wants or needs more information, do not hesitate in contacting me.
I had quite a lot of doubts regarding this, but the price difference made me change my mind and I ended up completely convinced about it. Now I know that the decission I have taken, has been the right one. I have to recognise that once I arrived here everything was quite chaotic, I lost my luggage and once I got it finally back, got I off on the wrong train station,so I once I arrived to school I was rather angry because of all this mess.
Once I finally got there, do I have to admit that everyone treated me very well from the beginning on. I got informed about all kind of transport. They tried their best to make everything easier and more comfortable for me, regarding train stations to use, bus lines, interesting directions, cheap and good places to stay, etc.. Of course wasn´t this the most relevant thing but it was quite a usefull information.
The theoretical classes with the instructors have been excellent, and I have been very lucky with the weather which has been fantastic. I have had no problems at all neither with flight delays or cancellations because of the fabulous weather conditions in this country. All has been so much better than I could ever have had imagined. I have the feeling, they are trying to recover their good image, based on their good service and their fleet of airplanes.
Well, if someone of the Aerodynamics stuff does read this, please note that those are my bank account details…
Above all I am very happy because I have my IR rating and I have saved a huge amount of money.
Greetings to everyone and please if anyone wants or needs more information, do not hesitate in contacting me.
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Aerodynamics
Hi Sept,
I am looking at the cost of the Multi IR and would be very interested in finding out how much they actually will charge for the training, and any good or bad points you have to share from Spain?
Thanks
CptKC
congrats on your Muti/IR!!
I am looking at the cost of the Multi IR and would be very interested in finding out how much they actually will charge for the training, and any good or bad points you have to share from Spain?
Thanks
CptKC
congrats on your Muti/IR!!
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Hi there CptKC,the price you see is the price you pay at Aerodynamics Malaga, I did my CPL in UK on a multi, so the ME/IR course here has cost me just over 5900 pounds, this includes approach fees, landing fees, and test fees, there are no hidden extras.
Also on arrival you will receive as a gift a new flight bag containing:
Course details, ie each sim session and what the detail involves likewise for A/C details.
A/C POH.
A/C Checklist
Folder with all the plates needed throughout the course and an IFR chart, all laminated so can be scribbled on!
Complimentary polo shirt
Hi Viz jacket.
1st day involves ground school, talking through A/C systems and emergency procedures etc.
Daily you will receive a text from ops stating your report time for following day
No days off are scheduled, you will fly 2 to 3 hours a day and if the schedule allows then possibly 2 flights a day, this is great for continuity of training.
You will find a highly organized and very proffesional team here and I am glad I made the choice and saved thousands of pounds.
The only thing extra is accomodation around E35 a night, so around 700 pound should cover that, the apartment I am in is a 5 min walk from school so no transport costs, there is a fully fitted kitchen, so cook meals most nights, again food is cheap, and if you can survive on beans on toast then you will hardly spend anything!
Also on arrival you will receive as a gift a new flight bag containing:
Course details, ie each sim session and what the detail involves likewise for A/C details.
A/C POH.
A/C Checklist
Folder with all the plates needed throughout the course and an IFR chart, all laminated so can be scribbled on!
Complimentary polo shirt
Hi Viz jacket.
1st day involves ground school, talking through A/C systems and emergency procedures etc.
Daily you will receive a text from ops stating your report time for following day
No days off are scheduled, you will fly 2 to 3 hours a day and if the schedule allows then possibly 2 flights a day, this is great for continuity of training.
You will find a highly organized and very proffesional team here and I am glad I made the choice and saved thousands of pounds.
The only thing extra is accomodation around E35 a night, so around 700 pound should cover that, the apartment I am in is a 5 min walk from school so no transport costs, there is a fully fitted kitchen, so cook meals most nights, again food is cheap, and if you can survive on beans on toast then you will hardly spend anything!
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"Cheap, easy to pass and I don't know a single person who did it and hasn't come to regret that choice in the medium to long term."
It would surprise me if all those Spaniards flying for Iberia, Air Europa, etc really have come to regret training in Spain. - Maybe that poster simply doesn't know many people abroad...
While I have never come across anyone asking me where I did my training (did it in US, Ireland, UK, Czech Republic), I cannot comment on whether UK companies do ask, but I know that this is certainly not true in the medium to long term as stated.
A colleague of mine did his MEIR in the Czech Republic (where the appropriate aircraft costs no more than 220 Euro per hour with instructor) and got a job immediately on a 737.
I am certain that a Spanish rating is perfectly acceptable. All the best for the course! IP
It would surprise me if all those Spaniards flying for Iberia, Air Europa, etc really have come to regret training in Spain. - Maybe that poster simply doesn't know many people abroad...
While I have never come across anyone asking me where I did my training (did it in US, Ireland, UK, Czech Republic), I cannot comment on whether UK companies do ask, but I know that this is certainly not true in the medium to long term as stated.
A colleague of mine did his MEIR in the Czech Republic (where the appropriate aircraft costs no more than 220 Euro per hour with instructor) and got a job immediately on a 737.
I am certain that a Spanish rating is perfectly acceptable. All the best for the course! IP
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Spain the 'Florida' of the EU
Value for money and better weather ....
As FTE are in Spain is it not a matter of who does the check ride (which authority) ?
As FTE are in Spain is it not a matter of who does the check ride (which authority) ?
Last edited by RVR800; 22nd Nov 2007 at 15:40. Reason: More
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Hi Bobster,
Thanks for your reply, I was only looking at doing the conversion in Aerodynamics, however I may consider doing the Multi IR complete course in Spain after a JAR CPL in Florida. Please PM me I would like to know some more of your expeirence. One of my concerns about doing the IR FAA first is the slight difference in the syllabus (NDB holds for example not done for FAA) Look forword to hearing from you.
Cheers
Cpt KC
Thanks for your reply, I was only looking at doing the conversion in Aerodynamics, however I may consider doing the Multi IR complete course in Spain after a JAR CPL in Florida. Please PM me I would like to know some more of your expeirence. One of my concerns about doing the IR FAA first is the slight difference in the syllabus (NDB holds for example not done for FAA) Look forword to hearing from you.
Cheers
Cpt KC