Irish Training
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: the moon
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PTC are ridiculously overpriced, 98k for a fatpl i believe it is now - thats outrageous.
However moving the whole operation to FSI would be good for students - the base in waterford is under equipped and often poorly run to meet the demands of the large amount of students there.
However moving the whole operation to FSI would be good for students - the base in waterford is under equipped and often poorly run to meet the demands of the large amount of students there.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ireland
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The National Flight Centre at Weston airport is a very good flying school. No cheating students out of money and they are the nicest people anyone could ever meet. Check out their website National Flight Centre - Home
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: In two, very different worlds
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I agree with the above. NFC has a good setup and is all about the student. They do all training Modular and you "pay as you go"....they have packages too.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: cork
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Be careful who you recommend. Everyone seems to have different experiences everywhere. I am aware of a number of students who have been very unhappy in NFC and who have successfully gone to cork or waterford and vice versa.
flybearann comments are nothing new and can be applied to nearly all flight schools anywhere.
And I sure with the way you are writing that you were the model student and passed everything first time and this rant is not just a cover up for your own failings/ shortcomings as regularly happens on this website.
Although I am sure alot of what you say is true to some degree, again as it is in all other schools.
This job is not for everyone and some are just not suited to it. It is easier to find out in other careers as you don't have to pay thousands to find your mistake.
Thats life!
flybearann comments are nothing new and can be applied to nearly all flight schools anywhere.
And I sure with the way you are writing that you were the model student and passed everything first time and this rant is not just a cover up for your own failings/ shortcomings as regularly happens on this website.
Although I am sure alot of what you say is true to some degree, again as it is in all other schools.
This job is not for everyone and some are just not suited to it. It is easier to find out in other careers as you don't have to pay thousands to find your mistake.
Thats life!
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ireland
Age: 39
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I couldnt agree more with Flybearann as a current PTC student I have experienced exactly what Flybearann describes. Yes of course all training schools will have certain issues however every week there is another issue with PTC.
The latest issues we have experienced include a reduction in IR flying hours replaced with sim hours and no refund to the student of the price difference. Charging for utilies in Florida (where our PPL is undertaken) which are already included in overall cost of the course to name a few. The list is endless.
Even their own Flight instructors and Ground instructors are totally disillusioned with PTC, speaks for itself really.
I walked into this course with an open mind regarding stories and hearsay but a year later I am more wiser, looking back I would definitely not have chosen PTC as an option as would many others in my class and other classes ahead and behind. Find me a student who has completed their course with PTC and show me just one who is happy with the overall quality of service they received! Very unfortunate but true.
No student wants to be complaining about their training and arranging solicitor visits to get what was originally outlined in the contract. Students just want to get on with their training and get what they paid for.
My only consolation of course is that PTC on their website advertise that 98% of all their students get a job within two months of course completion so no worries there!!!!!!!!????
The latest issues we have experienced include a reduction in IR flying hours replaced with sim hours and no refund to the student of the price difference. Charging for utilies in Florida (where our PPL is undertaken) which are already included in overall cost of the course to name a few. The list is endless.
Even their own Flight instructors and Ground instructors are totally disillusioned with PTC, speaks for itself really.
I walked into this course with an open mind regarding stories and hearsay but a year later I am more wiser, looking back I would definitely not have chosen PTC as an option as would many others in my class and other classes ahead and behind. Find me a student who has completed their course with PTC and show me just one who is happy with the overall quality of service they received! Very unfortunate but true.
No student wants to be complaining about their training and arranging solicitor visits to get what was originally outlined in the contract. Students just want to get on with their training and get what they paid for.
My only consolation of course is that PTC on their website advertise that 98% of all their students get a job within two months of course completion so no worries there!!!!!!!!????
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: the moon
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PTC on their website advertise that 98% of all their students get a job within two months of course completion so no worries there!!!!!!!!????
That is the biggest load of bull**** ever, the reality is that the majority of people who graduated from ptc in the last 9 months are jobless.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ireland
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Couldn't agree more with Jeoffstar23....unfortunately at PTC students and instructors alike are merely € signs. It is a tragedy for what could be an outstanding flight training outfit if only they embraced their oft quoted "highly professional environment".
On a side note, where did flybarann's post go? Are we returning to the days of Pprune deleting inappropriate PTC posts?????
On a side note, where did flybarann's post go? Are we returning to the days of Pprune deleting inappropriate PTC posts?????
Join Date: Jan 1997
Location: UK
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The poster deleted it and it's fair to say it was remorselessly critical of PTC's marketing claims beginning with the infamous 98%
All too common in the industry especially within their web output.
Good thing PPRuNe is around to pop those claims under scrutiny.
Rob
All too common in the industry especially within their web output.
Good thing PPRuNe is around to pop those claims under scrutiny.
Rob
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: PTC
Age: 49
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**EDIT** Might aswell leave it up for ****s and giggles. All the best PTC!
Its about time someone spoke up about PTC.
Once you pass the "one-day assessment course" you are just a number on an accounts spread sheet. PTC don't care about you or your career prospects, once Mike Edgeworth is laughing all the way to the bank, everyone in PTC is a winner, bar the student!
The lies start from the very beginning. Take a look at their website:
"PTC graduates work for some of the most successful airlines worldwide - 98% of our graduates get hired within two months of graduating"
This is a complete and utter lie!! Out of more than twenty students who have finished the airline programme, three have jobs. A few have passed Ryanair interviews and are waiting to start the TR course, I would nt count that as being hired within two months or graduating.
"Suitably qualified students of PTC are guaranteed an interview with an airline following graduation." Another lie. Once you finish your training, managment will be all smiles as they take photos and walk you out the door. You will not hear from them again until they are sending incorrect bills to your house by registered post. All students past and present have been bombarded with incorrect bills! PTC WILL DO NOTHING TO GET YOU A JOB
"Adherence to a computerised scheduling system together with continuous availability of our aircraft (supported by our own on-field maintenance facility), ensures a timely progression through the training programme." This is incorrect. There scheduling system is a disaster. Expect to be flying 4.00-6.00 hours per week, no more and no less. This is due to lack of aircraft, instructors and a que of people waiting to start on the FNPT II.
"The Pilot Training College of Ireland (PTC) fleet consists of Piper Arrows, Warriors and Seminoles. PTC also has Cessna 172 and Robin aircraft for PPL and CPL training. All aircraft are clean, modern well-equipped aircraft which are meticulously maintained at our fully certified on-field maintenance facility." I would use the term "fleet" very loosly. Does 3 Seminoles and one out of action indefinatly count as a fleet? Aircraft are always going tech.
There are instructors working there with good intentions and I hate to drag them down, but managment go out of there way everyday to think of new ways to piss students off, tell them lies and get extra cash.
Please, don t be taken in by the marketing ploy, the lies and the promises. Something needs to be done about flight schools like PTC ripping people off, its not fair.
So you ask the question, knowing what I know now would I of went to PTC?
NO!!!
Its about time someone spoke up about PTC.
Once you pass the "one-day assessment course" you are just a number on an accounts spread sheet. PTC don't care about you or your career prospects, once Mike Edgeworth is laughing all the way to the bank, everyone in PTC is a winner, bar the student!
The lies start from the very beginning. Take a look at their website:
"PTC graduates work for some of the most successful airlines worldwide - 98% of our graduates get hired within two months of graduating"
This is a complete and utter lie!! Out of more than twenty students who have finished the airline programme, three have jobs. A few have passed Ryanair interviews and are waiting to start the TR course, I would nt count that as being hired within two months or graduating.
"Suitably qualified students of PTC are guaranteed an interview with an airline following graduation." Another lie. Once you finish your training, managment will be all smiles as they take photos and walk you out the door. You will not hear from them again until they are sending incorrect bills to your house by registered post. All students past and present have been bombarded with incorrect bills! PTC WILL DO NOTHING TO GET YOU A JOB
"Adherence to a computerised scheduling system together with continuous availability of our aircraft (supported by our own on-field maintenance facility), ensures a timely progression through the training programme." This is incorrect. There scheduling system is a disaster. Expect to be flying 4.00-6.00 hours per week, no more and no less. This is due to lack of aircraft, instructors and a que of people waiting to start on the FNPT II.
"The Pilot Training College of Ireland (PTC) fleet consists of Piper Arrows, Warriors and Seminoles. PTC also has Cessna 172 and Robin aircraft for PPL and CPL training. All aircraft are clean, modern well-equipped aircraft which are meticulously maintained at our fully certified on-field maintenance facility." I would use the term "fleet" very loosly. Does 3 Seminoles and one out of action indefinatly count as a fleet? Aircraft are always going tech.
There are instructors working there with good intentions and I hate to drag them down, but managment go out of there way everyday to think of new ways to piss students off, tell them lies and get extra cash.
Please, don t be taken in by the marketing ploy, the lies and the promises. Something needs to be done about flight schools like PTC ripping people off, its not fair.
So you ask the question, knowing what I know now would I of went to PTC?
NO!!!
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Ireland
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I'm often cautious of criticisms of organisations. All too often the critic turns out be one the usual losers who can't hack it or is too lazy to put in the work. Of course it's not their fault. It has to be someone else's.
But I think PTC really do need to put their house in order. Perhaps their recent move of most training to Florida will do that. When an Instructor who still works for them described PTC in unflattering terms to me. Then I'm convinced. The other two schools have their issues too but frankly they don't present themselves in the same way as PTC does.
I have personal experience of the NFC and yes at times there have been issues. But I would always recommend them. Despite our famed bad weather. I know of individuals who got through their PPL there in weeks rather than months despite the weather. I have often owed them a few quid (ahem) and have never been chased for it. Mostly a polite reminder, if that. This certainly wouldn't be true of PTC by all accounts.
I think this is a pity, as PTC was a damm good idea. It just seems to be poorly executed.
But I think PTC really do need to put their house in order. Perhaps their recent move of most training to Florida will do that. When an Instructor who still works for them described PTC in unflattering terms to me. Then I'm convinced. The other two schools have their issues too but frankly they don't present themselves in the same way as PTC does.
I have personal experience of the NFC and yes at times there have been issues. But I would always recommend them. Despite our famed bad weather. I know of individuals who got through their PPL there in weeks rather than months despite the weather. I have often owed them a few quid (ahem) and have never been chased for it. Mostly a polite reminder, if that. This certainly wouldn't be true of PTC by all accounts.
I think this is a pity, as PTC was a damm good idea. It just seems to be poorly executed.
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: the moon
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Agreed that PTC had/still has potential to be an excellent FTO. Unfortunately the emphasis has been placed solely on profit above quality training/customer care and it shows.
There is a core of dedicated career instructors there who are good people and excellent instructors - however their efforts are undermined by management.
There is a core of dedicated career instructors there who are good people and excellent instructors - however their efforts are undermined by management.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: PTC
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Couldn't agree with the last post more. Great instructors, extremely poor management! I had enough of them while I was there, but kept my mouth shut to get out of the place quickly, didn't want any hassle. But when they had the neck to bombard me with incorrect bills and not even ask me if I had any luck on the jobs front or needed anything, I thought it was time to expose the shower!
As the other folks have said, hopefully the move to Florida will sort everything out, as PTC, under a good management team has great potential.
BTW, I take it they got their JAA approval back?
As the other folks have said, hopefully the move to Florida will sort everything out, as PTC, under a good management team has great potential.
BTW, I take it they got their JAA approval back?
