Ormond Beach.
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eikido,
I enjoyed superb weather and didn't encounter a single non-flying day so perhaps I was lucky? The duration of the course was three weeks but I'd actually booked four weeks to allow for poor weather and the fact I might need extra hours if I was struggling with the course. Always build some contingency time into your plans - always!
I enjoyed superb weather and didn't encounter a single non-flying day so perhaps I was lucky? The duration of the course was three weeks but I'd actually booked four weeks to allow for poor weather and the fact I might need extra hours if I was struggling with the course. Always build some contingency time into your plans - always!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: uk
I can't see what the big deal is with this. If you don't think you could complete an intensive training course and fly safely, so what? Don't do it, as you probably wouldn't pass the course within the time anyway. Not everyone does.
Myself and others have done it and are enjoying flying safely in the UK as a result if that training.
Myself and others have done it and are enjoying flying safely in the UK as a result if that training.
Flies for fun
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: Wishing it was somewhere sunny!
Yikes, is it true that Stephen Fisher is connected with OBA now? I remember that name and it is connected with all sorts of odd goings on. I hope that AT is aware of his rather chequered history!!!!
Edit:
look at this link:
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...oing-gone.html
Lots more if you care to search "IFTA" or "Stephen Fisher"
My understanding is that IFTA was another XL disaster albeit on a smaller scale and with the exception that nobody was "ATOL" protected!
Edit:
look at this link:
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...oing-gone.html
Lots more if you care to search "IFTA" or "Stephen Fisher"
My understanding is that IFTA was another XL disaster albeit on a smaller scale and with the exception that nobody was "ATOL" protected!
Last edited by Sensible; 21st September 2008 at 12:33.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: SW
I think you'll find that Fisher is (like Paul Thompson -no relation of Adrian) simply a Florida-based CAA examiner for professional stuff and not involved, financially, in OBA in any way.
Their compliance is the responsibility of the CAA not the FTO's.
Their compliance is the responsibility of the CAA not the FTO's.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: West Sussex, UK
Who is Stephen Fisher? Is Adrian no longer there?
I'm getting wee bit nervous at the moment because I'm booked to go to OBA in November, and all of a sudden the prices are going up, new management, crashes, and all the instructors are leaving.
I'm committed now because I almost have my M20 visa and changing all of that is going to take another 3 months! Just got to hope that everything is cool there.
I'm getting wee bit nervous at the moment because I'm booked to go to OBA in November, and all of a sudden the prices are going up, new management, crashes, and all the instructors are leaving.
I'm committed now because I almost have my M20 visa and changing all of that is going to take another 3 months! Just got to hope that everything is cool there.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: UK, Paris, Peckham, New York
whats going on with the prices there? im doing a bit of forward planning with regard finances and in this months flyer the 100 hrs is quoted as £6397, now go online and it is £8065!! +26% 
. thats £80 an hour, i know places in UK that are £80-85 an hour if these prices are correct it does seem a bit pointless going there now, in fact recently saw a share in a 150 for £999 with flying £60 per hour wet - shame i have been a student with them before and enjoyed myself and was looking forward to flying there again.
. thats £80 an hour, i know places in UK that are £80-85 an hour if these prices are correct it does seem a bit pointless going there now, in fact recently saw a share in a 150 for £999 with flying £60 per hour wet - shame i have been a student with them before and enjoyed myself and was looking forward to flying there again.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Scotland mainly, rather than at home.
Indeed, I have a share in a TB9 at a local airfield, and it's £70 per hour wet. Cost me £1500 to buy in although that was some years ago. I'd say that your C150 angle far outweighs Ormond Beach, but in the name of fairness and reasonableness, Adrian Thompson and I are the antithesis of good friends. I was once a student at his school and he threw me out after an argument over money, when I suggested he take me to court to recover what he reckoned I owed him (my opinion is I owed him nothing). It was 2 days before Christmas, which was a nice touch.
Mods on here have my details already, I'll happily stand by my testimony, and I have a witness to his dragging me from a classroom.
The aircraft were at best tatty then, sounds like things have at least not improved.
Not a pleasant man. Not a pleasant experience: one which clearly I will endeavour not to forget.
Mods on here have my details already, I'll happily stand by my testimony, and I have a witness to his dragging me from a classroom.
The aircraft were at best tatty then, sounds like things have at least not improved.
Not a pleasant man. Not a pleasant experience: one which clearly I will endeavour not to forget.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 468
Likes: 3
From: London
Yes - most people on here seem to think the only ones who feel the wrath of himself, are the timewasters, or ones who spend their time at the pub (of which there are NONE withing easy distance from the school). This is not the case. YOU are at risk of something similar happening to you, regardless of how hard working you think you or, or if you are naive enough to think it will not happen to you.
A simple query, or a comment taken the wrong way, and you will find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere, frantically searching for a rescue flight home that you can afford. Last minute one-ways from Florida cost a fortune. Getting to Orlando itself is difficult - if you can't hire a car, it is a 70 odd mile taxi ride - something you should also be aware of.
Caveat emptor!
A simple query, or a comment taken the wrong way, and you will find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere, frantically searching for a rescue flight home that you can afford. Last minute one-ways from Florida cost a fortune. Getting to Orlando itself is difficult - if you can't hire a car, it is a 70 odd mile taxi ride - something you should also be aware of.
Caveat emptor!
Last edited by spicejetter; 28th September 2008 at 14:33.
Flies for fun
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: Wishing it was somewhere sunny!
I totally concurr with spicejetter!! I would also add that no matter how well you think that you are getting on with AT, the relationship can and does change in an instant and YOU will be the loser. Don't believe the propaganda that it is only the timewasters who fall foul of despots!
Just be aware and have a plan "B" if you go there especially now that the terrible twins are together at OBA! AT & SF.
Just be aware and have a plan "B" if you go there especially now that the terrible twins are together at OBA! AT & SF.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: SW
OBA is great place with many thousands of satisfied customers.
Like anywhere successful, OBA has attracted a little gang of haters and nutters, who pose as victims, so this advice will probably be ignored:
1. Hasn't anyone noticed that £=$1.75 instead of $2 + ? That said, OBA is probably still cheapest for courses but there was/is always somewhere cheaper (than anywhere you chose !) for hour-building. However, don't make the mistake of deluding yourself with a false comparison e.g. a share may involve you in 'unlimited' liability and overheads. There is, also, the factor of where is it ? (e.g. Naples and Ormond Beach are definitely nicer than Orlando, Florida, Cowtown Kansas or Shoreham Sussex) and can you actually achieve the hours because of weather, aircraft availability, airport opening etc.? Be wary, also, about 'headline' rates per hour- they omit to mention extras such as landing fees, accommodation, club sub, insurance, fuel surcharges etc.
2. On the behavioural front, any school/hotel has no reasonable alternative to excluding naughty boys/people who won't pay. Responding stupidly by inviting them to sue you is a blanket denial, as well as extremely rude and simply asking to be taildragged off their premises if you've had both the cheek and courage to remain !
3. OBA tell me that Mr Fisher is simply paid (for whatever he does there) = employee not proprietor. In any case, abusing Fisher,Thompson etc.with posts on a forum for professional/student pilots is not .... 'sensible'- they are both experienced CAA examiners and are entitled, if not obliged, to defend their personal and professional reputations so you are, also, causing trouble for PPRuNe which publishes such defamation.
Like anywhere successful, OBA has attracted a little gang of haters and nutters, who pose as victims, so this advice will probably be ignored:
1. Hasn't anyone noticed that £=$1.75 instead of $2 + ? That said, OBA is probably still cheapest for courses but there was/is always somewhere cheaper (than anywhere you chose !) for hour-building. However, don't make the mistake of deluding yourself with a false comparison e.g. a share may involve you in 'unlimited' liability and overheads. There is, also, the factor of where is it ? (e.g. Naples and Ormond Beach are definitely nicer than Orlando, Florida, Cowtown Kansas or Shoreham Sussex) and can you actually achieve the hours because of weather, aircraft availability, airport opening etc.? Be wary, also, about 'headline' rates per hour- they omit to mention extras such as landing fees, accommodation, club sub, insurance, fuel surcharges etc.
2. On the behavioural front, any school/hotel has no reasonable alternative to excluding naughty boys/people who won't pay. Responding stupidly by inviting them to sue you is a blanket denial, as well as extremely rude and simply asking to be taildragged off their premises if you've had both the cheek and courage to remain !
3. OBA tell me that Mr Fisher is simply paid (for whatever he does there) = employee not proprietor. In any case, abusing Fisher,Thompson etc.with posts on a forum for professional/student pilots is not .... 'sensible'- they are both experienced CAA examiners and are entitled, if not obliged, to defend their personal and professional reputations so you are, also, causing trouble for PPRuNe which publishes such defamation.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Just Back
Hi. I just came back from oba yesterday.4 and a half weeks and I have my PPL. I was grounded for half a week with the weather but apart from that was flying everyday. It was hard work doing the exams and the flying in that short space of time but definately do able if your motivated enough.
I have no major gripes with the place. The organisation at times was a little messed up but nothing major. Adrian is grand. You don't really meet him until your checkride. I thought he was sound enough. The instructors there at the minute all seem to be good and interested in what they are doing. How long they stay and teach is another question.
Stephen Fisher is there as head instructor and also does the checkrides for CPL. Again didn't have many dealings with him but he seems to be a bit of a spoon to be honest. He only come in for a feww days and then heads off again and you won't see him for a week or two. Things run alot smoother when he is not there.
Overall though I found it quite good. At the end of the day I went over to get my PPL and to get it done quicker and cheaper than at home.
Misssion Acomplished.
I have no major gripes with the place. The organisation at times was a little messed up but nothing major. Adrian is grand. You don't really meet him until your checkride. I thought he was sound enough. The instructors there at the minute all seem to be good and interested in what they are doing. How long they stay and teach is another question.
Stephen Fisher is there as head instructor and also does the checkrides for CPL. Again didn't have many dealings with him but he seems to be a bit of a spoon to be honest. He only come in for a feww days and then heads off again and you won't see him for a week or two. Things run alot smoother when he is not there.
Overall though I found it quite good. At the end of the day I went over to get my PPL and to get it done quicker and cheaper than at home.
Misssion Acomplished.