Ormond Beach.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Listen to steve????
frankly it's something I would be wary of. Steve tried to ntroduce a new thing for the instructors to teach us students. He tried to say that we should have both hands on the controls when landing. I know that I am only new to this but to me but that seems silly. I mean what if something happens and you need an immediate input of power. To me that second or two where you reach for the power could be crucial especially for the student who may panic and miss the power or something. For a professional this seems to me a bad way to go about it and all the instructors that i spoke to about it agreed.
As for the night rating it was included in the price. They give you 3 hours dual night then 2 hours solo. I took the three hours dual and decided to give the 2 hours solo a miss. I wasn't comfortable on my own so I figured I would concentrate on the ppl and could always get the night rating again.
Ken is gone from the school. Bill is there alright. He is good craic. When you meet him first you think whats up his a** but infact he is really good. He gives you a good kick if you need it.
The price all in was around 5-6 grand. I haven't quite gotten round to doing my maths on the money yet
Again I had no problems with the school and am only offering my opinions. You can take them or leave them.
As for the night rating it was included in the price. They give you 3 hours dual night then 2 hours solo. I took the three hours dual and decided to give the 2 hours solo a miss. I wasn't comfortable on my own so I figured I would concentrate on the ppl and could always get the night rating again.
Ken is gone from the school. Bill is there alright. He is good craic. When you meet him first you think whats up his a** but infact he is really good. He gives you a good kick if you need it.
The price all in was around 5-6 grand. I haven't quite gotten round to doing my maths on the money yet
Again I had no problems with the school and am only offering my opinions. You can take them or leave them.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: West Sussex, UK
Ahhh, this is so good to hear. With under 4 weeks before I get to OBA it's nice to read some positive experiences and hear from freshly passed students who are happy with their time there.
Congrats on the pass Ogie and good luck with the rest of it vlieger.
Matt
Congrats on the pass Ogie and good luck with the rest of it vlieger.
Matt
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
Been there done that
I finished my PPL at OBA on 18th Sept. I got my PPL and night rating in 3 weeks and all for under £5k. It's tough going getting all the written exams and flight training finished in that time especially as I didn't get a chance to study before I went out there.
Overall I was very satisfied with my training and felt I got good value for money. I went there to get a PPL at minimum cost and in minimum time and that's what I got. I trained on the Piper PA-28 which I really enjoyed flying and there was no problem regarding availability. The instructors
are helpful and they make every effort to get you through your training within your timescale.
My advice to prospective students would be study before you go, be prepared to work hard when you are there and know exactly what you are paying for when you make the up front payment. Other pointers would be keep an eye on your dual time as you'll get charged should you exceed the dual hours specified in your package and don't pay for a transfer back to the airport - it's just not worth it!
It is an intensive course which will not suit everyone as different people learn at different rates but like Ogie, my experience of OBA is a positive one.
Overall I was very satisfied with my training and felt I got good value for money. I went there to get a PPL at minimum cost and in minimum time and that's what I got. I trained on the Piper PA-28 which I really enjoyed flying and there was no problem regarding availability. The instructors
are helpful and they make every effort to get you through your training within your timescale.
My advice to prospective students would be study before you go, be prepared to work hard when you are there and know exactly what you are paying for when you make the up front payment. Other pointers would be keep an eye on your dual time as you'll get charged should you exceed the dual hours specified in your package and don't pay for a transfer back to the airport - it's just not worth it!
It is an intensive course which will not suit everyone as different people learn at different rates but like Ogie, my experience of OBA is a positive one.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: London
I am actually very interested in training at OBA, but I need a serious and honest opinion because finance for me is not the concern, the level of tution and time frame is what I'm looking for. Will I recieve the same level of high instruction UK schools provide and will I be able to adapt myself in UK airspace when I have completed the PPL in the states? Will they also accept my JAA PPL exam passes I already have?
This is a serious question for me and a true and accurate overlook of OBA instruction will be appareciated.
Many thanks,
G-XO
This is a serious question for me and a true and accurate overlook of OBA instruction will be appareciated.
Many thanks,
G-XO
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: London
I would avoid Ormond Beach Aviation at all costs!!!!!
If you are are on any time or financial budget, forget it. Very few students pass the PPL course within 21 days - even those that are not lazy! The first day I arrived there was no instructor available and from then on I was only scheduled for 1 or 2 hours per day. I also lost time because of the weather - between August and December it's hurricane season, so if you are going for 3 or more weeks, you have a really good chance of bad weather interrupting your flying.
I regretted going to OBA soon after my arrival. I realised that there was almost no chance of getting the PPL in 21 days and was disappointed by the accommodation - it's more economical to stay in a nearby hotel and to hire a car. The price did not include everything as is promised. However, after having travelled 4000 miles and done all the visa paperwork, your more or less stuck - at best, you are going to be seriously out of pocket. If you choose to cancel, OBA will take a 25% cut of the total fee paid - even if you stay for the full 21 days and haven't finished the course.
The management is apalling - the place is really run like a factory production line. The management seem to show very little interest in the welfare of the students. The instructors are good, but they are generally discontent as their conditions of employment are pretty bad. Needless to say, instructor turnover at OBA is very high.
The Cessna's are ropey as suggested by the alarming number of technical failures at OBA lately - they are just old and haven't aged well. The Warriors are better, but you'll pay more and when I was there there supply didn't meet demand.
In the end I had to leave without completing the course as I couldn't get enough time off work. I think I would have had to stay around an extra two weeks to finish the course which would have cost me considerably.
When I add everything up and take into consideration the problems I encountered at the school and the hassle of the visa application process I really don't think it's worth going to OBA. The cost of flights to Florida, accommodation and visa make the savings on UK training marginal when all is said and done.
If you are are on any time or financial budget, forget it. Very few students pass the PPL course within 21 days - even those that are not lazy! The first day I arrived there was no instructor available and from then on I was only scheduled for 1 or 2 hours per day. I also lost time because of the weather - between August and December it's hurricane season, so if you are going for 3 or more weeks, you have a really good chance of bad weather interrupting your flying.
I regretted going to OBA soon after my arrival. I realised that there was almost no chance of getting the PPL in 21 days and was disappointed by the accommodation - it's more economical to stay in a nearby hotel and to hire a car. The price did not include everything as is promised. However, after having travelled 4000 miles and done all the visa paperwork, your more or less stuck - at best, you are going to be seriously out of pocket. If you choose to cancel, OBA will take a 25% cut of the total fee paid - even if you stay for the full 21 days and haven't finished the course.
The management is apalling - the place is really run like a factory production line. The management seem to show very little interest in the welfare of the students. The instructors are good, but they are generally discontent as their conditions of employment are pretty bad. Needless to say, instructor turnover at OBA is very high.
The Cessna's are ropey as suggested by the alarming number of technical failures at OBA lately - they are just old and haven't aged well. The Warriors are better, but you'll pay more and when I was there there supply didn't meet demand.
In the end I had to leave without completing the course as I couldn't get enough time off work. I think I would have had to stay around an extra two weeks to finish the course which would have cost me considerably.
When I add everything up and take into consideration the problems I encountered at the school and the hassle of the visa application process I really don't think it's worth going to OBA. The cost of flights to Florida, accommodation and visa make the savings on UK training marginal when all is said and done.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: London
I would avoid Ormond Beach Aviation at all costs
As you say the biggest pain was sorting out the visas, I had to keep ringing up the FAA in Oklahoma and there was no help from the school whatsoever.
All do yourselves a favour do your ppl in the UK. You will have more time to study and refine you flying skills and will probably be a safer pilot.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: London, England
Zippi when were you out at OBA? Recently?
The current situation with the dollar does make the financial side of things less appealing though I think all in all the dollar rate of flying still has it which just leaves the weather as an advantage.
Think I will still be doing my PPL in the USA as I prefer learning in intense blocks but not all of my hours building. Going to do about 50% in the USA and then come back and spend some time in UK airspace with a local flying club.
The current situation with the dollar does make the financial side of things less appealing though I think all in all the dollar rate of flying still has it which just leaves the weather as an advantage.
Think I will still be doing my PPL in the USA as I prefer learning in intense blocks but not all of my hours building. Going to do about 50% in the USA and then come back and spend some time in UK airspace with a local flying club.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: SW
The two recent positive posts from genuine students from Ireland seem to contrast almost totally with the negative stories from London. They're so different someone must be lying.
Unless it's changed, OBA always quoted fixed prices and were paid in pounds or euros so no-one need be concerned about the $ exchange rate or the hidden surcharges which make their competitors a lot more expensive.
Accommodation was quiet/spacious/convenient/acceptable for training purposes (and probably better than most students' homes !). If you are shy, you could pay a small supp. for en-suite double as single occupancy. Get real -you aren't on honeymoon or holiday and, also, what do you reasonably expect to be included in a course price which is excellent value?
The notion that you can get just as good a deal in UK is rubbish, if you compare the cost of all that OBA include but which are usually hidden extras in the UK i.e. not included in the course price estimates.
Unless it's changed, OBA always quoted fixed prices and were paid in pounds or euros so no-one need be concerned about the $ exchange rate or the hidden surcharges which make their competitors a lot more expensive.
Accommodation was quiet/spacious/convenient/acceptable for training purposes (and probably better than most students' homes !). If you are shy, you could pay a small supp. for en-suite double as single occupancy. Get real -you aren't on honeymoon or holiday and, also, what do you reasonably expect to be included in a course price which is excellent value?
The notion that you can get just as good a deal in UK is rubbish, if you compare the cost of all that OBA include but which are usually hidden extras in the UK i.e. not included in the course price estimates.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm
BTW.
Does it matter if one does the PPL in min hours (45h)?
I don't see why one couldn't do the PPL in, for example, 80-90h to be extra safe for the flyup. Because shouldn't you be able to count in all the hours from the PPL schooling torwards the CPL if you meet the min requirements (100h pic...)?
Eikido
Does it matter if one does the PPL in min hours (45h)?
I don't see why one couldn't do the PPL in, for example, 80-90h to be extra safe for the flyup. Because shouldn't you be able to count in all the hours from the PPL schooling torwards the CPL if you meet the min requirements (100h pic...)?
Eikido
