PTC in trouble?

[Dct_Bombi]

Dont know why I am even replying on this thread, but like you guys now i spent many a day worrying about where to train and where to invest my hard earned money etc etc all those years ago. I have seen most flight schools in Europe and in Florida and have a resonable idea of the places including PTC and would urge people to go visit other places to compare and contrast before deciding on training.
I have to echo some previous posts on the cost..... Bigger picture stuff here guys, Modular at 90+k is just stupid,,,, Especially now you need to finish training at minimum cost and be that little bit better off with cash if you need a FIC/sim prep/type course/ etc etc.. I have many an experience with flight schools and many an airline now on my CV and have a resonable idea of what lies in wait for you....... Its a long line of wannabes and if your a cash struck wannabe your way down the field. Good luck to all ...BLUESKIES

[mspilot2B]

PTC

I agree dctbombi, I was very worried about the full cost of the course as well and it almost made me go elsewhere. However, it is possible with PTC to just pay for the modules that you are doing. I cannot afford to do all my training in one go so I am just doing ATPL's and hours building at the end of the year. I intend on doing everything with PTC, but I cannot commit to €98.5k at the moment. skylarker, I'd say the people you met had started before the full time ground school. i never realised that PTC had a full time class until I rang their US office by chance when I was researching other Florida schools.

[pilotbear]

keep running Skylarker.
The PTC ground school is the Oxford syllabus and I hear they just had a 94% pass. Apparently, they now do a modular course for a substantially reduced price
Amazing how you guys think you run things better. I am still waiting to see your proposed budget figures. You pay peanuts you get monkeys.
I just heard a rumour that the FI's at Oxford in the USA are not JAA qualified ...just a rumour of course. Wonder if that could disqualify your training?
Better dig deeper

[DublinDev]

Why don't I believe Skylurker?

Reads like a plant to me....

[JohnDCFC]

PTC

Just to add my tuppence worth. I read through these forums once in a while as a casual observer and I am currently a student with PTC Florida, completing my ATPL/hours build course.

While I have had some issues with PTC since starting my training with them, overall, the product they offer is very good, and is improving all the time. In fact, one thing that I admire about them as an FTO is their constant desire to improve the course (Im on the Airline Pilot Training Course) and make it as complete an experience for the student as possible.

The move to Melbourne has, IMHO, been a great one. The ATPL groundschool is continually improving and although its not perfect, it is a work in progress that I have no doubt will continue to get better.

You will always get positive and negative opinions about an FTO. I can only talk about my opinion/experiences with the FTO. What I can also say is that to be fair, Mike Edgworth and his team are very approachable and pro-active. This, for me, is something that is very positive in terms of the student experience at the school.

It is also worth mentioning the recent 'Fly Out' to New Orleans, which was a great experience for all who took part and the team at PTC Florida deserve great credit for putting that program together. Aparently, that was the first in a series of events...hopefully there is another one before I leave FL!

If you are contemplating a career in aviation, or choosing PTC, I would say by all means, shop around and get what is best for you.

I would have no hesitation in recomending PTC as an FTO, as long as you are prepared to put in the effort and work with them. Sure, they are not perfect, but who is? You will probably hear of nightmare stories from other students, and that is fair enough, like me, they are entitled to their opinion.

That should not take away, however, from the hard work that goes on behind the scenes at PTC in Waterford and Florida, which whatever you opinion, cant be argued with.

Anyway, I hope this helps, particulalry for those who maybe considering PTC as an option for their training.

[yamahachris]

acepilotmurdock

Just trying to find out everything about the PTC, from someone that is with them at the minute, and would like to know how the funding works. If you could give me any feedback that would be geat thanks.


Thanks Chris

[MartinCh]

pilotbear > I just heard a rumour that the FI's at Oxford in the USA are not JAA qualified ...just a rumour of course. Wonder if that could disqualify your training?
Better dig deeper

Well, you probably didn't dig deep studying through JAR FCL. Otherwise you'd know that there could be 'JAA' training in non-JAA country by non-JAA instructors as long as the relevant school is allowed/authorised to do so and the instruction is supervised by JAA instructor. I'm not fluent in the numbers. Check it out yourself.

It was the proposal for EASA FCL that JAA instruction could be only by JAA instructors that upset some schools etc. Or even outside JAA resp EASA soon (not all JAA, naturally). That would peeve off some big FTOs. I think there were rumours here that it'll get probably settled to the content of 'both sides'. But then, I'm not that into memorising it all.

[mtanz0]

It's 98 grand mate, don't even consider it. The place is a fully fledged con factory. People walking about dressed up as pilots who are actually salespeople, and who of course don't reveal that until you ask them. For around 40,000 euros, you could go to austrailia, do your training there, and then convert it to a JAA licence for around 10 grand.

[BigGrecian]

I just heard a rumour that the FI's at Oxford in the USA are not JAA qualified

They are not JAA flight instructors - correct. Nor do they hold JAA licences. They simply have done a little course which allows them to teach JAA syllabus.
In my opinion this is why that training in the USA is regarded as a low standard. (And Yes Oxford has some of the worst output I've ever seen IMHO)

There is only one school in the USA which uses JAA licenced pilots only. (Who have FAA Licences as well) Check their websites for details.

[Keygrip]

...but it's not always true though, BigG.

[McNulty]

Here is a clip of mike edgeworth on rte (irish radio) from a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.rte.ie/podcasts/2009/pc/p...4s-todaypk.mp3

Mike,

Could you please reveal where you got your information about the pilot shortage you speak of, and where the figure of '75000' in relation to the number of new european pilots required in the coming years comes from.

[flyingred]

mtanz0,

Just wondering where you can do this in australia? I'm still in the research stage on my application looking at PTC, jerez and oxford, and possibly CTC.

What is the story about training in australia? is it possible to convert over at relativly good prices? are there any particular schools you would advise looking into over there?

thanks

[BigGrecian]

Having just spoken to someone at Flight Safety; they are saying that PTC contract ended because of immigration problems.#

Apparantely they were conducting their own ATPL groundschool and some of their IAA flying training - without Flight Safety involved and this is against US immigration law. Flight Safety provide the visa or any school which provides your training, must be the one to provide your training or in conjunction with, if you start training outside that; then you have terms for visa termination.

When Flight Safety raised this apparently PTC started being more vague. Flight Safety didn't want the risk so didn't want the PTC contact anymore.

[davelongdon]

Confusion

I am considering applying for the Flybe mentored scheme with PTC, anyone have any experience with this, advice etc. as I am a bit concerned. In a world where these schemes are rare where in fact on successful completition you are offered employment, is it worth forking out the 98,000 euros??

Please Help!

[acepilotmurdock]

I Did and am not looking back.

[Adios]

Dave,

Flybe do mentored courses with 4 or 5 different FTOs. Look at Flybe's web site to see what other choices you might have, as they are recruiting for several of them now.

[davelongdon]

Problem is most of the FTO's require A-Levels which I dont have, unlike PTC which dont require them.

With PTC, you are guaranteed employment on successful completion of the course and seems to be the only course running, as FTE's course has just closed for entries.

What success does CTC have?

[potkettleblack]

With PTC, you are guaranteed employment on successful completion of the course and seems to be the only course running, as FTE's course has just closed for entries.

Do you believe everything that you are told? I hope to god you do some detailed research and corroborate that statement before you go and spend a huge wedge of cash on a hope and whim. Perhaps ask them for a copy of the contract and have a lawyer review the "guarantee" clause you are referring to.

You would be more likely to get a job with CTC, however, you had better be at the top of your game to get through the selection process. Even after all of that the best you could hope for in the current climate is a summer contract building some hours. The hold pool is getting larger by the month so you could be swimming for years at the current rate. Factor that into your costings for your bank. Also go and read the various CTC threads to see what is going on in the job market and how bleak it is.

[jez d]

Dave, beware of that 'guarantee' of employment. Nothing is guaranteed in this economic climate.

Flybe are honourable and a great outfit to work for but it doesn't make them immune to the whims of bean counters.

Best of luck, jez

Edited to say PKB beat me to it

[LHR T5]

There is only one guarantee in life and that is ........... death!